A foaming, pearlescent facial cleanser formulated with a blend of surfactants and glycerin to wash away impurities while maintaining basic skin hydration.
The cleanser delivers solid cleansing performance rated at 7.4/10 due to a diverse blend of surfactants. While Ammonium Laureth Sulfate provides robust foaming and dirt removal, it is balanced by much gentler co-surfactants such as Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Lauryl Glucoside, Decyl Glucoside, and Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate. Additionally, Glycerin acts as a key humectant to help retain skin moisture and mitigate dryness, though the presence of multiple thickeners like Acrylates Copolymer and Cocamide MEA may feel a bit heavy or stripping for very dry skin types.
The safety rating of 6.8/10 is primarily impacted by the inclusion of synthetic Fragrance, which is a well-documented skin sensitizer and common cause of contact irritation. Furthermore, the formulation contains ethoxylated ingredients such as Ammonium Laureth Sulfate, Laureth-4, and PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate, which carry a slight risk of contamination with manufacturing impurities like 1,4-dioxane. Other components like Cocamide MEA and preservatives like Chlorphenesin and Phenoxyethanol can also cause mild sensitization in individuals with highly reactive skin.
Earning a final rating of 7.1/10, this cleanser is a balanced, standard formulation that succeeds in removing oil and impurities without being overly aggressive, thanks to its mixture of mild and strong surfactants and hydrating Glycerin. However, its overall appeal is slightly diminished by safety concerns surrounding added fragrance and ethoxylated surfactants, making it less than ideal for those with compromised skin barriers or fragrance allergies.
This facial cleanser is a classic foaming formulation designed to effectively remove excess oil, dirt, and daily impurities. Its primary cleansing agent is Ammonium Laureth Sulfate (ALES). While laureth-based sulfates are generally milder than their lauryl counterparts due to the ethoxylation process, ALES can still be somewhat stripping if used in isolation. Fortunately, the formulation mitigates this potential harshness by combining it with a thoughtful variety of gentle co-surfactants. The inclusion of Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Lauryl Glucoside, Decyl Glucoside, and Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate creates a balanced, multi-surfactant system. This combination produces a rich, satisfying lather while being significantly gentler on the delicate skin barrier. To further counteract dryness, the formula features a generous amount of Glycerin, a powerful, time-tested humectant positioned high on the ingredient list. Glycerin works by drawing moisture into the outer layers of the skin, helping to ensure that your face does not feel uncomfortably tight, dehydrated, or squeaky-clean immediately after rinsing. The inclusion of Glycol Distearate and Laureth-4 gives the cleanser its characteristic pearlescent, creamy appearance while providing a light emollient feel during the washing process. However, this cleanser is not without its drawbacks. The formula contains added Fragrance, which gives it a pleasant scent but serves as a well-known trigger for contact dermatitis, redness, and irritation, particularly for those with reactive or compromised skin barriers. Additionally, the presence of sulfates, even milder ones like ALES, means this product may still be too drying for individuals with severely dry skin, eczema, or active inflammatory skin conditions such as rosacea. Ultimately, this cleanser serves as a solid, hardworking option for individuals with normal, combination, or oily skin types who prefer a deep, foaming cleanse that effectively cuts through sebum. It performs exceptionally well as a daily morning cleanser or as the second step in a double-cleansing routine to wash away makeup and sunscreen. If you have highly sensitive, dry, or barrier-compromised skin, you may want to opt for a fragrance-free, sulfate-free alternative to prevent potential irritation and dryness.
🧪 WATER / 水
Purpose: Primary solvent and carrier for other ingredients.
Concerns: None.
Notes: Essential base for liquid cleansers.
🧪 AMMONIUM LAURETH SULFATE / 月桂醇聚醚硫酸酯铵
Purpose: Anionic surfactant used for cleansing and foaming.
Concerns: Can cause skin dryness or irritation, although it is milder than Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate.
Notes: Produces rich lather; best suited for normal to oily skin types.
🧪 COCAMIDOPROPYL BETAINE / 椰油酰胺丙基甜菜碱
Purpose: Mild amphoteric surfactant and foam booster.
Concerns: Low risk, but can occasionally trigger contact allergies in sensitive individuals.
Notes: Commonly used to offset the potential harshness of stronger anionic surfactants.
🧪 LAURYL GLUCOSIDE / 月桂基葡糖苷
Purpose: Mild non-ionic cleansing agent.
Concerns: Extremely low risk of irritation; highly biodegradable.
Notes: A plant-derived surfactant that is very gentle on the skin barrier.
🧪 SODIUM LAUROYL SARCOSINATE / 月桂酰肌氨酸钠
Purpose: Mild amino-acid surfactant and cleanser.
Concerns: Very low; generally considered very safe and gentle.
Notes: Provides a creamy, rich lather and leaves skin feeling conditioned.
🧪 DECYL GLUCOSIDE / 癸基葡糖苷
Purpose: Gentle non-ionic surfactant.
Concerns: Extremely safe with minimal irritation potential.
Notes: Commonly used in baby products and formulations for sensitive skin.
🧪 COCAMIDE MEA / 椰油酰胺 MEA
Purpose: Foam booster and thickener.
Concerns: Safe in rinse-off products, but there are old concerns regarding potential nitrosamine contamination.
Notes: Derived from coconut fatty acids to enhance viscosity and lather structure.
🧪 GLYCERIN / 甘油
Purpose: Humectant and skin-identical ingredient.
Concerns: None; highly compatible with all skin types.
Notes: Draws moisture into the skin to prevent dryness and maintain hydration during the cleansing process.
🧪 ACRYLATES COPOLYMER / 丙烯酸（酯）类共聚物
Purpose: Viscosity controller and film-forming agent.
Concerns: Generally safe, but has low environmental biodegradability (microplastics concern).
Notes: Suspends insoluble particles and stabilizes the gel-like formula.
🧪 GLYCOL DISTEARATE / 乙二醇双硬脂酸酯
Purpose: Opacifying agent and pearlescent ingredient.
Concerns: Can have minor comedogenic potential, but negligible in wash-off cleansers.
Notes: Gives the product a pearly, luxurious aesthetic appearance.
🧪 LAURETH-4 / 月桂醇聚醚-4
Purpose: Emulsifier and co-surfactant.
Concerns: Can be mildly irritating if left on the skin, but safe in rinse-off applications.
Notes: Helps blend oil and water phases to stabilize the emulsion.
🧪 PEG-120 METHYL GLUCOSE DIOLEATE / PEG-120 甲基葡糖二油酸酯
Purpose: Thickener and mild surfactant.
Concerns: Slight risk of 1,4-dioxane contamination, though strict industry purification processes mitigate this.
Notes: A highly effective, sugar-derived thickener that reduces the irritation potential of surfactants.
🧪 PHENOXYETHANOL / 苯氧乙醇
Purpose: Broad-spectrum preservative.
Concerns: Can cause mild sensitization or irritation at high concentrations.
Notes: A very common and safe preservative when used under the regulated 1% limit.
🧪 CHLORPHENESIN / 氯苯甘醚
Purpose: Preservative and antimicrobial agent.
Concerns: May cause contact allergy or irritation in highly sensitive or eczema-prone skin.
Notes: Typically paired with phenoxyethanol to boost antimicrobial protection.
🧪 DISODIUM EDTA / 乙二胺四乙酸二钠
Purpose: Chelating agent.
Concerns: None when used in cosmetics; low environmental biodegradability.
Notes: Binds metal ions in the water to prevent product spoilage and maintain formulation clarity.
🧪 SODIUM HYDROXIDE / 氢氧化钠
Purpose: pH adjuster (alkaline).
Concerns: Highly corrosive in pure form, but completely safe once neutralized in the formulation.
Notes: Used in very small amounts to balance and raise the pH level of the cleanser.
🧪 CITRIC ACID / 柠檬酸
Purpose: pH adjuster (acidic).
Concerns: Generally safe; can cause minor stinging in open wounds or highly damaged skin barriers.
Notes: Derived from citrus fruits, used to lower the formulation pH to better match skin’s natural acidic pH.
🧪 FRAGRANCE / 香精
Purpose: Scenting and masking agent.
Concerns: Common cause of contact allergies and skin irritation for sensitive skin.
Notes: Used to give the product a pleasant scent or mask raw ingredient odors.