This is a classic, non-foaming gentle facial cleanser designed to cleanse the skin without stripping its natural moisture barrier, relying on simple fatty alcohols to buffer its surfactant.
The performance rating of 5.6/10 reflects a very basic cleansing action with significant drawbacks. While Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) is a highly effective surfactant that removes dirt and oil, it is notoriously stripping. Fatty alcohols like Cetyl Alcohol and Stearyl Alcohol, along with Glyceryl Stearate, provide a creamy texture and help mitigate some dryness, while Propylene Glycol acts as a basic humectant. However, the formula completely lacks modern, beneficial active ingredients like soothing agents or advanced hydrators, rendering its performance mediocre and potentially drying for many skin types.
A safety rating of 5.9/10 is primarily driven by the inclusion of potentially irritating and sensitizing ingredients. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) is a well-documented skin irritant that can damage the skin barrier and cause redness or dryness. Additionally, Benzyl Alcohol is a known fragrance allergen and preservative that can trigger contact allergy or sensitization in sensitive individuals. While ingredients like Phenoxyethanol and fatty alcohols are generally safe, the overall potential for irritation, especially on compromised or sensitive skin, keeps this rating in the moderate range.
With a final rating of 5.7/10, this cleanser represents an outdated, bare-bones formulation. It functions to clean the skin, but does so using harsh surfactants like Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) that risk stripping the skin barrier. The emollient properties of Cetyl Alcohol and Stearyl Alcohol are not enough to offset the potential for irritation and dryness, especially given the inclusion of sensitizing Benzyl Alcohol and the absence of any nourishing actives. It is a functional but suboptimal choice for modern skincare needs.
This facial cleanser features an incredibly minimalist, legacy formulation famously known for its ultra-gentle, non-foaming approach to skincare. Built around a base of water, cetyl alcohol, and stearyl alcohol, this product functions more like an emulsion than a traditional soap. Instead of generating a rich lather, it glides over the skin to dissolve surface impurities, excess sebum, and light makeup. The inclusion of glyceryl stearate and propylene glycol ensures the skin remains hydrated and soft during the cleansing process, preventing the tight, squeaky-clean feeling associated with harsher face washes. The most notable and debated ingredient in this list is sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS). Normally, SLS is a highly stripping surfactant notorious for causing dryness and irritation. However, in this specific formulation, it is heavily buffered by a high concentration of fatty alcohols (cetyl and stearyl alcohol). This chemical synergy creates a unique lipid complex that limits the penetration of SLS into the stratum corneum. As a result, the cleansing action is exceptionally mild, making it historically popular for post-procedure skin, extremely sensitive skin, and those undergoing harsh dermatological treatments like isotretinoin. Despite its legendary status, this classic formula has some drawbacks. The presence of benzyl alcohol and phenoxyethanol serves to preserve the product, but sensitive individuals might find benzyl alcohol slightly sensitizing over time. Additionally, because it lacks robust surfactant activity, it is not highly effective at removing heavy makeup, water-resistant sunscreens, or stubborn oil. Users who wear daily makeup or mineral SPF will likely need to pair this with a first-step cleansing oil or balm to ensure a thorough clean. Overall, this is a no-frills, utilitarian cleanser that excels at maintaining the skin’s moisture barrier under compromised conditions. It does not contain trendy active ingredients like niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, or ceramides, but its simplicity is its greatest strength. If you have dry, compromised, or highly reactive skin that cannot tolerate foaming agents, this traditional emulsion-based formula remains a reliable, non-irritating staple for your daily routine.
🧪 Water / 水
Purpose: Solvent and vehicle for other ingredients.
Concerns: None.
Notes: Main component of most water-based cosmetics.
🧪 Propylene Glycol / 丙二醇
Purpose: Humectant, solvent, and skin conditioning agent.
Concerns: Can cause irritation or contact dermatitis in sensitive skin.
Notes: Helps the skin absorb other ingredients and retains moisture.
🧪 Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) / 月桂醇硫酸酯钠
Purpose: Surfactant and cleansing agent.
Concerns: Known to be a potential skin irritant, especially for sensitive or dry skin.
Notes: Creates foam and removes dirt and oil, but can strip the skin barrier if used in high concentrations.
🧪 Cetyl Alcohol / 鲸蜡醇
Purpose: Emollient, thickener, and emulsifier.
Concerns: Generally safe, but can be slightly comedogenic for acne-prone skin.
Notes: A fatty alcohol that is non-drying and helps soften the skin.
🧪 Stearyl Alcohol / 硬脂醇
Purpose: Emollient, emulsifier, and viscosity increasing agent.
Concerns: Low risk of irritation; may have mild comedogenicity.
Notes: Another fatty alcohol that helps to soothe and soften the skin.
🧪 Glyceryl Stearate / 甘油硬脂酸酯
Purpose: Emulsifier and emollient.
Concerns: Generally considered safe and non-irritating.
Notes: Helps bind water and oil together to form a stable emulsion.
🧪 Phenoxyethanol / 苯氧乙醇
Purpose: Preservative.
Concerns: Can cause mild skin irritation in high concentrations, but safe up to 1%.
Notes: Widely used alternative to parabens.
🧪 Benzyl Alcohol / 苯甲醇
Purpose: Preservative and solvent.
Concerns: Known allergen; can cause contact allergy or irritation in sensitive individuals.
Notes: Naturally occurring in some fruits, but synthetically produced for cosmetics.
🧪 Citric Acid / 柠檬酸
Purpose: pH adjuster and mild chelating agent.
Concerns: Can cause mild stinging or irritation on broken or highly sensitive skin.
Notes: An alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) used in tiny quantities to balance the formulation’s pH.