A refreshing, invigorating gel cleanser featuring cooling agents and botanical extracts designed to deeply cleanse and wake up the skin.
The performance rating of 6.2/10 reflects a formula that cleanses effectively but may be overly stripping for many skin types. The primary cleansing power comes from sodium c14-16 olefin sulfonate, a strong surfactant that removes dirt and oil but can leave the skin feeling tight. While glycerin and botanical ingredients like cucumber, ginseng, and ginger root extracts help to condition and soothe the skin, their benefits are minimized in a wash-off product. Similarly, beneficial active ingredients like sodium ascorbyl phosphate (Vitamin C) and tocopheryl acetate (Vitamin E) do not remain on the skin long enough to deliver substantial antioxidant benefits. The cooling sensation from menthol and menthyl lactate provides a sensory cue of cleanliness but does not contribute to actual skin health.
The safety rating is restricted to 5.0/10 due to the presence of multiple potential skin sensitizers and irritants. Synthetic fragrance and citrus grandis (grapefruit) fruit extract are known allergens that can trigger contact dermatitis, particularly on facial skin. Additionally, menthol and menthyl lactate are common culprits for sensory irritation, redness, and burning, especially near the eyes. The strong surfactant sodium c14-16 olefin sulfonate can also damage the skin’s natural moisture barrier, leading to increased transepidermal water loss and heightened sensitivity.
With a final rating of 5.6/10, this facial cleanser represents a basic cleansing formula that carries a moderate risk of irritation. Although it effectively removes impurities, the use of harsh cleansing agents like sodium c14-16 olefin sulfonate paired with sensitizing ingredients like fragrance, menthol, and grapefruit extract detracts from its overall quality. While it contains some nourishing extracts and vitamins, these are largely overshadowed by the potential for dryness and irritation, making this product unsuitable for sensitive, dry, or compromised skin barrier types.
This gel cleanser is designed to deliver a refreshing sensory experience, utilizing ‘bursting beads’ and cooling agents to wake up the skin. At its core, the cleansing action relies on sodium c14-16 olefin sulfonate paired with cocamidopropyl betaine. While cocamidopropyl betaine is a mild, conditioning co-surfactant, sodium c14-16 olefin sulfonate is a highly effective, strong surfactant. This combination excels at breaking down excess sebum, dirt, and daily impurities, making it highly efficient for deeper cleansing. However, this level of cleansing power can easily strip the skin’s natural moisture barrier, leading to a tight, dry feeling that ultimately results in dehydration and potential rebound oil production.
To counteract potential dryness, the formula incorporates glycerin, a well-known humectant that helps retain moisture, along with soothing cucumber extract. It also features encapsulated nutrients in the beads, including vitamin E (tocopheryl acetate) and vitamin C (sodium ascorbyl phosphate), alongside energizing botanicals like ginseng root extract and ginger root extract. While these ingredients sound highly beneficial, their efficacy is severely limited in a wash-off product, as they do not remain on the skin long enough to penetrate deeply or provide significant antioxidant or brightening benefits.
The most polarizing aspect of this formulation is its sensory additives. It contains menthol, menthyl lactate, and fragrance, which combine to create a distinct tingling, cooling sensation and a bright aroma. While many users enjoy this stimulating effect in the morning, these ingredients are notorious triggers for contact dermatitis, redness, and irritation. The inclusion of grapefruit extract, which contains volatile fragrant compounds, further heightens the risk of sensitivity.
In summary, this cleanser is best viewed as a clarifying, sensory-focused wash rather than a nourishing treatment. It is well-suited for individuals with very oily, resilient skin who enjoy a foaming, cooling cleanse. Conversely, it is highly recommended that those with dry, dehydrated, sensitive, or barrier-compromised skin steer clear of this product, as the combination of strong surfactants and volatile fragrant sensitizers is highly likely to cause dryness, stinging, and barrier disruption.
🧪 Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate / C14-16 烯烃磺酸钠
Purpose: Primary surfactant / deep cleansing agent
Concerns: Can be quite drying or stripping, especially for sensitive, dry, or compromised skin types.
Notes: Provides excellent foaming and strong cleaning power, but is more aggressive than gentler alternatives.
🧪 Cocamidopropyl Betaine / 椰油酰胺丙基甜菜碱
Purpose: Mild secondary surfactant
Concerns: Generally safe, but may cause contact allergy in rare cases due to manufacturing impurities.
Notes: An amphoteric surfactant that boosts foam stability and reduces the potential irritation of stronger surfactants.
🧪 Water / 水
Purpose: Solvent
Concerns: None
Notes: The primary liquid base used to dissolve other water-soluble ingredients.
🧪 Glycerin / 甘油
Purpose: Humectant / Skin hydrator
Concerns: None
Notes: A classic, highly effective ingredient that helps the skin retain moisture and prevents over-drying during washing.
🧪 Propylene Glycol / 丙二醇
Purpose: Humectant and penetration enhancer
Concerns: May cause mild skin irritation in individuals with highly sensitive skin.
Notes: Helps maintain formula hydration and aids in delivering other active ingredients into the skin.
🧪 Caprylyl Glycol / 辛甘醇
Purpose: Humectant and preservative booster
Concerns: None
Notes: Provides skin-conditioning benefits while working synergistically to enhance the effectiveness of preservatives.
🧪 Hexylene Glycol / 己二醇
Purpose: Solvent and viscosity-controlling agent
Concerns: Can occasionally cause mild irritation if in high concentrations near the eyes.
Notes: Helps maintain the flow and spreadability of the cleanser.
🧪 Mannitol / 甘露糖醇
Purpose: Sugar-bound humectant
Concerns: None
Notes: Supports skin hydration, protects skin lipids, and is often used to stabilize active-containing micro-beads.
🧪 Tocopheryl Acetate / 生育酚乙酸酯
Purpose: Antioxidant (Vitamin E derivative)
Concerns: Low concern; very rarely triggers breakouts in highly acne-prone skin.
Notes: Helps protect the skin from free radicals and provides moisturizing, skin-conditioning benefits.
🧪 Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate / 抗坏血酸磷酸酯钠
Purpose: Antioxidant and skin-brightening agent (Vitamin C derivative)
Concerns: None
Notes: A stable form of Vitamin C that protects the skin from environmental stressors and helps skin tone appear brighter.
🧪 Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Extract / 黄瓜果提取物
Purpose: Soothing and refreshing agent
Concerns: None
Notes: Provides a cooling, calming effect, making it highly beneficial for soothing tired or irritated skin.
🧪 Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Fruit Extract / 葡萄柚果提取物
Purpose: Antioxidant and refreshing agent
Concerns: Can cause mild photosensitivity if left on, but the risk is negligible in wash-off products like facial cleansers.
Notes: Rich in vitamins, it contributes to skin vitality and brings a refreshing feel.
🧪 Panax Ginseng Root Extract / 人参根提取物
Purpose: Skin-conditioning and revitalizing agent
Concerns: None
Notes: Provides skin-boosting benefits, improves hydration, and fights signs of aging with antioxidants.
🧪 Zingiber Officinale (Ginger) Root Extract / 姜根提取物
Purpose: Soothing and anti-inflammatory antioxidant
Concerns: Can occasionally cause a slight tingling sensation on extremely sensitive skin.
Notes: Rich in biologically active gingerols, which protect the skin from environmental damage and reduce irritation.
🧪 Menthol / 薄荷醇
Purpose: Cooling and refreshing agent
Concerns: Can be highly sensitizing to sensitive skin and may irritate the eyes during washing.
Notes: Provides a robust, icy-cool sensation on the skin, but is often avoided in products designed for compromised skin barriers.
🧪 Menthyl Lactate / 薄荷醇乳酸酯
Purpose: Cooling and refreshing agent
Concerns: Milder than pure menthol, but still poses a slight risk of irritation for highly sensitive skin.
Notes: Provides a gentler, more sustained cooling sensation than menthol alone.
🧪 Acrylates Copolymer / 丙烯酸(酯)类共聚物
Purpose: Thickener and suspension agent
Concerns: None
Notes: Helps suspend active-containing beads or exfoliating particles in the formula and controls the overall texture.
🧪 Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6 / 聚丙烯酸酯交联聚合物-6
Purpose: Thickener and gelling agent
Concerns: None
Notes: Provides a premium, non-sticky gel texture and maintains formulation stability over time.
🧪 Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose / 羟丙基甲基纤维素
Purpose: Thickener and emulsion stabilizer
Concerns: None
Notes: A plant-derived compound used to enhance lather richness and thickness.
🧪 Microcrystalline Cellulose / 微晶纤维素
Purpose: Gentle physical exfoliant / texturizer
Concerns: None
Notes: Biodegradable solid scrub particles used to physically lift dead skin cells without causing micro-tears.
🧪 Acrylates/Ammonium Methacrylate Copolymer / 丙烯酸(酯)类/聚甲基丙烯酸铵共聚物
Purpose: Film-former and encapsulating agent
Concerns: None
Notes: Typically used to construct the protective shell of micro-beads or capsules that house active ingredients like vitamins.
🧪 Simethicone / 二甲硅油
Purpose: Defoaming agent and skin conditioner
Concerns: None
Notes: Used during manufacturing to prevent excessive foaming in production and provides a smooth sensory feel.
🧪 Disodium EDTA / 乙二胺四乙酸二钠
Purpose: Chelating agent
Concerns: None
Notes: Binds to metal ions in tap water to prevent them from breaking down other ingredients and degrading the formula.
🧪 Sodium Hydroxide / 氢氧化钠
Purpose: pH adjuster
Concerns: Highly alkaline in raw form, but completely safe once reacted and neutralized in the final cleanser.
Notes: Used in tiny amounts to align the product’s pH with the natural acidity of the skin.
🧪 Triethyl Citrate / 柠檬酸三乙酯
Purpose: Solvent and plasticizer
Concerns: None
Notes: Helps dissolve pigments or other ingredients, and can act as a gentle antioxidant synergist.
🧪 Phenoxyethanol / 苯氧乙醇
Purpose: Preservative
Concerns: May cause minor skin irritation in individuals with active eczema or severe skin damage.
Notes: A globally approved, highly reliable alternative to parabens used to keep the product free of mold and bacteria.
🧪 Fragrance / 香精
Purpose: Scenting agent
Concerns: A common cause of skin sensitization, redness, and contact allergies.
Notes: Improves the sensory experience of the product but can be problematic for those with sensitive skin.
🧪 Mica / 云母
Purpose: Pearlescent mineral pigment
Concerns: None
Notes: Reflects light to give the cleanser a shimmering, high-end appearance.
🧪 Iron Oxides / 氧化铁
Purpose: Colorant
Concerns: None
Notes: Natural pigments used to tint the gel or exfoliating beads with color.
🧪 Titanium Dioxide / 二氧化钛
Purpose: Opacifying agent / white colorant
Concerns: None in wash-off liquid cosmetics.
Notes: Used to make the formula opaque or white; also protects ingredients from UV light degradation in clear bottles.