In deciding whether or not to use a facewash, I apply this quite rudimentary and basic test of my own design:
1) What are the surfactants present and are they mild?
This product has two really mild surfactants: lauryl glucoside (which is also used in natural skincare formulations) and Sodium Lauryl Sarcosinate (which makes the product creamier and stable).
Both these surfactants work well together and should in theory, create a mild to medium cleansing agent (when compared to the dreaded Sodium Lauryl Sulfate).
2) Does the product have a good preservative system?
This product contains Methylisothiazolinone (MI) and its companion Methylcholorisothiazolinone. MI is a preservative and a biocide. It’s used in industrial products (paints, adhesives, varnishes), household products and in the USA and India, its also used in cosmetics, shampoos, and sunscreens.
MI is banned in the European Union (EU) in leave-on products, such as sunscreen as its a contact allergen. The EU reached this decision after finding sufficient data in a bunch of European countries that showed not only was MI a contact allergen but also the number of incidences of contact allergy to MI were increasing. In the US, the status of MI is under review but in 2013, the American Contact Dermatitis Society named in as “Allergen of the Year.”
See this Should you avoid products with Methylisothiazolinone? for more information.
However, it is permitted in rinse-off products.
My personal view is that this may cause irritation over time because of how I use this facewash. Am I always going to leave my facewash on for a few seconds or will there be many times when I leave it on for 30 seconds+? What is the prolonged impact of this on my skin? I don’t want to be that guinea pig that finds out if my skin becomes sensitised over time. I just don’t.
Therefore, I do not use MI in leave-on or rinse-off products.
I respect that you may wish to ignore this and please continue reading?
3) Is there any glycerine?
Yes, this product has glycerine. Glycerine keeps the skin hydrated by reducing the amount of trans-epidermal water loss.
See also The Critical Importance of Glycerin in the Skin
4) Does the product irritate or dry the skin?
Thankfully, this transparent gel face wash has no distinguishable fragrance, unlike its companion facewash. It is also less foamy than the dry to normal skin facewash. However, it is very drying. This product left my skin completely squeaky clean which is never good.
Will I use this product again?
Ignoring the preservatives, there is not a chance I would use this facewash because its so drying.
See also
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