What’s In Your Facial Cleanser? Make Sure You Read The Ingredient List!
Have you put much thought into what facial cleanser you use? What are the deciding factors? Is it the nice smell? Is it how much foam it creates or perhaps, how thick it feels when it comes out of the bottle?
Have you ever taken a peek at the ingredient list? We took a look at some top facial cleansers and found many ingredients that should be watched out for. Let’s take a close look at a few examples below.
Brand #1: Gentle Skin Cleanser
Ingredients: Water, Cetyl Alcohol, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Stearyl Alcohol, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Butylparaben
It is recommended for all types of skin.
Brand #2: Liquid Facial Soap Mild Cleanser
Ingredients: Water, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Chloride, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Lauramidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Cocoyl Sarcosinate, Tea-Cocoyl Glutamate, Di-PPG-2 Myreth-10 Adipate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate, Sucrose, Sodium Hyaluronate, Cetyl Triethylmonium Dimethicone PEG-8 Succinate, Tocopheryl Ethyl Succinate Ethyldimonium Ethosulfate, Butylene Glycol, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria), Hexylene Glycol, Polyquaternium-7, Laureth-2, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Sulfate, Edta, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol
Wait, why is Sodium Lauryl Sulfate bolded?
While one of these products is advertised for all types of skin and the other labeled gentle, they both contain sodium lauryl sulfate. This ingredient may cause epidermal changes where it is applied, and experts found deposition where applied when used often which in time could damage the hair follicles.
Brand #3: Fragrance-Free Facial Cleanser Liquid
Ingredients: Purified Water, Glycerin, Sodium Oleate, Sodium Cocoate, Sodium Trideceth Sulfate, Disodium Cocamphodipropionate, Sodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Lauramide DEA, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Triethanolamine, BHT, Trisodium HEDTA, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Citric Acid, FD&C Blue 1, D&C Red 33, FD&C Yellow 5
Let's set aside the parabens and artificial colors used in this product, and just take look at Lauramide DEA. What, exactly, is Lauramide DEA?
This fragrance-free facial cleanser contains Lauramide DEA. DEA (Diethanolethylamine) is commonly used as a surfactant and a corrosion inhibitor. In 1998, a study was completed showing carcinogenic changes occurring in correlation with the application of DEA; however, no certain link may be found. If you wish to avoid this, avoid any ingredient preceding DEA or TEA (Triethanolamine).
Brand #4: Foaming Facial Cleanser
Ingredients: Purified Water, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Glycerin, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Terastearate & PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, Niacinamide, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Ceramide 3, Ceramide 6-II, Ceramide I, Hyaluronic Acid, Cholesterol, Sodium Chloride, Phytosphingosine, Citric Acid, Edetate Disodium, Dihydrate, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Carbomer, Xanthan Gum
Brand #5: Active Naturals Ultra-Calming Foamy Fragrance-Free Cleanser
Ingredients: Water, Glycerin, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Decyl Glucoside, PPG-2 Hydroxyethyl Cocamide, PEG-16 Soy Sterol, Polysorbate 20, Disodium Lauroamphodiacetate, Phenoxyethanol, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Coco PG-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate, Tetrasodium EDTA, Methylparaben, Xanthan Gum, Propylparaben, Ethylparaben, Chrysanthemum Parthenium (Feverfew) Extract, Sodium Cocoyl Amino Acids, Sarcosine, Potassium Aspartate, Magnesium Aspartate
May Also Contain: Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide
What are parabens?
Every facial cleanser shown here contains parabens. Parabens are often used as a preservative in cosmetic, food, and drug products. A 2008 publication suggested methylparaben applied to the skin may cause skin damage (involving carcinogenesis) and aging after exposure to sunlight. In addition, more research is being conducted to evaluate whether this potent preservative has any links to breast cancer occurrence.
Brand #6: Skin-Restoring Body Wash
Water, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Sodium Trideceth Sulfate, Glycerin, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Lauroamphoacetate, Cocamide MEA, Niacinamide, Tocopheryl Acetate, Allantoin, Arginine, Citric Acid, Methylisothiazolinone, Sodium PCA, 1, 2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Potassium Sorbate, Disodium EDTA
It contains methylisothiazolinone (MI). Do you know this ingredient is commonly used in our skincare products? It's a known skin irritant and sensitizer. Frequent exposure to skincare products containing MI may lead to contact dermatitis. Contact allergies due to MI and methylchloroisothiazolinone (MCI) was considered a "new epidemic" (Contact Dermatitis, 2013, Apr; 68(4):253-5.).
What's more surprising is that this skin-restoring body wash containing MI has an Acceptance seal from the National Eczema Association. While this seal suggests validity and safety, it's important for you to do your own research.