C.O. Bigelow Musk Hand Wash

C.O. Bigelow Musk Hand Wash

Efficacy75/100IrritancyHigh

Works for

Cleansing
Sodium laureth sulfate, Tea-lauryl sulfate + 8 more
Can be harsh
What the product description says
“Musk Hand Wash”
From product name

This product works by removing dirt and oil from the surface of the skin.

It contains the following cleansing agents that tend to be harsh on the skin: sodium laureth sulfate.

The following cleansing agents are typically mild, but still can cause an irritation or allergy for some people cocamidopropyl betaine, decyl glucoside, tea-lauryl sulfate.

Keep in mind that cleansing can disrupt the skin barrier, and most people do not need to cleanse their skin more than once per day.

Sodium laureth sulfateEffect: HighWorks as a foaming cleansing agent~10–12%
Tea-lauryl sulfateEffect: High~5.4–6.6%
Cocamide meaEffect: High~3.1–3.8%
Cocamidopropyl betaineEffect: HighHelps water and oil mix together. Used as a cleansing ingredient. Could be an allergen~2.7–3.3%
Peg-7 glyceryl cocoateEffect: HighHelps oils and water mix together and works as a cleansing agent~1.5–1.8%
Coconut oil glycereth-8 estersEffect: High~0.5–0.75%
Rice oil glycereth-8 estersEffect: High~0.4–0.6%
Decyl glucosideEffect: HighHelps oil and water mix together. Can be irritating~0.3–0.55%
Peg-40 hydrogenated castor oilEffect: HighHelps oil and water mix together~0.3–0.55%
Sodium lauroyl oat amino acidsEffect: High~0.25–0.5%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
3 strong irritants: Parfum, Hydroxycitronellal + 1 more — patch-test recommended
High risk
We flagged 20 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
Sodium laureth sulfateWorks as a foaming cleansing agentHigh~10–12%est.
Tea-lauryl sulfate—High~5.4–6.6%est.
ParfumAn aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredientsHigh~2.2–2.7%est.
Cocamidopropyl betaineHelps water and oil mix together. Used as a cleansing ingredient. Could be an allergenHigh~2.7–3.3%est.
Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamateOctinoxate. When used in higher concentrations, works as a sunscreen protecting the skin from UVB rays. When used in lower concentration, helps to preserve the product formulation. Is shown to be harmful to coral reefs - consider avoiding bathing in coral reef areas when wearing a product with this ingredient. It can be irritatingHigh~0.75–1.15%est.
Decyl glucosideHelps oil and water mix together. Can be irritatingHigh~0.3–0.55%est.
HydroxycitronellalA fragrance. A likely allergen and can be irritatingHigh~0.05–0.15%est.
Benzyl salicylateA fragrance. Is a likely irritantHigh~0.05–0.1%est.
Ci 15985A colorantHigh~0.05%est.
Peg-7 glyceryl cocoateHelps oils and water mix together and works as a cleansing agentMedium~1.5–1.8%est.
Aloe barbadensis leaf juiceTraditionally used to treat sunburns, dermatitis and inflammation, but evidence for its effectiveness is lacking. The extract can contain humectants that help attract water into the skinMedium~1.3–1.6%est.
Tetrasodium edtaHelps to stabilize the product formulationMedium~0.75–1.1%est.
Caprylyl glycolHelps preserve products and creates a nice product textureMedium~0.75–1.1%est.
BhtA preservativeMedium~0.65–1%est.
Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethaneAvobenzone. An organic, or so-called "chemical" UV filter. Protects against both UVA and UVB rays. Needs to be combined with other filters in a formulation to be stable.Medium~0.8–1.2%est.
Ppg-26-buteth-26Helps oil and water mix togetherMedium~0.55–0.8%est.
Peg-40 hydrogenated castor oilHelps oil and water mix togetherMedium~0.3–0.55%est.
Citric acidCan work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pHMedium~0.2–0.35%est.
EthylhexylglycerinA preservativeMedium~0.1–0.2%est.
Ci 17200A red colorantMedium~0.01–0.05%est.
Comedogenic
1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale
1 flagged
These ingredients have a comedogenic rating of 2 or more on a 0–5 scale; the table shows each one's rating. In leave-on products they can clog pores in acne-prone skin.
IngredientFunctionRatingEst. amount
Sodium laureth sulfateWorks as a foaming cleansing agent2/5~10–12%est.

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Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Water~45–55%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Plain old water

More about Water
Sodium laureth sulfate~10–12%
Comedogenic 2/5Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Comedogenicity
2/5
Works for
Cleansing

Works as a foaming cleansing agent

More about Sodium laureth sulfate
Tea-lauryl sulfate~5.4–6.6%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Cleansing
More about Tea-lauryl sulfate
Cocamide mea~3.1–3.8%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing
More about Cocamide mea
Parfum~2.2–2.7%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients

More about Parfum
Cocamidopropyl betaine~2.7–3.3%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Cleansing

Helps water and oil mix together. Used as a cleansing ingredient. Could be an allergen

More about Cocamidopropyl betaine
Phenoxyethanol~0.5–1%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products

More about Phenoxyethanol
Peg-7 glyceryl cocoate~1.5–1.8%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oils and water mix together and works as a cleansing agent

More about Peg-7 glyceryl cocoate
Aloe barbadensis leaf juice~1.3–1.6%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-inflammatoryAntibacterialReduces rednessReduces irritationAnti-agingAnti-blemish

Traditionally used to treat sunburns, dermatitis and inflammation, but evidence for its effectiveness is lacking. The extract can contain humectants that help attract water into the skin

More about Aloe barbadensis leaf juice
Hydroxypropyl guar hydroxypropyltrimonium chloride~1.1–1.4%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Helps reduce the irritating effect of surfactants

More about Hydroxypropyl guar hydroxypropyltrimonium chloride
Sodium pca~0.95–1.2%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Naturally present in skin and helps to attract water to its upper layer

More about Sodium pca
Glycerin~0.9–1.1%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant

More about Glycerin
Tetrasodium edta~0.75–1.1%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Helps to stabilize the product formulation

More about Tetrasodium edta
Caprylyl glycol~0.75–1.1%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture

More about Caprylyl glycol
Bht~0.65–1%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A preservative

More about Bht
Polyquaternium-7~0.7–1%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product finish

More about Polyquaternium-7
Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane~0.8–1.2%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Sun protection

Avobenzone. An organic, or so-called "chemical" UV filter. Protects against both UVA and UVB rays. Needs to be combined with other filters in a formulation to be stable.

More about Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane
Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate~0.75–1.15%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Sun protection

Octinoxate. When used in higher concentrations, works as a sunscreen protecting the skin from UVB rays. When used in lower concentration, helps to preserve the product formulation. Is shown to be harmful to coral reefs - consider avoiding bathing in coral reef areas when wearing a product with this ingredient. It can be irritating

More about Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate
Ppg-26-buteth-26~0.55–0.8%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Helps oil and water mix together

More about Ppg-26-buteth-26
Coconut oil glycereth-8 esters~0.5–0.75%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing
More about Coconut oil glycereth-8 esters
Panthenol~0.4–0.6%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Reduces rednessMoisturizingReduces irritation

Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function

More about Panthenol
Prunus amygdalus dulcis protein~0.35–0.6%
Formula
Rice oil glycereth-8 esters~0.4–0.6%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing
More about Rice oil glycereth-8 esters
Ethylhexyl salicylate~0.5–0.75%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Sun protection

Octisalate. A UV filter. It offers some protection against the sun rays that cause sunburn (UVB), but does not protect against the most aging sun rays (UVA). It loses its effectiveness quickly when exposed to sunlight. It is an organic, or so called "chemical" sunscreen

More about Ethylhexyl salicylate
Peg-40 hydrogenated castor oil~0.3–0.55%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together

More about Peg-40 hydrogenated castor oil
Decyl glucoside~0.3–0.55%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together. Can be irritating

More about Decyl glucoside
Citric acid~0.2–0.35%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH

More about Citric acid
Sodium lauroyl oat amino acids~0.25–0.5%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing
More about Sodium lauroyl oat amino acids
Hydrolyzed rice protein~0.15–0.3%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-oxidation

Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Might have some anti-oxidant properties

More about Hydrolyzed rice protein
Ethylhexylglycerin~0.1–0.2%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A preservative

More about Ethylhexylglycerin
Sodium benzoate~0.05–0.15%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A preservative

More about Sodium benzoate
Hydroxycitronellal~0.05–0.15%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A fragrance. A likely allergen and can be irritating

More about Hydroxycitronellal
Benzyl salicylate~0.05–0.1%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A fragrance. Is a likely irritant

More about Benzyl salicylate
Ci 15985~0.05%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A colorant

More about Ci 15985
Ci 17200~0.01–0.05%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A red colorant

More about Ci 17200
Ingredient list view

Water, Sodium laureth sulfate, Tea-lauryl sulfate, Cocamide mea, Parfum, Cocamidopropyl betaine, Phenoxyethanol, Peg-7 glyceryl cocoate, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice, Hydroxypropyl guar hydroxypropyltrimonium chloride, Sodium pca, Glycerin, Tetrasodium edta, Caprylyl glycol, Bht, Polyquaternium-7, Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, Ppg-26-buteth-26, Coconut oil glycereth-8 esters, Panthenol, Prunus amygdalus dulcis protein, Rice oil glycereth-8 esters, Ethylhexyl salicylate, Peg-40 hydrogenated castor oil, Decyl glucoside, Citric acid, Sodium lauroyl oat amino acids, Hydrolyzed rice protein, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium benzoate, Hydroxycitronellal, Benzyl salicylate, Ci 15985, Ci 17200

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Amazon USPrice as of 11/13 12:22 GMT
$22.00
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Worth comparing, line by line.

Match % combines shared ingredients, the first five ingredients, shared actives and hero ingredients, irritancy (lower counts in the alternative's favour), texture and body area. Only products in the same routine step are compared.

Side-by-side comparison of this product against its closest alternatives
C.O. BigelowMusk Hand WashYOUR PRODUCTPalmoliveAloe Vera & Chamomile Liquid Hand WashLa Roche-PosayCicaplast B5 Cleansing WashUrban ApothecaryCoconut Grove Luxury Hand & Body Wash
Match—32%29%28%
Price$22.00$6.58−$15.42$5.29−$16.71$29.16+$7.16
Shared key ingredients—3 of 155 of 154 of 15
Key difference—Benzophenone-4Manganese GluconatePeg-200 Hydrogenated Glyceryl Palmate
Irritancy High Medium Low High
Drying alcohol————
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