What's In My Jar
Cetaphil Gentle Skin Facial Cleanser - Old Formula
Cetaphil

Cetaphil Gentle Skin Facial Cleanser - Old Formula

Efficacy75/100IrritancyLow
See all ingredients

Works for

Cleansing
Cetyl alcohol, Sodium lauryl sulfate + 1 more
Can be harsh
What the product description says
“Gentle Skin Facial Cleanser , Old Formula”
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 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.

Cetyl alcoholEffect: HighA non-drying alcohol that works to soften the skin and stabilize product formulations helping oil and water mix together~6.9–10.4%
Sodium lauryl sulfateEffect: HighA cleansing agent (SLS). It can be irritating~2.7–4.1%
Stearyl alcoholEffect: HighAn emollient that helps soften the skin~1.4–2.1%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
2 flagged ingredients
Low risk
We flag 2 ingredients with irritancy potential; the product's overall irritancy is low. The table lists each ingredient's own rating.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
Propylene glycolHelps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritatingHigh~3.8–5.6%est.
Sodium lauryl sulfateA cleansing agent (SLS). It can be irritatingHigh~2.7–4.1%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 lauryl sulfateA cleansing agent (SLS). It can be irritating3/5~2.7–4.1%est.

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Ingredients

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Water~40–60%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Plain old water

More about Water
Cetyl alcohol~6.9–10.4%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
CleansingMoisturizing

A non-drying alcohol that works to soften the skin and stabilize product formulations helping oil and water mix together

More about Cetyl alcohol
Propylene glycol~3.8–5.6%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritating

More about Propylene glycol
Sodium lauryl sulfate~2.7–4.1%
Comedogenic 3/5Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Comedogenicity
3/5
Works for
Cleansing

A cleansing agent (SLS). It can be irritating

More about Sodium lauryl sulfate
Stearyl alcohol~1.4–2.1%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing

An emollient that helps soften the skin

More about Stearyl alcohol
Methylparaben~0.15–0.3%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A preservative

More about Methylparaben
Propylparaben~0.05–0.15%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A preservative

More about Propylparaben
Butylparaben~0.2–0.4%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A preservative

More about Butylparaben
Ingredient list view

Water, Cetyl alcohol, Propylene glycol, Sodium lauryl sulfate, Stearyl alcohol, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Butylparaben

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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
CetaphilGentle Skin Facial Cleanser - Old FormulaYOUR PRODUCTOlayRegenerist Collagen Peptide 24 Cream CleanserBaxter of CaliforniaSulfate-Free Daily Face WashISDINAcniben Repair Gentle Cleanser Emulsion
Match—35%35%34%
Price—$13.23$9.00—
Shared key ingredients—3 of 30 of 32 of 3
Key difference—Salicylic AcidCapryloyl Salicylic AcidBetaine
Irritancy Low Low Low Low
Drying alcohol————
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Sources cited in this review

Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 3 studies and safety reviews.

  1. 1
    Surfactants and experimental irritant contact dermatitisncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  2. 2
    Propylene Glycolpubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  3. 3
    Skin-sensitizing and irritant properties of propylene glycolonlinelibrary.wiley.com
Cetaphil Gentle Skin Facial Cleanser - Old Formula
CetaphilGentle Skin Facial Cleanser - Old Formula
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