Cetaphil Soothing Foam Wash

Cetaphil Soothing Foam Wash

Efficacy100/100IrritancyLow

Works for

Cleansing
Sodium cocoyl glutamate, Sodium cocoamphoacetate + 5 more
Cleanses gently
What the product description says
“Soothing Foam Wash”
From product name

This product works by removing dirt and oil from the surface of the skin. It uses a combination of mild cleansing agents (carbomer, cholesterol, peg-40 hydrogenated castor oil, sodium cocoamphoacetate, sodium cocoyl glutamate, sodium lauroyl lactylate, xanthan gum) and should be able to cleanse the skin gently. Still keep in mind that any cleansing can disrupt the skin barrier, and most people do not need to cleanse their skin more than once per day.

Sodium cocoyl glutamateEffect: HighHelps oil and water mix together~4–6%
Sodium cocoamphoacetateEffect: HighHelps oil and water mix together and works as a cleansing agent. Creates foam~3.5–5.3%
CarbomerEffect: HighHelps create a thicker or gel-like product texture. It is not a surfactant but can be used in gentle cleansing formulations~0.95–1.45%
CholesterolEffect: HighAn emollient that is naturally found in skin~0.4–0.9%
Peg-40 hydrogenated castor oilEffect: HighHelps oil and water mix together~0.15–0.65%
Sodium lauroyl lactylateEffect: HighHelps water and oil mix together~0.05–0.2%
Xanthan gumEffect: HighUsed to create a thicker product consistency~0.05–0.15%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
10 flagged ingredients
Low risk
We flag 10 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~0.1–0.4%est.
Sodium cocoyl glutamateHelps oil and water mix togetherMedium~4–6%est.
Sodium cocoamphoacetateHelps oil and water mix together and works as a cleansing agent. Creates foamMedium~3.5–5.3%est.
Citric acidCan work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pHMedium~1.6–2.4%est.
CaffeineMight be helpful in neutralizing free radicals. Can have a dehydration effect that might somewhat decrease the look of puffy eyesMedium~1.1–1.7%est.
Disodium edtaStabilizes the product formulationMedium~0.2–0.75%est.
EthylhexylglycerinA preservativeMedium~0.2–0.75%est.
Peg-40 hydrogenated castor oilHelps oil and water mix togetherMedium~0.15–0.65%est.
Sodium citrateHelps to control the skin's pH level. Maintains the skin's natural film of amino-lactic acids and oils. Helps to preserve productsMedium~0.05–0.2%est.
Sodium lauroyl lactylateHelps water and oil mix togetherMedium~0.05–0.2%est.
Comedogenic
Clean of flagged comedogenic ingredients
None flagged

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Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Water~40–60%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Plain old water

More about Water
Glycerin~3.8–5.8%
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
Sodium cocoyl glutamate~4–6%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together

More about Sodium cocoyl glutamate
Sodium cocoamphoacetate~3.5–5.3%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together and works as a cleansing agent. Creates foam

More about Sodium cocoamphoacetate
Peg-75~2–2.9%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

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

More about Peg-75
Citric acid~1.6–2.4%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

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

More about Citric acid
Allantoin~1.2–1.8%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-inflammatoryReduces irritationReduces rednessAnti-blemishExfoliation

Helps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated

More about Allantoin
Caffeine~1.1–1.7%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
De-puffingAnti-oxidation

Might be helpful in neutralizing free radicals. Can have a dehydration effect that might somewhat decrease the look of puffy eyes

More about Caffeine
Carbomer~0.95–1.45%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing

Helps create a thicker or gel-like product texture. It is not a surfactant but can be used in gentle cleansing formulations

More about Carbomer
Ceramide ap~0.6–1.35%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
MoisturizingReduces irritationAnti-inflammatory

A type of lipid similar to ceramides naturally present in skin. Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and supports the skin barrier function to keep it hydrated. Can help to prevent inflammation in skin

More about Ceramide ap
Ceramide eop~0.5–1.15%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Reduces irritationMoisturizingAnti-inflammatory

A type of lipid similar to ceramides naturally present in skin. Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and supports the skin barrier function to keep it hydrated. Can help to prevent inflammation in skin

More about Ceramide eop
Ceramide np~0.45–1%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-inflammatoryReduces irritation

A type of lipid similar to ceramides naturally present in skin. Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and supports the skin barrier function to keep it hydrated. Can help to prevent inflammation in skin

More about Ceramide np
Cholesterol~0.4–0.9%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
MoisturizingCleansing

An emollient that is naturally found in skin

More about Cholesterol
Dipotassium glycyrrhizate~0.3–0.75%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-inflammatoryEvens skin tone

A salt derived from licorice. Works as an emollient to soften the upper layer of the skin and can help calm down inflammation. Might be helpful for skin lightening

More about Dipotassium glycyrrhizate
Disodium edta~0.2–0.75%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Stabilizes the product formulation

More about Disodium edta
Ethylhexylglycerin~0.2–0.75%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A preservative

More about Ethylhexylglycerin
Peg-40 hydrogenated castor oil~0.15–0.65%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together

More about Peg-40 hydrogenated castor oil
Phenoxyethanol~0.1–0.5%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products

More about Phenoxyethanol
Phytosphingosine~0.15–0.55%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-inflammatoryAnti-blemish

A type of lipid that is naturally present in skin. It might help in repairing skin barrier function and has anti-bacterial effect

More about Phytosphingosine
Propylene glycol~0.1–0.4%
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
Saccharide isomerate~0.1–0.35%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin

More about Saccharide isomerate
Sodium benzoate~0.05–0.2%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A preservative

More about Sodium benzoate
Sodium citrate~0.05–0.2%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Helps to control the skin's pH level. Maintains the skin's natural film of amino-lactic acids and oils. Helps to preserve products

More about Sodium citrate
Sodium lauroyl lactylate~0.05–0.2%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

Helps water and oil mix together

More about Sodium lauroyl lactylate
Xanthan gum~0.05–0.15%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing

Used to create a thicker product consistency

More about Xanthan gum
Ingredient list view

Water, Glycerin, Sodium cocoyl glutamate, Sodium cocoamphoacetate, Peg-75, Citric acid, Allantoin, Caffeine, Carbomer, Ceramide ap, Ceramide eop, Ceramide np, Cholesterol, Dipotassium glycyrrhizate, Disodium edta, Ethylhexylglycerin, Peg-40 hydrogenated castor oil, Phenoxyethanol, Phytosphingosine, Propylene glycol, Saccharide isomerate, Sodium benzoate, Sodium citrate, Sodium lauroyl lactylate, Xanthan gum

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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
CetaphilSoothing Foam WashYOUR PRODUCTNaturiumThe Calmer Ceramide Body WashCeraVeBalancing Air Foam Facial CleanserskintificCeramide Low pH Cleanser Facial Wash
Match—33%31%29%
Price—$14.43$12.39$11.90
Shared key ingredients—10 of 1611 of 166 of 16
Key difference—Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideSalicylic AcidSalicylic Acid
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 14 studies and safety reviews.

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Cetaphil Soothing Foam Wash
CetaphilSoothing Foam Wash

Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.

As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.