Charles + Lee Face Wash

Charles + Lee Face Wash

Efficacy75/100IrritancyMedium

Works for

Cleansing
Cocamidopropyl betaine, Sodium lauroyl sarcosinate + 5 more
Cleanses gently
What the product description says
“Face Wash”
Source: Recreate Yourself

This product works by removing dirt and oil from the surface of the skin. It uses a combination of mild cleansing agents (carbomer, cocamide dea, cocamidopropyl betaine, decyl glucoside, glyceryl oleate, sodium lauroyl sarcosinate, triethanolamine) 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.

Even though this formulation is mild, the following cleansing agents could trigger an irritation or allergy for some people: cocamidopropyl betaine, decyl glucoside, glyceryl oleate

Cocamidopropyl betaineEffect: HighHelps water and oil mix together. Used as a cleansing ingredient. Could be an allergen~9.3–11.4%
Sodium lauroyl sarcosinateEffect: HighHelps oil and water mix together and works as a cleansing agent~6–7.4%
Cocamide deaEffect: High~2.3–2.8%
Decyl glucosideEffect: HighHelps oil and water mix together. Can be irritating~1.6–2%
Glyceryl oleateEffect: HighHelps oil and water mix together. Can be irritating~1.3–1.6%
TriethanolamineEffect: HighUsed to adjust pH of the product and can help improve the product's smell~0.1–0.2%
CarbomerEffect: HighHelps create a thicker or gel-like product texture. It is not a surfactant but can be used in gentle cleansing formulations~0.1–0.15%
Exfoliation
Retinyl palmitate, Lactic acid
Not delivered
What the product description says
“AHA - exfoliates the skin’s surface, rejuvenates and helps even out the complexion”
Source: Recreate Yourself

This product might help exfoliate the skin with retinyl palmitate, but This ingredient is not the most effective.

Retinyl palmitateEffect: LowThree steps removed from the active form of vitamin A - retinoic acid. To have an effect in the skin, it first needs to be converted twice to become the retinoic acid. This means it is less potent than retinol, but could also be less irritating. Once converted to the retinoic acid in the skin, it helps against all signs of aging, improves skin cell turnover and helps fight blemishes and clogged pores. However, in many cosmetic formulations, it is used in a concentration that is too low to have the full effect~0.7–1.05%
Lactic acidUnder-dosedAn exfoliating and moisturizing alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). Typically causes less irritation than other AHAs, for example, glycolic acid. At high concentrations (about 15%), lactic acid can help reduce lines and wrinkles. Recent studies show that lactic acid can support the "good" bacteria living on skin's surface (healthy skin microbiome)~0.15–0.25%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
2 strong irritants: Retinyl palmitate, Parfum
Medium risk
We flagged 12 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
Cocamidopropyl betaineHelps water and oil mix together. Used as a cleansing ingredient. Could be an allergenHigh~9.3–11.4%est.
Decyl glucosideHelps oil and water mix together. Can be irritatingHigh~1.6–2%est.
Glyceryl oleateHelps oil and water mix together. Can be irritatingHigh~1.3–1.6%est.
Retinyl palmitateThree steps removed from the active form of vitamin A - retinoic acid. To have an effect in the skin, it first needs to be converted twice to become the retinoic acid. This means it is less potent than retinol, but could also be less irritating. Once converted to the retinoic acid in the skin, it helps against all signs of aging, improves skin cell turnover and helps fight blemishes and clogged pores. However, in many cosmetic formulations, it is used in a concentration that is too low to have the full effectHigh~0.7–1.05%est.
ParfumAn aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredientsHigh~0.45–0.7%est.
Chamomilla recutita extractPlant extract that can have healing and anti-inflammatory properties. It is a potential allergen and can be irritatingHigh~0.35–0.6%est.
Sodium lauroyl sarcosinateHelps oil and water mix together and works as a cleansing agentMedium~6–7.4%est.
Vitis vinifera seed oilA great emollient that can also have anti-oxidant propertiesMedium~1.1–1.3%est.
Lycium barbarum fruit extractA plant extract that can help neutralize free radicals in skin and attract water to its upper layerMedium~0.6–0.9%est.
Sodium dehydroacetateA preservativeMedium~0.2–0.35%est.
Lactic acidAn exfoliating and moisturizing alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). Typically causes less irritation than other AHAs, for example, glycolic acid. At high concentrations (about 15%), lactic acid can help reduce lines and wrinkles. Recent studies show that lactic acid can support the "good" bacteria living on skin's surface (healthy skin microbiome)Medium~0.15–0.25%est.
TriethanolamineUsed to adjust pH of the product and can help improve the product's smellMedium~0.1–0.2%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~45–55%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Plain old water

More about Water
Cocamidopropyl betaine~9.3–11.4%
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
Sodium lauroyl sarcosinate~6–7.4%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

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

More about Sodium lauroyl sarcosinate
Glycerin~3.1–3.8%
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
Cocamide dea~2.3–2.8%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing
More about Cocamide dea
Dicaprylyl ether~1.9–2.4%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps soften the upper layer of the skin while creating a non-greasy feel on the skin. Helps to dissolve other ingredients

More about Dicaprylyl ether
Decyl glucoside~1.6–2%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together. Can be irritating

More about Decyl glucoside
Glyceryl oleate~1.3–1.6%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together. Can be irritating

More about Glyceryl oleate
Vitis vinifera seed oil~1.1–1.3%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-oxidation

A great emollient that can also have anti-oxidant properties

More about Vitis vinifera seed oil
Retinyl palmitate~0.7–1.05%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Anti-agingAnti-blemishEvens skin toneExfoliation

Three steps removed from the active form of vitamin A - retinoic acid. To have an effect in the skin, it first needs to be converted twice to become the retinoic acid. This means it is less potent than retinol, but could also be less irritating. Once converted to the retinoic acid in the skin, it helps against all signs of aging, improves skin cell turnover and helps fight blemishes and clogged pores. However, in many cosmetic formulations, it is used in a concentration that is too low to have the full effect

More about Retinyl palmitate
Lycium barbarum fruit extract~0.6–0.9%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-oxidationAnti-agingAnti-inflammatory

A plant extract that can help neutralize free radicals in skin and attract water to its upper layer

More about Lycium barbarum fruit extract
Parfum~0.45–0.7%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients

More about Parfum
Chamomilla recutita extract~0.35–0.6%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Anti-inflammatory

Plant extract that can have healing and anti-inflammatory properties. It is a potential allergen and can be irritating

More about Chamomilla recutita extract
Phenoxyethanol~0.25–0.45%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products

More about Phenoxyethanol
Sodium dehydroacetate~0.2–0.35%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A preservative

More about Sodium dehydroacetate
Lactic acid~0.15–0.25%
Under-dosedIrritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Evens skin toneMoisturizingExfoliationAnti-aging

An exfoliating and moisturizing alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). Typically causes less irritation than other AHAs, for example, glycolic acid. At high concentrations (about 15%), lactic acid can help reduce lines and wrinkles. Recent studies show that lactic acid can support the "good" bacteria living on skin's surface (healthy skin microbiome)

More about Lactic acid
Triethanolamine~0.1–0.2%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

Used to adjust pH of the product and can help improve the product's smell

More about Triethanolamine
Carbomer~0.1–0.15%
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
Ingredient list view

Water, Cocamidopropyl betaine, Sodium lauroyl sarcosinate, Glycerin, Cocamide dea, Dicaprylyl ether, Decyl glucoside, Glyceryl oleate, Vitis vinifera seed oil, Retinyl palmitate, Lycium barbarum fruit extract, Parfum, Chamomilla recutita extract, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium dehydroacetate, Lactic acid, Triethanolamine, Carbomer

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🇦🇺 Recreate Yourself (AU)150 ml
≈ $12.70
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🇦🇺 Amazon Australia (AU)Price as of 11/4 21:06 GMT
≈ $19.33
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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
Charles + LeeFace WashYOUR PRODUCTFace factsCeramide Blemish Foaming CleanserNaturiumThe Calmer Ceramide Body WashKiehl'ss Ultra Facial Cleanser
Match—35%34%34%
Price—$7.82$14.43$15.00
Shared key ingredients—4 of 113 of 114 of 11
Key difference—NiacinamideCeramide EopApricot Kernel Oil
Irritancy Medium Low Low Low
Drying alcohol————
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More alternatives: Uriage Xemose Gentle Cleansing Syndet GelREVOLUTION SKINCARE Purifying Facial Gel Cleanser with Niacinamide

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Charles + Lee Face Wash
Charles + LeeFace Wash

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

As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.