ESPA Hydrating Cleansing Milk

ESPA Hydrating Cleansing Milk

Efficacy100/100IrritancyHigh

Works for

Cleansing
Stearic acid, Cetearyl alcohol + 1 more
Cleanses gently
What the product description says
“Hydrating Cleansing Milk”
Source: Espa

This product works by removing dirt and oil from the surface of the skin. It uses a combination of mild cleansing agents (cetearyl alcohol, stearic acid, 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.

Stearic acidEffect: HighHelps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient~2.1–3.2%
Cetearyl alcoholEffect: HighA non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture~0.6–1.35%
Xanthan gumEffect: HighUsed to create a thicker product consistency~0.3–0.7%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
4 strong irritants: Parfum, Pelargonium graveolens oil + 2 more — patch-test recommended
High risk
We flagged 9 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
Althaea officinalis root extractA plant extract that can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and might help to reduce inflammationHigh~1.6–2.4%est.
Chamomilla recutita flower extractPlant extract that can have healing and anti-inflammatory properties. It is a potential allergen and can be irritatingHigh~0.85–1.25%est.
Benzyl alcoholA preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritatingHigh~0.35–0.8%est.
ParfumAn aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredientsHigh~0.35–0.8%est.
Pelargonium graveolens oilUsed as a fragrance. Can be irritatingHigh~0.15–0.5%est.
GeraniolA fragrance. Can be irritatingHigh~0.05–0.2%est.
LinaloolA fragrance. Can be irritatingHigh~0.05–0.1%est.
Glycine soja oilA good emollient that helps soften the skin and helps repair its barrier function. It can clog pores if used in high concentrations.Medium~3.7–5.6%est.
EthylhexylglycerinA preservativeMedium~0.1–0.45%est.
Comedogenic
2 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale
2 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
Glycine soja oilA good emollient that helps soften the skin and helps repair its barrier function. It can clog pores if used in high concentrations.2/5~3.7–5.6%est.
Cetearyl alcoholA non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture2/5~0.6–1.35%est.

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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~4.4–6.6%
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
Glycine soja oil~3.7–5.6%
Comedogenic 2/5Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Comedogenicity
2/5
Works for
Moisturizing

A good emollient that helps soften the skin and helps repair its barrier function. It can clog pores if used in high concentrations.

More about Glycine soja oil
Prunus amygdalus dulcis seed~2.7–4.1%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps soften the upper layer of the skin

More about Prunus amygdalus dulcis seed
Stearic acid~2.1–3.2%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
CleansingMoisturizing

Helps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient

More about Stearic acid
Althaea officinalis root extract~1.6–2.4%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-oxidation

A plant extract that can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and might help to reduce inflammation

More about Althaea officinalis root extract
Phenoxyethanol~0.5–1%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products

More about Phenoxyethanol
Hydrogenated ethylhexyl olivate~1.2–1.8%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps soften the upper layer of the skin

More about Hydrogenated ethylhexyl olivate
Sclerotium gum~0.95–1.45%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Used to create gel-like formulas and stabilize emulsions

More about Sclerotium gum
Chamomilla recutita flower extract~0.85–1.25%
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 flower extract
Cetearyl alcohol~0.6–1.35%
Comedogenic 2/5
Irritation risk
Low
Comedogenicity
2/5
Works for
CleansingMoisturizing

A non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture

More about Cetearyl alcohol
Benzyl alcohol~0.35–0.8%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritating

More about Benzyl alcohol
Parfum~0.35–0.8%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients

More about Parfum
Xanthan gum~0.3–0.7%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing

Used to create a thicker product consistency

More about Xanthan gum
Hydrogenated olive oil unsaponifiables~0.3–0.75%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Help soften the upper layer of the skin

More about Hydrogenated olive oil unsaponifiables
Pelargonium graveolens oil~0.15–0.5%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

Used as a fragrance. Can be irritating

More about Pelargonium graveolens oil
Ethylhexylglycerin~0.1–0.45%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A preservative

More about Ethylhexylglycerin
Styrax tonkinensis resin extract~0.1–0.3%
Formula
Geraniol~0.05–0.2%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A fragrance. Can be irritating

More about Geraniol
Sodium hydroxide~0.05–0.2%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Used to adjust the product's pH

More about Sodium hydroxide
Linalool~0.05–0.1%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A fragrance. Can be irritating

More about Linalool
Ingredient list view

Water, Glycerin, Glycine soja oil, Prunus amygdalus dulcis seed, Stearic acid, Althaea officinalis root extract, Phenoxyethanol, Hydrogenated ethylhexyl olivate, Sclerotium gum, Chamomilla recutita flower extract, Cetearyl alcohol, Benzyl alcohol, Parfum, Xanthan gum, Hydrogenated olive oil unsaponifiables, Pelargonium graveolens oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Styrax tonkinensis resin extract, Geraniol, Sodium hydroxide, Linalool

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Espa
$57.00
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Espa500 ml
$65.80
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Amazon US
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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
ESPAHydrating Cleansing MilkYOUR PRODUCTHoliFrogTashmoo Water Lily Milky Wash CleanserYes toCucumbers Gentle Milk CleanserSkingredientsPreProbiotic Cleanse
Match—39%38%38%
Price$57.00—$12.07−$44.93—
Shared key ingredients—4 of 74 of 74 of 7
Key difference—PanthenolCamellia Sinensis Leaf ExtractGluconolactone
Irritancy High Medium Medium Low
Drying alcohol————
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More alternatives: Clinique All-in-One Cleansing Micellar Milk + Makeup RemoverAdorn Cosmetics Natural Soothing Cleansing Milk | Refillable

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Sources cited in this review

Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 2 studies and safety reviews.

  1. 1
  2. 2
ESPA Hydrating Cleansing Milk
ESPAHydrating Cleansing Milk

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