Facetheory Freshening Face Wash

Facetheory Freshening Face Wash

Efficacy100/100IrritancyMedium

Works for

Cleansing
Sodium lauroyl sarcosinate, Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose + 5 more
Cleanses gently
What the product description says
“Freshening Face 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 (hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, polyglyceryl-3 cocoate, polyglyceryl-4 caprate, polyglyceryl-6 caprylate, polyglyceryl-6 ricinoleate, sodium lauroyl sarcosinate, 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 lauroyl sarcosinateEffect: HighHelps oil and water mix together and works as a cleansing agent~5–7.6%
Hydroxypropyl methylcelluloseEffect: HighUsed to create a thicker product consistency and stabilize the formulation~2–3%
Polyglyceryl-6 ricinoleateEffect: HighHelps oil and water mix together~1.3–2%
Polyglyceryl-4 caprateEffect: High~1.1–1.7%
Polyglyceryl-3 cocoateEffect: HighHelps oil and water mix together~0.9–1.35%
Polyglyceryl-6 caprylateEffect: HighHelps oil and water mix together~0.55–1.25%
Xanthan gumEffect: HighUsed to create a thicker product consistency~0.2–0.75%
Exfoliation
Gluconolactone, Lactic acid
Works well

This product can help exfoliate the skin. In other words, it helps break down the bonds between dead cells on the surface of the skin and speed up the skin turnover. Skin often appears softer and brighter after exfoliation, but overdoing it can result in disrupted skin barrier. The following ingredient is doing the exfoliating job in this product: gluconolactone.

GluconolactoneKey activeEffect: HighA polyhydroxy acid (PHA) that helps shed the dead cells from the skin surface revealing smoother skin. Is believed to be genter than AHAs. It helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can stimulate production of skin's own hyaluronic acid resulting in improved hydration levels. It has been shown to be helpful against acne and clogged pores if used consistently (e.g over a period of 12 weeks) in high enough concentration. It can help reduce fine lines and wrinkles and improve skin tone with long-term application. Can help neutralize free radicals~1.6–2.4%
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)~0.45–1%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
1 strong irritant: Sodium anisate
Medium risk
We flagged 10 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
Sodium anisateUsed as a fragranceHigh~0.15–0.55%est.
Sodium lauroyl sarcosinateHelps oil and water mix together and works as a cleansing agentMedium~5–7.6%est.
Hydroxypropyl methylcelluloseUsed to create a thicker product consistency and stabilize the formulationMedium~2–3%est.
GluconolactoneA polyhydroxy acid (PHA) that helps shed the dead cells from the skin surface revealing smoother skin. Is believed to be genter than AHAs. It helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can stimulate production of skin's own hyaluronic acid resulting in improved hydration levels. It has been shown to be helpful against acne and clogged pores if used consistently (e.g over a period of 12 weeks) in high enough concentration. It can help reduce fine lines and wrinkles and improve skin tone with long-term application. Can help neutralize free radicalsMedium~1.6–2.4%est.
Polyglyceryl-6 ricinoleateHelps oil and water mix togetherMedium~1.3–2%est.
Polyglyceryl-3 cocoateHelps oil and water mix togetherMedium~0.9–1.35%est.
Polyglyceryl-6 caprylateHelps oil and water mix togetherMedium~0.55–1.25%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~0.45–1%est.
Sodium levulinateA preservativeMedium~0.35–0.85%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~0.05–0.25%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
Propanediol~4.5–6.7%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin

More about Propanediol
Sodium lauroyl sarcosinate~5–7.6%
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~2.7–4%
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
Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose~2–3%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

Used to create a thicker product consistency and stabilize the formulation

More about Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose
Gluconolactone~1.6–2.4%
Key activeIrritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
ExfoliationMoisturizingAnti-agingEvens skin toneAnti-blemishAnti-oxidation

A polyhydroxy acid (PHA) that helps shed the dead cells from the skin surface revealing smoother skin. Is believed to be genter than AHAs. It helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can stimulate production of skin's own hyaluronic acid resulting in improved hydration levels. It has been shown to be helpful against acne and clogged pores if used consistently (e.g over a period of 12 weeks) in high enough concentration. It can help reduce fine lines and wrinkles and improve skin tone with long-term application. Can help neutralize free radicals

More about Gluconolactone
Polyglyceryl-6 ricinoleate~1.3–2%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together

More about Polyglyceryl-6 ricinoleate
Polyglyceryl-4 caprate~1.1–1.7%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing
More about Polyglyceryl-4 caprate
Polyglyceryl-3 cocoate~0.9–1.35%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together

More about Polyglyceryl-3 cocoate
Polyglyceryl-6 caprylate~0.55–1.25%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together

More about Polyglyceryl-6 caprylate
Lactic acid~0.45–1%
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
Sodium levulinate~0.35–0.85%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A preservative

More about Sodium levulinate
Xanthan gum~0.2–0.75%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing

Used to create a thicker product consistency

More about Xanthan gum
Sodium anisate~0.15–0.55%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

Used as a fragrance

More about Sodium anisate
Sodium phytate~0.1–0.4%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Used to stabilize product formulations

More about Sodium phytate
Aloe barbadensis leaf juice~0.05–0.25%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
MoisturizingReduces irritationAnti-inflammatoryAntibacterialReduces rednessAnti-blemishAnti-aging

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
Camellia sinensis leaf extract~0.05–0.2%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Anti-oxidationAntibacterialAnti-agingAnti-blemishEvens skin toneMoisturizing

Can contain potent anti-oxidant compounds (abbreviated ECG, GCG, EGC, and EGCG) that might help protect the skin from free radicals. Can help calm down inflammation and has some anti-bacterial properties. Unfortunately, these antioxidants are unstable and lose their effectiveness very quickly in products. The concentration of the antioxidant compounds in the extract also tends to be low to be effective in topical formulation

More about Camellia sinensis leaf extract
Polylysine~0.05–0.15%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Polylysine
Ingredient list view

Water, Propanediol, Sodium lauroyl sarcosinate, Glycerin, Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, Gluconolactone, Polyglyceryl-6 ricinoleate, Polyglyceryl-4 caprate, Polyglyceryl-3 cocoate, Polyglyceryl-6 caprylate, Lactic acid, Sodium levulinate, Xanthan gum, Sodium anisate, Sodium phytate, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice, Camellia sinensis leaf extract, Polylysine

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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
FacetheoryFreshening Face WashYOUR PRODUCTCeraVeAcne Control CleanserCOSRXThe AHA BHA PHA LHA 35 PeelSpotles SKNJelly Cleanser
Match—43%42%41%
Price—$13.59$10.46$8.90
Shared key ingredients—4 of 102 of 103 of 10
Key difference—NiacinamideSalicylic AcidBetaine
Irritancy Medium Low Medium 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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Facetheory Freshening Face Wash
FacetheoryFreshening Face Wash

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As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.