Hero Cosmetics Gentle Milky Cleanser

Hero Cosmetics Gentle Milky Cleanser

Efficacy100/100IrritancyMedium

Works for

Cleansing
Cetearyl alcohol, Disodium cocoamphodiacetate + 8 more
Cleanses gently
What the product description says
“Gentle Milky Cleanser”
Source: Hero Cosmetics

This product works by removing dirt and oil from the surface of the skin. It uses a combination of mild cleansing agents (carbomer, cetearyl alcohol, cetrimonium chloride, cholesterol, decyl glucoside, didecyldimonium chloride, disodium cocoamphodiacetate, polyquaternium-80, 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.

Even though this formulation is mild, the following cleansing agents could trigger an irritation or allergy for some people: cetrimonium chloride, decyl glucoside

Cetearyl alcoholEffect: HighA non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture~5.9–7.2%
Disodium cocoamphodiacetateEffect: HighHelps oil and water mix together and works as a cleansing agent~2.4–3%
Decyl glucosideEffect: HighHelps oil and water mix together. Can be irritating~2–2.5%
Polyquaternium-80Effect: High~0.4–0.6%
CholesterolEffect: HighAn emollient that is naturally found in skin~0.3–0.55%
Didecyldimonium chlorideEffect: High~0.3–0.55%
Sodium lauroyl lactylateEffect: HighHelps water and oil mix together~0.25–0.45%
CarbomerEffect: HighHelps create a thicker or gel-like product texture. It is not a surfactant but can be used in gentle cleansing formulations~0.15–0.3%
Xanthan gumEffect: HighUsed to create a thicker product consistency~0.1–0.2%
Cetrimonium chlorideEffect: HighA preservative~0.05–0.1%
Exfoliation
Side benefit the brand mentions · Gluconolactone
Works well
What the product description says
“Perfect for reactive, sensitized skin, Gentle Milky Cleanser uses milder PHA to clarify as it soothes – while Exfoliating Jelly Cleanser gives combo skin a foamier deep-cleanse with AHA, BHA, and scrubby konjac jellies.”
Source: N/A

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%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
1 strong irritant: Citrus aurantium dulcis peel extract
Medium risk
We flagged 13 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
Decyl glucosideHelps oil and water mix together. Can be irritatingHigh~2–2.5%est.
Cetrimonium chlorideA preservativeHigh~0.05–0.1%est.
Citrus aurantium dulcis peel extractUsed as a fragranceHigh~0.3–0.5%est.
Simmondsia chinensis seed oilSoftens the upper layer of skin and helps restore the healthy skin barrier. Has shown to help calm down inflammation in skin. It is a stable oil, meaning that it retains its properties even when exposed to air.Medium~3.2–4%est.
Disodium cocoamphodiacetateHelps oil and water mix together and works as a cleansing agentMedium~2.4–3%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%est.
Avena sativa bran extract—Medium~1.6–1.9%est.
Caprylyl glycolHelps preserve products and creates a nice product textureMedium~0.35–0.6%est.
MethylpropanediolHelps dissolve other ingredients in a formulationMedium~0.3–0.55%est.
Sodium lauroyl lactylateHelps water and oil mix togetherMedium~0.25–0.45%est.
Citric acidCan work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pHMedium~0.2–0.4%est.
EthylhexylglycerinA preservativeMedium~0.15–0.25%est.
Potassium sorbateA preservativeMedium~0.1–0.2%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
Cetearyl alcoholA non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture2/5~5.9–7.2%est.

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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
Cetearyl alcohol~5.9–7.2%
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
Propanediol~4.2–5.1%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

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

More about Propanediol
Simmondsia chinensis seed oil~3.2–4%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Moisturizing

Softens the upper layer of skin and helps restore the healthy skin barrier. Has shown to help calm down inflammation in skin. It is a stable oil, meaning that it retains its properties even when exposed to air.

More about Simmondsia chinensis seed oil
Disodium cocoamphodiacetate~2.4–3%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

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

More about Disodium cocoamphodiacetate
Decyl glucoside~2–2.5%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together. Can be irritating

More about Decyl glucoside
Gluconolactone~1.6–2%
Key activeIrritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
ExfoliationMoisturizingAnti-agingEvens skin toneAnti-oxidationAnti-blemish

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
Avena sativa bran extract~1.6–1.9%
Irritant · medium
Sorbitol~1.2–1.4%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improves the product texture

More about Sorbitol
Avena sativa kernel flour~1.1–1.4%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

A type of colloidal oatmeal. Can contain potent antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds. Is effective in supporting skin barrier

More about Avena sativa kernel flour
Avena sativa kernel extract~0.7–1.05%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Reduces irritationMoisturizingAnti-inflammatoryReduces rednessAnti-oxidation

An effective moisturizing and skin barrier repair ingredient. Helps calm down inflammation and has some anti-oxidant properties

More about Avena sativa kernel extract
Ceramide np~0.6–0.95%
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 np
Ceramide ap~0.55–0.8%
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 ap
Cetrimonium chloride~0.05–0.1%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Cleansing

A preservative

More about Cetrimonium chloride
Polyquaternium-73~0.5–0.7%
Formula
Hydroxyethylcellulose~0.5–0.7%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Used to thicken product formulations and create gel-like textures

More about Hydroxyethylcellulose
Sodium chloride~0.45–0.7%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Used to stabilize mixtures of oil and water, and create thicker, gel-like product textures

More about Sodium chloride
Vinegar~0.4–0.6%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Vinegar
Alpha-glucan oligosaccharide~0.45–0.65%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin

More about Alpha-glucan oligosaccharide
Citrus aurantium dulcis peel extract~0.3–0.5%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

Used as a fragrance

More about Citrus aurantium dulcis peel extract
Sodium hydroxide~0.3–0.55%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Used to adjust the product's pH

More about Sodium hydroxide
Caprylyl glycol~0.35–0.6%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture

More about Caprylyl glycol
Didecyldimonium chloride~0.3–0.55%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing
More about Didecyldimonium chloride
Methylpropanediol~0.3–0.55%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Helps dissolve other ingredients in a formulation

More about Methylpropanediol
Polyquaternium-80~0.4–0.6%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing
More about Polyquaternium-80
Tetrasodium glutamate diacetate~0.25–0.5%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Helps stabilize the product formulation

More about Tetrasodium glutamate diacetate
Sodium acetate~0.25–0.5%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Sodium acetate
Cellulose~0.3–0.55%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Mattifying

Can be used to help absorb oil as well as add volume and imporve texture of products.

More about Cellulose
Sodium lauroyl lactylate~0.25–0.45%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

Helps water and oil mix together

More about Sodium lauroyl lactylate
Cholesterol~0.3–0.55%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
CleansingMoisturizing

An emollient that is naturally found in skin

More about Cholesterol
Citric acid~0.2–0.4%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

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

More about Citric acid
Phytosphingosine~0.25–0.45%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-blemishAnti-inflammatory

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
Carbomer~0.15–0.3%
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
Ethylhexylglycerin~0.15–0.25%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A preservative

More about Ethylhexylglycerin
Sodium benzoate~0.1–0.2%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A preservative

More about Sodium benzoate
Xanthan gum~0.1–0.2%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing

Used to create a thicker product consistency

More about Xanthan gum
Potassium sorbate~0.1–0.2%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A preservative

More about Potassium sorbate
Ingredient list view

Water, Cetearyl alcohol, Propanediol, Simmondsia chinensis seed oil, Disodium cocoamphodiacetate, Decyl glucoside, Gluconolactone, Avena sativa bran extract, Sorbitol, Avena sativa kernel flour, Avena sativa kernel extract, Ceramide np, Ceramide ap, Cetrimonium chloride, Polyquaternium-73, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Sodium chloride, Vinegar, Alpha-glucan oligosaccharide, Citrus aurantium dulcis peel extract, Sodium hydroxide, Caprylyl glycol, Didecyldimonium chloride, Methylpropanediol, Polyquaternium-80, Tetrasodium glutamate diacetate, Sodium acetate, Cellulose, Sodium lauroyl lactylate, Cholesterol, Citric acid, Phytosphingosine, Carbomer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium benzoate, Xanthan gum, Potassium sorbate

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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
Hero CosmeticsGentle Milky CleanserYOUR PRODUCTSkingredientsPreProbiotic CleanseEstelle and ThildOrganic Silky Soft Cleansing MilkSkinfixBarrier+ Foaming Oil Cleanser
Match—52%48%46%
Price———$27.62
Shared key ingredients—4 of 183 of 182 of 18
Key difference—Myristyl MyristateGlycerinPanthenol
Irritancy Medium Low Medium Medium
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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Hero Cosmetics Gentle Milky Cleanser
Hero CosmeticsGentle Milky Cleanser

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