Mary Kay Timewise 4-in-1 Cleanser

Mary Kay Timewise 4-in-1 Cleanser

Efficacy50/100IrritancyMedium

Works for

Cleansing
Tea-lauryl sulfate, Cocamidopropyl betaine + 3 more
Cleanses gently
What the product description says
“Timewise 4-in-1 Cleanser”
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 (caproic acid, cocamidopropyl betaine, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, ppg-2 hydroxyethyl coco/isostearamide, tea-lauryl sulfate) 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, tea-lauryl sulfate

Tea-lauryl sulfateEffect: High~12–15%
Cocamidopropyl betaineEffect: HighHelps water and oil mix together. Used as a cleansing ingredient. Could be an allergen~3.5–4.3%
Hydroxypropyl methylcelluloseEffect: HighUsed to create a thicker product consistency and stabilize the formulation~0.6–0.9%
Caproic acidEffect: High~0.45–0.65%
Exfoliation
No ingredient credited for this claim
Not delivered
What the product description says
“With twice-daily use, this multitasking cleanser Cleanses – Thoroughly cleans skin. Refreshes – Immediately refreshes skin. Exfoliates – Gently exfoliates.”
Source: N/A

This product does not contain effective exfoliating ingredients. It might be able to deliver physical exfoliation, that is scrub off some of the dead cells on the surface of the skin. We do not recommend physical exfoliation, because it is not uniform (some bits of skin can get exfoliated too much while others not at all). It can also traumatize the skin and aggrevate acne and other skin conditions.

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
2 strong irritants: Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone
Medium risk
We flagged 11 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
Tea-lauryl sulfate—High~12–15%est.
Cocamidopropyl betaineHelps water and oil mix together. Used as a cleansing ingredient. Could be an allergenHigh~3.5–4.3%est.
MethylchloroisothiazolinoneA preservative. Is a frequent allergen in cosmeticsHigh~0.00075–0.0015%est.
MethylisothiazolinoneA preservative. Is a frequent allergenHigh~0.00075–0.0015%est.
Ci 73360A red (pink) dyeHigh~0.15–0.25%est.
Acrylates copolymerUsed to stabilize product formulation, help create an even product layer over skin (for example, in sunscreen) and create a thicker product consistencyMedium~5.1–6.2%est.
Potassium hydroxideUsed to adjust the pH level of productsMedium~2–2.4%est.
Disodium edtaStabilizes the product formulationMedium~0.5–1%est.
Citric acidCan work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pHMedium~0.65–0.95%est.
Hydroxypropyl methylcelluloseUsed to create a thicker product consistency and stabilize the formulationMedium~0.6–0.9%est.
ResveratrolHelps neutralize free radicals in skin and might help reduce fine lines and wrinkles, as well as even out the skin toneMedium~0.35–0.6%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
Ci 73360A red (pink) dye2/5~0.15–0.25%est.

User reviews

Would you recommend?
No community reviews yet.

Be the first — your take helps the next person decide.

Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Water~45–55%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Plain old water

More about Water
Tea-lauryl sulfate~12–15%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Cleansing
More about Tea-lauryl sulfate
Acrylates copolymer~5.1–6.2%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Used to stabilize product formulation, help create an even product layer over skin (for example, in sunscreen) and create a thicker product consistency

More about Acrylates copolymer
Propanediol~3.4–4.1%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

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

More about Propanediol
Cocamidopropyl betaine~3.5–4.3%
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
Ppg-2 hydroxyethyl coco/isostearamide~2.2–2.7%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing
More about Ppg-2 hydroxyethyl coco/isostearamide
Potassium hydroxide~2–2.4%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Used to adjust the pH level of products

More about Potassium hydroxide
Copernicia cerifera wax~1.8–2.2%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product consistency

More about Copernicia cerifera wax
Copernicia cerifera cera~1.4–1.7%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Brazilian palm wax. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin

More about Copernicia cerifera cera
Sodium chloride~1.2–1.5%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

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

More about Sodium chloride
Lactose~0.9–1.1%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin

More about Lactose
Disodium edta~0.5–1%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Stabilizes the product formulation

More about Disodium edta
Cellulose~0.8–1.15%
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
Citric acid~0.65–0.95%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

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

More about Citric acid
Magnesium nitrate~0.6–0.9%
Formula
Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose~0.6–0.9%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

Used to create a thicker product consistency and stabilize the formulation

More about Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose
Niacinamide~0.6–0.9%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Anti-blemishAnti-agingMoisturizingEvens skin toneReduces irritationReduces rednessAntibacterialAnti-inflammatory

Is proven to be effective in reducing blemishes, evening out skin tone and helping to improve lines and wrinkles. It helps the skin to repair sun damage, calm down inflammation and keep maintain good levels of moisture. The concentration of about 2% is effective for supporting the skin barrier and evening out the skin tone. Concentration of 4-6% is better for helping with acne and balancing the sebum production

More about Niacinamide
Glycerin~0.55–0.85%
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
Methylchloroisothiazolinone~0.00075–0.0015%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A preservative. Is a frequent allergen in cosmetics

More about Methylchloroisothiazolinone
Magnesium chloride~0.45–0.7%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Helps thicken the product formulation

More about Magnesium chloride
Talc~0.55–0.85%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Absorbs oil and moisture helping to create a dryer product finish

More about Talc
Methylisothiazolinone~0.00075–0.0015%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A preservative. Is a frequent allergen

More about Methylisothiazolinone
Resveratrol~0.35–0.6%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Anti-oxidationAnti-agingEvens skin tone

Helps neutralize free radicals in skin and might help reduce fine lines and wrinkles, as well as even out the skin tone

More about Resveratrol
Caproic acid~0.45–0.65%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing
More about Caproic acid
Dextran~0.25–0.45%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps attract water to the most upper layer of the skin. Derived from sugar

More about Dextran
Oligopeptide-1~0.2–0.4%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-aging

A type of peptide. Peptides are excellent moisturizers and might be able support collagen production reducing fine lines and wrinkles

More about Oligopeptide-1
Red 30
Not recognized
Ci 73360~0.15–0.25%
Comedogenic 2/5Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Comedogenicity
2/5

A red (pink) dye

More about Ci 73360
Ultramarines~0.15–0.25%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Ultramarines
Ci 77007~0.1–0.2%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A blue pigment

More about Ci 77007
Ingredient list view

Water, Tea-lauryl sulfate, Acrylates copolymer, Propanediol, Cocamidopropyl betaine, Ppg-2 hydroxyethyl coco/isostearamide, Potassium hydroxide, Copernicia cerifera wax, Copernicia cerifera cera, Sodium chloride, Lactose, Disodium edta, Cellulose, Citric acid, Magnesium nitrate, Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, Niacinamide, Glycerin, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Magnesium chloride, Talc, Methylisothiazolinone, Resveratrol, Caproic acid, Dextran, Oligopeptide-1, Unknown, Ci 73360, Ultramarines, Ci 77007

Compare prices

Retailers ranked by price — lowest first.

Amazon USPrice as of 11/3 21:43 GMT
$31.95
Buy

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

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
Mary KayTimewise 4-in-1 CleanserYOUR PRODUCTFace factsCeramide Blemish Foaming CleanserSkincare by Dr VMicellar Gel WashCetaphilDaily Facial Cleanser Fragrance Free
Match—71%69%69%
Price$31.95$7.50−$24.45$25.46−$6.49$7.99−$23.96
Shared key ingredients—3 of 113 of 113 of 11
Key difference—Salicylic AcidLactic AcidPanthenol
Irritancy Medium Low Low Low
Drying alcohol————
View product Shop Shop Shop

More alternatives: REVOLUTION SKINCARE Purifying Facial Gel Cleanser with NiacinamideFirst Aid Beauty Brighten + Glow Exfoliating Gel Cleanser with AHA and Jojoba Pearls

Cheaper alternatives? See how this stacks up against similar formulas.
We compare ingredient profiles across our catalog — pick the closest match for your budget.
Open dupe finder
Mary Kay Timewise 4-in-1 Cleanser
Mary KayTimewise 4-in-1 Cleanser

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

As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.