Pai Skincare Middlemist Seven

Pai Skincare Middlemist Seven

Efficacy50/100IrritancyHigh

Works for

Cleansing
Cetearyl alcohol, Cetearyl glucoside + 1 more
Cleanses gently
What the product description says
“cleanser features a trio of oils which lift away dirt and makeup with ease while protecting the skin’s delicate oil and PH balance.”
Source: Paiskincare

This product works by removing dirt and oil from the surface of the skin. It uses a combination of mild cleansing agents (cetearyl alcohol, cetearyl glucoside, sodium stearoyl glutamate) 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.

Cetearyl alcoholEffect: HighA non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture~1.8–2.7%
Cetearyl glucosideEffect: HighHelps water and oil in the product mix well together and improves product texture~1–1.5%
Sodium stearoyl glutamateEffect: HighHelps oil and water mix together~0.2–0.8%
Exfoliation
Lactic acid ~0.2–0.75%, below the ~2% it needs
Under-dosed
What the product description says
“The dual-textured cloth allows you to switch between a gently exfoliating muslin for thorough cleansing and an ultra-soft terry side for more sensitive areas.”
Source: Follain

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.

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)~0.2–0.75%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
10 strong irritants: Rosa damascena flower oil, Pelargonium graveolens oil + 8 more — patch-test recommended
High risk
We flagged 16 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
Rosa damascena flower oilUsed as a fragrance. Can be irritatingHigh~0.5–1.2%est.
Pelargonium graveolens oilUsed as a fragrance. Can be irritatingHigh~0.4–1%est.
Lavandula angustifolia oilAn essential oil. Potential allergen and can be irritating. It has some anti-bacterial propertiesHigh~0.35–0.75%est.
Litsea cubeba fruit oilAn essential oil with a lemon-like smell that is extracted from a fruit grown in Asia. Used as a fragranceHigh~0.15–0.6%est.
Sodium anisateUsed as a fragranceHigh~0.1–0.5%est.
CitralA fragrance with a lemon scent. A likely irritantHigh~0.1–0.35%est.
CitronellolA fragrance. Can be irritatingHigh~0.1–0.3%est.
LimoneneA common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heatHigh~0.05–0.25%est.
GeraniolA fragrance. Can be irritatingHigh~0.05–0.2%est.
LinaloolA fragrance. Can be irritatingHigh~0.05–0.15%est.
Camellia oleifera seed oilAn emollient that does not leave a greasy finishMedium~5.7–8.5%est.
Ricinus communis seed oilA plant oil that can help soften the skin. It might be helpful in calming down inflammation, but solid research is lacking. Is often used in lip products to create the needed product consistencyMedium~4–6.1%est.
Cetearyl glucosideHelps water and oil in the product mix well together and improves product textureMedium~1–1.5%est.
Sodium levulinateA preservativeMedium~0.4–0.9%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~0.2–0.75%est.
Sodium stearoyl glutamateHelps oil and water mix togetherMedium~0.2–0.8%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
Butyrospermum parkii butterA great moisturising ingredient that softens the skin and reduces water loss from its upper layer. It also can be helpful in protecting skin from free radicals3/5~1.4–2%est.
Cetearyl alcoholA non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture2/5~1.8–2.7%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
Camellia oleifera seed oil~5.7–8.5%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-oxidation

An emollient that does not leave a greasy finish

More about Camellia oleifera seed oil
Ricinus communis seed oil~4–6.1%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-inflammatory

A plant oil that can help soften the skin. It might be helpful in calming down inflammation, but solid research is lacking. Is often used in lip products to create the needed product consistency

More about Ricinus communis seed oil
Prunus amygdalus dulcis oil~2.9–4.3%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-oxidationAnti-aging

An emollient that softens the skin

More about Prunus amygdalus dulcis oil
Lactobacillus ferment~2.1–3.1%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-oxidationAnti-inflammatoryReduces irritation

A fermentation product created by bacteria Lactobacillus. The fermented product has anti-bacterial properties and might be helpful in calming down inflammation, but studies are lacking. Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Can be used as a preservative

More about Lactobacillus ferment
Cetearyl alcohol~1.8–2.7%
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
Glycerin~1.5–2.3%
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
Butyrospermum parkii butter~1.4–2%
Comedogenic 3/5
Irritation risk
Low
Comedogenicity
3/5
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-oxidationAnti-aging

A great moisturising ingredient that softens the skin and reduces water loss from its upper layer. It also can be helpful in protecting skin from free radicals

More about Butyrospermum parkii butter
Cetearyl glucoside~1–1.5%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

Helps water and oil in the product mix well together and improves product texture

More about Cetearyl glucoside
Tocopherol~0.85–1.25%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Anti-oxidationMoisturizingAnti-agingAnti-inflammatory

Pure form of vitamin E. Can help moisturise and protect the skin from free radicals. Often used to help stabilise other ingredients or the formula itself

More about Tocopherol
Rosa damascena flower oil~0.5–1.2%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Moisturizing

Used as a fragrance. Can be irritating

More about Rosa damascena flower oil
Pelargonium graveolens oil~0.4–1%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

Used as a fragrance. Can be irritating

More about Pelargonium graveolens oil
Sodium levulinate~0.4–0.9%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A preservative

More about Sodium levulinate
Lavandula angustifolia oil~0.35–0.75%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

An essential oil. Potential allergen and can be irritating. It has some anti-bacterial properties

More about Lavandula angustifolia oil
Lactic acid~0.2–0.75%
Under-dosedIrritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
ExfoliationEvens skin toneMoisturizingAnti-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
Litsea cubeba fruit oil~0.15–0.6%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Antibacterial

An essential oil with a lemon-like smell that is extracted from a fruit grown in Asia. Used as a fragrance

More about Litsea cubeba fruit oil
Sodium stearoyl glutamate~0.2–0.8%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together

More about Sodium stearoyl glutamate
Sodium anisate~0.1–0.5%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

Used as a fragrance

More about Sodium anisate
Citral~0.1–0.35%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A fragrance with a lemon scent. A likely irritant

More about Citral
Citronellol~0.1–0.3%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A fragrance. Can be irritating

More about Citronellol
Limonene~0.05–0.25%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat

More about Limonene
Geraniol~0.05–0.2%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A fragrance. Can be irritating

More about Geraniol
Linalool~0.05–0.15%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A fragrance. Can be irritating

More about Linalool
Ingredient list view

Water, Camellia oleifera seed oil, Ricinus communis seed oil, Prunus amygdalus dulcis oil, Lactobacillus ferment, Cetearyl alcohol, Glycerin, Butyrospermum parkii butter, Cetearyl glucoside, Tocopherol, Rosa damascena flower oil, Pelargonium graveolens oil, Sodium levulinate, Lavandula angustifolia oil, Lactic acid, Litsea cubeba fruit oil, Sodium stearoyl glutamate, Sodium anisate, Citral, Citronellol, Limonene, Geraniol, Linalool

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Amazon USPrice as of 11/10 00:36 GMT
$69.00
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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
Pai SkincareMiddlemist SevenYOUR PRODUCTSEPHORA COLLECTIONCleansing Wipes - Pomegranate - EnergizingINIKAPhytofuse Renew Camellia Oil CleanserAdorn CosmeticsPre-Cleanse Natural Makeup Removing Oil | Refillable
Match—33%32%32%
Price$69.00—$13.29−$55.71—
Shared key ingredients—2 of 98 of 92 of 9
Key difference—Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideAgran OilAgran Oil
Irritancy High Medium High High
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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