Pause Well-Aging Hydrating Cleanser
Works for
CleansingCocamidopropyl betaine, Sodium lauroyl methyl isethionate + 7 moreCleanses gently
“Hydrating Cleanser”
This product works by removing dirt and oil from the surface of the skin. It uses a combination of mild cleansing agents (carbomer, cetyl alcohol, cocamidopropyl betaine, myristic acid, polysorbate 20, sodium caproyl/lauroyl lactylate, sodium lauroyl methyl isethionate, sodium stearoyl lactylate, stearic acid) 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
Anti-blemishNiacinamide ~0.3–0.6%, below the ~1% it needsUnder-dosed
“As we age, our skin can experience both excessive dryness and breakouts so using a thorough yet gentle cleanser is increasingly important during this life stage.”
Effective ingredients missing or their concentration is too low.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy1 strong irritant: Citrus junos peel oilMedium risk
Comedogenic1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale1 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Cocamidopropyl betaine~8.4–10.3%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps water and oil mix together. Used as a cleansing ingredient. Could be an allergen
More about Cocamidopropyl betaineSodium lauroyl methyl isethionate~5.2–6.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Works as a cleansing agent
More about Sodium lauroyl methyl isethionateCetyl alcohol~2.6–3.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A non-drying alcohol that works to soften the skin and stabilize product formulations helping oil and water mix together
More about Cetyl alcoholGlycerin~2.4–3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
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 GlycerinStearic acid~2.1–2.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient
More about Stearic acidSodium stearoyl lactylate~1.6–2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Sodium stearoyl lactylateMyristic acid~1.5–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Helps oil and water mix together. Could be comedogenic
More about Myristic acidHydroxypropyl starch phosphate~1.2–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together and used to stabilize product formulations
More about Hydroxypropyl starch phosphateCaprylic/capric triglyceride~1.1–1.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerin
More about Caprylic/capric triglycerideSodium caproyl/lauroyl lactylate~0.8–1.15%
Phenoxyethanol~0.6–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolPropanediol~0.55–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolTriethyl citrate~0.45–0.7%
Allantoin~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated
More about AllantoinEthylhexylglycerin~0.45–0.7%
Sodium phytate~0.45–0.65%
Citrus junos peel oil~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
Niacinamide~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
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 NiacinamideButylene glycol~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a nice product texture and help delivery of other ingredients. Might be somewhat helpful in attracting water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Butylene glycol3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
A vitamin C derivative that is more stable but less potent than pure form of vitamin C. Can help neutralize free radicals and help reduce hyperpigmentation, but the required concentration is likely to be much higher than for the pure form of vitamin C, limiting the ingredient's effectiveness in products
More about 3-o-ethyl ascorbic acidRibose~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Poria cocos polysaccharide~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Dimethylaminoethanol tartrate~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Nelumbo nucifera extract~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- High
Might be somewhat helpful in protecting elastin in skin and evening skin tone, but good research is lacking. Contains fragrant components and can be irritating.
More about Nelumbo nucifera extractNymphaea caerulea flower extract~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Glycogen~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about GlycogenCarbomer~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps create a thicker or gel-like product texture. It is not a surfactant but can be used in gentle cleansing formulations
More about CarbomerPolysorbate 20~0.15–0.25%
Palmitoyl tripeptide-1~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of peptide. Peptides are excellent moisturizers and might be able support collagen production reducing fine lines and wrinkles
More about Palmitoyl tripeptide-1Palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of peptide. Peptides are excellent moisturizers and might be able support collagen production reducing fine lines and wrinkles
More about Palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7Ingredient list view
Water, Cocamidopropyl betaine, Sodium lauroyl methyl isethionate, Cetyl alcohol, Glycerin, Stearic acid, Sodium stearoyl lactylate, Myristic acid, Hydroxypropyl starch phosphate, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Sodium caproyl/lauroyl lactylate, Phenoxyethanol, Propanediol, Triethyl citrate, Allantoin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium phytate, Citrus junos peel oil, Niacinamide, Butylene glycol, 3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid, Ribose, Poria cocos polysaccharide, Dimethylaminoethanol tartrate, Nelumbo nucifera extract, Nymphaea caerulea flower extract, Glycogen, Carbomer, Polysorbate 20, Palmitoyl tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7
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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.
| Pause Well-AgingHydrating CleanserYOUR PRODUCT | Skincare by Dr VMicellar Gel Wash | REVOLUTION SKINCAREPurifying Facial Gel Cleanser with Niacinamide | CeraVeBalancing Air Foam Facial Cleanser | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 71% | 70% | 69% |
| Price | $14.94 | $25.46+$10.52 | — | $12.39−$2.55 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 5 of 17 | 3 of 17 | 4 of 17 |
| Key difference | — | Lactic Acid | Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate | Salicylic Acid |
| Irritancy | Medium | Low | Low | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Face facts Ceramide Blemish Foaming CleanserSVR Sebiaclear Cleansing Cream
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 8 studies and safety reviews.
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