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Ren Skincare REN Evercalm™ Gentle Cleansing Gel
Ren Skincare

Ren Skincare REN Evercalm™ Gentle Cleansing Gel

Efficacy100/100IrritancyHigh
See all ingredients

Works for

Cleansing
Coco-glucoside, Polysorbate 20 + 2 more
Cleanses gently
What the product description says
“REN Evercalm™ Gentle Cleansing Gel”
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 (coco-glucoside, polysorbate 20, sodium lauroyl oat amino acids, 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: coco-glucoside

Coco-glucosideEffect: HighUsed as a cleansing agent (surfactant) in cleansers. Helps water and oil mix together in lotions. Can be irritating~5.1–7.6%
Polysorbate 20Effect: HighHelps oil and water mix together~2.9–4.4%
Xanthan gumEffect: HighUsed to create a thicker product consistency~2–3%
Sodium lauroyl oat amino acidsEffect: High~1.4–2.2%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
3 strong irritants: Citrus aurantium amara flower water, Sodium hydroxymethylglycinate + 1 more — patch-test recommended
High risk
We flagged 7 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
Coco-glucosideUsed as a cleansing agent (surfactant) in cleansers. Helps water and oil mix together in lotions. Can be irritatingHigh~5.1–7.6%est.
Citrus aurantium amara flower waterA citrus plant essential oil (in a less concentrated format). Used as a fragrance and can be irritatingHigh~0.55–1.25%est.
Sodium hydroxymethylglycinateA preservative. Can be irritatingHigh~0.1–0.4%est.
Anthemis nobilis flower extractA plant extract that one one hand, can contain compounds that can help calm down skin irritation, but, on the other hand, its other compounds (especially fragrant ones) can themselves be irritatingHigh~0.05–0.15%est.
LinaloolA fragrance. Can be irritatingHigh~0.01–0.05%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~1.2–1.8%est.
EthylhexylglycerinA preservativeMedium~0.05–0.1%est.
Comedogenic
Clean of flagged comedogenic ingredients
None flagged
Alternatives
Cheaper, or higher on efficacy
Pure Purifying Cleansing Gel Organic
Eau de Jonzac Pure Purifying Cleansing Gel Organic
Cheaper55% match
$16.60
Zero % Sensitive Skin Shower Gel
Sanex Zero % Sensitive Skin Shower Gel
Cheaper54% match
$1.53
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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
Glycerin~4.6–6.9%
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
Coco-glucoside~5.1–7.6%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Cleansing

Used as a cleansing agent (surfactant) in cleansers. Helps water and oil mix together in lotions. Can be irritating

More about Coco-glucoside
Polysorbate 20~2.9–4.4%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together

More about Polysorbate 20
Xanthan gum~2–3%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing

Used to create a thicker product consistency

More about Xanthan gum
Panthenol~1.6–2.5%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
MoisturizingReduces rednessReduces irritation

Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function

More about Panthenol
Sodium lauroyl oat amino acids~1.4–2.2%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing
More about Sodium lauroyl oat amino acids
Lactic acid~1.2–1.8%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
MoisturizingEvens skin toneExfoliationAnti-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
Inulin~1–1.5%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-blemish

Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Is claimed to support the growth of "good" bacteria in skin (as a "prebiotic"), but the research is lacking

More about Inulin
Citrus aurantium amara flower water~0.55–1.25%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A citrus plant essential oil (in a less concentrated format). Used as a fragrance and can be irritating

More about Citrus aurantium amara flower water
Extract
Not recognized
Alpha-glucan oligosaccharide~0.5–1.15%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin

More about Alpha-glucan oligosaccharide
Phenoxyethanol~0.2–0.7%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products

More about Phenoxyethanol
Sodium carboxymethyl betaglucan~0.15–0.55%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Sodium carboxymethyl betaglucan
Sodium hydroxymethylglycinate~0.1–0.4%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A preservative. Can be irritating

More about Sodium hydroxymethylglycinate
Anthemis nobilis flower extract~0.05–0.15%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Anti-inflammatoryReduces irritation

A plant extract that one one hand, can contain compounds that can help calm down skin irritation, but, on the other hand, its other compounds (especially fragrant ones) can themselves be irritating

More about Anthemis nobilis flower extract
Ethylhexylglycerin~0.05–0.1%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A preservative

More about Ethylhexylglycerin
Linalool~0.01–0.05%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A fragrance. Can be irritating

More about Linalool
Ingredient list view

Water, Glycerin, Coco-glucoside, Polysorbate 20, Xanthan gum, Panthenol, Sodium lauroyl oat amino acids, Lactic acid, Inulin, Citrus aurantium amara flower water, Unknown, Alpha-glucan oligosaccharide, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium carboxymethyl betaglucan, Sodium hydroxymethylglycinate, Anthemis nobilis flower extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Linalool

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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
Ren SkincareREN Evercalm™ Gentle Cleansing GelYOUR PRODUCTOlivalAmino GelMesoesteticFacial Gel CleanserCeraVeGel Moussant Anti-Imperfections
Match—57%55%55%
Price————
Shared key ingredients—3 of 92 of 93 of 9
Key difference—AllantoinCocamidopropyl BetaineSalicylic Acid
Irritancy High Low Medium Low
Drying alcohol————
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More alternatives: Nivea Lactic Acid Micellar Wash GelEau de Jonzac Pure Purifying Cleansing Gel Organic

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Sources cited in this review

Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 8 studies and safety reviews.

  1. 1
    Glycerol and the skin: holistic approach to its origin and functionsncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  2. 2
    In Vitro Assessment of Skin Irritation Potential of Surfactant-based Formulations by Using a 3-D Skin Reconstructed Tissue Model and Cytokine Responseresearchgate.net
  3. 3
    Allergen of the Year—Alkyl Glucosidepracticeupdate.com
  4. 4
    Skin moisturizing effects of panthenol-based formulationspdfs.semanticscholar.org
  5. 5
    Safety Assessment of Panthenol, Pantothenic Acid, and Derivatives as Used in Cosmeticscir-safety.org
  6. 6
    Epidermal and dermal effects of topical lactic acidncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Ren Skincare REN Evercalm™ Gentle Cleansing Gel
Ren SkincareREN Evercalm™ Gentle Cleansing Gel
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