The Body Shop Vitamin E Gentle Facial Wash

The Body Shop Vitamin E Gentle Facial Wash

Efficacy100/100IrritancyHigh

Works for

Cleansing
Isohexadecane, Sorbitan stearate + 3 more
Cleanses gently
What the product description says
“Vitamin E Gentle Facial Wash”
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 (cetearyl alcohol, glyceryl stearate, isohexadecane, peg-100 stearate, sorbitan stearate) 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.

IsohexadecaneEffect: HighImproves the texture of the product and helps soften the skin. Helps oil and water mix together and can be used as a cleansing agent~4.1–6.1%
Sorbitan stearateEffect: HighHelps water and oil mix together~1.5–2.2%
Glyceryl stearateEffect: HighAn emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together~0.85–1.3%
Peg-100 stearateEffect: HighHelps oil and water mix togehter and creates a nice product texture~0.55–1.3%
Cetearyl alcoholEffect: HighA non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture~0.45–1.05%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
9 strong irritants: Parfum, Citronellol + 7 more — patch-test recommended
High risk
We flagged 14 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
Benzyl alcoholA preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritatingHigh~0.5–1%est.
ParfumAn aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredientsHigh~0.2–0.75%est.
CitronellolA fragrance. Can be irritatingHigh~0.1–0.45%est.
Alpha-isomethyl iononeA fragrance. Potential allergen and can be irritatingHigh~0.1–0.45%est.
LinaloolA fragrance. Can be irritatingHigh~0.1–0.35%est.
GeraniolA fragrance. Can be irritatingHigh~0.05–0.25%est.
LimoneneA common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heatHigh~0.05–0.3%est.
CitralA fragrance with a lemon scent. A likely irritantHigh~0.05–0.2%est.
EugenolA fragrance. Is a likely irritantHigh~0.05–0.1%est.
FarnesolAdded to create a nice product smell. Can be irritatingHigh~0.05–0.1%est.
Glycine soja oilA good emollient that helps soften the skin and helps repair its barrier function. It can clog pores if used in high concentrations.Medium~1.7–2.5%est.
Tocopheryl acetateA more stable but less bio-available form of vitamin E compared to Tocopherol. Might help moisturize and protect the skin from free radicals, but mostly used in low concentrations to stabilize other ingredients.Medium~0.35–0.8%est.
Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymerMaintains the texture of skincare products. Allows the product to spread evenly. Helps oil and water mix togetherMedium~0.3–0.75%est.
Disodium edtaStabilizes the product formulationMedium~0.15–0.5%est.
Comedogenic
5 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale
5 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
Ethylhexyl palmitateAn emollient that helps soften the skin and create a nice product texture3/5~5.3–8%est.
Triticum vulgare germ oilA good emoillient. Contains vitamin E which can help neutralise free radicals, however the oil is unstable. Avoid if you have gluten or wheat sensitivity (including food allergies).3/5~1.3–1.9%est.
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 radicals3/5~0.45–1.05%est.
Glycine soja oilA good emollient that helps soften the skin and helps repair its barrier function. It can clog pores if used in high concentrations.2/5~1.7–2.5%est.
Cetearyl alcoholA non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture2/5~0.45–1.05%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
Ethylhexyl palmitate~5.3–8%
Comedogenic 3/5
Irritation risk
Low
Comedogenicity
3/5
Works for
Moisturizing

An emollient that helps soften the skin and create a nice product texture

More about Ethylhexyl palmitate
Isohexadecane~4.1–6.1%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
CleansingMoisturizing

Improves the texture of the product and helps soften the skin. Helps oil and water mix together and can be used as a cleansing agent

More about Isohexadecane
Sorbitol~2.7–4.1%
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
Dimethicone~2.2–3.3%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
MoisturizingMattifying

A silicone that helps to reduce water loss from the surface of the skin. Can temporarily "fill in" lines and wrinkles, absorb oil, and create a nice product finish

More about Dimethicone
Glycine soja oil~1.7–2.5%
Comedogenic 2/5Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Comedogenicity
2/5
Works for
Moisturizing

A good emollient that helps soften the skin and helps repair its barrier function. It can clog pores if used in high concentrations.

More about Glycine soja oil
Sorbitan stearate~1.5–2.2%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing

Helps water and oil mix together

More about Sorbitan stearate
Triticum vulgare germ oil~1.3–1.9%
Comedogenic 3/5
Irritation risk
Low
Comedogenicity
3/5
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-oxidation

A good emoillient. Contains vitamin E which can help neutralise free radicals, however the oil is unstable. Avoid if you have gluten or wheat sensitivity (including food allergies).

More about Triticum vulgare germ oil
Benzyl alcohol~0.5–1%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritating

More about Benzyl alcohol
Glyceryl stearate~0.85–1.3%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
CleansingMoisturizing

An emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together

More about Glyceryl stearate
Peg-100 stearate~0.55–1.3%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix togehter and creates a nice product texture

More about Peg-100 stearate
Butyrospermum parkii butter~0.45–1.05%
Comedogenic 3/5
Irritation risk
Low
Comedogenicity
3/5
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-agingAnti-oxidation

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 alcohol~0.45–1.05%
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
Tocopheryl acetate~0.35–0.8%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Anti-oxidation

A more stable but less bio-available form of vitamin E compared to Tocopherol. Might help moisturize and protect the skin from free radicals, but mostly used in low concentrations to stabilize other ingredients.

More about Tocopheryl acetate
Methylparaben~0.15–0.3%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A preservative

More about Methylparaben
Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer~0.3–0.75%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Maintains the texture of skincare products. Allows the product to spread evenly. Helps oil and water mix together

More about Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer
Parfum~0.2–0.75%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients

More about Parfum
Propylparaben~0.2–0.4%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A preservative

More about Propylparaben
Sodium hydroxide~0.15–0.55%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Used to adjust the product's pH

More about Sodium hydroxide
Disodium edta~0.15–0.5%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Stabilizes the product formulation

More about Disodium edta
Citronellol~0.1–0.45%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A fragrance. Can be irritating

More about Citronellol
Alpha-isomethyl ionone~0.1–0.45%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A fragrance. Potential allergen and can be irritating

More about Alpha-isomethyl ionone
Linalool~0.1–0.35%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A fragrance. Can be irritating

More about Linalool
Geraniol~0.05–0.25%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A fragrance. Can be irritating

More about Geraniol
Limonene~0.05–0.3%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

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

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

A fragrance with a lemon scent. A likely irritant

More about Citral
Eugenol~0.05–0.1%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A fragrance. Is a likely irritant

More about Eugenol
Farnesol~0.05–0.1%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

Added to create a nice product smell. Can be irritating

More about Farnesol
Ingredient list view

Water, Ethylhexyl palmitate, Isohexadecane, Sorbitol, Dimethicone, Glycine soja oil, Sorbitan stearate, Triticum vulgare germ oil, Benzyl alcohol, Glyceryl stearate, Peg-100 stearate, Butyrospermum parkii butter, Cetearyl alcohol, Tocopheryl acetate, Methylparaben, Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, Parfum, Propylparaben, Sodium hydroxide, Disodium edta, Citronellol, Alpha-isomethyl ionone, Linalool, Geraniol, Limonene, Citral, Eugenol, Farnesol

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Amazon USPrice as of 11/13 15:21 GMT
$22.00
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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
The Body ShopVitamin E Gentle Facial WashYOUR PRODUCTKLORANEBaby No-Rinse Cleansing LotionCirca HomeHand Wash and Lotion - OceaniqueCeraVeDiabetics' Dry Skin Relief Cleansing Body Wash Fragrance Free
Match—31%27%27%
Price$22.00$12.54−$9.46$27.07+$5.07—
Shared key ingredients—3 of 93 of 92 of 9
Key difference—Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCaprylic/Capric TriglycerideSalicylic Acid
Irritancy High Medium High Medium
Drying alcohol————
View product Shop Shop Shop

More alternatives: QV Ceramides Moisturising CreamBalneol Hygienic Cleansing Lotion, Gentle Intimate Cleansing Lotion for Sensitive Skin

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Sources cited in this review

Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 3 studies and safety reviews.

  1. 1
  2. 2
  3. 3
The Body Shop Vitamin E Gentle Facial Wash
The Body ShopVitamin E Gentle Facial Wash

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As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.