Face Cleansers

Ingredient Reports Using Research From
Do you know what’s in your face cleanser? Some cleansers contain harsh chemicals that do serious damage to your skin in the long run. Choosing the right face cleanser means understanding what’s inside so you can have clear, clean and healthy skin.

Best For Face Cleansers

Indicates ingredients best for cleansing products.

Good Ingredients

Indicates ingredients with nice to have or neutral benefits.

Unfavorable Ingredients

Indicates ingredient which may be considered unfavorable.

CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser

13/24 Best Ingredients
8/24 Good Ingredients
3/24 Unfavorable Ingredients
4/24 Natural Ingredients
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IngredientSpy Rating
2,370+ Reviews Details on Amazon.com
Anti-aging Ingredients (Best For Face Cleansers)
3
Cleansing Ingredients (Best For Face Cleansers)
6
  • cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine
    Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine. Foaming agent, surfactant
  • sodium lauroyl sarcosinate
    Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate. Cleansing agent
  • peg 6 caprylic/capric glycerides
    Peg-6 Caprylic/capric Glycerides. Surfactant, cleansing agent
  • sodium methyl cocoyl taurate
    Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate. Surfactant, cleansing agent
  • citric acid
    Citric Acid. Natural preservative, chelating agent, removes unwanted compounds from the skin.
  • edetate disodium
    Edta. Chelating agent, removes unwanted compounds from the skin. Considered safe because it's difficult to absorb through skin
Healing Ingredients (Best For Face Cleansers)
4
  • ceramide 3
    Ceramide. Ceramides promote healthy skin. Used in the skin to create a waterproof barrier that is capable of protecting the underlying skin tissues
  • ceramide 6 ii
    Ceramide. Ceramides promote healthy skin. Used in the skin to create a waterproof barrier that is capable of protecting the underlying skin tissues
  • ceramide 1
    Ceramide. Ceramides promote healthy skin. Used in the skin to create a waterproof barrier that is capable of protecting the underlying skin tissues
  • cholesterol
    Cholesterol. Promotes healthy skin. Used in the skin to create a waterproof barrier that is capable of protecting the underlying skin tissues
Abrasive Ingredients
1
  • sodium chloride
    Sodium Chloride. Table salt. Used as preservative or abrasive ingredient.
Moisturizing Ingredients
1
  • niacinamide
    Vitamin B3. Moisturizes skin and improves skin appearance.
Neutral Ingredients
6
  • purified water
    Aqua. Water
  • peg 150 pentaerythrityl tetrastearate
    Peg-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate. Thickening agent
  • dihydrate
    Dihydrate. A compound containing two molecules of water.
  • sodium lauroyl lactylate
    Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate. Emulsifying agent
  • carbomer
    Carbomer. Controls consistency
  • xanthan gum
    Xanthan Gum. Thickening agent
Unfavorable Ingredients
3

Simple Micellar Cleansing Water

7/15 Best Ingredients
5/15 Good Ingredients
3/15 Unfavorable Ingredients
6/15 Natural Ingredients
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IngredientSpy Rating
1,020+ Reviews Details on Amazon.com
Anti-aging Ingredients (Best For Face Cleansers)
2
Cleansing Ingredients (Best For Face Cleansers)
3
  • peg 6 caprylic/capric glycerides
    Peg-6 Caprylic/capric Glycerides. Surfactant, cleansing agent
  • tetrasodium edta
    Edta. Chelating agent, removes unwanted compounds from the skin. Considered safe because it's difficult to absorb through skin
  • citric acid
    Citric Acid. Natural preservative, chelating agent, removes unwanted compounds from the skin.
Healing Ingredients (Best For Face Cleansers)
2
  • chamomilla recutita (matricaria) flower extract
    Chamomile. Anti-inflammatory properties. Rare cases of chamomile allergy exist.
  • panthenol
    Vitamin B5. Heals broken or itchy skin
Abrasive Ingredients
1
  • sodium chloride
    Sodium Chloride. Table salt. Used as preservative or abrasive ingredient.
Moisturizing Ingredients
1
  • niacinamide
    Vitamin B3. Moisturizes skin and improves skin appearance.
Neutral Ingredients
3
  • water (aqua)
    Aqua. Water
  • hexylene glycol
    Hexylene Glycol. Preservative
  • potassium chloride
    Potassium Chloride. Thickening agent
Unfavorable Ingredients
3
  • iodopropynyl butylcarbamate
    Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate. Preservative. Negative effects include contact dermatitis and contact allergy

Freeman Feeling Beautiful Revealing Peel-Off Mask, Pomegranate

25/38 Best Ingredients
6/38 Good Ingredients
7/38 Unfavorable Ingredients
22/38 Natural Ingredients
Show Ingredients
IngredientSpy Rating
420+ Reviews Details on Amazon.com
Anti-aging Ingredients (Best For Face Cleansers)
18
Cleansing Ingredients (Best For Face Cleansers)
1
Healing Ingredients (Best For Face Cleansers)
5
  • blueberry
    Blueberry Extract. Skin protecting and soothing properties.
  • vitamin b5
    Vitamin B5. Heals broken or itchy skin
  • vaccinium angustifolium (blueberry) fruit extract
    Blueberry Extract. Skin protecting and soothing properties.
  • panthenol
    Vitamin B5. Heals broken or itchy skin
  • allantoin
    Allantoin. Heals damaged skin
Protective Ingredients (Best For Face Cleansers)
1
Neutral Ingredients
6
  • water/aqua/eau
    Aqua. Water
  • polyvinyl alcohol
    Polyvinyl Alcohol. Thickener
  • sodium pca
    Sodium Pca. Emulsifying agent
  • fragrance (parfum)
    Fragrance.
  • blue 1 (ci 42090)
    Pigment. Pigment for skin care products.
  • red 33 (ci 17200)
    Pigment. Pigment for skin care products.
Unfavorable Ingredients
7

Simple Foaming Cleanser

9/23 Best Ingredients
10/23 Good Ingredients
4/23 Unfavorable Ingredients
5/23 Natural Ingredients
Show Ingredients
IngredientSpy Rating
390+ Reviews Details on Amazon.com
Anti-aging Ingredients (Best For Face Cleansers)
2
Cleansing Ingredients (Best For Face Cleansers)
4
  • stearamide amp
    Stearamide Amp. Cleansing agent
  • disodium edta
    Edta. Chelating agent, removes unwanted compounds from the skin. Considered safe because it's difficult to absorb through skin
Healing Ingredients (Best For Face Cleansers)
3
  • panthenol
    Vitamin B5. Heals broken or itchy skin
  • allantoin
    Allantoin. Heals damaged skin
  • bisabolol
    Bisabolol. Oil usually derived from chamomile. Soothing properties.
Moisturizing Ingredients
3
  • dimethicone
    Dimethicone. Moisturizer
  • glyceryl stearate
    Glyceryl Monoester. Skin-conditioning agent, emollient
  • caprylyl glycol
    Caprylyl Glycol. Skin conditioner, moisturizer
Sunscreen Ingredients
2
  • avobenzone (3.0%)
    Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane. Sunscreen ingredient
Neutral Ingredients
5
  • water (aqua)
    Aqua. Water
  • glycol stearate
    Glycol Distearate. Thickener, emulsifier
  • potassium stearate
    Potassium Stearate. Emulsifying agent
  • carbomer
    Carbomer. Controls consistency
  • xanthan gum
    Xanthan Gum. Thickening agent
Unfavorable Ingredients
4

Alba Botanica Even Advanced, Sea Mineral Cleansing Gel

16/34 Best Ingredients
10/34 Good Ingredients
8/34 Unfavorable Ingredients
14/34 Natural Ingredients
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IngredientSpy Rating
860+ Reviews Details on Amazon.com
Anti-aging Ingredients (Best For Face Cleansers)
7
Cleansing Ingredients (Best For Face Cleansers)
5
  • sodium cocoyl isethionate
    Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate. Surfactant, cleansing agent
  • cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine
    Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine. Foaming agent, surfactant
  • sodium lauroyl glutamate
    Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate. Mild surfactant, skin cleansing agent
  • coco glucoside
    Coco-glucoside. Coconut derived surfactant, cleansing agent
  • potassium hydroxide
    Potassium Hydroxide. Cleansing agent, safe as used in cosmetics
Healing Ingredients (Best For Face Cleansers)
4
  • enteromorpha compressa extract
    Enteromorpha Compressa. Green algae, skin-conditioning agent with skin healing properties
  • laminaria digitata extract
    Horsetail Kelp. Algae, skin-conditioning agent, skin healing properties
  • macrocystis pyrifera extract
    Giant Kelp. Extract helps heal broken skin. Anti-inflammatory properties.
  • panthenol
    Vitamin B5. Heals broken or itchy skin
Moisturizing Ingredients
2
  • erythritol
    Erythritol. Moisturizer, humectant
  • glyceryl oleate
    Glyceryl Monoester. Skin-conditioning agent, emollient
Conditioning Ingredients
2
  • chondrus crispus (carrageenan) extract
    Carrageen Moss. Skin-conditioning agent
  • homarine hci
    Homarine Hcl. Skin-conditioning agent
Neutral Ingredients
6
  • aqua (water)
    Aqua. Water
  • caesalpinia spinosa gum
    Tara Gum. Plant based thickening agent.
  • alcohol
    Alcohol. If in large quantities, alcohol can be irritating and/or damaging to skin.
  • dehydroscetic acid
    Dehydroacetic Acid. Preservative. No skin reacitons
  • limonene
    Limonene. Fragrance
  • fragrance (parfum)
    Fragrance.
Unfavorable Ingredients
8

bareMinerals Pure Plush Gentle Deep Cleansing Foam

9/21 Best Ingredients
8/21 Good Ingredients
4/21 Unfavorable Ingredients
6/21 Natural Ingredients
Show Ingredients
IngredientSpy Rating
220+ Reviews Details on Amazon.com
Anti-aging Ingredients (Best For Face Cleansers)
1
Cleansing Ingredients (Best For Face Cleansers)
5
  • sodium methyl cocoyl taurate
    Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate. Surfactant, cleansing agent
  • disodium edta
    Edta. Chelating agent, removes unwanted compounds from the skin. Considered safe because it's difficult to absorb through skin
Healing Ingredients (Best For Face Cleansers)
2
  • lauric acid
    Lauric Acid. Strong bactericidal and anti-inflammatory properties
  • sambucus nigra flower extract
    Elderberry. Skin-soothing properties
Protective Ingredients (Best For Face Cleansers)
1
  • rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) leaf extract
    Rosemary. Antimicrobial, skin-conditioning agent
Abrasive Ingredients
1
  • sea salt (maris sal/sel marin)
    Salt. Nourishing ingredient, skin-conditioning agent, abrasive when in granules.
Moisturizing Ingredients
1
  • glyceryl stearate se
    Glyceryl Monoester. Skin-conditioning agent, emollient
Neutral Ingredients
6
  • water (aqua/eau)
    Aqua. Water
  • sodium polyacrylate starch
    Sodium Polyacrylate Starch. Absorbing, film forming agent.
  • polyquaternium 39
    Polyquaternium 39. Film-forming agent
  • citrus grandis (grapefruit) fruit extract
    Grapefruit. Fragrance ingredient. Inconsistent evidence for phototoxicity.
  • fragrance (parfum)
    Fragrance.
  • limonene
    Limonene. Fragrance
Unfavorable Ingredients
4

Liquid Neutrogena - The Transparent Facial Cleanser

8/16 Best Ingredients
5/16 Good Ingredients
3/16 Unfavorable Ingredients
2/16 Natural Ingredients
Show Ingredients
IngredientSpy Rating
1,510+ Reviews Details on Amazon.com
Anti-aging Ingredients (Best For Face Cleansers)
2
Cleansing Ingredients (Best For Face Cleansers)
6
  • sodium oleate
    Sodium Oleate. Cleansing agent. Possibly irritating to eyes
  • sodium cocoate
    Sodium Cocoate. Cleansing agent
  • sodium trideceth sulfate
    Sodium Trideceth Sulfate. Cleansing agent
  • disodium cocoamphodiacetate
    Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate. Cleansing agent
  • trisodium edta
    Edta. Chelating agent, removes unwanted compounds from the skin. Considered safe because it's difficult to absorb through skin
  • citric acid
    Citric Acid. Natural preservative, chelating agent, removes unwanted compounds from the skin.
Neutral Ingredients
5
  • water
    Aqua. Water
  • sodium cocoamphoacetate
    Sodium Cocoamphoacetate. Cleansing agent. Believed to be non-irritating however cases of contact allergy exist.
  • yellow 5
    Pigment. Pigment for skin care products.
  • red 33
    Pigment. Pigment for skin care products.
  • blue 1
    Pigment. Pigment for skin care products.
Unfavorable Ingredients
3

Banila co. Clean it Zero - Korean Cleansing Cream

8/20 Best Ingredients
8/20 Good Ingredients
4/20 Unfavorable Ingredients
9/20 Natural Ingredients
Show Ingredients
IngredientSpy Rating
880+ Reviews Details on Amazon.com
Anti-aging Ingredients (Best For Face Cleansers)
4
Cleansing Ingredients (Best For Face Cleansers)
2
  • peg 10 isostearate
    Peg-10 Isostearate. Surfactant, cleansing agent
  • rubus suavissimus (raspberry) leaf extract
    Raspberry. Skin purification properties
Healing Ingredients (Best For Face Cleansers)
2
  • aspalathus linearis leaf extract
    Rooibos. Skin healing properties
  • carica papaya (papaya) fruit extract
    Papaya. Anti-inflammatory properties, used to heal burns
Abrasive Ingredients
2
  • polyethylene
    Polyethylene. Abrasive agent
  • bambusa arundinacea stem extract
    Bamboo. Used as a moisturizer or abrasive agent
Moisturizing Ingredients
1
  • peg 20 glyceryl triisostearate
    Peg-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate. Emollient
Conditioning Ingredients
1
  • cetyl ethylhexanoate
    Cetyl Ethylhexanoate. Lubricant
Neutral Ingredients
4
  • water
    Aqua. Water
  • ci 16255
    Ci 16255. Red food color
  • ci 15985
    Ci 15985. Yellow food color
  • fragrance
    Fragrance.
Unfavorable Ingredients
4

Eucerin Gentle Hydrating Cleanser

6/12 Best Ingredients
3/12 Good Ingredients
3/12 Unfavorable Ingredients
3/12 Natural Ingredients
Show Ingredients
IngredientSpy Rating
400+ Reviews Details on Amazon.com
Cleansing Ingredients (Best For Face Cleansers)
6
  • disodium cocoamphodiacetate
    Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate. Cleansing agent
  • sodium laureth sulfate
    Sodium Laureth Sulfate. Surfactant, cleansing agent
  • cocamide mea
    Cocamide Mea. Cleansing agent
  • laureth 10
    Laureth-10. Surfactant, cleansing agent
  • citric acid
    Citric Acid. Natural preservative, chelating agent, removes unwanted compounds from the skin.
  • peg 120 methyl glucose dioleate
    Peg-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate. Surfactant, cleansing agent
Moisturizing Ingredients
1
  • peg 7 glyceryl cocoate
    Glyceryl Monoester. Skin-conditioning agent, emollient
Neutral Ingredients
2
  • water
    Aqua. Water
  • glycol distearate
    Glycol Distearate. Thickener, emulsifier
Unfavorable Ingredients
3
  • imidazolidinyl urea
    Imidazolidinyl Urea. Preservative. Potential contact allergy.

Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser, For Normal to Oily Skin

6/14 Best Ingredients
5/14 Good Ingredients
3/14 Unfavorable Ingredients
3/14 Natural Ingredients
Show Ingredients
IngredientSpy Rating
120+ Reviews Details on Amazon.com
Anti-aging Ingredients (Best For Face Cleansers)
1
Cleansing Ingredients (Best For Face Cleansers)
4
  • sodium laureth sulfate
    Sodium Laureth Sulfate. Surfactant, cleansing agent
  • disodium edta
    Edta. Chelating agent, removes unwanted compounds from the skin. Considered safe because it's difficult to absorb through skin
Healing Ingredients (Best For Face Cleansers)
1
  • panthenol
    Vitamin B5. Heals broken or itchy skin
Moisturizing Ingredients
1
  • peg 7 glyceryl cocoate
    Glyceryl Monoester. Skin-conditioning agent, emollient
Neutral Ingredients
4
  • water (purified)
    Aqua. Water
  • acrylates/steareth 20 methacrylate crosspolymer
    Acrylates⁄steareth-20 Methacrylate Crosspolymer. Film former
Unfavorable Ingredients
3