Ingredients with a documented concern, from official datasets and our reviewed database.
surfactant · foaming agent
Sensitive skin: Best avoidedDry skin: Best avoidedBabies & kids: Use with cautionEczema-prone: Best avoided
- Irritation:The reference irritant used in dermatology research; strips barrier lipids.
Caredermis curated dermatological review
A powerful foaming cleanser so reliably irritating that dermatology studies use it as the standard positive control for skin irritation. Fine for many in rinse-off use, but a poor match for dry, sensitive or eczema-prone skin.
Sensitive skin: Best avoidedPregnancy: Use with cautionBabies & kids: Best avoidedEczema-prone: Best avoided
- Allergy risk:Fragrance is the single most common cause of cosmetic contact allergy.
- Irritation:Frequent trigger of stinging and redness on reactive skin.
Caredermis curated dermatological review
An umbrella term that can hide dozens of undisclosed scent chemicals. Fragrance is the leading cause of allergic contact dermatitis from cosmetics, and dermatologists routinely advise fragrance-free products for eczema, babies and sensitive skin.
surfactant · foaming agent
Sensitive skin: High cautionDry skin: Use with cautionBabies & kids: Use with cautionEczema-prone: High caution
- Irritation:Milder than SLS but still drying for compromised skin.
The gentler cousin of SLS used in most mainstream shampoos and washes. Its manufacturing can leave trace 1,4-dioxane, which reputable makers strip out — an issue of quality control rather than the ingredient itself.
Sensitive skin: Use with cautionEczema-prone: Use with caution
- Allergy risk:Named Allergen of the Year 2004; impurities (amidoamine) drive most reactions.
A mild coconut-derived surfactant in countless 'gentle' cleansers. Most allergy is caused by manufacturing impurities, so quality varies by brand.
Babies & kids: Use with caution
- Irritation:Occasional stinging and irritation, mostly around eyes and on damaged skin.
Today's most common preservative, considered safe by the SCCS up to 1%. French authorities advise avoiding it in wipes and diaper-area products for children under 3 as a precaution.
Pregnancy: Use with cautionBabies & kids: Use with caution
- Irritation:Gentler than retinol but still a retinoid.
A weak retinoid whose contested photocarcinogenicity data suggests keeping it to night products; avoided in pregnancy like all retinoids.
Sensitive skin: Use with cautionBabies & kids: Use with caution
- Irritation:Can irritate sensitive or compromised skin.
A synthetic preservative capped at 0.3% in the EU; generally tolerated but a known occasional irritant.
- Environmental impact:Poorly biodegradable; can remobilize heavy metals in waterways.
A metal-binding stabilizer that is safe on skin at the tiny amounts used; its criticism is environmental persistence.
