Is Cleansing Gel Safe? Ingredient Analysis
La Roche-Posay
La Roche-Posay's Cleansing Gel is reviewed here as a skincare. Zerotox gives it 60/100 based on the current ingredient profile, so it looks generally acceptable but still includes some ingredients worth reviewing.
The ingredient review below focuses especially on Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol.
60 / 100
Why score is 60
The composition includes sodium benzoate as a preservative and phenoxyethanol, which raises concerns about synthetic additives. The presence of sodium laureth sulfate may also indicate potential irritation for sensitive skin types.
Main concern
Sodium laureth sulfate is a surfactant that can be irritating for sensitive skin.
Why it matters: This ingredient is flagged in our analysis based on regulatory and scientific sources. Check the Ingredients section for details and see Data sources for methodology.
Regulation status: Ingredient safety is assessed from EU/EPA/CIR and similar databases; formulations may vary. Always read the product label.
Pros
- Contains Punica granatum pericarp extract, which may provide antioxidant benefits.
- Inclusion of tocopherol (vitamin E) suggests some skin conditioning properties.
- Caprylyl glycol acts as a skin-conditioning agent, enhancing moisture retention.
- PEG-8 is a humectant that helps to retain moisture in the skin.
Concerns
- Sodium laureth sulfate is a surfactant that can be irritating for sensitive skin.
- Phenoxyethanol is a synthetic preservative that raises concerns about potential skin irritation.
- Sodium benzoate, while effective as a preservative, is a synthetic additive.
- Fragrance may cause irritation or allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.
Who should avoid this product?
This formula may not suit:
- people with sensitive skin or fragrance sensitivity
- users trying to avoid sulfates
Ingredients breakdown
Below, each ingredient is described in the context of this skincare, not just listed as a raw label.
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Is Water safe in this skincare?
Good
Water is used here as base. Water serves as the primary solvent in this formulation, providing hydration and facilitating the delivery of other ingredients.
Role in formula: base
Original: AQUA/WATER/EAU
-
Is Sodium Laureth Sulfate safe in this skincare?
Bad
Sodium Laureth Sulfate is used here as surfactant. Sodium laureth sulfate is a common surfactant that effectively cleanses but can be harsh and irritating, especially for sensitive skin.
Role in formula: surfactant
Original: SODIUM LAURETH SULFATE
-
Is Peg 8 safe in this skincare?
Medium
Peg 8 is used here as humectant. PEG-8 is a humectant that helps retain moisture in the skin, but its synthetic nature raises some concerns about skin compatibility.
Role in formula: humectant
Original: PEG-8
-
Is Coco Betaine safe in this skincare?
Good
Coco Betaine is used here as surfactant. Coco-betaine is a mild surfactant derived from coconut oil, providing cleansing properties with less irritation compared to harsher surfactants.
Role in formula: surfactant
Original: COCO-BETAINE
-
Is Hexylene Glycol safe in this skincare?
Medium
Hexylene Glycol is used here as solvent. Hexylene glycol acts as a solvent and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients, but it may cause irritation in some individuals.
Role in formula: solvent
Original: HEXYLENE GLYCOL
-
Is Sodium Chloride safe in this skincare?
Good
Sodium Chloride is used here as thickener. Sodium chloride is used to adjust the viscosity of the product, contributing to its texture without significant safety concerns.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: SODIUM CHLORIDE
-
Is Punica Granatum Pericarp Extract safe in this skincare?
Good
Punica Granatum Pericarp Extract is used here as natural_extract. Punica granatum pericarp extract is derived from pomegranate and may provide antioxidant properties, enhancing skin health.
Role in formula: natural_extract
Original: PUNICA GRANATUM PERICARP EXTRACT
-
Is Zinc Pca safe in this skincare?
Good
Zinc Pca is used here as natural_extract. Zinc PCA is known for its oil-regulating properties, making it beneficial for acne-prone skin by reducing excess sebum.
Role in formula: natural_extract
Original: ZINC PCA
-
Is Peg 120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate safe in this skincare?
Medium
Peg 120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate is used here as emulsifier. This ingredient acts as an emulsifier, helping to stabilize the formulation, but its synthetic nature may raise concerns for some users.
Role in formula: emulsifier
Original: PEG-120 METHYL GLUCOSE DIOLEATE
Read the full ingredient profile for Peg 120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate
-
Is Sodium Citrate safe in this skincare?
Good
Sodium Citrate is used here as buffer. Sodium citrate is used to adjust the pH of the product, ensuring it is compatible with skin without raising safety concerns.
Role in formula: buffer
Original: SODIUM CITRATE
-
Is Sodium Hydroxide safe in this skincare?
Medium
Sodium Hydroxide is used here as buffer. Sodium hydroxide is used to adjust pH levels, but it can be irritating in high concentrations, necessitating careful formulation.
Role in formula: buffer
Original: SODIUM HYDROXIDE
-
Is Caprylyl Glycol safe in this skincare?
Good
Caprylyl Glycol is used here as conditioning_agent. Caprylyl glycol is a skin-conditioning agent that helps to retain moisture, contributing positively to skin hydration.
Role in formula: conditioning_agent
Original: CAPRYLYL GLYCOL
-
Is Citric Acid safe in this skincare?
Good
Citric Acid is used here as acidulant. Citric acid is used to adjust pH and can act as a mild exfoliant, promoting skin renewal without significant irritation.
Role in formula: acidulant
Original: CITRIC ACID
-
Is Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate safe in this skincare?
Medium
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate is used here as chelating_agent. This ingredient acts as a chelating agent, helping to stabilize the formulation but is synthetic and may raise concerns.
Role in formula: chelating_agent
Original: TRISODIUM ETHYLENEDIAMINE DISUCCINATE
Read the full ingredient profile for Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
-
Is Maltodextrin safe in this skincare?
Medium
Maltodextrin is used here as thickener. Maltodextrin is used as a thickener and stabilizer, but its processed nature may raise concerns for some consumers.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: MALTODEXTRIN
-
Is Pentylene Glycol safe in this skincare?
Medium
Pentylene Glycol is used here as solvent. Pentylene glycol serves as a solvent and humectant, enhancing the product's texture but may cause irritation in sensitive skin.
Role in formula: solvent
Original: PENTYLENE GLYCOL
-
Is Tocopherol safe in this skincare?
Good
Tocopherol is used here as antioxidant. Tocopherol (vitamin E) acts as an antioxidant, providing skin protection and enhancing the overall quality of the formulation.
Role in formula: antioxidant
Original: TOCOPHEROL
-
Is Sodium Benzoate safe in this skincare?
Bad
Sodium Benzoate is used here as preservative. Sodium benzoate is a synthetic preservative that helps prevent microbial growth but raises concerns about synthetic additives.
Role in formula: preservative
Original: SODIUM BENZOATE
-
Is Phenoxyethanol safe in this skincare?
Bad
Phenoxyethanol is used here as preservative. Phenoxyethanol is a synthetic preservative that can cause irritation and allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.
Role in formula: preservative
Original: PHENOXYETHANOL
-
Is Fragrance safe in this skincare?
Bad
Fragrance is used here as fragrance. Fragrance is included for scent but can be a common irritant, especially for those with sensitive skin or allergies.
Role in formula: fragrance
Original: PARFUM/FRAGRANCE
How we score
Our safety scores and ingredient breakdowns are based on regulatory and scientific sources. See Data sources & methodology and How Zerotox works for full details.
Product info
Product ID: 4272558
More from this brand: La Roche-Posay products in Zerotox
Similar products: skincare in Zerotox database
Report / complain: You may report errors or complain about this product or its formulation to hello [at] zeroto.app . Published for transparency.