elemis Gentle Foaming Face Wash

Ingredients overview

Label order. Colour is our internal rating: green routine, yellow restricted or worth a look, red prohibited or high-risk, grey not yet decoded.

Ingredients are listed in label order; the order reflects the label only, not exact concentrations.

1. Aqua/Water/Eau
2. Cetearyl Alcohol
3. Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate
4. Hectorite
5. Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
6. Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate
7. Propylene Glycol
8. Phenoxyethanol
9. Hexylene Glycol
10. Lactic Acid
11. Sodium Chloride
12. Xanthan Gum
13. Sodium Cocoyl Apple Amino Acids
14. Chlorphenesin
15. Disodium EDTA
16. Benzoic Acid
17. Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Wax
18. Pentaclethra Macroloba Seed Oil
19. Fragrance
20. Glycerin
21. Sodium Dehydroacetate
22. Benzyl Benzoate
23. Citrus Limon Peel Extract
24. Tetrasodium EDTA
25. Ficus Carica Fruit Extract
26. Cananga Odorata Flower Oil
27. Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
28. Citrus Limon Peel Oil
29. Myristica Fragrans Kernel Oil
30. Sodium Benzoate
31. Potassium Sorbate
32. Citrus Aurantium Amara Leaf/Twig Oil
33. Citrus Aurantium Amara Peel Oil
34. Coriandrum Sativum Fruit Oil

Highlights

Free of alcoholFree of parabensFree of siliconesFree of formaldehyde releasersContains sulfatesContains essential oilsContains mineral oilContains EU-26 allergensContains fragrance

Formulation view Water-based formula combines ammonium lauryl sulfate and amino acid surfactants. Hectite and xanthan gum adjust viscosity. Offers gentle cleansing with citrus and rice bran oil. Suitable for daily use on combination skin. Formulators note potential soap residue risks.

Key ingredients

溶剂

Aqua/Water/Eau

SKIN CONDITIONING - EMOLLIENT

Cetearyl Alcohol

CLEANSING

Ammonium Lauryl SulfateSodium Stearoyl GlutamateDisodium Cocoamphodiacetate

ABSORBENT

Hectorite

HUMECTANT

Propylene Glycol

ANTIMICROBIAL

Phenoxyethanol

Other ingredients

Hexylene GlycolLactic AcidSodium ChlorideXanthan GumSodium Cocoyl Apple Amino AcidsChlorphenesinDisodium EDTABenzoic AcidCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel WaxPentaclethra Macroloba Seed OilFragranceGlycerinSodium DehydroacetateBenzyl BenzoateCitrus Limon Peel ExtractTetrasodium EDTAFicus Carica Fruit ExtractCananga Odorata Flower OilCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel OilCitrus Limon Peel OilMyristica Fragrans Kernel OilSodium BenzoatePotassium SorbateCitrus Aurantium Amara Leaf/Twig OilCitrus Aurantium Amara Peel OilCoriandrum Sativum Fruit Oil

Skim through

Ingredients explained

Aqua/Water/Eau

Water as solvent/base; main ingredient, microbial control needed, paired with preservatives.

Cetearyl Alcohol

Fatty alcohol emulsifier at 1-5%; non-ionic surfactant

Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate

Strong anionic surfactant; high foaming and stripping power. Can be irritating to eyes and damaged skin

Hectorite

Clay absorbent and viscosity controller; used in silicone-free hair products.

Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate

Mild amino-acid surfactant, poor solubility, pairs with fatty alcohols, fine foam.

Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate

Amphoteric surfactant for cleansing and foam boosting; milder than sulfates, low comedogenic risk.

Propylene Glycol

Polyol humectant at 3-10%; hygroscopic, slight tackiness, mild irritation at high conc., verify preservative efficacy, no allergen.

Phenoxyethanol

Broad-spectrum preservative at ≤1%; may irritate sensitive eye areas, often paired with ethylhexylglycerin

Hexylene Glycol

Polyol solvent and humectant with penetration enhancement; limit concentration to avoid irritation, no specific allergen tag

Lactic Acid

AHA pH adjuster at 0.5-5%; exfoliation/humectancy, mild at low conc., irritating at high, avoid conflict with alkaline preservatives.

Sodium Chloride

Salt for gel viscosity control; used as precipitant in soaps

Xanthan Gum

Natural thickener at 0.1–1%; provides gel texture, pH-stable, requires full hydration

Sodium Cocoyl Apple Amino Acids

Sodium cocoamido apple amino acids; mild amino-acid surfactant for cleansing and foam.

Chlorphenesin

Phenolic antimicrobial; strict EU limits apply, potential allergen, careful dosing required for leave-on products.

Disodium EDTA

Chelating agent at 0.05–0.5%; sequesters metal ions for stability, boosts preservative efficacy

Benzoic Acid

Preservative and pH adjuster at 0.1–0.5%; low water solubility, best in acidic media, irritant at high levels.

Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Wax

Plant wax for natural shine and occlusion; citrus components may cause photosensitivity

Pentaclethra Macroloba Seed Oil

Pentaclethra macroloba seed oil for emollient skin/hair care; occlusive lipid

Fragrance

Fragrance; concentration must control allergen risk, label specific components

Glycerin

Workhorse humectant at 3–10%; tacky at high levels, pair with occlusives

Sodium Dehydroacetate

Sodium dehydroacetate, preservative <0.5%; restricted for eye, children, and lip use.

Benzyl Benzoate

Chelating agent for stability; restricted substance, not permitted as single component or in mixtures at ≥0.1%.

Citrus Limon Peel Extract

Lemon peel extract rich in flavonoids for conditioning and antioxidant; check for furanocoumarins, caution for sensitive skin.

Tetrasodium EDTA

Chelator removing metal ions to enhance antioxidant and preservative efficacy; very low usage, typically 0.05-0.1%, no direct skincare function.

Ficus Carica Fruit Extract

Fig fruit extract, humectant with polysaccharides and enzymes for skin moisturizing

Cananga Odorata Flower Oil

Ylang-ylang essential oil, natural fragrance; contains multiple allergens, restrict usage per EU regulations, avoid for sensitive skin

Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil

Sweet orange peel essential oil, citrus aroma; photosensitive, be careful in daytime; irritating at high levels.

Citrus Limon Peel Oil

Lemon peel oil for fragrance/skin conditioning; contains allergens, mind phototoxicity and compliance

Myristica Fragrans Kernel Oil

Nutmeg kernel oil for fragrance and emolliency; contains myristin, some individuals may react to vanillin or other components.

Sodium Benzoate

Preservative booster, effective below pH 4.5; combinable with sorbates

Potassium Sorbate

Preservative effective below pH 6; combinable with sodium benzoate

Citrus Aurantium Amara Leaf/Twig Oil

Bitter orange oil for fragrance/flavor; essential oil with allergens, cautious for photosensitizing areas.

Citrus Aurantium Amara Peel Oil

Essential oil, scent regulator; III/351 allergen, labeling required.

Coriandrum Sativum Fruit Oil

Coriander seed oil, essential oil fragrance containing allergens; keep concentration below 0.1%, caution for sensitive skin and pregnant women.

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