Based on its listed ingredients, Calming & Purifying Gentle Cleanser can feed fungal acne; has higher pore-clogging potential — details in the flags below.
Below is every ingredient in Calming & Purifying Gentle Cleanser explained, its standout actives, and the side effects reported in research for those actives — analysed for Indian skin.
Flags derived from the ingredient list using dermatology reference data (fungal-acne substrate, comedogenicity, EU allergens). General guidance, not a diagnosis.
Answers are derived from the printed ingredient list and dermatology reference data — general guidance, not a diagnosis or a therapeutic claim.
Gluconolactone is a polyhydroxy acid that gently exfoliates the skin surface, provides antioxidant and humectant benefits, and is often considered milder than alpha hydroxy acids. It is well tolerated, including by sensitive skin, due to its larger molecular size and slower penetration.
Beta-glucan is a polysaccharide derived from sources such as oats, yeast, and mushrooms that functions as a humectant and skin-soothing ingredient. It supports hydration, helps reinforce the skin barrier, and has been studied for antioxidant and wound-healing properties.
Aggregated from the active ingredients in this product.
| Reported effect | How often | Notes |
|---|---|---|
Irritation or sensitivity | Very rare | Purified water itself is essentially inert; rare reactions are attributable to contaminants or accompanying ingredients rather than water. |
Transepidermal water loss aggravation in compromised skin | Rare | Evaporation of water from products may transiently increase dryness in very compromised skin barriers if occlusives are absent. |
Mild transient stinging or irritation | Uncommon | More likely at high concentrations or on compromised/broken skin. |
Tacky or sticky skin feel | Common | A cosmetic sensation rather than an adverse reaction, more noticeable at higher concentrations. |
Contact dermatitis or allergic reaction | Rare | True allergy to glycerin is uncommon; patch-test positivity is infrequent. |
Skin dehydration in very low humidity | Rare | In very dry environments humectants may draw water from deeper skin layers if not paired with an occlusive. |
Allergic contact dermatitis | Uncommon | A notable cause of allergic contact dermatitis, often attributed to impurities (amidoamine, 3-dimethylaminopropylamine) rather than the molecule itself; named Allergen of the Year in 2004. |
Skin or eye irritation | Uncommon | Mild stinging or irritation, more likely in concentrated or rinse-off products and around the eyes. |
Cross-reactivity with related surfactants | Rare | Patch-test reactions may overlap with chemically related amphoteric or amine-containing surfactants. |
Redness or tingling | Rare | Typically resolves quickly after discontinuation |
Mild skin or eye irritation | Uncommon | More likely at higher concentrations or with prolonged contact; generally well tolerated. |
Dryness or disruption of skin barrier | Uncommon | Possible with frequent use, though milder than stronger sulfate surfactants. |
Mild skin irritation | Uncommon | Transient stinging or redness, more likely on compromised or sensitive skin. |
Enhanced penetration of co-formulated irritants | Uncommon | As a penetration enhancer it may increase absorption and irritation potential of other actives. |
Frequencies reflect typical cosmetic use reported in the literature, not a guarantee for your skin.
| Ingredient | What it does |
|---|---|
| Aqua Solvent / vehicle | Aqua (water) is the most common base ingredient in skincare formulations, serving as a solvent that dissolves water-soluble components and forms the medium for emulsions. It has no direct treatment activity and primarily contributes to texture, spreadability, and product delivery. |
| Glycerin Humectant | Glycerin is a widely used humectant that attracts and retains water in the skin, helping to hydrate the stratum corneum and support barrier function. It is considered safe and well-tolerated across most skin types and concentrations. |
| Cocamidopropyl Betaine Surfactant / foaming cleanser | Cocamidopropyl Betaine is an amphoteric surfactant derived from coconut oil and dimethylaminopropylamine, used in cleansers, shampoos, and body washes to provide gentle foaming, viscosity, and to reduce the harshness of stronger anionic surfactants. It is widely regarded as mild but is a recognized contact allergen. |
| Betaine Humectant / osmolyte | Betaine is a naturally derived amino acid derivative (trimethylglycine) used in skincare as a humectant and osmoprotectant that attracts and retains moisture while helping stabilize skin barrier function. It also improves the texture and mildness of formulations. |
| Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate Mild surfactant/cleansing agent | Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate is a gentle anionic surfactant derived from sulfosuccinic acid, used in cleansers and shampoos to produce foam and remove dirt and oil. It is valued for being milder and less irritating than harsher sulfates like sodium lauryl sulfate. |
| Propanediol Humectant/solvent | Propanediol is a plant-derived glycol used in skincare as a humectant, solvent, and penetration enhancer that improves moisturization and the spreadability of formulations. It also helps solubilize other ingredients and can boost the efficacy of certain actives. |
| Panthenol Humectant / skin-conditioning agent | Panthenol (provitamin B5) is converted to pantothenic acid in the skin, where it acts as a humectant and helps support skin barrier function and hydration. It is also used for its soothing and mild anti-inflammatory properties in topical formulations. |
| Gluconolactone Key active Polyhydroxy acid (PHA) exfoliant/humectant | Gluconolactone is a polyhydroxy acid that gently exfoliates the skin surface, provides antioxidant and humectant benefits, and is often considered milder than alpha hydroxy acids. It is well tolerated, including by sensitive skin, due to its larger molecular size and slower penetration. |
| Xylitylglucoside Humectant / moisturizer | Xylitylglucoside is a sugar-derived humectant, typically used in combination with anhydroxylitol and xylitol, that helps attract and retain water in the skin and supports the skin barrier. It is valued for its skin-hydrating and moisturizing properties in cosmetic formulations. |
| Anhydroxylitol Humectant / moisturizing agent | Anhydroxylitol is a sugar-derived (xylitol) humectant used in skincare to attract and retain water, helping to maintain skin hydration and barrier function. It is often combined with xylitol and xylitylglucoside to enhance the skin's natural moisturizing factors. |
| Glycol Distearate Opacifier/pearlescent agent, emollient | Glycol Distearate is a diester of ethylene glycol and stearic acid used primarily to impart a pearlescent or opaque appearance to cleansers and shampoos, while also providing mild emollient and thickening properties. It functions as a formulation aid rather than an active treatment ingredient. |
| Xylitol Humectant / moisturizer | Xylitol is a sugar alcohol used in topical formulations as a humectant that helps attract and retain moisture in the skin, and it may support the skin's microbiome and barrier function. It is generally well tolerated and considered safe for topical use. |
| Beta-Glucan Key active Hydrating soothing agent | Beta-glucan is a polysaccharide derived from sources such as oats, yeast, and mushrooms that functions as a humectant and skin-soothing ingredient. It supports hydration, helps reinforce the skin barrier, and has been studied for antioxidant and wound-healing properties. |
| Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer Rheology modifier / emulsion stabilizer | Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic crosslinked acrylic polymer used to thicken, gel, and stabilize emulsions in skincare and cosmetic formulations. It helps suspend ingredients and provides a smooth, consistent texture without acting as a treatment active. |
| Caprylhydroxamic Acid Preservative / chelating agent | Caprylhydroxamic acid is a glycine-derived hydroxamic acid used primarily as a preservative and chelating agent in cosmetic formulations, where it helps control microbial growth (especially fungi) and stabilizes products by binding trace metal ions. It is typically used in combination with other preservatives such as glycols and is effective across a relatively wide pH range. |
| Laureth-4 Surfactant/emulsifier | Laureth-4 is a polyethylene glycol ether of lauryl alcohol used as a nonionic surfactant, emulsifier, and solubilizer in cosmetic and topical formulations. It helps blend oil and water phases and improve product texture. |
| Coco-Glucoside Mild surfactant/cleanser | Coco Glucoside is a gentle, plant-derived nonionic surfactant (an alkyl polyglucoside made from coconut fatty alcohols and glucose) used as a cleansing and foaming agent in face washes, shampoos, and body cleansers. It is valued for its mildness, biodegradability, and good skin and eye tolerance compared with harsher surfactants. |
| Glyceryl Oleate Emollient / emulsifier | Glyceryl oleate is a monoglyceride ester of glycerin and oleic acid used in skincare as an emollient, skin-conditioning agent, and nonionic co-emulsifier. It helps stabilize emulsions, soften skin, and support the lipid barrier. |
| Glyceryl Caprylate Emollient / antimicrobial co-preservative | Glyceryl Caprylate is a monoglyceride derived from glycerin and caprylic acid, used in skincare as an emollient, moisturizing agent, and skin-conditioning component with mild antimicrobial properties that support preservation. It is commonly employed to help stabilize formulations and reduce reliance on conventional preservatives. |
| Disodium EDTA Chelating agent | Disodium EDTA is a chelating agent used in cosmetics to bind metal ions, improving product stability, preventing rancidity, and enhancing the efficacy of preservatives. It is a formulation/base ingredient rather than a treatment active. |
| Sodium Hydroxide pH adjuster | Sodium hydroxide (lye) is a strong alkaline compound used in small amounts to adjust and stabilize the pH of cosmetic formulations. At regulated low concentrations in finished products it is considered safe, though it is corrosive in concentrated form. |
Key active = does the main work. Ingredient explanations are drawn from public databases & literature.
Peer-reviewed papers on the active ingredients in this product, via PubMed.