Click here to visit the Beauty Brains blog.
Welcome to the new Forum. Please feel free to start a new discussion.
Aquanil Vs Cetaphil Cleanser
  • mo
    I don't really like Cetaphil cleanser as it dries up my psoriasis & clogs my pores. As far as my knowledge of surfactants go, Sodium Lauryl Sulphate is as harsh as it gets.
    I recently came across aquanil which seems to have improvised on the Cetaphil formula by replacing the lauryl with Laureth. After reading & researching extensively on Google, I found out that as far as sensitive skin goes; the laureth has a much lower potential for a skin allergy/reaction. Also, I personally can vouch against Propylene Glycol so aquanil scores 3 points over Cetaphil (No lauryl, No Propylene Glycol & No Parabens).

    However, the question I'm asking is about something present in Aquanil called "Benzyl Alcohol". Is it safe to be used in a cleanser for sensitive skin? I even received an email response from Person & Covey that it is absolutely safe for sensitive skin. It is also found in Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion.
  • JudyJudy
    Per Paula Beoun Benzyl Alcohol doesn't seem to be a problem (see below).  Have you been using the Gentle Skin Cleanser by Cetaphil?  I have sensitive skin but found it didn't remove all my makeup so I switched to the Daily Skin Cleanser which has been fine for me.  Good luck with the Aquanil.
    alcohol. Group of organic compounds that have a vast range of forms and uses in cosmetics. In benign form they are glycols used as humectants that help deliver ingredients into skin. When fats and oils (see fatty acid) are chemically reduced, they become a group of less-dense alcohols called fatty alcohols that can have emollient properties or can become detergent cleansing agents. When alcohols have low molecular weights they can be drying and irritating. The alcohols to be concerned about in skin-care products are ethanol, denatured alcohol, ethyl alcohol, methanol, benzyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, and sd alcohol, which not only can be extremely drying and irritating to skin, but also can generate free-radical damage (Sources: “Skin Care—From the Inside Out and Outside In,” Tufts Daily, April 1, 2002; eMedicine Journal, May 8, 2002, volume 3, number 5, www.emedicine.com; Cutis, February 2001, pages 25–27; Contact Dermatitis, January 1996, pages 12–16; and http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/arh27-4/277-284.htm). In a product where these ingredients are at the top of the ingredient list, they will be problematic for all skin types; when they are at the bottom of an ingredient list, there most likely is not enough present to be a problem for skin.
  • mo
    Thank You Judy. What I understand from Paula's comment is that "The alcohols to be concerned about in skin-care products are ethanol, denatured alcohol, ethyl alcohol, methanol, benzyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, and sd alcohol, which not only can be extremely drying and irritating to skin, but also can generate free-radical damage".

    So she is saying that Benzyl alcohol will be a problem. Confused!

    I have tried the Daily Cleanser for Oily skin by Cetaphil but I don't like the fact that it has fragrance & it seems to dry my skin to a point where my skin starts producing even more oil after 2 - 3 weeks of usage. Now I stic to Olay Foaming Face Wash for Sensitive Skin. As per Paula, it is one of the best options for sensitive skin.

    I still want to try Aquanil though.
  • mo
    I would like to report that I have found my HG cleanser & it is called Aquanil.

    I did not expect much considering its a small improvisation o Cetaphil but boy what a difference. Aquanil washes off completely, no damn film or trace of anything. I think that is why it gives me no acne. also, since Propylyn Glycol irritates my skin & I'm not too fond of parabens; I'm loving Aquanil.
    I think Benzyl alcohol has antibacterial properties so maybe that keeps my face clear too. Not a sign of dry.

    I'm going to try more from person and covey, I wonder why we don't get to hear from them at all.
  • Left BrainLeft Brain
    Benzyl alcohol is typically put in products to make them "tear free".  It helps numb the eyes so you don't tear up when the surfactant gets in there.  It also has anti-bac properties.
Add a Comment