Allergen & irritant analysis
2 flaggedThis cleanser from Cetaphil lists 23 ingredients. AllerNote's analysis flags 1 known contact allergen and 1 common irritant in the INCI list. No added fragrance, parabens, MI / MCI (isothiazolinones), formaldehyde-releasing preservatives, SLS / SLES sulfates were detected in the listed ingredients.
- Cocamidopropyl betaineKnown allergen (surfactant): Cocamidopropyl Betaine
- Sodium hydroxideStrong alkaline substance that can be highly corrosive and irritating in high concentrations; used safely in cosmetics only in neutralized, low concentrations for pH adjustment.
Not detected: added fragrance, parabens, MI / MCI (isothiazolinones), formaldehyde-releasing preservatives, SLS / SLES sulfates.
Based on what's flagged, take extra care if you're among:
- People prone to irritation, or with very dry / eczema-prone skin
Generated from this product's ingredient list and AllerNote's allergen database — educational, not medical advice or a substitute for patch testing.
Benefits
Key Ingredients
- 1AHAExfoliates skin for a brighter complexion.
- 2BHAUnclogs pores and reduces excess oil.
- 3PHAGently exfoliates and hydrates with less irritation.
- 4Vitamin EProtects skin and soothes irritation.
- 5NiacinamideStrengthens, smooths, and brightens skin.
- 6AntioxidantsShields skin from free radical damage.
Full Ingredient List
23INCI (full list, INCI order): water, glycerin, cocamidopropyl betaine, coco-glucoside, gluconolactone, betaine, peg-120 methyl glucose dioleate, sodium cocoamphoacetate, glycereth-26, salicylic acid, sodium chloride, panthenol, niacinamide, mandelic acid, sodium citrate, sodium hydroxide, helianthus annuus seed oil, tocopherol, phenoxyethanol, citric acid, ethylhexylglycerin, disodium edta, pantolactone
Tap any ingredient to see details
Potential Concerns
- May Worsen RosaceaCan trigger flare-ups in rosacea-prone skin.
- May Worsen DrynessCan strip moisture and worsen dryness.
- May Worsen EczemaMay worsen itching or irritation for eczema.
- May Trigger AcneCan clog pores or trigger breakouts.
Frequently asked questions
Is Gentle Exfoliating SA Cleanser fragrance-free?
No added fragrance or EU-labelled fragrance allergens were detected in Gentle Exfoliating SA Cleanser's listed ingredients. "Not detected" isn't an absolute guarantee, but it's a good sign for fragrance-sensitive skin — confirm against the current pack and your own triggers.
Is Gentle Exfoliating SA Cleanser paraben-free?
No parabens were detected in Gentle Exfoliating SA Cleanser's listed ingredients. Worth keeping in perspective: parabens are among the least common cosmetic allergens, so "paraben-free" matters far less for reactive skin than avoiding fragrance or the preservative MI/MCI.
Is Gentle Exfoliating SA Cleanser suitable for sensitive or allergy-prone skin?
It depends on your specific triggers. Gentle Exfoliating SA Cleanser contains 1 flagged allergen and 1 irritant (listed in the analysis above). If none are on your personal allergen list it may suit you, but patch test first — add your allergens to AllerNote to check Gentle Exfoliating SA Cleanser against your own profile.

