Defense Hydrating Gel-To-Cream Cleanser INCI List & Ingredients | Paula's Choice

Allergen & irritant analysis

2 flagged

This cleanser from Paula's Choice lists 48 ingredients. AllerNote's analysis flags 2 known contact allergens in the INCI list. No added fragrance, parabens, MI / MCI (isothiazolinones), formaldehyde-releasing preservatives, SLS / SLES sulfates were detected in the listed ingredients.

2 known allergens in this formula

Cocamidopropyl betaine · surfactant · lowKnown allergen (surfactant): Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Decyl glucoside · surfactant · lowKnown allergen (surfactant): Decyl Glucoside

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

HydratingScar healingReduces irritationBarrier repairAnti-agingRedness reducingBrighteningReduces large poresDark spotsAcne fightingGood for oily skinSkin texture

Key Ingredients

1
AHAExfoliates skin for a brighter complexion.
2
AntioxidantsShields skin from free radical damage.

Full Ingredient List

48

INCI (full list, INCI order): water, sodium cocoyl glycinate, cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine, sodium lauroamphoacetate, cocamidopropyl betaine, glycerin, sorbeth-230 tetraoleate, decyl glucoside, pentylene glycol, sodium chloride, disodium cocoyl glutamate, lauric acid, lactic acid, sodium lauroyl oat amino acids, sorbitan laurate, sodium cocoyl glutamate, disodium edta, aloe barbadensis leaf juice powder, caprylic/capric triglyceride, cocoyl proline, sodium citrate, camellia sinensis leaf extract, glycyrrhiza glabra root, sodium pca, sodium lactate, arginine, glycine soja sterols, linoleic acid, phospholipids, aspartic acid, pca, glycine, alanine, serine, valine, isoleucine, proline, threonine, potassium citrate, lactoperoxidase, histidine, phenylalanine, glucose oxidase, citric acid, phenoxyethanol, ethylhexylglycerin, potassium sorbate, sodium benzoate

Tap any ingredient to see details

5cocamidopropyl betaine8decyl glucoside

Potential Concerns

May Worsen RosaceaCan trigger flare-ups in rosacea-prone skin.
May Trigger AcneCan clog pores or trigger breakouts.
May Worsen EczemaMay worsen itching or irritation for eczema.
May Worsen Oily SkinMay increase shine or excess oil.
May Worsen DrynessCan strip moisture and worsen dryness.

Frequently asked questions

Is Defense Hydrating Gel-To-Cream Cleanser fragrance-free?

No added fragrance or EU-labelled fragrance allergens were detected in Defense Hydrating Gel-To-Cream 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 Defense Hydrating Gel-To-Cream Cleanser paraben-free?

No parabens were detected in Defense Hydrating Gel-To-Cream 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 Defense Hydrating Gel-To-Cream Cleanser suitable for sensitive or allergy-prone skin?

It depends on your specific triggers. Defense Hydrating Gel-To-Cream Cleanser contains 2 flagged allergens and 0 irritants (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 Defense Hydrating Gel-To-Cream Cleanser against your own profile.