olay Refreshing Gel Cleanser
olay Olay Refreshing Gel Cleanser lists 31 ingredients on its label, 31 decoded. See what each one does, its irritancy and comedogenic tendency, and its status in national inventories.
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.
- Aqua
- Sodium Lauroamphoacetate
- PEG-200 Hydrogenated Glyceryl Palmate
- Glycerin
- Sorbitol
- Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
- Sodium Trideceth Sulfate
- PEG-100
- BHT
- Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
- Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
- PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate
- Citric Acid
- Polyquaternium-10
- Disodium EDTA
- Sodium Sulfate
- Trideceth 3
- Sodium Chloride
- Propylene Glycol
- Magnesium Nitrate
- Sodium Acetate
- Isopropyl Alcohol
- Tetrasodium EDTA
- Magnesium Chloride
- Methylchloroisothiazolinone
- Diazolidinyl Urea
- Phenoxyethanol
- Methylparaben
- Methylisothiazolinone
- Parfum
- Linalool
Highlights
Free of siliconesFree of sulfatesFree of mineral oilFree of essential oilsContains PEGContains fragranceContains alcoholContains EU-26 allergensContains formaldehyde releasersContains parabens
Key ingredients
- SOLVENT
- Aqua
- CLEANSING
- Sodium LauroamphoacetatePEG-200 Hydrogenated Glyceryl Palmate
- DENATURANT
- Glycerin
- HUMECTANT
- Sorbitol
- ANTISTATIC
- Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
- SURFACTANT
- Sodium Trideceth Sulfate
- EMULSIFYING
- PEG-100
Other ingredients
BHTAloe Barbadensis Leaf ExtractCucumis Sativus Fruit ExtractPEG-7 Glyceryl CocoateCitric AcidPolyquaternium-10Disodium EDTASodium SulfateTrideceth 3Sodium ChloridePropylene GlycolMagnesium NitrateSodium AcetateIsopropyl AlcoholTetrasodium EDTAMagnesium ChlorideMethylchloroisothiazolinoneDiazolidinyl UreaPhenoxyethanolMethylparabenMethylisothiazolinoneParfumLinalool
Skim through
| Ingredient | What it does | Irr. · Com. | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aqua | SOLVENT | 0 · – | Green |
| Sodium Lauroamphoacetate | CLEANSING, FOAMING, SURFACTANT - FOAM BOOSTING, HAIR CONDITIONING, SURFACTANT - CLEANSING | 1 · – | Green |
| PEG-200 Hydrogenated Glyceryl Palmate | CLEANSING, SURFACTANT - EMULSIFYING, SOLVENT, SURFACTANT - CLEANSING | 0 · – | Green |
| Glycerin | DENATURANT, HAIR CONDITIONING, HUMECTANT, ORAL CARE, SKIN PROTECTING, SOLVENT, VISCOSITY CONTROLLING, PERFUMING, FRAGRANCE, SKIN CONDITIONING - HUMECTANT | 0 · 0 | Green |
| Sorbitol | HUMECTANT, FRAGRANCE, SKIN CONDITIONING, PERFUMING | 0 · 0 | Green |
| Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate | ANTISTATIC, CLEANSING, SURFACTANT - EMULSIFYING, FOAMING, HAIR CONDITIONING, SKIN CONDITIONING, SURFACTANT - CLEANSING, VISCOSITY CONTROLLING | 0 · – | Green |
| Sodium Trideceth Sulfate | SURFACTANT, EMULSIFIER | 1 · – | Green |
| PEG-100 | EMULSIFYING, SOLVENT | 1 · – | Green |
| BHT | ANTIOXIDANT, FRAGRANCE · 限制 III / 325 | 0 · – | Yellow |
| Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract | SKIN CONDITIONING - EMOLLIENT, HUMECTANT, ORAL CARE, SKIN CONDITIONING | 0 · – | Green |
| Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract | SKIN CONDITIONING - EMOLLIENT, SKIN CONDITIONING | 0 · – | Green |
| PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate | SURFACTANT - EMULSIFYING, SURFACTANT - CLEANSING | 0 · – | Green |
| Citric Acid | BUFFERING, CHELATING, FRAGRANCE | 2 · – | Green |
| Polyquaternium-10 | ANTISTATIC, FILM FORMING | 0 · – | Green |
| Disodium EDTA | CHELATING, VISCOSITY CONTROLLING | 0 · – | Green |
| Sodium Sulfate | BULKING, VISCOSITY CONTROLLING | 0 · – | Green |
| Trideceth 3 | EMULSIFYING, EMOLLIENT, VISCOSITY CONTROLLING | 1 · – | Green |
| Sodium Chloride | BULKING, FRAGRANCE, ORAL CARE, VISCOSITY CONTROLLING | 0 · – | Green |
| Propylene Glycol | HUMECTANT, FRAGRANCE, SOLVENT, VISCOSITY CONTROLLING, SKIN CONDITIONING - HUMECTANT, SKIN CONDITIONING - MISCELLANEOUS | 1 · 0 | Green |
| Magnesium Nitrate | HAIR CONDITIONING | 0 · – | Green |
| Sodium Acetate | BUFFERING, FRAGRANCE | 0 · – | Green |
| Isopropyl Alcohol | ANTIFOAMING, SOLVENT, VISCOSITY CONTROLLING, PERFUMING | 2 · 0 | Green |
| Tetrasodium EDTA | CHELATING | 3 · – | Green |
| Magnesium Chloride | VISCOSITY CONTROLLING, FLAVOURING | 0 · – | Green |
| Methylchloroisothiazolinone | PRESERVATIVE · 限制 V/39 | 2 · – | Yellow |
| Diazolidinyl Urea | PRESERVATIVE · 限制 V/46 | 1 · – | Yellow |
| Phenoxyethanol | ANTIMICROBIAL, PRESERVATIVE · 限制 V/29 | 3 · – | Yellow |
| Methylparaben | FRAGRANCE, PRESERVATIVE · 限制 V/12 | 0 · – | Yellow |
| Methylisothiazolinone | PRESERVATIVE · 限制 V/57 V/39 | 5 · – | Yellow |
| Parfum | FRAGRANCE, PERFUMING | 2 · – | Yellow |
| Linalool | DEODORANT, PERFUMING · 限制 III/84 | 3 · – | Yellow |
The comedogenic column only shows scores with a published source. A blank means "no public source", not "non-comedogenic".
Ingredients explained
Each note carries its evidence level: C comes from official inventories (NMPA names, CosIng functions, annex restrictions); E is AI inference nobody has checked yet — treat it as a candidate. How we grade evidence →
- Aqua
- Solvent, main base; microbial control is criticalE · AI inference · to be verified
- Sodium Lauroamphoacetate
- Amphoteric surfactant for gentle cleansing; rich foam, low irritation to eyes and skin.B · Third-party verified
- PEG-200 Hydrogenated Glyceryl Palmate
- High MW PEG derivative for cleansing; water-soluble, smooth feel.E · AI inference · to be verified
- Glycerin
- Workhorse humectant at 3–10%; tacky at high levels, pair with occlusivesC · Official source
- Sorbitol
- Polyol humectant with strong hygroscopy; tacky at high levels, pair with occlusives; also a solvent or adjuster.B · Third-party verified
- Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
- Mild anionic surfactant for cleansing and emulsification; 1-5%, suitable for sensitive skinB · Third-party verified
- Sodium Trideceth Sulfate
- Non-ionic surfactant, mild and good foaming; biodegradable, no sulfate, but high concentrations may be strippingB · Third-party verified
- PEG-100
- PEG-based emulsifier at 1-5%; used to emulsify oil and water phases; may cause skin irritationB · Third-party verified
- BHT
- Lipophilic antioxidant at 0.01-0.05%; ineffective with acidic systems, label-sensitive, check regulatory limits as preservative alternative.B · Third-party verified
- Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
- Aloe vera leaf extract for soothing and humectant; monitor polysaccharide level and endotoxinsB · Third-party verified
- Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
- Botanical extract for conditioning; note extraction impact on active retentionE · AI inference · to be verified
- PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate
- PEG-modified nonionic surfactant for emulsification and cleansing; contains PEG, monitor dioxane, low comedogenicity.B · Third-party verified
- Citric Acid
- Buffer and chelator at 0.1–2%; adjusts pH, may irritate sensitive skin at low pHB · Third-party verified
- Polyquaternium-10
- Cationic polymer for fabric or hair smoothness; generally low irritation but may conflict with other cationic activesB · Third-party verified
- Disodium EDTA
- Chelating agent at 0.05–0.5%; sequesters metal ions for stability, boosts preservative efficacyC · Official source
- Sodium Sulfate
- Inorganic salt for viscosity; high concentrations cause osmotic dehydration.B · Third-party verified
- Trideceth 3
- Non-ionic emulsifier for O/W systems; provides slip and lubrication; high levels may affect clarity.E · AI inference · to be verified
- Sodium Chloride
- Salt for gel viscosity control; used as precipitant in soapsE · AI inference · to be verified
- Propylene Glycol
- Polyol humectant at 3-10%; hygroscopic, slight tackiness, mild irritation at high conc., verify preservative efficacy, no allergen.B · Third-party verified
- Magnesium Nitrate
- Inorganic salt for hair conditioning; improves smoothness and shine, high concentrations may stiffen hair, balance cationics.E · AI inference · to be verified
- Sodium Acetate
- Sodium acetate buffer for pH adjustment; sometimes acts as mild fragrance, common in lotions and washesB · Third-party verified
- Isopropyl Alcohol
- Alcohol solvent at 1–10%; fast-evaporating, high levels may cause dryness/irritationB · Third-party verified
- Tetrasodium EDTA
- Chelator removing metal ions to enhance antioxidant and preservative efficacy; very low usage, typically 0.05-0.1%, no direct skincare function.B · Third-party verified
- Magnesium Chloride
- Inorganic salt for thickening and pH adjustment; 0.1-1%, avoid calcium ionsE · AI inference · to be verified
- Methylchloroisothiazolinone
- Preservative (MCI); highly sensitizing, use only in rinse-off, avoid leave-on products.B · Third-party verified
- Diazolidinyl Urea
- Formaldehyde-releasing preservative; EU cap at 0.2%; avoid for formaldehyde-sensitive usersB · Third-party verified
- Phenoxyethanol
- Broad-spectrum preservative at ≤1%; may irritate sensitive eye areas, often paired with ethylhexylglycerinC · Official source
- Methylparaben
- Preservative, narrow spectrum; often combined, check allergen risk and regulatory limits.B · Third-party verified
- Methylisothiazolinone
- Strong preservative; high allergy risk, EU restricted for leave-on products, high formulation riskB · Third-party verified
- Parfum
- Fragrance for scent; may contain allergens, caution for sensitive skin, full labeling required.E · AI inference · to be verified
- Linalool
- Natural fragrance component at ≤0.05%; one of EU 26 allergens, caution for sensitive skinC · Official source
Source: full ingredient list published on the product label, collected 2026-09-19. Ratings are our internal reading, not a regulatory conclusion. · Product page
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