Kind to Skin Refreshing Facial Wash
GoodKind to Skin Refreshing Facial Wash
Gentle daily cleansing, oily and combination skin, minimal-ingredient cleansing
Simple's Refreshing Facial Wash is the cleaner of their two facial washes - no SLES, no PEG compounds. Cocamidopropyl Betaine as the sole surfactant is a mild amphoteric with low s…
Simple's Refreshing Facial Wash is the cleaner of their two facial washes - no SLES, no PEG compounds. Cocamidopropyl Betaine as the sole surfactant is a mild amphoteric with low sensitisation potential, making this genuinely appropriate for sensitive skin. Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate (IPBC) appears at position 8 as a co-preservative. IPBC is an EU-restricted biocide permitted in rinse-off products at a maximum 0.02%, and the SCCS has flagged it as a potential sensitizer, particularly in products with prolonged contact. At 0.02% in a rinse-off wash with brief skin contact, regulatory risk is low. With only 12 ingredients, this is one of the most transparent and minimal formulas in the Simple range.
No SLES, no SLS, and no PEG compounds — this is the cleanest surfactant profile in the Simple cleanser range. Cocamidopropyl Betaine is the sole surfactant: a mild amphoteric compound with a low sensitisation profile. The rare cases of sensitivity associated with it are typically linked to manufacturing impurities (DMDM Hydantoin, amidoamine) that reputable producers actively control. Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate (IPBC) appears at position 8 as a co-preservative. The EU permits a maximum of 0.02% IPBC in rinse-off cosmetics; the SCCS has flagged sensitisation potential for IPBC in leave-on products and at higher concentrations, but at the permitted level in a rinse-off wash with brief skin contact, regulatory risk is low. Propylene Glycol at position 3 is a known penetration enhancer, but brief rinse-off contact time substantially reduces that concern. No parabens, no fragrance, no artificial colour.
A single amphoteric surfactant makes this an exceptionally gentle cleanser, well suited to everyday use on sensitive skin. The limitation is that one mild surfactant may not fully remove heavy makeup, waterproof formulas, or oil-based SPF products — double cleansing with an oil-based first cleanser is recommended if you wear SPF 30+ or full-coverage makeup. Panthenol, Tocopheryl Acetate, and Glycerin provide post-cleanse conditioning and hydration. Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose gives the gel texture but has no therapeutic skin function. At only 12 ingredients, all of them identifiable, this is one of the most honest and minimal formulas in the Simple range. Citric Acid maintains a mildly acidic pH compatible with the skin's natural 4.5 to 5.5 range.
Twelve ingredients, every one identifiable, no proprietary blend names — this is genuinely transparent formulation. No fragrance, no artificial colour — verified from the INCI. Paraben-free verified. PETA certified. 'Soap-free' is verifiable from the ingredient list. IPBC is disclosed in the INCI. 'Dermatologically tested' is stated without a published citation.
PETA cruelty-free certification is independently verified. A 12-ingredient formula translates to a simpler supply chain and lower overall chemical processing footprint. Propylene Glycol is petroleum-derived. IPBC is a biocide with some documented aquatic toxicity at higher concentrations; at the permitted 0.02% rinse-off level the environmental contribution is minor.
The SLES-free, minimal-ingredient formula is well-suited to Indian consumers with sensitive, reactive, or eczema-prone skin - a significant demographic across all Fitzpatrick types. Hard water performance: Cocamidopropyl Betaine is an amphoteric, not an anionic sulfate, so it does not form soap scum with calcium ions the way SLES does - an advantage in India's hard water cities. The single-surfactant formula may require double-cleansing to remove oil-based sunscreens common in the Indian market (SPF 30-50 formulations).
| Ingredient | Note | Status |
|---|---|---|
Aqua | Solvent base | Safe |
Cocamidopropyl Betaine | Sole surfactant; amphoteric, mild, appropriate for sensitive skin. Trace sensitisation risk from DMDM and amidoamine manufacturing impurities in lower-quality grades | Safe |
Propylene Glycol | Co-solvent/humectant; position 3 in a rinse-off cleanser is less concerning than leave-on use | Note |
Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose | Cellulose-derived thickener; provides gel texture, no therapeutic benefit | Safe |
Panthenol | Pro-Vitamin B5; post-rinse skin conditioning | Safe |
Disodium EDTA | Chelating agent; improves formula stability and hard water performance | Safe |
Glycerin | Humectant; post-rinse skin feel | Safe |
Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate | IPBC: EU-restricted biocide, maximum 0.02% in rinse-off. SCCS notes sensitization potential in prolonged contact; at permitted concentrations in a rinse-off wash, regulatory risk is low. | Note |
Phenoxyethanol | Primary preservative; within EU/India 1% limit | Safe |
Sodium Hydroxide | pH adjuster (trace) | Safe |
Tocopheryl Acetate | Vitamin E ester; antioxidant | Safe |
Citric Acid | pH adjuster; maintains mildly acidic pH compatible with skin microbiome | Safe |
Ingredients listed in INCI order as declared on product packaging. Position reflects approximate concentration (high → low).
Clean Sheet Scores are generated by analysing every ingredient against India, EU, US & Korean safety regulations. No brand sponsorship. No affiliate relationships. Independent science-backed analysis only.
The Clean Sheet does not use fear-based ingredient labels. We assess products through a structured evidence hierarchy:
- What global regulations say
- What toxicology says
- What the formula concentration shows
- What the product format changes
- What the intended user needs
- What testing evidence proves
- What the brand is claiming
