
Skincare · Cleanser · Clinical
We put The Inkey List Hydrating Cream-to-Milk Cleanser through our full ingredient analysis.
Chapter I · The Score
After analyzing 14 ingredients across four dimensions, our algorithm returned a verdict that surprised us.
Overall
Highly Recommended
Chapter II · The Ingredients
We scored every ingredient individually. Some impressed us. Others raised serious questions.
Glycerin
A highly effective and safe humectant that attracts moisture to the skin, improving hydration and barrier function.
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
An effective emollient that provides a smooth skin feel but may be comedogenic for acne-prone skin.
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
A lightweight emollient and solvent that offers a non-greasy feel and can help solubilize sunscreens and other oil-soluble ingredients.
PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides
Functions as an emulsifier and solubilizer, with PEGs having a slight potential for skin irritation in sensitive individuals, though PEG-6 is relatively mild.
Betaine
A naturally derived amino acid derivative that acts as a humectant and osmoprotectant, helping skin maintain hydration and balance.
Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter
A rich natural emollient packed with fatty acids and vitamins, known for its skin-softening, moisturizing, and anti-inflammatory properties.
Hydroxyacetophenone
A synthetic antioxidant and preservative booster that enhances the stability and efficacy of cosmetic formulations.
Polysorbate 80
A non-ionic emulsifier and surfactant that can potentially irritate sensitive skin or be contaminated with 1,4-dioxane due to the ethoxylation process.
Ethylhexylglycerin
A skin-conditioning agent that also boosts the efficacy of preservatives within the formula.
Hydrolyzed Rice Protein
A conditioning agent rich in amino acids that helps to hydrate, strengthen, and improve the elasticity of the skin.
Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Oil
A nourishing emollient and antioxidant-rich oil that helps to moisturize, protect, and soothe the skin.
Polyquaternium-10
A film-forming polymer used as an antistatic and conditioning agent, generally considered safe for skin and hair.
Sodium Hyaluronate
A powerful humectant, the salt form of hyaluronic acid, capable of holding a significant amount of water to deeply hydrate the skin.
Phenoxyethanol
A widely used preservative that is generally safe but can cause mild irritation for hyper-sensitive individuals.
Full ingredient list
Aqua (Water), Glycerin, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, Betaine, Polyglyceryl-3 Dicitrate/Stearate, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Isohexadecane, Pentylene Glycol, Propanediol, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Hydroxyacetophenone, Oryza Sativa (Rice Starch), Caprylyl Glycol, Cetearyl Olivate, Polysorbate 80, Sorbitan Olivate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, Sorbitan Oleate, Xanthan Gum, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Oil, Inulin, Polyquaternium-10, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Phenoxyethanol, Lecithin.
Chapter III · The Deep Dive
The Inkey List Hydrating Cream-to-Milk Cleanser is a gentle daily facial cleanser designed to dissolve makeup and impurities while preserving the skin's natural moisture barrier. It features a soap-free formula that transforms from a rich cream into a light milk when mixed with water.
This cleanser is formulated with very mild surfactants and a high concentration of skin-conditioning emollients. It avoids harsh sulfates, drying alcohols, and synthetic fragrances, making it an excellent choice for maintaining skin health.
| Inhaltsstoff | Bewertung | Funktion & Wirkung |
|---|---|---|
| Water (Aqua/Eau) | 🟢 | Solvent and base for the formulation. |
| Glycerin | 🟢 | Humectant that draws moisture into the skin to prevent dehydration. |
| Ethylhexyl Palmitate | 🟢 / 🟡 | Emollient that provides a smooth skin feel. Hinweis: Can be comedogenic for acne-prone skin. |
| Isopropyl Palmitate | 🟢 / 🟡 | Skin-conditioning agent used to dissolve oil-based impurities. Hinweis: Potential to clog pores in high concentrations. |
| Glyceryl Stearate SE | 🟢 | Emulsifier that helps mix oil and water; "SE" stands for Self-Emulsifying. |
| Cetearyl Alcohol | 🟢 | A fatty alcohol that acts as an emollient and thickener (non-drying). |
| Stearic Acid | 🟢 | A natural fatty acid that strengthens the skin barrier and stabilizes the texture. |
| Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate | 🟢 | An extremely mild, coconut-derived surfactant for gentle cleansing. |
| Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil | 🟢 | Sunflower seed oil; rich in Vitamin E and essential fatty acids to nourish the skin. |
| Phenoxyethanol | 🟢 / 🟡 | A globally approved preservative. Hinweis: Some people with hyper-sensitive skin may experience slight tingling. |
| Benzyl Alcohol | 🟡 | Used as a preservative. Hinweis: Can be a potential allergen for sensitive skin types. |
| Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate | 🟢 | A mild emulsifying agent with skin-conditioning properties. |
| Ethoxylated Jojoba Esters | 🟢 | Water-soluble jojoba oil that provides hydration and improves texture. |
| Ethylhexylglycerin | 🟢 | A skin-conditioning agent and preservative booster. |
| Dehydroacetic Acid | 🟢 | An eco-friendly preservative used to prevent microbial growth. |
The formula is generally environmentally friendly, relying on many plant-derived ingredients and biodegradable components.
Fazit: This is a very well-formulated, gentle cleanser that prioritizes skin barrier health over aggressive cleansing. It is particularly effective at removing daily grime and light makeup without stripping the skin of its natural oils.
Empfehlung:
Chapter IV · The Verdict
The Inkey List Hydrating Cream-to-Milk Cleanser earns a 88/100 from our algorithm. An excellent formulation with well-chosen, effective ingredients.