The gentlest cleanser (was Re: Need tinted sunblock)

[Guest guest]

> I looked up Aquanil on http://www.drugstore.com and found the

> ingredients:

>

> Purified Water, Glycerin, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Benzyl

> Alcohol, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Xanthan Gum

>

> I happen to react to cetyl alcohol, and many on the list may not

> react to fatty alcohols. However, I would imagine that the benzyl

> alcohol might not be great for rosaceans in the long run. As well,

> sodium laureth sulfate can be a very irritating surfactant for

> some.

Thanks, Matija. My understanding is that it's almost pure water and

glycerin, that the rest of the ingredients are present in very small

amounts. But that's not to say that even small amounts could not

irritate. I imagine pure glycerin would just slip off the face

without any cleaning action.

I remember our discussion on cetyl alcohol. Benzyl alcohol isn't a

fatty alcohol; its drying and is a known irritant to some.

Are you thinking of sodium lauryl sulfate? I thought laureth was the

gentle alternative?

> I hope that the Aveeno Creamy Baby Cleanser works for you. Let us

> know one way or the other.

Thanks. I will. But I didn't order the Creamy Baby Cleanser, I

ordered the Extra Gentle Cleansing Lotion. Did I screw up?

Marjorie

Marjorie Lazoff, MD