That viral #CleanGirl face wash everyone’s double-tapping? It’s not clean. At all.
I bought it because the bottle literally says “gentle” and “purifying” — turns out those words mean nothing legally. Like putting “salad” on a bag of fries.
It’s a $9.99 drugstore gel cleanser (Target, Walmart). The claim that hooked me: “removes 99.9% of impurities without stripping.” Bold.
Gel-to-foam texture
Thicker than water, thinner than snot — foams up like a cheap shampoo
Sulfate situation
Sodium Laureth Sulfate is #3 on the list. That’s not “gentle,” that’s driveway degreaser.
pH level
Tested it at home — pH 8.2. Your skin’s natural pH is ~5.5. Basic math.
Photo: Alexandra Tran / Unsplash
The hero ingredients are Aloe Vera (like 2% at best) and Glycerin. The villain? Fragrance mix that’s a known contact allergen. “Clean beauty” my ass.
- Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice: Soothes on paper, diluted in practice
- Glycerin: The only real hydrator here
- Sodium Laureth Sulfate: Strips oil, disrupts barrier
- Parfum: No disclosure, potential irritant
Photo: Harper Sunday / Unsplash
First wash — smells like a cheap hotel lobby candle. Foams aggressively. Rinses off in 15 seconds but leaves that “squeaky” feeling — which is your skin screaming for its natural oils back.
Week 2: My chin broke out in tiny bumps. My barrier was pissed. Stopped using it, skin calmed down in 3 days. Coincidence? I don’t think so.
Photo: averie woodard / Unsplash
It stripped my face clean of makeup and oil — yes. It also stripped my barrier and left me red. So technically yes, but at a cost.
It’s a harsh cleanser dressed in clean-girl packaging. The TikTok hype is just good marketing — your face deserves better.