Paula's Choice
Defense Hydrating Gel-to-Cream Cleanser
Defense Hydrating Gel-to-Cream Cleanser
Paula's Choice
defense-hydrating-gel-to-cream-cleanser
Cleanse
9818302906661
Morning or Evening?
How often will you use this product?
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Highlights
WHAT IS IT?
Water-soluble cleanser
FEATURES
Gentle gel-to-cream cleanser removes dirt, oil and makeup, and rinses away skin-damaging pollutants that can cause premature signs of aging.
BEST FOR
Normal, dry, combination, oily
CHECKS
Free of alcohol, oil, fragrances, parabens, sulfates, silicon
Who Is It For?
AdultWhat Does It Help With?
Removes Excess Oil Makeup And Skin-damaging Debris Neutralize Damage From Surface Pollutants On Contact.Budget
Affordable (under $30)How To Use
Which routine should it be used in?
Instructions:
Key Information
About the Brand:
Ingredients Overview
Ingredients List
Water, Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Sodium Lauroamphoacetate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Glycerin, Sorbeth-230 Tetraoleate, Decyl Glucoside, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium, Chloride, Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Lauric Acid, Lactic Acid, Sodium Lauroyl Oat Amino Acids, Sorbitan Laurate, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Disodium EDTA, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cocoyl Proline, Sodium Citrate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra, Sodium PCA, Sodium Lactate, Arginine, Glycine Soja Sterols, Linoleic Acid, Phospholipid, Aspartic Acid, PCA, Glycine, Alanine, Serine, Valine, Isoleucine, Proline, Threonine, Potassium, Citrate, Lactoperoxidase, Histidine, Phenylalanine, Glucose Oxidase, Citric Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate
Key Ingredients
Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Decyl Glucoside, Sodium Lauroyl Oat Amino Acids, Glycine Soja Oil
Ingredients Details
Water
Common Name(s): Water,purified water,deionised water,inci water
CAS Number: 7732-18-5
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Provides the universal solvent and vehicle for water-soluble actives and the continuous phase of all o/w emulsions.
Why It's Used: The most essential cosmetic ingredient โ aqua (water) is listed first on virtually all water-containing cosmetic inci labels as the highest-concentration ingredient, serving as the foundation of the global cosmetics industry.
How It Works: Acts as solvent for all water-soluble ingredients (glycols, amino acids, water-soluble actives). forms the continuous external phase of o/w emulsions (lotions, creams, serums). provides aqueous environment for enzymatic and chemical reactions between actives. ph adjustment medium.
Typically Found In: Virtually all cosmetic products โ the most universal cosmetic ingredient globally
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Functional ingredient โ water
Secondary Functions: Skin conditioning
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: Varies widely โ up to 95% in some toners and serums
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Yes โ water (deionised/purified)
Halal Status: Yes
Source Notes: Cosmetic-grade water is purified (deionised, distilled, or ro filtered) to prevent mineral content interference with formulation stability. european pharmacopoeial water (aqua purificata ph. eur.) is the quality standard for pharmaceutical and high-end cosmetic formulations.
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1/5 โ non-irritant
Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 โ non-comedogenic
Sensitivity Concerns: Well-tolerated by most skin types.
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Good safety profile at recommended concentrations. ewg score: 1โ2.
Works Well With: Standard skincare actives
Avoid Combining With: No known significant incompatibilities
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
Water's position as the first inci ingredient on most cosmetic labels reflects the regulatory requirement to list ingredients in descending concentration order โ meaning water is the most abundant ingredient in the majority of cosmetic products. the fundamental role of water as the universal cosmetic solvent and vehicle makes it simultaneously the most important cosmetic ingredient and the one that requires the most sophisticated formulation chemistry to control โ every emulsifier, thickener, preservative, and ph adjuster exists primarily to manage water's interaction with other ingredients in formulation.
Last Verified: Cosing database,eu cosmetics regulation 1223/2009 inci requirements,ph. eur. aqua purificata monograph
Primary Sources: 2026-03-12