
Highlights
WHAT IS IT?
Facial Cleanser, 1 ingredient
FEATURES
Gentle cleansing, Removes impurities and makeup, Suitable for all skin types, Fragrance-free, Alcohol-free
BEST FOR
Normal
CHECKS
Contains no parabens, sulfates, phthalates, or artificial colors
Who Is It For?
Adults UnisexWhat Does It Help With?
Cleansing Makeup Removal Skin PurificationBudget
Affordable (under $30)How To Use
Which routine should it be used in?
Instructions:
Key Information
What Guardian Malaysia Says
Product Description:
A gentle facial cleanser designed for daily use, suitable for all skin types. It effectively removes impurities and makeup without stripping the skin's natural moisture.
About the Brand:
Ingredients Overview
Ingredients List
Water, Glycerin, Sodium Chloride, Disodium EDTA, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate
Key Ingredients
Glycerin, Sodium Chloride, Disodium EDTA
Ingredients Details
Citric Acid
Common Name(s): Lemon acid,2-hydroxypropane-1,2,3-tricarboxylic acid
CAS Number: 77-92-9
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Adjusts ph to optimal ranges, chelates destabilizing metal ions, provides mild exfoliation at higher concentrations.
Why It's Used: Universal cosmetic ph adjuster and chelating agent. aha exfoliant activity is secondary.
How It Works: As ph adjuster, donates protons. as chelating agent, three carboxylic groups bind divalent metals (caยฒโบ, mgยฒโบ, feยฒโบ) preventing oxidative degradation.
Typically Found In: Nearly all cosmetic formulations,brightening products,exfoliants
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Active ingredient โ alpha hydroxy acid (aha)
Secondary Functions: Chelating agent,ph adjustment,preservation enhancement
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 0.1%โ10%
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Yes โ synthetic or fermentation-derived
Halal Status: Yes
Source Notes: Produced by fermentation of sugars by aspergillus niger. gras (e330). most abundant organic acid in citrus.
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1/5 โ very low at low concentrations; 2/5 at exfoliant concentrations
Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 โ non-comedogenic
Sensitivity Concerns: Photosensitizing โ mandatory spf use. start at low frequency.
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Use with caution โ spf required
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Safe at otc concentrations. eu: โค10% leave-on at ph โฅ3.5. mandatory spf advisory.
Works Well With: Niacinamide,ceramides,hyaluronic acid,spf
Avoid Combining With: Retinol in same step; multiple exfoliants simultaneously
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
Three carboxylic acid groups provide multiple proton donation sites and stronger chelation than monocarboxylic ahas. this makes citric acid the preferred cosmetic chelating agent alongside edta.
Last Verified: Cosing database,cir safety assessment,ewg skin deep
Primary Sources: 2026-03-12
Disodium Edta
Common Name(s): Edathamil disodium,edta disodium,versene 100
CAS Number: 139-33-3
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Provides metal ion chelation to prevent product degradation and boost preservative and antioxidant efficacy.
Why It's Used: The most essential stability ingredient in cosmetics โ disodium edta's metal chelation prevents rancidity, discoloration, and preservative failure caused by trace metal contamination in virtually all aqueous cosmetic formulations.
How It Works: Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid provides six potential coordination sites for metal ions (aminodiacetate groups). chelates caยฒโบ, mgยฒโบ (stability), feยณโบ (fenton radical prevention), cuยฒโบ (oxidase inhibition). disrupts gram-negative bacterial outer membrane by chelating membrane calcium, enhancing preservative penetration.
Typically Found In: Virtually all aqueous cosmetics โ creams, lotions, shampoos, toners
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Functional ingredient โ chelating agent
Secondary Functions: Skin conditioning
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 0.005%โ0.1%
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Yes โ synthetic
Halal Status: Yes
Source Notes: Commercially produced for cosmetic use. verify vegan/halal status with supplier.
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1/5 โ very low
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
Disodium edta's preservative potentiation against gram-negative bacteria is mechanistically elegant: gram-negative outer membranes contain lipopolysaccharide stabilised by calcium and magnesium bridges. edta chelates these metal ions, destabilising the lps layer and creating pores that allow hydrophobic preservatives (phenoxyethanol, parabens) to penetrate โ converting gram-negative-resistant preservatives into broad-spectrum ones.
Last Verified: Cosing database,cir safety assessment
Primary Sources: 2026-03-12
Glycerin
Common Name(s): Glycerol,glycerine,1,2,3-propanetriol
CAS Number: 56-81-5
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Glycerin pulls water from the environment and deeper skin layers into the outer skin layer (epidermis), boosting moisture levels and keeping skin soft, smooth, and plump.
Why It's Used: It is used in virtually every moisturizer, serum, and cleanser because it is highly effective at hydrating skin, is well-tolerated by all skin types, and enhances the texture and spreadability of formulations.
How It Works: As a humectant, glycerin forms hydrogen bonds with water molecules, trapping them in the skin. it also reinforces the skin barrier by integrating into lipid structures between skin cells.
Typically Found In: Moisturizers,serums,cleansers,toners,sheet masks,sunscreens,body lotions,shampoos,conditioners
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Humectant
Secondary Functions: Skin barrier support,emollient,solvent
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 1%โ30% (typical: 3โ10%)
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Yes โ plant-derived (coconut, soy, palm) or synthetic
Halal Status: Yes โ when plant-derived or synthetic; verify source with supplier
Source Notes: Derived from plant oils via hydrolysis or saponification; synthetic versions also available. palm-derived glycerin carries sustainability concerns.
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1/5 โ very low; non-irritating at all standard concentrations
Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 โ non-comedogenic
Sensitivity Concerns: Extremely rare allergic reactions; generally safe for all skin types including sensitive and baby skin
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Widely recognized as safe. ewg hazard score: 1. no significant concerns for irritation, sensitization, or toxicity at typical concentrations (up to 50%).
Works Well With: Hyaluronic acid,ceramides,niacinamide,panthenol,urea,peptides,retinol,ahas/bhas
Avoid Combining With: No known incompatibilities at standard concentrations
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
Glycerin is an endogenous skin component found naturally in the stratum corneum. aquaporin-3 channels in keratinocytes facilitate glycerin transport, making it integral to natural skin hydration pathways.
Last Verified: Cosing database,cir safety assessment,ewg skin deep,inci decoder
Primary Sources: 2026-03-12
Potassium Sorbate
Common Name(s): Potassium e,2-hexenoate,sorbate of potash
CAS Number: 24634-61-5
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Provides mould and yeast focused broad-spectrum preservation in a widely accepted food-grade preservative.
Why It's Used: Standard mould and yeast preservative โ potassium sorbate is effective at slightly higher ph than sodium benzoate, making it the preferred sorbate preservative for formulations at ph 4.5-6.
How It Works: Inactive salt form โ sorbic acid (free acid, pka 4.76) is active. more effective than benzoate at higher ph (pka 4.76 vs benzoate 4.2). active at ph up to ~6.0 (meaningful sorbic acid present). inhibits malassezia and candida at lower concentrations than bacteria. synergistic with sodium benzoate.
Typically Found In: Cosmetics ph 4-6,natural preservation systems,combined with sodium benzoate
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Functional ingredient โ sorbate preservative
Secondary Functions: Skin conditioning
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 0.1%โ0.6%
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Yes โ synthetic
Halal Status: Yes
Source Notes: Commercially produced for cosmetic use. verify vegan/halal status with supplier.
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1/5 โ very low
Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 โ non-comedogenic
Sensitivity Concerns: Well-tolerated by most skin types.
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Eu max 0.6% cosmetics. fda gras. synergistic with sodium benzoate. oxidises to sorbaldehyde (yellow colouration) on uv exposure โ protect from light.
Works Well With: Standard skincare actives
Avoid Combining With: No known significant incompatibilities
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
Potassium sorbate's antifungal mechanism (disruption of mitochondrial electron transport in fungi) is different from its antibacterial mechanism (cell membrane and enzyme disruption). this mechanistic bifunctionality provides broad spectrum from a single preservative, though the lower antifungal mic values mean mould and yeast protection is achieved at lower concentrations than bacterial protection.
Last Verified: Cosing database,eu preservative annex v,fda gras,cir safety assessment
Primary Sources: 2026-03-12