Which face wash do you use? Himalaya, Patanjali, Clean and Clear, Everyuth, Garnier, or Fair and Handsome.
Because if you’re using one of these you may surely be unaware of the high number of toxic chemicals present in them.
From Parabens to Sulfate to Alcohols to Synthetic Colors and Fragrances. Face washes have them all.
Many of these synthetic chemicals are skin irritants, skin penetrators, endocrine disruptors and even Carcinogenic.
The skin on our face is much thinner than that on our body and accordingly needs more care.
However, using a toxic face wash on a daily basis does more to it than good.
So which is the best facewash in an Indian market? Let us find out.
For this research I bought almost 20 face washes, some from the supermarket while others online.
I was shocked to know that the most popular ones are the most toxic ones.
During the research on this, I too ended up changing the face wash which I had been using for a very long time.
Now I understand that not all chemicals are bad.
There are safe chemicals, there are chemicals which are not exactly safe but are also not very toxic.
However, there are some chemicals which are extremely toxic and should be avoided at all costs. image
Face Washes (Categories based on Toxic Chemicals Present in them)
I have segregated all these face washes into 4 categories on the basis of the number of these highly toxic chemicals in them.
1. Lakme, Pears, Nivea, Everyuth, He, Joy, Fair and Handsome
Let us start with the first category which includes face wash by Lakme, Pears, Nivea, Everyuth. HE, Joy, Fair, Amway’s Attitude wash fash and Handsome which have more than 10 toxic chemicals in them.
These in my opinions are the worst of the kind. All that is toxic is highly present in them. Be it Parabens, sulfates, alcohols, synthetic colours, or fragrances.
It is shocking and disheartening that the brands which we have been trusting the most are the most damaging.
This Amway’s Attitude wash fash has a whopping 17 toxic chemicals in it. Is these Amway’s product really worth the craze?
As of now, it is my sincere advice that if you’re using any of these face washes please consider changing it.
2. Garnier Men, Fair & Lovely, Ponds, Clean & Clear, X-Men
Next is Category no. 2 which includes face wash by Garnier Men, Fair and Lovely, Ponds, Clean and Clear and X-Men.
These are better than the face washes in the category no. 1 but are still far from the best.
Most of these face washes are free from sulphates. However, they still have 5-7 toxic chemicals [Sodium Lauryl sulfate, sodium Laureth sulphate and other sulfates are detergents] including artificial fragrances and cosmetic colours.
3. Ayush, Biotique, Bajaj, VLCC Ayurveda, Himalaya, Patanjali
Coming to the third category which is one of its kind. It includes face wash by Ayush, Biotique, Bajaj, VLCC Ayurveda, Himalaya and Patanjali.
These face wash companies are trying to fool their customers using over smart marketing tactics.
All these companies mentioned only 10 to 20% of their ingredients. Rest is covered under Soap Base or excipients to which the consumers have no excess.
I don’t understand if your face wash is made from 100% botanical extracts then why do you need to mention it only 10% ingredients.
Well, one thing is for sure that these face washes are not free from harmful chemicals. As the preservatives used by them are highly toxic.
For example, Bajaj face wash uses Parabens, all these face washes also have synthetic colours and artificial fragrances.
So we have seen over 15 face washes in 3 different categories. But none of them has been impressive.
The question which arises here is that why are so many toxic chemicals allowed? Is there no regulatory authority?
The reality is that this industry is highly unregulated (toxic chemicals come cheap). It is unfortunate that these companies have full freedom to use any ingredient or raw materials (over 200 undisclosed chemicals) without the approval of the government (only a minuscule approval process exists that too for colour, additives & ingredients classified as over the counter drugs).
Anyway, so is there any face wash in the market which can be used on a daily basis without worrying about its side effects.
4. Aroma Magic, Rustic Arts & Gulnare – Recommended
Thanks to category number 4 which includes face wash by Aroma Magic, Rustic Arts & Gulnare.
Not so popular brands but the face washes made by them, you should really give a try.
If you have oily skin go for Aroma Magic’s Neem and Tea tree face wash. It has no toxic chemicals, not even soap, alcohol, artificial colours, or fragrances. It is also budget-friendly.
And if you have dry skin I would suggest you a face wash by Rustic Arts.it is made from the goodness of essential oils and herbal extracts.
And if you have highly sensitive skin Gulnare’s Pump Skin face wash should be your choice. Little on the expensive side but it will work wonders for you.
As you have seen face washes in these categories mentioned all their ingredients, they have no toxic chemicals, no preservatives, no artificial colours, fragrances not even excipients.
Surely they are the best in the market.
Summary
| Category | Face Washes Name | Recommended or Not | Why? |
| 1. | Lakme, Pears, Nivea, Everyuth. HE, Joy, Fair and Handsome | Never | Have 10-12 toxic chemicals, cosmetic colours, strong fragrances, harmful preservatives |
| 2. | Garnier Men, Fair and Lovely, Ponds, Clean and Clear and X-Men face Washes | No (only free from sulfate, rest all are same) | Have 5-7 toxic chemicals, artificial fragrances and cosmetic colours |
| 3. | Ayush, Biotique, Bajaj, VLCC Ayurveda, Himalaya and Patanjali Face Washes | No | Mentioned only 10-20% ingredients, have toxic preservatives, cosmetic colours, fragrances. |
| 4. | Aroma Magic’s Neem and Tea tree face wash, Rustic Arts face wash for dry skins, Gulnare’s Pump Skin face wash for highly sensitive skin. | Yes | No toxic chemicals, no soap, no alcohol, no artificial colours, or fragrances, also budget-friendly. |
Now I want to make it clear that this article was not sponsored by any of these brands. This is my honest opinion. No brand has paid me nor I’m with or against any brand.
So that’s all, I hope you found it to be helpful, if yes then let me know in the comments section below.
I’ve tried to cover as many face washes as I could find in the market, but even if I still miss the facewash which you have been using, I would suggest you please go through its ingredients and you would know which category it’ll fall in.