
Highlights
WHAT IS IT?
Face wash cleanser
FEATURES
Gentle + Hydrating Face Wash for Blemish-Prone Skin, cleanses and removes impurities from the pores.
BEST FOR
All skin types, especially blemish-prone skin
CHECKS
Free of parabens, colorants, fragrance
Who Is It For?
Adults Both Women And MenWhat Does It Help With?
Blemish-prone Skin Cleansing HydrationBudget
Mid-rangeHow To Use
Which routine should it be used in?
Instructions:
Key Information
What DHC Says
Product Description:
This gentle, hydrating face wash is part of our 3-step regimen perfectly formulated for blemish-prone skin but is also suitable for all skin types. It thoroughly cleanses and removes impurities from the pores while infusing skin with Hatomugi seed extract, an antioxidant-rich Japanese herb used as a milder alternative to other typical ingredients that target blemish-prone skin.
About the Brand:
Ingredients Overview
Ingredients List
water/aqua/eau, stearic acid, glycerin, myristic acid, potassium hydroxide, palmitic acid, PEG-75, PEG-6, glyceryl stearate, phenoxyethanol, PEG-100 stearate, polyquaternium-7, stearyl glycyrrhetinate, butylene glycol, tetrasodium etidronate, sodium benzoate, paeonia albiflora (peony) root extract, paeonia suffruticosa (peony) root extract, prunus persica (peach) kernel extract, coix lacryma-jobi ma-yuen (job's tears/hatomugi) seed extract
Key Ingredients
Hatomugi Seed Extract, Licorice Extract Derivative, Blend of Japanese Botanicals
Ingredients Details
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
Glyceryl Stearate
Common Name(s): Glycerol monostearate,gms,glycerin monostearate
CAS Number: 31566-31-1
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Provides o/w emulsification with emolliency and skin feel improvement from a natural glycerol ester.
Why It's Used: Standard cosmetic monoglyceride emulsifier โ widely used for o/w cream formation with clean, natural-origin credentials and good sensory profile.
How It Works: Monoglyceride structure (one fatty acid + glycerol) provides amphiphilic hlb ~3-4 for o/w emulsification when combined with higher hlb co-emulsifiers. forms alpha-gel lamellar structure with water for emulsion stabilization. direct skin conditioning via fatty acid film.
Typically Found In: Creams,lotions,moisturizers โ standard in o/w emulsions
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Functional ingredient โ monoglyceride emulsifier
Secondary Functions: Barrier sealing,softening
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 1%โ10%
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Yes โ from vegetable glycerol and stearic acid
Halal Status: Yes
Source Notes: Plant-derived, synthetic or animal-derived. verify source.
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1/5 โ very low
Comedogenicity Rating: 1/5 โ low; formulation-dependent
Sensitivity Concerns: Non-irritating.
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Excellent safety profile. ewg score: 1.
Works Well With: Humectants,ceramides,actives as carrier
Avoid Combining With: No significant incompatibilities
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
Glyceryl stearate's alpha-gel lamellar phase formation (distinguishable by x-ray crystallography from beta crystalline phase) provides superior emulsion stability compared to its beta crystalline form. the alpha-gel phase creates a viscoelastic network that resists droplet coalescence โ the fundamental mechanism behind gms's long use as a reliable primary emulsifier.
Last Verified: Cosing database,cir safety assessment
Primary Sources: 2026-03-12
Myristic Acid
Common Name(s): Myristic acid,cosmetic active,functional ingredient
CAS Number: N/a
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Delivers characteristic cosmetic function at recommended use concentration.
Why It's Used: Selected for functional contribution and formulation compatibility supported by cosmetic science and regulatory safety data.
How It Works: Works through the mechanism of its molecular class as documented in peer-reviewed cosmetic literature.
Typically Found In: Skin care formulations
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Active ingredient โ cosmetic active
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%โ10%
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Conditional
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
Myristic acid has an established safety profile within the cosmetic regulatory framework at standard use concentrations.
Last Verified: Cosing database,myristic acid technical literature
Primary Sources: 2026-03-12
Palmitic Acid
Common Name(s): Hexadecanoic acid,n-hexadecanoic acid,cetylic acid
CAS Number: 57-10-3
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Provides barrier-relevant c16 saturated fatty acid emolliency and ceramide precursor activity.
Why It's Used: Barrier-relevant saturated fatty acid for formulations targeting the free fatty acid component of the stratum corneum barrier.
How It Works: C16 saturated chain provides solid waxy emolliency. ceramide backbone precursor for c16 ceramide synthesis. free fatty acid component of stratum corneum lamellar bodies (24% of barrier lipids). nmf component providing barrier conditioning.
Typically Found In: Barrier repair products,creams,emollient systems
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Functional ingredient โ c16 saturated fatty acid
Secondary Functions: Barrier sealing,softening
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 0.5%โ10%
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Yes โ from palm, coconut, or other vegetable oils
Halal Status: Yes
Source Notes: Plant-derived, synthetic or animal-derived. verify source.
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1/5 โ very low
Comedogenicity Rating: 2/5 โ low
Sensitivity Concerns: Non-irritating.
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Excellent safety profile. ewg score: 1.
Works Well With: Humectants,ceramides,actives as carrier
Avoid Combining With: No significant incompatibilities
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
Palmitic acid is the most abundant fatty acid in human skin and one of the three most important free fatty acids in the stratum corneum lamellar body system (alongside linoleic and oleic acids). its abundance in human skin makes palmitic acid a uniquely skin-authentic emollient โ not just coating skin but integrating into the barrier lipid structure.
Last Verified: Cosing database,cir safety assessment
Primary Sources: 2026-03-12