If not for a satisfying bath, our day will be nothing less than incomplete. Let us talk about a US brand of body wash that has over a decade of expertise in giving us the invigorating 10 minutes of our everyday routine, Method .
If you are looking for a quick answer to the question of whether Method body wash is good or bad for your skin, here you go:
The Method body wash contains a number of ingredients that are known to harm and damage the skin barrier. Few other chemicals pose unknown side effects. Although the brand makes claims about being organic, some of its naturally derived ingredients potentially pose a greater threat to the body than its counterparts. So, Method body wash may not necessarily be good for your skin.
Read on for a more detailed insight.
Table of Contents
Ingredients of Method body wash
All body wash formula uses purified water as their base and adds surfactants and emulsifiers to achieve their characteristic texture. The Method formula uses Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and Cocamidopropyl Betaine as its surfactants to create the foaming, cleansing properties of the body wash.
The brand uses Glycol Distearate and Coco Glucoside as its emulsifiers. Methyl Glucose Caprylate, Lauryl Lactate, and Tocopherol are used as skin conditioners. Propanediol, Ethylhexyglycerin, and Tetrasodium GLDA are used to preserve the product.
The body wash also contains Citric Acid and Ammonium Chloride to regulate the pH levels. The product contains natural plant extracts that differ from one variant to another. Phenoxyethanol and Glycerin are used to give antimicrobial effects to the body.
Does Method body wash contain Sulfates?
Yes, Method body wash contains Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) as its prime surfactant. Sulfates are well-known skin irritants and are comedogenic. Sulfates scrub the skin of its natural oils and render permanent damage to the skin barrier. The chemical gets accumulated on the epidermal layer and causes skin-related ailments. It may cause damage to tissues in the lung and eyes when used for a long period of time.
A quick point to note here – although we are critical of Method here, it needs to be pointed out that SLS is quite a popular ingredient in soaps and body washes. There is a good chance that your favorite brand of body wash has it as well.
Does Method body wash contain fragrance?
Yes, Method uses natural as well as synthetic fragrances in its body wash variants. Fragrances are used in the form of Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool, Hydroxycitronellal, and Coumarin to resemble natural scents of cinnamon, lavender, and chamomile.
However natural, the fragrances used in their concentrated forms can result in strong allergic reactions and nasal sensitivity. Also, synthetic fragrances can be quite harmful to human health.
Does Method body wash use alcohol?
Yes, Method body wash contains cetyl alcohols like Cocamidopropyl Betaine which is derived from coconut oil. Glycerin and Glycerol Oleate are widely used alcohols in soaps and body washes.
The formula also contains fatty alcohols like Methyl Glucose Caprylate, Glycol Stearate, and Lauryl Lactate that are derived from organic acids. Ether alcohols like Phenoxyethanol are also found in the formula.
Alcohol is used as a thickening and stabilizing agent in toiletries. It gives the body wash the desired texture and sterilizes the skin. Alcohol is also known to cause dilated pores, dry skin, and blackheads.
Is Method body wash gluten-free?
Yes, Method body wash is completely free from gluten. Skincare products like body lotions and ointments sometimes contain grain derivatives with gluten in them. Gluten is known to cause skin allergies, inflammation, and a breakout of acne. All variants of Method body wash are made with gluten-free ingredients.
Does Method body wash contain lye?
No, there is no lye or sodium hydroxide in Method body wash. Lye is a caustic substance that causes severe burns and even blindness in its original form. However, the lye used in Method body wash is not present in harmful forms like Sodium Hydroxide or Potassium Hydroxide. This makes it safe to use.
Does Method body wash contain palm oil?
Yes, Method body wash contains palm oil derivatives in the form of Polyglyceryl Laurate and Sodium Lauryl Sulfate. Palm oil is known to improve skin elasticity and protect the skin from UV rays. But, it has a comedogenic score of 4 out of 5 which is not great. Production of palm oil leads to unsustainability and loss of biodiversity, raising concerns among new-age consumers.
Does Method body wash contain parabens?
No, Method body wash is free from paraben-based preservatives. Parabens are used to reduce the growth of bacteria in skin care products and prevent them from degrading faster. Frequent exposure to paraben can make the skin look brittle, cracked, and susceptible to rashes. Parabens are capable of disrupting hormones, increasing the risk of cancer.
Does Method body wash contain DMDM Hydantoin?
No, Method does not contain DMDM Hydantoin in its body wash. DMDM Hydantoin is formaldehyde used in soaps and body washes whose exposure can result in skin conditions like dermatitis and eczema. It is safe only in concentrations below 0.1%. It is mostly used in its trade name Glydant and is a known carcinogen.
Does Method body wash contain SLS?
Yes, Method body wash does contain SLS in its formula. SLS is known to be harmful to both humans and the planet and is being actively replaced by the skincare industry. SLS can potentially seep through the skin and irritate the respiratory tract.
The chemical is toxic to aquatic health and is often contaminated with dangerous substances. SLS strips the skin of its moisture and causes allergic reactions. It also leads to skin and eye irritation.
Does Method body wash have microbeads?
No, Method does not contain microbeads in its body wash. These attractive-looking small beads are used as exfoliants and make the product more attractive. However, they are banned in the US for multiple ecological concerns.
Microbeads are nothing but tiny balls of plastic, about 1 millimeter in size that does not dissolve in water and get carried to the oceans. They damage the marine ecosystem and disrupt the food chain. The beads are also abrasive to the skin and cause rashes and burning.
Does Method body wash contain pork?
No, the Method body wash does not contain pork. The formula is developed to be vegan-friendly and free from animal derivatives. Most of the ingredients are derived from natural sources like coconut oil, palm kernels, and plant extracts. The product comes with a PETA certification backing up this claim.
Is Method body wash good?
It is true that the body wash delivers its promise of giving a deep and awakening bath experience. But this comes with a cost – some ingredients in the body wash can be bad for your skin. A few others cannot be categorized as good or bad due to a lack of scientific data.
Coconut derivatives in the product can cause allergies in some people. Palm oil derivatives can clog the skin and make it greasy. Some of its ingredients like Glycol Stearate raise questions about the environmental impact of the product.
Is Method body wash good for sensitive skin?
No, Method body wash is not suitable for people with sensitive skin. The product contains drying agents like sulfates and alcohol that can aggravate skin sensitivity. People with skin sensitivity skip buying the product due to the presence of irritants like Propanediol and Ammonium Chloride. Citric Acid can be harsh on the skin and cause redness.
Is Method body wash good for eczema?
Method body wash is not safe for people with eczema. Eczema is a condition that crops up early in childhood and can cause rashes, itching, peeling, and redness of the skin. The Method body wash contains ingredients like Ammonium Chloride that are known to deplete the defensive layer of skin and aggravate the symptoms. The fragrance found in the formula may also trigger and worsen eczema.
Is Method body wash good for dry skin?
The Method body wash contains ingredients that tend to dry out the skin. Fatty alcohols present in the formula aggravate dryness and can sometimes burn the skin. Lather-producing surfactants can clear out the moisture on top of the skin and render flakiness. The acidic nature of Ammonium Chloride makes the skin lose its moisture-retaining capacity. Preservatives like Citric Acid and Propanediol can topple the oil balance of the skin, thereby causing severe dryness.
Is Method body wash good for acne?
The Method body wash formula contains comedogenic ingredients that can clog pores and develop acne. The body wash mainly consists of coconut and palm oil extracts that can cause and irritate acne. Sugar derivatives like Methyl Glucose Caprylate must be avoided by people with acne-prone skin. Using the liquid wash only on the body can be helpful in avoiding breakouts of acne.
Is Method body wash good for back acne?
No, Method body wash is a no-go for people suffering from back acne. Sulfates in the formula create a filmy layer on top of the skin that becomes a breeding ground for acne-causing bacteria. Ammonium Chloride can irritate back acne and in some cases, make it bleed. SLS is bioaccumulative in nature and can invade the pores of the skin and cause severe itching. Oleates in the formula can congest the skin, making it more prone to conditions like back acne.
Is Method body wash safe?
No, Method body wash has certain ingredients that do not allow it to be considered safe for everyday application. Although the brand contains natural ingredients, some of them prove to be red flags.
To begin with, take a look at the main surfactant used in the formula, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, also known as SLS. The chemical is known to cause severe eye irritation and dryness of the skin. The product contains concentrated fragrances that can be sensitive to people with fragrance allergies. Tetrasodium GLDA is linked to developmental and reproductive toxicity.
Ammonium Chloride is a highly toxic chemical used in the manufacture of explosives. High amounts of this ingredient are known to cause rapid skin irritation and burning of the eyes. Alcohol used in the formula can lead to itchy dry skin that is tough to cure.
Is Method body wash safe for pregnancy?
The Method body wash contains chemicals that are harmful to pregnant women. The skin tends to become drier during pregnancy and it is impossible to keep it moisturized by using a liquid wash that strips the moisture from the skin.
Foaming agents, preservatives, and pH balancers play a great role in making the outer layer of the skin lose its water content. Some of the natural fragrances used in the formula can cause nausea and vomiting during pregnancy.
Is Method body wash safe for dogs?
No, the Method body wash is not formulated for animals. Using them on house pets like dogs may cause adverse health impacts. Getting the product into the eyes can cause an acute burning sensation in dogs. SLS is toxic to animal health when ingested
Ammonium in the formula can cause human hair to turn brittle and fall out easily. This may also lead to the shedding of dog fur. Dogs can also be sensitive to fragrances and lose their appetite, due to nausea.
Is Method body wash safe for septic systems?
It is possible for Method body wash to disrupt the septic systems by its chemical content. The septic system relies on bacteria to develop and break down the waste in the sewers. The body wash contains ingredients like alcohol that can kill the bacteria and cause anomalies in the natural process of biodegradation.
Is Method body wash pH balanced?
Yes, Method body washes are pH balanced. The brand uses Citric Acid to regulate the pH level and ensure that the formula is not too acidic or too basic. Citric acid is a weak, organic acid with a pH range of 3 to 6. Being an Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA), it is known to lower hard water levels.
Is Method body wash organic?
No, the Method body wash is not completely made out of organic ingredients. The brand uses synthetic chemicals as well to prepare its cleaning recipe. Synthetic ingredients like fragrances and glycerin are used to achieve the best result. The product adds organic plant and fruit extracts to enrich the aroma but the proportion of which is unknown.
Is Method body wash cruelty-free?
Yes, the body wash is developed without running any tests on animals. Neither the ingredients nor the finished goods are tested on animals. The brand holds Leaping Bunny certification to be completely cruelty-free. All of its body washes are vegan without using animal derivatives or byproducts.
Is Method body wash antibacterial?
No, Method body wash is not antibacterial. The product does contain chemicals like alcohol and sulfates that are capable of killing bacteria, but the potency of these ingredients may be limited when compared to other antibacterial or germ-killing formulations.
Triclosan, triclocarban, chloroxylenol, and benzalkonium chloride are the most commonly used chemical compounds in consumer products to be considered antibacterial. A body wash is allowed to call itself “antibacterial” only when it contains these ingredients.
Does Method body wash expire?
Yes, the Method body wash does have an expiration date. The product has a shelf life of 2 years after which it tends to start to lose its integrity. High exposure to light and heat makes the product expire faster. Once expired, the body wash loses its look and feel, and can get discolored. It is not recommended to use the body wash beyond its expiry date.
References:
- https://methodhome.com/product-category/body/
- https://incidecoder.com/products/method-body-wash-deep-detox
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