Comparison of Mildness: Makeup Wash, Coco Wash, Poloxamer, and Micellar Formulations

Based on the conversation:

Micellar water uses surfactants to capture oil-based substances like makeup and sunscreen. While generally milder than traditional soap cleansers, these surfactants can also remove the natural oils (lipids) that are part of your skin barrier. This aligns with your doctor's suggestion that using micellar water might be contributing to your dry, irritated skin and breakouts by disrupting the skin barrier.

Regarding the specific ingredients mentioned:

• Makeup wash (PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides) and Coco Wash (PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate) are both types of Micellar ingredients.
• Poloxamer is also a type of Micellar ingredient. There are various types (different numbers like 188, 184, 124). Some Poloxamers might be milder than Makeup wash or Coco Wash, while others are similar.
• The reason some products use a combination of ingredients like Makeup wash and Coco Wash, or Poloxamer 184 and Poloxamer 124, is often to improve cleansing performance, achieve a desired feel, and/or reduce formulation costs. Manufacturer testing sometimes shows that combining specific types can enhance efficacy.

In summary, while micellar water is generally considered gentle, it can still potentially strip some natural oils from the skin barrier, especially for those with dry or sensitive skin. The choice between different micellar ingredients or combinations often comes down to balancing mildness, efficacy, feel, and cost. If you have dry or sensitive skin, following your doctor's advice to switch to a different type of cleanser or focusing on restoring the skin barrier with a suitable cream after cleansing, as suggested by the staff, could be beneficial.