Amy’s Recommendations – Skincare - Cleansers

Ratings:

Love it!!

Impressive

I like it

It’s ok

Uh…….

Brand:

Cetaphil

Name of Product:

Daily Facial Cleanser

Rating:

Looking for a mild cleanser for irritated skin?  Give this a try – Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser.  Cetaphil is a line recommended by dermatologist for problem skin.  I used this cleanser mostly for morning because it is a very mild cleanser.  It does not do a good job in taking off makeup, especially mascara (not waterproof).  But it does a good job in cleansing the oil and dead skin cells on my face in the morning.    It is fragrance free, good news for those of you who are allergic to fragrance. I find this similar to the Spectro-Derm Facial Cleanser (See review on the bottom of this page) except Spector-Derm works better for me because I had a minor reaction to this cleanser.  This cleanser claims to balance PH on skin, I like the fact that it is non-drying so I won’t feel the tightness after I cleanse.

* Image courtesy of www.Londondrugs.com

Brand:

CLARINS Paris

Name of Product:

Cleansing Milk for Oily/Combination

Rating:

Usually people think cleansing milk is for Normal to Dry skin.   When I first try this cleansing milk by CLARINS for Combination skin, I had doubts if it will cause me breakouts.   It turns out that this cleansing milk did not leave a greasy residue on my face like other cleansing milk would on my combination / sensitive skin, also it did not break me out either.  I like the creamy texture of it and it is easy to wipe off with tissue or rinse off with water.  This milky cleanser contains plant extracts to help balance the oil production on face and deep cleanse the pores.  I really like this cleansing milk.  It is one of my favorite cleansers, especially for removing makeup at the end of the day.  This cleansing milk comes in two different kinds, one for dry – normal skin and one for combination skin.

* Image courtesy of www.clarins.com

Brand:

CLARINS Paris

Name of Product:

Purifying Cleansing Gel

Rating:

Do you have oily skin?  Start your daily skincare routine with this refreshing purifying cleanser.  It contains plant extracts to cleanse deep inside the pores and balance the oil on your face.  It is a must have for people with oily skin.  I would also recommend this cleanser for people with combination skin because it works great to remove dirt & makeup without leaving a tight feeling to the face afterwards. This is my favorite cleanser for summer!   I also find that it is a great value for its size. 

* Image courtesy of www.clarins.com

Brand:

CLARINS Paris

Name of Product:

Extra-comfort Cleansing cream for dry or sensitive skin

Rating:

Hate cleansing because your face feels so dry afterwards?  Try this extra-comfort cleansing cream for dry or sensitive skin from CLARINS.  This cleanser has a very smooth and creamy texture that wraps your skin with moisture while it cleanses the impurities off your face. It also does a great job in taking off makeup.  It is not thick or greasy like cold cream, but instead think of it as slightly richer cleansing milk.  It can be used with or without water.  Just message a penny size amount onto your face and tissue off (or rinse off if desire).   It comes in a big jar and a spatula for your convenience (and to avoid contamination of the product).  I would recommend this product to all those has sensitive skin, dry or dehydrated skin.

* Image courtesy of www.clarins.com

Brand:

CLARINS Paris

Name of Product:

One-step cleanser

Rating:

This is a very convenient cleanser because it does not require water and it is a cleanser + toner in one.  It takes off makeup, removes dirt and tones all in one step.   This cleanser has 2 layers; you need to shake to activate the two layers before using.   Immediately after using it will leave a film on the face that will eventually go away in seconds.  This film is created by the plant extracts in this product will help detoxify + purify the skin.    I often use this on my clients for a quick cleanse.

* Image courtesy of www.clarins.com

Brand:

Dove

Name of Product:

Essential Nutrients Cleansing Pillows

Rating:

This is a very cute product.   Each dual-textured pillow puffs up with a rich lather when activated under warm water, gently removing dull skin and depositing essential nutrients.  The pillow has two sides; one side is uniquely textured to exfoliate while the smooth side for cleansing.  I really like the idea, but I find it a bit too expensive considering that one box will not even last a whole month if you use it everyday.  People with sensitive skin might develop irritations from the fragrance and the rougher side (for exfoliation) in this product.

** Image courtesy of www.dove.com

Brand:

Oil of Olay

Name of Product:

Facial Cleansing Clothes for sensitive skin

Rating:

This is a good gentle cleanser, especially for those who travel a lot.  This particular one is fragrance & soap free, but Olay does have another one for Combination Skin (With fragrance) and Dry Skin (With Fragrance) and a new one for Evening Deep Cleanse.   I have little to no irritations from using this every morning and sometimes at night.   The only downside of this cleansing cloth is that it does not clean that well for long lasting makeup (i.e.: waterproof mascara or long wearing foundation).  It does not have the textured clothe like the one for Oily / Combination Skin and Normal / Dry skin but it is actually good for me because it is more gentle on my easily irritated skin.   I recommend this to whose with dry / sensitive skin.  I do find that it leaves my skin feeling a bit tight afterwards, but a touch of moisturizer will solve that problem.   1 flower deducted for its weak cleansing ability.

Brand:

Optaderm

Name of Product:

Double Action Rinse Off Cleansing Lotion

Rating:

This is one of my favorite cleanser, it calms all my skin irritations (including eczema and hives) and it has a distinctive calming smell to it, just like the whole Optaderm beauty clinic. Regularly I go to this beauty clinic for my facials and I did not have any allergic reactions to any of the products they use.  With soothing camomile , cucumber  and comphery extracts, this cleanser is packed with smoothly and calming ingredients to nourish your skin.   I often use this on actors to take off their makeup at the end of the day followed with a mini facial. 

* Image courtesy of www.optaderm.com

Brand:

LUSH

Name of Product:

Angel on bare skin cleansing roll

Rating:

LUSH must be one of my favorite stores to visit.  The smell of different kinds of essential oil catches my attention before I even step into the door.  Although I can imagine how their scent might not be pleasant to everyone, and some people might be allergic to some of the fragrance found in different products, the Angel on Bare Skin Clay based cleansing roll is still one of my top choices for cleansers in summer and many other products from LUSH.  This cleanser is packed with essential oil and almond shell bits to gently exfoliate skin during each wash.  The smell of Lavender is very smoothing but some might find it a tad bit too strong.   If you have sensitive skin use with caution because the almond shell bits in there might aggravate your skin.   The usage instructions can be found on the web-site below. It is a bit tricky at first but after awhile you will get use to it.

* Image courtesy of www.lush.com

Brand:

LUSH

Name of Product:

Aquamarina seaweed roll cleanser

Rating:

Never have my skin felt so smooth and soft before, this clay based seaweed like cleanser has no exfoliatant, nor does the fragrance bother me.  As a matter of fact, I love the smell of this cleanser so much that I actually look forward to my daily morning cleansing routine.   It’s a bit tricky to use it.  I first take a small chunk and cut it into pea size pieces, then I store these pea size pieces into a separate container so I won’t contaminate the whole tub.  Then each morning I take a small piece and I place it on my palm.  With few drops of warm water I melt the piece into a milky texture paste.  Working one section at a time I smooth this milky paste over my whole face, avoiding the eye & mouth area, leave on for 30 sec then rinse off.  Boy does my face ever feel smooth and supple.  Also I noticed after using this cleanser for a week the blemishes & black head I have are clearing out fast.  NOTE: it does not take off any makeup for me, so I mainly just use it as a morning cleanser.

* Image courtesy of www.lush.com

Brand:

Spectro-Derm

Name of Product:

Gentle Facial Cleanser for sensitive skin / problem skin

Rating:

This cleanser saved my life!  I had the worse break out and rashes on my face I ever experienced during Christmas last year.   The rashes, dry patches and peeling skin lasted for at least a month, I went back to my family doctor for 4 times and tried 3 different steroid lotions, but it did not help at all.   Thank God a pharmacist introduce this gentle cleanser to me.  It does not have a fancy packaging nor does it has a refreshing smell to it, but it cleanse, remove dead skin cells and moisturize all at the same time.  It only took 1 week of use to settle the rashes and dry patches.  I would strongly recommend this to all those who suffers from eczema or other skin problems.  Note that it does not remove makeup well, if you have makeup on you need to wash it off before you use this gel.

* Image courtesy of www.spectroskincare.com