Beauty confession: I used to be pretty lazy laid back about cleansing which is a big beauty no-no but I'm now proudly reformed! I take just as much interest in the different cleansers to meet my moody skin's needs nowadays as I do in my serums and moisturisers. So - why not do a mini review of the cleansers on current rotation? You'll see I've got all the possibilities covered with my small collection...
Avene Eau Thermale
Extremely Gentle Cleanser
I bought this a few months ago when I was in a state of desperation over my sensitive and irritated skin, caused funnily enough by another (too harsh) cleanser which you'll read about a little later. My skin felt raw and burning so I was after the most gentle cleanser without having to pay an exorbitant price.
The Avene Extremely Gentle Cleanser is formulated specifically for sensitive and irritated skin and is ideally applied with a cotton pad, then tissued off. Now, I like to finish my morning cleanse with a rinse off in the shower so I've never actually done this and haven't suffered for it. You can see the cleanser is a cloudy, watery gel like formula and I've read somewhere it was described as being quite similar to a certain male bodily secretion (if you know what I mean! I'll let you figure that one out...). It's unscented and feels quite soothing when first applied and rinses off (and probably tissues off) quite easily.
Oh yes, it DID soothe my irritated skin and it returned to normal after using this cleanser for a few days. Since my skin's settled down I no longer need to use it daily but continue to rotate it with my other cleansers.
Nivea Soothing Cleansing Mousse
For Dry & Sensitive Skin
For Dry & Sensitive Skin
This gentle foaming cleanser is one of the newest additions to my cleanser collection and is a newly released Nivea product! For once I've happened across a beauty product ahead of the pack - now that's a first *cue applause*!
I've always loved foaming cleansers and Nivea's Soothing Cleansing Mousse has an added fun element as it's self-foaming. It reminds me of shaving foam as the clear fluid transforms to a creamy mousse via the pump dispenser. I apply it to my dry face then I lather it up more as I massage it over my skin. It's got a delicate but familiar Nivea scent, and feels cloud like on my face. This Almond oil enriched mousse rinses off quickly and leaves my skin feeling soft. I'm not over the novelty of this one yet and I'm just loving it!
I've always loved foaming cleansers and Nivea's Soothing Cleansing Mousse has an added fun element as it's self-foaming. It reminds me of shaving foam as the clear fluid transforms to a creamy mousse via the pump dispenser. I apply it to my dry face then I lather it up more as I massage it over my skin. It's got a delicate but familiar Nivea scent, and feels cloud like on my face. This Almond oil enriched mousse rinses off quickly and leaves my skin feeling soft. I'm not over the novelty of this one yet and I'm just loving it!
Olay Regenerist
Thermal Skin Polisher
I bought this to exfoliate my skin and took the blurb on the front of the tube "Your daily mini-peel treatment.." perhaps a little too literally, initially using it as my daily cleanser. Big mistake - after four days my cheeks were feeling raw and irritated and had me running to the Avene to rescue my skin.
Okay, so daily use is too much for me and my sensitive skin, BUT if I use this on my skin 1 - 2 times a week I don't have a problem and it actually is a good exfoliating treatment. The thick, lilac tinged, micro-crystal infused skin polish is massaged onto wet skin, and heats on contact as it reacts with the water - it feels quite freaky really. I rinse it off thoroughly in the shower and my skin feels baby smooth from the combined exfoliating actions of the micro-crystals and glycolic acid.
Thermal Skin Polisher
Okay, so daily use is too much for me and my sensitive skin, BUT if I use this on my skin 1 - 2 times a week I don't have a problem and it actually is a good exfoliating treatment. The thick, lilac tinged, micro-crystal infused skin polish is massaged onto wet skin, and heats on contact as it reacts with the water - it feels quite freaky really. I rinse it off thoroughly in the shower and my skin feels baby smooth from the combined exfoliating actions of the micro-crystals and glycolic acid.
Lesson learnt: This exfoliating cleanser is best used as an occasional treatment if you have delicate skin!
Simple Regeneration
Age Resisting Cleansing Wipes
If you've been reading my monthly empties posts you'll know I'm a fan of cleansing wipes because they take care of the cleansing business when I'm feeling lazy, i.e. most nights! I've been working my way through the different wipes on the market and currently I'm using these Simple Age Resisting cleansing wipes.
At the moment, I'm loving these wipes. As far as wipes go, these are very lightly and freshly scented, alcohol and oil free and wet enough to do a thorough job of cleansing at the end of the day. Very rarely do I need to use 2 wipes and my skin feels clean, refreshed and comfortable enough to go without any added moisture if I'm feeling really tired and lazy - and you know that happens more often than not...
So now you know all about my cleansing routine!
Do you rotate your cleansing products too?
Vita :)
Some gorgeous products in there! I used to be terrible with cleansing too but have since realised how good it is for my skin!
ReplyDeleteMight have to try that Avene one! :)
Especially if you wear makeup everyday (like I do) cleansing really does help keep your skin from breaking out etc! The Avene is a good gentle cleanser to have on hand because you don't even need to use water.
DeleteI am guilty of not using anything for my skin :) I only use water, eye make up remover and a nice face cream. I don't wear any foundation, only blush and I can get it off with eye make up removers just fine. My skin is on the dry side and the more product is used on it, the worst it looked. Now I use only the basic stuff and my skin looks great :)
ReplyDeleteI forgot to mention that I also used an eye make up remover! I find the less you put on your face the better sometimes, however because I wear make up pretty much every day I feel like I need to use a proper cleanser to take it all off :)
DeleteI'm trying to stick to what's good for my skin and not messing with a good routine. Been stepping out of it lately though due to testing some products and trying to finish up samples! Good to hear you figured out a solution to your skin woes. :)
ReplyDeleteIf you've got a tried and true routine then best to stick with it too! I usually try to stick with a line of products so they all complement each other but I get bored after a few months so then I start switching around. I'm terrible cos I'm always looking for something newer and better!
DeleteOh I used to use the Olay thermal polish thing, I loved it! You just reminded me to get some again as lately I've been very "laid back" about cleansing as well and need some deep cleansing so this should do the job nicely.
ReplyDeleteXoxo
I can totally understand you being laid back at the moment Lilit - you've got too many other things (well one gorgeous little boy) to distract you! Once I figured out how to make the Olay thermal polisher work for me I was quite happy with the results :)
DeleteHow awesome that the Avene effectively soothed your skin. It sounds like a nice treatment :)
ReplyDeleteYes, I was impressed by the Avene! I'd recommend it to anyone wanting an extra gentle, soothing cleanser :)
DeleteI usually stick to a routine, though I do cycle out brands and variations on a product according to skin needs/changes. Right now I'm with a Neutrogena eye makeup remover, a Clinique cleansing milk, the Clinique facial soap (which I've used for about a decade now, o_O) and The Body Shop's toner!
ReplyDeleteWow Larie!!! I've never stuck with anything for more than a year - I'm seriously impressed with a decade of dedication. BTW I'm actually going to try the Neutrogena makeup remover after reading about it on your blog. I have a bottle waiting in the wings after I finish my current bottle of Maybelline :)
DeleteThanks for this post Vita (you always make me want to buy the non polish things) I need a few items for my face after a recent reaction to a cleanser that my face is now peeling from :-(
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to help! Try the Avene on your sore skin - I picked it up at Priceline :)
DeleteI usually stick to one cleanser till I'm finished with it, then I jump onto the next thing I want to try. And I totally agree with you on the wipes! Haven't tried the 'Simple' ones, they are next on my list! :)
ReplyDelete