These short reviews are based on my personal experiences. My skin is more or less dehydrated on the surface yet gets very oily really quickly. Also my skin is more on the sensitive side so please keep that in mind too :) I'm not picky with the brand and I don't have any wrinkles and I don't want my skin any lighter. The only factor I consider is "Will it help me prevent my sporadic break outs?".
Here's a tip ladies.
To prevent breaking out is to eat right, drink a lot of water and to keep your skin hydrated. It may seem odd, since oily skin types are more prone to acne, and people might think that they should dab whatever excessive grease on their face and keep it matte and dry.
WRONG. drying out your natural oil will make you more and more oilier down the road. Our body reacts to external factors. If you keep taking away the oily layer, our body is going to think that it needs to produce more oil to keep that natural layer since it is essential for our skin. So never try to make your skin squeaky dry. That is just asking for more oil.
Also, same with starving.. Please don't starve yourselves. It may seem like a shortcut to weight loss but it is actually a shortcut to fat deposit. Threat your body well, since it is a known fact that it is not the fat we are losing, it is the water weight we are losing. Fat does not disappear, it has to be burned. If you lose a lot of water, the fat density is going to get gooier in your blood which makes your blood sticky. Also, if you repeat skipping meals and starving yourself, you are gearing your body into a fat storage. Your body will be deprived of so much energy that is needed from food, it will grab on to anything that comes in and will have a tendency to conserve it. That means your metabolism goes down, your body tries to slow down everything and losing weight through exercise (if you decide to work out, thank god!) will be harder for you than a regular meal eater.
I should have written that on another post, sorry if I'm jamming random stuff into a single blog post :p
so back to the cleanser reviews...
here goes-
Dior Rinse-Off Cleansing Foam
I ended up using two bottles of this product. I don't think you'll feel ripped off with this product. You have to squeeze some out and lather the formula on your face to make it foamy, and it will basically take away all the heavy makeup. But I wouldn't recommend it to people with dry skin type. It gives you that tight feeling after you pat your face dry. You have to apply lotion right away, that's how strong this baby is. It strips away a lot of oil on your face.
*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*
Skinfood green tea foam cleanser
I know a lot of SKINFOOD stuff is coming into the states (you could find them in walgreens), but I think it's more like sheet masks and stuff. Anyway, this stuff is good. It's a Korean brand, and their brand image is food you feed your skin instead of eating it yourself. I used a total of three bottles. I would usually use one per semester (roughly 16 weeks) and bought these every time I went back to Korea. I'm not sure if this particular cleanser is still around, but I loved it. It's a bit too light to erase heavy makeup, but it is def. one of the better cleansers out there to use in the morning.
*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*
Clinique Liquid Facial Soap
I used the one where three small ones came as a set. I usually have very bad luck with most of Clinique's products (they have a strong ethanol smell..blah~) but these were the best ones I've dealt with so far. They don't leave any soapy residues and are quite good for just washing your bare face in the morning. They are too weak to be converted as makeup removers.
*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*
Clinique Acne Solutions Cleansing Foam
I became addicted to foam cleansers after skinfood, so I bought this one because it was (a) cheap cheap cheap (b) acne solution caught my eye (c) I wanted a foam cleanser to replace my beloved skinfood
Hmm.. I don't have anything bad to say since my acne situation didn't get worse. It just never cured my acne, hence, no solution.. BOO :(
It's just ok. nothing special about it. I think Neutrogena stuff works better on acne
*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*
Neutrogena Oil-Free AcneWashI give this product a lot of credit for stopping crazy break outs. I used this during my freshman year, and that was when I gained my freshman 15 and was so stressed out, I was breaking out like an acne monster. I used this with a combination of Cetaphil lotion, and my skin cleared out after I used up a bottle. But I really wouldn't recommend it to the dry-skinners.. It really really pulls out so much of the oil.. your face will actually feel like cracking up if you don't apply enough lotion after usage.
*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*
Lancome Bi-Facil Eye makeup remover.One of the most famous makeup remover products out in the market. I think this is one of the longest surviving Lancome products that hasn't been hit by discontinuation.
I've used several bottles of this, and it has two layers. One is the more watery colored layer, and the other is the blue-tinted part. After shaking it (to mix the two), all you have to do it apply a small amount on your eye lids and wipe it off.
I think the product works great. Except it leaves a oily layer and has that strong rosy scent (the famous Lancome smell) to it.
Overall I think it lives up to its reputation :)
*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*
Dior Cleansing Milk
It's suppose to be soft and gentle on the skin, but my face always had that tingly burning sensation after usage. Also, I don't know why there was such a rave about this product. One of the worst products I've ever used. Can't even clean out basic foundation. Two thumbs down.
*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*
Cetaphil gentle skin cleanser
One of the hidden treasures in drug stores. When I was in Korea, almost every dermatologist recommended Cetaphil. It's weird at first use because it doesn't foam or anything. It's just this gooey, liquid that you use to wash your face. It is extremely moisturizing (or more on the oilier side, i guess) and leaves a layer of moisty feel on your face. It's really really gentle on the skin. If you have sensitive skin, this is one of the cleansers you should go with.*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*
DDF Acne Scrub
It's the one that am currently using. I used to use this with Clinique's Acne solutions, but after I ran out of that, I'm just using this twice, daily. It has micro beads in it, so I guess it exfoliates the skin :) I love the smell of it and used to love it when I started off with it, but I don't think it improved my acne situations. Also, the freaky thing about it is what is written on the back
" WARNINGS: WHEN USING THIS PRODUCT AVOID UNNECESSARY SUN EXPOSURE AND USE A SUNSCREEN FOR EXTERNAL USE ONLY. THIS PRODUCT MAY BLEACH HAIR OR OTHER DYED FABRICS"
.. are you kidding me -_-?
*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*
Lancome HUILE DOUCEUR Remove-All Deep Cleansing Oil
It's one of the more okay products. It takes away a lot of heavy makeup without much effort. The only thing is, if you have a lot of eye makeup going on, or if you have loads of waterproof mascara on, you'll have to kind of put some force on to rubbing the stuff off.
I didn't have a problem with it. But for some reason, I feel reluctant to buy the product again.
*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*
SHU UEMURA Skin Purifier cleansing beauty oil
I always try to promote this already famous product. I fell in love with it the moment I started using it. It's for eye makeup removal, but I will always pump some extra and erase my whole face with it. Considering that it is an oil-based cleanser, some might get concerned that it will leave a oily residue, but it really is at the minimal level compared to other products. It's very very gentle on the skin, and powerfully erases so much stuff off with barely any effort needed.
I love love love love this product >_<)b
*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*
POND's Clean sweep
*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*
Sephora Face Eye makeup remover
OMG... I have a lot of faith in Sephora products (just because sephora is owned and managed by LVMH.. -_-;; I believe they will have better quality products that some BS company..) but anyway, I was looking for a more cheaper makeup remover, and I bought this..After using it once, I had terrible reactions. My eyes swelled up, I started to develop dry skin flakes around my eye, my eye lids were irritated and itchy to a point where I had to take medication..
First I thought it was something else, and later one, every time I tried to use this makeup remover again, my reactions got worse and worse.
I wonder why, but I had a really really bad experience with this particular remover =/
Sensitive skin people, don't even try this remover.. really not worth the risk
*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*
Neutrogena Fresh Foaming Cleanser
I first thought it would be a foam type cleanser, but it has a shampoo-y texture to it and you have to lather the formula on your hands and them use the foam to wash your face. I would say it is suitable to rinse off makeup, but mascara and waterproof eyeliners resist this baby. But Foundation and other stuff come out pretty easily. Like all other Neutrogena products, I find this product very drying too. Have to apply tons of lotion right after I'm done washing my face.Neutrogena Deep Clean Invigorating Foaming Scrub
This gel-like cleanser has that minty refreshing feeling to it along with huge microbeads in it. It doesn't deep clean enough to remove heavy makeup, but is suitable for normal cleansing along with exfoliating. I found it too harsh on my skin (I'm more on the sensitive side), so I ended up using it as a foot scrub every time I took a shower.. -_-;; It sounds gross, but for those who like to wash their feet thoroughly should consider this as a feet cleanser. It's so refreshening and cool :D- Sorry about the late update :p I'm sick and busy at the same time T-T
Hey just wanna say you are gorgeous! Glad you are doing a review on cleansers:) Using Shu Uemera Cleansing Oil right now and its great except for the eyes, gets in my eyes and makes my vision blurry with the oil and gunk! But I like that its not as drying. My skin is exactly like yours. Dry on the surface but oily on the inside:(
ReplyDeleteAgreed! Can't tell people enough about eating healthy and hydrating their skin! Whenever I get break out is from eating poorly, hahaha. :P
ReplyDeletehi catalina, wow so many cleansers! my skin doesn't like foam cleansers...
ReplyDeleteI think my skin is a lot like yours.
ReplyDeleteI'm very oily on the outside and yet very dehydrated on the inside.
urrrg!
Havent got a chance to try the skin food cleaser, but I ve tried Innisfree's green tea cleaser and I like it a lot!
(running to get some water...)
I decided to get a bottle of Shu Uemura's cleansing oil after watching one of your youtube vids and I love it! I was wondering, what are your favorite facial masks?
ReplyDeletethank you so much for doing these reviews, they are very helpful!
ReplyDeleteThis was very interesting and one I will flag -- i am on the search for a new cleanser.
ReplyDeleteGreat blog! Just followed. Come and check out my blog if you get a chance.
lipstickrules.blogspot.com
Thanks for the recommendations. I am currently searching for products to update my current skincare routine and there's SO much stuff out there .. it's just overwhelming!
ReplyDeletethanks for all the reviews! i agree that the skinfood cleanser is good for the mornings, whenever i use it after cleansing oil, my skin doesn't feel clean.
ReplyDeleteHey, just wanted to say that you're really pretty. And I love the way you do your make up.
ReplyDeleteBut, recently I found this website http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/splash.php?URI=/index.php
You should go on it. Apparently a lot of the chemicals used in our make ups today, have been banned by countries like Japan and Korea because it is really harmful to our skin and our health.
I found it really surprising too, when my friends first sent it to me. Like you would think, paying more money for expensive brands, you would expect more.
But, anyways hope that helps ^^
My skin is like yours too! I just started blogging and my latest blog has all the stuff I use in my cleansing routine, check it out if you like :) I really want to try the skinfood cleanser you mentioned! I'll probably pick it up when I go back to Hong Kong this Christmas. I've tried the Shu Uemera Cleansing Oil (the pink one only) because my friend had a bottle and it didn't seem that great to me (though it did the job) but I'm going to try the green one out soon :)
ReplyDeleteNice products.
ReplyDelete