• Bloglovin
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • RSS
  • Twitter
My Women Stuff
  • About Me »
    • Contact Me
      • For PR
  • Budget Beauty »
    • Save & Splurge
  • Makeup »
    • Eyes »
      • Brow pencil
      • Mascara
      • Eyeshadow
      • Eyeliner
    • Face »
      • BB Cream
      • Blush
      • Bronzer
      • CC Cream
      • Concealer
      • Foundation »
        • Cream Foundation
        • Liquid Foundation
        • Cushion Foundation
      • Highlighter
      • Loose Powder
    • Lips »
      • Lip Gloss
      • Lipstick
      • Lipbalm
    • Makeup Brushes
  • Skincare »
    • Cleanser »
      • Cleansing Balm
      • Cleansing Cream
      • Cleansing Gel
      • Cleansing Milk
      • Cleansing Oil
      • Cleansing Water
      • Makeup Remover
    • Mask
    • Moisturiser
    • Scrubs
    • Serum »
      • Vitamin C
      • Retinol
    • Sunscreen
    • Toner/Lotion
    • Treatment »
      • Acne
      • Anti-Aging
      • Brightening/Whitening
      • Hydrating
    • Bath & Body »
      • Body Lotion
      • Body oil
      • Hair
      • Shower Gel
    • Facial Oils
  • Tips »
    • Tips & Discussions
    • Blogging Tips
  • Lifestyle »
    • Cooking at Chez PB
    • Beauty Services »
      • Hair Salon
      • Facial
      • Spa
    • Fashion »
      • Bags
      • Jewellery
      • Shoes
    • Home
  • Brands
  • Product Reviews
    • Beauty hor d’oeuvres
  • Blog
Home » Product Reviews » The Herb Farm Cleansers are lush, gentle and non-stripping on skin

The Herb Farm Cleansers are lush, gentle and non-stripping on skin

February 18, 2019 Paris B 3 Comments

I have veered away from using gel type cleansers these days, because they are, for the most part, too drying for my drier skin type. In fact, if your skin feels dry and tight every time you wash your face, I recommend that you switch away too.

That said, you cannot deny how refreshing a gel or foaming type cleanser feels. It just makes your skin feel cleaner! Psychological, but also a fact as the foam action does lift dirt and grease, and wash off better.

the herb farm energizing gel cleanser, calendula & marshmallow softening cleanser
  • Save

A while ago, I shared some gel cleansers I’d tried that I found to be non-drying and therefore suitable for those who prefer using a gel type cleanser but want something more gentle that does not strip the skin.

What d’ya know? I’ve found another! 😀 More interestingly, I find myself preferring the gel cleanser over the cream cleanser – and that’s no mean feat!

The Herb Farm is a natural skincare brand from New Zealand. I’d tested some samples before this. It isn’t a very big brand, and it has quite a basic selection of products that are fairly gentle on skin.

The Herb Farm Calendula & Marshmallow Softening Cleanser – RM177 | NZ$46.90 for 200ml

Seeing as I enjoy using cream cleansers and have drier skin, I thought I might like the Calendula & Marshmallow Softening Cleanser.

The cleanser pumps out as a thick cream that feels quite lush on skin. The directions suggest that you use 2-3 pumps, but I find it to be far too much. When I follow their recommended use, I find that the cleanser feels heavy and oily and does not clean off easily.

the herb farm calendula & marshmallow softening cleanser
  • Save

This is quite a pain in the mornings. I could use a face cloth, but I never do in the morning, because really, who can be arsed to 😛 For me, the sweet spot is 1 or just slightly more than half a pump of product.

When I cut down on the product, I found it to be more comfortable. It feels just as lush on skin, and it rinses off more easily.

However, I do find that rinsing off the Calendula & Marshmallow Softening Cleanser takes a little more work than with most other cream cleansers I use. I have to spend more time rinsing, and it isn’t as easy to remove.

It also will leave a little residue on the skin. That’s fine if you have dry skin as I do. It does not strip your skin, and it does feel comfortable. But if you have sensitive skin, then I don’t think the repeated washing will be very good for you.

I have kept this by my sink next to my Pixi Rose Cream Cleanser for months now, and each morning, I reach for the Pixi because I just know it is less of a hassle.

Ultimately, I think this is a good product, but only for those with dry skin, who can afford to spend a little more time in the mornings working with it.

Ingredients: Aqua (Purified Water,) Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Corylus Avellana (Hazelnut) Oil, Glycerin (Organic Vegetable Glycerin), Calendula Officinalis (Flower) Extract, Calendula Officinalis (Flower) in Prunus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil, Althea Officinalis (Marshmallow) Extract, Butyrospermum Parkii (Organic Shea Butter), Xanthan Gum, Litsea Cubeba (May Chang) Essential Oil, Olea Europea (Olive) Fruit Oil, Sodium Levulinate, Sodium Anisate, Totarol, Citric Acid

PROS:
Feels creamy and lush on skin
Rinses off (but not easily)
Luxurious packaging

CONS:
Pricey
Hard to rinse off especially if you follow directions to use 2-3 pumps

WHO WILL LIKE THIS: Anyone with dry skin and wants a cleanser that will not strip the skin, Anyone with dry skin and living in a cold or dry climate

WHERE TO BUY: TNS Skinlab stores and online

The Herb Farm Energizing Gel Cleanser – RM158 | NZ$39.90 for 200ml

The Energizing Gel Cleanser is more targeted at those with oily or combination skin types. Naturally, I wasn’t too sure if I, with my drier skin, would appreciate it.

But I do!

the herb farm energizing gel cleanser
  • Save

The texture is more liquid, as you can see above, but it isn’t too runny the way many gel cleansers are.

It does foam up a little, but not very much. In fact, I don’t notice it to foam up at all, unless you use a significant amount.

For my use, I find half a pump of product to be just right. The Herb Farm recommends 2-3 pumps, but in my view, that’s just wasting product. You will get a good enough cleanse with just 1 pump.

What I like best about the Energizing Gel Cleanser is that it makes your skin feel clean, but it does not strip it and leave it feeling dry and tight as most gel or foaming cleansers do.

I use this in the morning, although I’d comfortably use this in the evening as a second cleanse as well. The Herb Farm also says that the Energizing Gel Cleanser operates as a makeup remover as well, but I am a little leery to try it as one. I prefer to use a first cleanse of either a cleansing balm or cleansing oil, and I then follow up with the Energizing Gel Cleanser, as a second cleanse.

While I shy away from foaming or gel type cleansers, when faced with either the Energizing Gel Cleanser or the Calendula & Marshmallow Softening Cleanser in the morning, I tend to gravitate to the former.

It is easier to use, easier to remove, does not strip nor dry out my skin and feels comfortable. There isn’t much else you can ask for from a facial cleanser! 🙂

Ingredients: Aqua (Purified Water), Decyl Glucoside, Glycerin (Vegetable Glycerin), Sodium Chloride (Himalayan Salt), Calendula Officinalis (Flower) Extract, Thymus Nummularis (Thyme) Extract, Calendula Officinalis (Flower) in Prunus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Levulinate, Sodium Anisate, Citrus Aurantium Amara (Bitter Orange), Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel, Citrus Medica Limonum (Lemon) Peel, Citrus Aurantifolia (Lime) Essential Oils, Organic Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Powder 200, Citric Acid

PROS:
Feels gentle on skin
Does not dry out skin
Rinses off easily

CONS:
Pricey

WHO WILL LIKE THIS: Anyone who prefers using a gel or foaming type cleanser and wants a product that will not strip the skin and leave it feeling dry and tight

WHERE TO BUY: TNS Skinlab stores and online

the herb farm cleanser
  • Save

Special mention must be made of the packaging. The cleansers come in beautiful frosted brown glass bottles with a pump that is quite easy to control. You can pump out half a pump as easily as you can a full pump, which is important, because I feel that you don’t really need more than that each time.

While they are rather pricey for a cleanser, it will last you ages if you use about half to a full pump each time. And ultimately, it is far better for your skin than a cheap, abrasive cleanser is 🙂

Have you tried any of The Herb Farm cleansers? Anything else from the brand you’ve tried or like?

I’ve found that generally, I take well to cleansers and moisturisers by natural-based brands. They are usually more gentle on skin and that is always a good thing!

Paris B

Was this helpful? Tell your friends!

6 Shares
  • Facebook 6
  • Twitter
3 Insightful comments ... Read or JOIN THE DISCUSSION
Disclosure: Featured products were press samples for consideration. Our commitment is to honesty and fairness. For review guidelines please read the disclaimer.

YOU MAY FIND THESE THESE POSTS HELPFUL TOO!

About Paris B

Paris B is a 40-something beauty and skincare enthusiast with a practical and very critical view of beauty products and the world of beauty. Her mission on My Women Stuff is to deliver clear, honest reviews and facilitate discussions about beauty trends and life, tempered with a healthy dose of humour. Let the buyer's remorse be ours not yours! When not testing the newest skincare creams and lotions, or playing with makeup, find her testing her culinary skills in the kitchen at Chez PB. Read more about us here or leave a comment below or connect with us on social media at Instagram, Facebook and Twitter!

PREVIOUS POST: Chanel Spring Summer Makeup 2019 Vision d’Asie: L’Art du Detail is beautiful bar one confusing detail
NEXT POST: Let’s hear it for the Boy de Chanel makeup collection! (and especially for the Eyebrow Pencil!)

3 comments ... Read or JOIN THE DISCUSSION

  1. Nvie says

    February 18, 2019 at 9:59 pm

    I’m a big fan of gel cleanser and works well since I have oily T zone. My favourite gel cleansers are Jan Marini C-Esta Cleansing Gel in the morning and Glowbiotics Probiotic Acne Treatment Cleanser at night. Have been using this combination for a few years now.

    Sometime cream and oil cleanser break me out, maybe I didn’t rinse well.

    Reply
    • Nvie says

      February 18, 2019 at 9:59 pm

      Whoops….somehow and not sometime

      Reply
    • Paris B says

      February 19, 2019 at 9:25 am

      Thanks for sharing your favourites 🙂 For combination skin, I do think a gel type cleanser is preferable to a cream, because of the excess oil produced by the skin. The trick however, is to find a gel cleanser that does this, but does not strip the skin the way many gel types do. But it looks like you’ve found yours 😀

      Reply

Comment Policy:At MWS we love reading your comments. However, if you are new to leaving comments you may benefit from reading the comment policy first.

What's your view? Share it! Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

My Women Stuff by Paris B

Welcome to My Women Stuff, a beauty blog based in Malaysia, written by veteran blogger, Paris B. What you can expect is honesty, critical views & a healthy dose of shared life lessons sprinkled amongst beauty product reviews. What you shouldn't expect is a page filled with unnecessary narcissistic photos. MWS is a blog for those who love to read, because we love to write! Read More about MWS and Paris B

Subscribe for weekly updates of all published content

BEAUTY & LIFE TIPS

beagle looking at a biscuit with 2023 on the bottom

2023 – Be Focused, Be Disciplined and Be Kind

2022 recap

Looking back to see if there was more laughter than tears this past year

skincare empty bottles

The Empties Edition: Discovering a really nice hydrating serum amidst the empty bottles

I tell stories on Instagram @parisbmws

For my anti-aging skincare routine, I’ve worked For my anti-aging skincare routine, I’ve worked out my 3 pillars - the foundation of my skincare routine. Read on the blog mywomenstuff.com It isn’t about what product I use. It’s what in it 😉

#parisbmws #skincareblogger #skincareblog #antiagingskincare #over40blogger #over40skincare
Done with your vote? Not sure what to do the rest Done with your vote? Not sure what to do the rest of the day? Go read my post about #sundayriley A+ High Dose Retinoid Serum 😜 mywomenstuff.com

#parisbmws #sundayrileyretinoidserum #sundayrileyaplus #retinoidserum #retinol #sephora #sephoramy #sundayrileymalaysia #antiaging #antiagingskincare
The best thing I’ve bought in recent times! Chec The best thing I’ve bought in recent times! Check out the #uniqlo Mini Round Shoulder Bag! mywomenstuff.com 😍

#uniqlomalaysia #parisbmws #uniqloroundminishoulderbag #uniqlodumplingbag #uniqlolifewear
Had more than a few people ask me about this @mura Had more than a few people ask me about this @muradskincaremy Vitamin C product so that’s what I wrote about this week! Go to mywomenstuff.com for your weekend read 😊

#parisbmws #muradskincare #muradvitaminc #vitamincserum #murad #muradmalaysia #muradskincaremy
Just got a new preloved bag? Want to clean your le Just got a new preloved bag? Want to clean your leather bags at home? Here’s how I do it! 😊 check the blog mywomenstuff.com 

#parisbmws #vintagebags #leathercleaner #vintagefashion #vintagelouisvuitton
Chatting about preloved designer bags and where I Chatting about preloved designer bags and where I go for the deals on the blog mywomenstuff.com ☺️

#prelovedmalaysia #prelovedbranded #prelovedluxury #prelovedluxurybags #vintagelouisvuitton #vintagedesigner #vintagebags #parisbmws
Join over 10500 followers on Instagram

ABOUT ME · CONTACT ME · DISCLAIMER & COPYRIGHT · PRIVACY · ARCHIVES

© Copyright MY WOMEN STUFF 2007 - 2022 · All Rights Reserved