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.
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 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.
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 packagingCONS:
Pricey
Hard to rinse off especially if you follow directions to use 2-3 pumpsWHO 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 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 easilyCONS:
PriceyWHO 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
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
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.
Whoops….somehow and not sometime
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 😀