I was looking for a cleanser a few months ago, which led me to the Geek & Gorgeous 101 Jelly Joker. I found the name amusing.
It must be said that I am very picky about my facial cleansers. I have dry skin generally, so the cleansers I go for must be non-drying, which means I avoid anything that is foaming. I usually go for cream cleansers as I find them to be the least drying on my skin.
Gel type cleansers can be touch or go for me. Sometimes, they feel a little harsh, and sometimes, they feel like they don’t clean well. There aren’t many that I’d use because I’m so fussy! 😛
But happily, Geek & Gorgeous 101 Jelly Joker is a winning find!
Geek & Gorgeous 101 Jelly Joker
Geek & Gorgeous is a brand that hails from Hungary, that is rooted in science. Their products are formulated with clinically proven ingredients, and formulations that are effective and affordable. I must admit what drew me to the Jelly Joker cleanser was the price.
The Jelly Joker is part of the Geek & Gorgeous 101 range of skincare, which is an “introduction line” the brand and to pro-science skincare. Most of the products are reasonably priced, and clearly state the percentage of the active ingredient in each, because consumers are more aware of what they use these days.
I find them to be similar in concept to brands like Timeless or the Inkey List or The Ordinary, without the confusing names of the products in the latter. There are many brands like this these days. I am presently using a brand from the UK with a similar concept and ethos called the Garden of Wisdom, and there is a similar underlying concept of affordable efficacy. As a consumer, I love it. As a beauty enthusiast, I love how science and active ingredients are now made more mainstream, so more people are aware of what they’re using or should be using.
The Jelly Joker is a low pH cleanser, which is said to be gentle. The pH is kept low because our skin mantle is naturally more acidic, so a low pH of 5-5.5 is ideal for our skin health. It is intended to be be very gentle, yet cleanses and removes light makeup.
It does this with PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides and Poloxamer 184 which are usually found as the very gentle cleansing agents in micellar waters. These form micelles – molecules grouped together transforming into microscopic spheres, with inner oil-loving parts and outer water-loving parts, acting like magnets to trap dirt and oil.
It sounded ideal for me.
Non-foaming jelly texture
I have a hesitant relationship with gel textured cleansers because a lot of them tend to foam up, and dry out my skin. I used to use gel cleansers when my skin was oilier and that was what we had at the time. I didn’t know any better.
But I’ve since learnt that there are gel cleansers in the market that do not foam up (or foam up very little), that do not dry out my skin at all. They feel gentle, yet cleanse the skin well, which is important for me as I wear sunscreen everyday, even if I don’t wear makeup daily. I need all that off my skin by the end of the day!
The Jelly Joker squeezes out an opaque gel texture, and does not foam up, but will lighten up as you rub your palms together.
Non-drying and good for all skin types
I like that it is not drying at all on my dry skin, yet it is strong enough to cleanse away dirt and oils from the skin. This makes it good for those with oily skin as well, as it will cleanse the skin gently to keep it clean, yet not strip it of all its natural oil and sebum, which can lead to the skin becoming even more oily.
Geek & Gorgeous says that the Jelly Joker can be used as an all-in-one cleanse if you aren’t wearing makeup or waterproof sunscreen. I have to say that I have used it as such for afternoon showers, when I just want to cleanse my skin of any sweat or grime, and leave my double-cleanse for the evening.
For the most part however, I use it as a second cleanse in the evening. I wear a waterproof sunscreen daily, which is important for me, so I make sure I take it all off in the evenings with a balm or oil cleanser, and the follow it up with a second cleanse.
The Jelly Joker is the perfect second cleanser for me, because it is light, does not strip my skin, and does not leave my skin dry. It removes any last vestiges of my first balm or oil cleanser that is left behind, and ensures that my skin is nice and clean.
No fragrance
What I also like about the Jelly Joker is the fact that it has no fragrance. As I get older, I find myself less tolerant to fragrance in my skincare. I prefer skincare that has no fragrance, or has a natural scent to it, or if it is fragranced, then that it is lightly fragranced instead of being heavily perfumed.
The good thing about a non-fragranced product is that it is great for those with sensitive skin who may find fragrance in skincare irritating to the skin.
I like how a little goes a long way when using the Jelly Joker, so I personally find it good value for the quality. I’d be happy to repurchase, and to continue using it unless something else comes along (which it very well might, since I’m fickle 😛 ) But for the forseeable future, I’m very happy using the Geek & Gorgeous 101 Jelly Joker cleanser 🙂
IN A NUTSHELL
The Geek & Gorgeous 101 Jelly Joker low pH gentle cleanser is a lightweight gel cleanser that is formulated to be gentle on skin. The texture is a cushiony gel that spreads easily on damp skin, and does not foam up. It is not drying on skin, yet cleans skin well, leaving it feeling clean and smooth. I use it as a second cleanse in the evening, but you can use it as a morning cleanser, or as an all-in-one cleanser if you don’t wear waterproof sunscreen or makeup. It is reasonably priced and a little goes a long way so in my book, this is absolutely worth it!
PROS:
Effective at keeping skin clean
Not drying
Not fragranced
AffordableCONS:
Nothing majorWHO WILL LIKE THIS: Anyone who wants an affordable non-drying, non-fragranced cleanser that is gentle but removes dirt and oils effectively
PRICE: RM65 | ?€9.50 | US$ 9.90 for 150ml
WHERE TO BUY: Worthee Cosmetics (use code PARISB to get 15% off), Shopee, Geek & Gorgeous website EU and USA
For those interested, this is the ingredients list for the Geek & Gorgeous Jelly Joker cleanser.
Water, PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, Propanediol, Methyl Gluceth-20, Poloxamer 184, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer, Panthenol, Allantoin, Xylitylglucoside, Anhydroxylitol, Xylitol, Citric Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin
Have you tried this Geek & Gorgeous Jelly Joker cleanser or any other Geek & Gorgeous products?
I notice they have a cleansing balm, so that’s the next one I’ll get from the brand once the balm I’m using runs out. I’m also interested in some of their other products which look very interesting. I see that they’re mostly under RM100 each, which I find affordable, and if my exposure to Jelly Joker is anything to go by, I expect they’d be effective too! I’m all for affordable and effective skincare! 🙂
Paris B
Monika says
I haven’t try the cleansers yet but I use some of their products regulary.
My two favourites are the Liquid Hydration spray (especially in the colder months) and the Hydration Station cream (all year round). I like the Happier Barrier cream and some serums e.g. aPad, Stress Less, C-Glow. Their A-Game 5 is my one and only retinol cream (gentle and affordable). I really like the Calm Down exfoliant but it’s very runny I would prefer a gel formula.
Paris B says
Thanks for sharing Monika 🙂 I’ll definitely bear this brand in mind the next time I itch to try something new