Kiehl's series Nr 10: Ultra facial oil-free cleanser

I have never been very keen to specifically use oil-free products.  I think I have a normal to oily skin, but I do not like the harsh products often sold as oil-free products. 

I liked using this cleanser.  It is an opaque, white, thick soapy lotion.  You only need to use a little and it foams very nicely.  It did not have much of a smell.  My face felt clean when I washed with this, but it did not feel overly drying.  It is hard to get excited about a cleanser, but this cleanser is just great. 

It is marketed as a lightweight formula that removes excess oil for normal to oily skins. 

If you are into that kind of thing; it is paraben free, silicon free, frangrance free, oil free and sulphate free. 

From the package:  This oil-free, quick-lathering cleansing foam thoroughly removes impurities and visibly reduces excess oil on skin's surface, while leaving skin looking more balances.  With Imperata Cylindrica Root and Lemon Fruit Extracts, our non-stripping, sulphate-free formula leave skin clean and refreshed without over-drying.  Gentle enough for sensitive skin types.

Here is one other review and another one.

Esse gel cleanser

I honestly do not know why I write so many reviews for cleansers.  I think cleansers are the least exciting part of skin care.  I would be happy with plain old soap.  That said:  Here is a review for another cleanser.

I should start this review by saying that I am definitely not Esse’s target market.  I do not care so much about natural and organic.  I want a product that does a good job for a fair price.  It need not be green; I can do the planet much more good by cutting down on my beef eating and car driving than using green skin care products.  At the same time I believe that government regulations will protect me from really harmful ingredients, so I do not worry so much about organic products either. 

I am definitely not the Esse market.  If this is your thing, Esse is certified organic, animal cruelty free and support Fair trade Africa.  Go to their  website to see their delightful brochure explaining it all.

I used the gel cleanser.  It contains peppermint and spearmint oils.  You can definitely smell and feel these.  The gel has a tingling feeling.  These oils are supposed to refresh (which they certainly do) and improve microcirculation to aid in the elimination of toxins.  The cleanser is pH balanced at 4.5.  According to Esse it is “great as a second cleanse to remove water soluble impurities”.  I have no idea what that means.  Does that mean I am supposed to use another cleanser before I use this?  It is for all skin types. 

I loved using this cleanser.  It smells lovely and is a definite pick me up.  I liked the slightly tingling feeling on my skin.  It is a very thick globby gel, which is nice.  It does not just all run off your hands when you add water.  I needed only a little bit to clean my face and the product lasted long.  I think it did a good job of cleansing my face and did not feel overly drying.  A very nice product, to be recommended.

It costs R150 for 100 ml and R220 for 200 ml. 

You can see a review here   and here. 

PS:  I think I like reviewing cleansers because I have tried cleansers lately that are so different from just plain old soap.  So I found it interesting.

Africology cleansing gel

There are some products that are just so nice to use, indulgent and luxurious  and make you feel good when using them.   One such product was the Africology gel cleanser.  Africology is a South African brand of world class quality.  The following was taken directly from their website. 

Africology makes use of the healing essences of some of South Africa’s indigenous plants. The active ingredients in our skin care products are valuable in the repair process and assist with the restoration of damaged skin tissue. You can never be too young to start this preventative process skin care products have been developed to revitalise the skin and prevent damage done to the skin by free-radicals, stress and the harsh South African climate

Kind to you, kind to the world: 100% Natural Essential Oils, Natural Plant Extracts, Eco Friendly

If you have some time, go play around on their website.  They have many other products and the website is delightful.

The following description of the cleansing gel comes from their website:  Contains Quillaja extract and Soapwort, which are both natural, mild foaming and cleansing agents. On a metaphysical level, when the skin is reactive to emotional situations the brain sends signals that encourage protection, so the skin starts to secrete oil. When we remove all these oils from the skin by means of chemicals, the brain continues to replace oil, and so we keep on imbalancing the skin. It is better to instead work with the skin's natural oil supply rather than to erase it.  Added seaweed extract maintains skin health and has a smoothing and moisturising effect. We want the skin to not only cleanse itself, but also for our gel to firm and stimulate the skin with its astringent properties.  For oily, reactive skin. 

Use daily in the morning and evening. Apply Gel to face with damp hands, avoiding the eye area. Remove with warm water. Refresh with Anti-reactive Tonic afterwards

The gel can be ordered from their website and is sold in certain spa’s.  It costs R260.

 

My experience.  I received a sample in a Rubybox.  I was impressed by the quality of the sample.  It came in a small glass bottle with a pump, 25ml.  It looks like something that would be given as hotel toiletries (see my comments here on hotel toiletries) or sold in a travel kit.  It was really a generous sample.  The gel smells divine.  It is a refreshing wake-up smell, a kind of kick start in the morning.  It is quite a strong botanical smell.  I would describe it as Aloe or maybe mint, but I am not sure whether I am right.  It does not foam, since it does not contain harsh soaps.  It does have a slippery, soapy consistency and feels like a soapy cleanser.  My skin feels clean and tingly and refreshed after use without feeling dry and tight.  I think this cleanser is perfect.  The only downside:  The price.  Especially since I skimp on cleansers so that I can spend more on moisturisers, which I believe makes a larger difference in the look of your skin.  I would love to try the rest of the range.  If the cleanser impressed me so much I can only imagine how great the rest of the range would be.

 You can see reviews in the following places:

http://www.beautybulletin.com/brands-spas-and-salons/brands/africology

http://rubybox.co.za/africology-cleansing-gel.html

http://www.beautybulletin.com/skin-care/cleanserstonerswashes/africolgy-cleansing-gel

http://www.kissblushandtell.com/2012/05/africology-purifying-cleansing-gel.html

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Africology-Skincare-Spa/161371680738

http://julieeagleton.wordpress.com/2012/02/19/africology-travel-kit/

REN, Mayblossom Balancing cleansing gel

 Formerly known as Mayblossom Balancing Cleansing Gel, this product now has a new name.

REN skincare is an American company who sells only 100% natural skincare products.  They avoid synthetic fragrance and colour, PEGS, parabens and propylene glycol.   REN is skincare as it should be: each product uses the latest hi-tech bio actives, is free from skin-unfriendly synthetic ingredients, and is gorgeously pleasurable to use.  In a world where more and more consumers are asking for natural products this is one company to try out. 

The REN website describe this product as

A balancing, antibacterial facial cleansing gel for skin that is prone to oiliness and breakouts, particularly in the T-zone.

Results:

• Removes dirt and dissolves excess sebum
• Unclogs pores
• Reduces the appearance of pore size
• Antimicrobial and antibacterial

How to use:

Gently rub between hands. Massage onto face. Rinse off with warm water.

It contains the following bio extracts:

• Flavonoids from mayblossom decongest the skin
• Salicilin from willow bark provides mild exfoliation and antimicrobiol properties to purify problem skin, reduce pore size and minimise spot formation

• Guaiazulene from blue cypress essential oil calms redness and soothes minor irritations

What it is formulated to do:
This luxurious gel works to balance the complexion, remove dirt, and dissolve excess sebum. The bio active extract of mayblossom provides skin with flavinoid nutrients as it works to decongest the skin.
What it is formulated WITHOUT:
- Parabens
- Sulfates
- Synthetic Fragrances
- Synthetic Dyes
- Petrochemicals
- Phthalates
- GMOs
- Triclosan

My experience:  I liked the smell of the gel.  It smells vaguely like a herb, plant, outside and maybe a little like weeds, but all in a good clean and natural way.  It did not feel like the product cleaned my skin.  If I used a little bit of gel, my skin still felt oily after cleaning.  Using a lot of gel improved the situation, and then my skin felt clean.  But I mean using quite a lot, about double the amount of gel I normally use.  I do not have a particularly oily skin, and found it weird that a product meant for oily skin would leave my skin feeling oily.  On the plus side, it definitely did not leave my skin dried out or feeling stiff.  Some of the reviews I saw for this mentioned that this product was great for sensitive skin and people prone to breakouts.  Since I am neither, I could probably wash my skin with dishwashing liquid and not get a reaction, I am not the person to speak to that.

I got the one I used at Red Square, but I am not sure whether they still sell it.  REN is also sold by Woolworths.  It cost around R270 for a very large bottle. 

Some reviews from Sephora and Beauty  Bulletin can be found here.