I’ve been on a cleanser hunt lately. A couple of years ago, I found one I really love but when I recently inquired about it’s many months of absence from the shelf at Rainbow Grocery, I learned that they may be reformulating – sigh – so it may not be my favorite after it’s return.
Nevertheless, I continue on in my joyful hunt for the ever elusive perfect cleanser. Since I recently decided to try more Zia products, I figured I’d give their Fresh Cleansing Gel a shot.
Here’s how I use it:
– Dry method: without wetting my face, I apply about a nickle sized amount to my face and massage in, adding bits of water as it dries. I continue to add water and massage until I’ve essentially rinsed it off. This method leaves my oily, makeup covered face (and eyes!) super clean and smelling great without feeling tight or dry.
– Wet method: I wet my face and massage about a dime sized amount into my not so oily or makeup covered face (and eyes!) and rinse. This works well when I’m in a rush or it’s morning and I don’t need a super deep clean.
The upsides:
Ingredients
(from their website)
Features & Benefits:
* Sea Algae hydrates and detoxifies skin
* Plant-derived sugars provide deep, effective cleansing without soap or detergents
* Ylang Ylang Essential Oil helps soothe and heal
* Paraben free
[I think it’s the “plant-derived sugars” that make this non-foaming cleanser actually cut thru oil & makeup and the Ylang Ylang makes it smell super yummy – my favorite scent]
The Texture
– It feels really cool. It’s a gel but it’s got a “slimy” quality that, contrary to that word, is really pleasant.
– The texture is such that you don’t need much to get clean (see “how I use it” above for more detail)
The not-so-upsides:
The Texture
– The above mention of the texture as “slimy” could be prohibitive to some.
– The above mentioned “non-foamy” cleansing might be prohibitive to others.
– $18 for 8 oz seems a little pricey for what I like to spend on cleanser.
I find this cleanser to be great for my kinda sensitive, combination towards oily skin. I love the way it smells and I’ll definitely buy it again.