My Skin Care Routine | Cleansers

This post stems off of the orginal skin care post & overview here

These are some of the products I have used and enjoyed. I am not a trained skin therapist so please do take guidance from a professional. This post contains my unbiased opinion on products that have worked for me. I have a combination to oily skin, so if you have a a dry skin you may not enjoy these products the way I have.

I have struggled with nearly all skin complications one person can experience. I had severe acne during my pregnancy with Jackson and intense melasma in my pregnancy with Brooklyn. I still suffer with uneven skin tone and hormonal breakouts. These are products that I find have helped me along the way, and in my quest to continue to improve my skin tone and texture.

Let’s start with Cleansers:

I got this cleanser in The Glow Theory Glow Box last year and was immediatley drawn to the packagng. The pink is lovely, but I always love the ease of a cleaner in a pump bottle, I just find it easer to monitor usage (particularly great that this is a see-through bottle) and also to keep the product sanitary. Half a pump was perfect for my face per usage. I tend to double cleanse so I guess a half pump per morning and a full per evening; 1.5 pumps per day usage. It was lasted me pretty well I have to say. I will be sad when it is finished as Glow Theory is not stocking it at present.

The cleanser contains two ingredients that give it it’s mild exfoliating properties:
– LHA (Capryloyl Salicylic Acid): A derivative of Salicylic acid, LHA works by lifting dead skin cells off the surface of the skin, which means your pores are less likely to clog. It is non-comedogenic and anti-bacterial. The cleanser has 1% LHA.
– PHA (Gluconolactone): PHAs are the most gentle chemical exfoliators. They have larger molecules than AHAs so lesser ability to penetrate into the skin. However, it works great for people who have sensitive skin and can’t tolerate AHAs. It has 1% PHA. meaning they can retain moisture, and actually help hydrate the skin while gently exfoliating. They also strengthen the skin’s barrier function, which is especially helpful for rosacea and eczema-prone skin types, which so desperately need that skin-strengthening factor.

Overall thoughts on this product:
I love it! The gel consistency is great and lathers up perfectly for my liking. It doesn’t have a smell. Despite what you may expect an “acid” to do to your skin, my skin never felt dry and I didn’t have any dry patches or flaking at all. The daily cleanse ensured daily mild exfoliation which is brilliant for improved skin texture and sebum control. It is on the pricey side as far as cleansers go, but it is active and cruelty free, so I think worth the splurge – if you can find it in SA!!
If you are wanting to venture into using active products on your skin but have sensitive or virgin skin 😉 , then this cleanser is a very nice, mild intro. Also fab for preventing blackheads and clogged pores, therefore in theory should assist in managing acne-prone skin.

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I literally just picked this cleanser up at Dischem after reading some reviews on it. As mentioned, one of my biggest skin concerns at the moment is uneven skin tone and this cleanser is said to address that issue head-on. It is a foaming cream cleanser which is a gentle, brightening, and exfoliating. Said to be ideal for those suffering dull skin and or uneven skin tone.

The cleanser contains these key ingredients;
Lipo-Hydroxy Acid (LHA), a derivative of Salicylic Acid that works in a similar way to the famed acne-fighting ingredient, micro-exfoliating the skin and lifting dead skin cells from the surface of the skin. Fatty acids Myristic, Lauric, Stearic and Palmitic Acids leave skin feeling smoother and soft, supple and comfortable. The cleanser also contains the La Roche-Posay Thermal Spring Water, which is said to be a real wonder of nature with its soothing, antioxidant properties. Source.

Overall Thoughts:
First impressions are good, and I was pleasantly impressed with the foaming ability of the cream. Because contains micro-exfoliating Lipo-Hydroxy Acid [LHA] which said to reveal “new skin with each wash”, I should see improvements in skin texture over time. The product claims that with daily use one’s skin tone is more even and radiant, so I am most especially excited and expectant to see how it helps my dark spots and pigmentation. I did find it a little more drying than the above-mentioned cleanser, but I will keep using for a month to test it out properly… so stay posted for updates on this one.
R245 at Dischem. Also available on Dermastore but slightly more expensive.

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I absolutely adore the Gentle Foaming Cleanser with Tamarind “Combination/Oily Skin”from Clarins. The most pricey of the cleansers mentioned in this post, but just beautiful in every way. I was gifted this cleanser when I reviewed the Double Serum, and it was such a treat!
Said to be “as gentle as cleansing milk and as effective as soap”, this cleanser is super effective and a great option for anyone with oily skin (and a big budget!).

The cleanser contains the following effective ingredients:
Gypsophila extract: It is used in the cleansing base for Gentle Foaming Cleansers and helps to form a fine, lightweight foam
Polymnia: Comes originally from South America and provides skin with essential protection by maintaining its natural pH balance
Cottonseed: Softens skin
Tamarind: refines, keeps pores clean
Purifying Micro-Pearls: purify.

Overall Thoughts:
I think my favorite thing about this cleanser has to be the smell, it is purely luxurious. Having said that I do think it is perfumed, so there is that to consider. The texture beautiful, and almost silky to the touch. It doesn’t foam up as much as it is creamy in my opinion, but feels glorious. I found that it gave my skin a good, deep cleanse and left me with a matte complexion, which is a welcome change for those of us with oily skin. The matte appearance lasts long into the day, too – making it a great morning cleanser for Summer in Durban.
The micro-pearls melt into the skin, purifying the epidermis. The Tamarind is said to refine skin texture in oily skin zones by helping to eliminate dead skin cells that block pores. A small quantity goes a very long way, and the tube lasted me ages.
R435 on Clarins online

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When my acne was at it’s most fierce my skin therapist put me onto the Lamelle Clarity range, and my goodness did it live up to it’s reputation and more. This Clarity cleanser is absolutely brilliant for anyone struggling with breakout, conjestion, black heads and inflamed skin.
This soap-free, small-bubble gel cleanser contains exfoliating, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial ingredients – helping your skin fight pimples every time you cleanse. It also contains a friendly hydrator to keep your skin feeling good with every wash, and not dried out or tight.

The cleanser contains the following effective ingredients:
Tea tree oil which provides strong anti-bacterial and anti-fungal activity while helping to reduce infection.
Salicylic acid which aids in exfoliation and removing dry & dead skin cells.
Ivy extract tones and decongests oily skin.
Allantoin soothes and keeps the skin fresh and revitalised.

Overall Thoughts:
This cleanser is an absolute must for anyone fighting acne and breakouts. It is gentle and still aids in exfoliation, while maintaining the integrity of the skin barrier. It left my skin feeling soothed and calm. It has a fresh, clean smell, and feels like it is helping clear skin immediatley. There are no added fragrances either – keeping it natural and clean. A little goes a long way with this product, and I highly recommend this to anyone with problematic skin, and to use it in conjuction with the rest of the Lamelle Clarity range. I would cleanse once in the morning and twice in the evening with it, leaving it on slightly longer on the second wash.
I get my Lamelle from my skin therapist, Adele