Hi!
I was lucky to win a Clinique kit a while ago, so the time has come to write about the face wash, which is called a liquid facial soap for some reason.
Brand: Clinique
Country of origin: USA
Size: available in various sizes
Skin type: for combination and oily skin
Price: about $18 for a full-size bottle
I have a travel-size tube with 1 oz. / 30 ml. It’s a simple tube with a flip-top cap. The full-size bottle is equipped with a dispenser pump. Nice.
In my case, the soap comes out through the narrow nozzle but I even like it, because it’s hard to squeeze an excessive amount of the gel. The cap won’t close so I have to shut it with my palm.
The soap lasts about 1,5 months when used twice a day. I think it’s long enough.
Ingredients (copied from the official website):
WATER\AQUA\EAU • SODIUM LAURETH SULFATE • LAURAMIDOPROPYL BETAINE • COCAMIDOPROPYL HYDROXYSULTAINE • SODIUM CHLORIDE • SODIUM COCOYL SARCOSINATE • TEA • COCOYL GLUTAMATE • BUTYLENE GLYCOL • ALOE BARBADENSIS LEAF JUICE • PEG-120 METHYL GLUCOSE DIOLEATE • SUCROSE • MENTHOL • HEXYLENE GLYCOL • POLYQUATERNIUM-7 • LAURETH-2 • -2 • CAPRYLYLGLYCOL • SODIUM SULFATE • EDTA • DISODIUM EDTA • PHENOXYETHANOL [ILN38069]
The soap isn’t harsh but it isn’t mild either. SLES tend to dry skin a little bit.
To my surprise, there is menthol in the ingredients but I can feel neither its aroma nor the cooling effect it usually gives.
One has to be careful and never apply this soap to the sensitive area under the eyes. Only to the face and only after the makeup is removed.
Formula and scent:
This facial soap reminds me of a typical face gel consistency-wise: it’s viscous and thick.
It’s easy to dispense: a small drop gives an airy foam but I have to whip it with my hands otherwise it will turn into emulsion on my face. In the photo below, I’ve done it thoroughly.
The scent is neutral and barely perceptible. There is no fragrance so I guess it is what the ingredients smell like originally.
How to use:
I want to highlight that this is no makeup removal, and foundations ought to be removed with cleansing oil, micellar water etc. beforehand.
It’s better to foam up the gel before applying it to the face. If I apply it while it’s still liquid, it’s harsh and therefore dries out my skin.
Product promises:
Clinically formulated cleansing—that's how great skin starts. This dermatologist-developed Facial Soap maintains protective lipids and loosens surface flakes to leave skin clean, comfortable, and refreshed—never taut or dry. It rinses away easily and prepares skin perfectly for the exfoliating action of Clarifying Lotion, while the convenient pump dispenser provides just the right amount of product.
What kind of extraordinary things can we expect from a face gel, though?
My experience:
I’m 30 years old with sensitive allergy-prone skin and oily T-Zone. My cheeks and forehead are normal, though.
If I neglect proper cleansing, my pores get clogged blazing fast and building blind pimples. So thorough cleansing is essential to me, and I have to use a peeling gel at least once a week.
So what do I expect from this kind of face wash:
I want a gentle effect without any tightening. After this soap my skin isn’t squeaky clean, but it feels fresh. A serum or moisturizer should be applied, but I’m okay with it. I love how gently this soap treats my dehydrated T-zone.
Unclogging pores:
This face soap cannot work when used solo. Once, I went to the country and took this with me. I didn’t use any makeup there and washed my face with this soap only but, alas, my pores were getting clogged still. I had to do a deep face clean up back home.
So I only use this soap after I’ve washed my face with a cleansing oil, and my pores are clean.
The soap is really easy to wash off.
My T-Zone is oily when it’s dehydrated and I can say that it doesn’t get as oily as it used to before I started washing my face with this soap.
Sometimes my skin can react from a face wash with blind pimples and red spots, but not in this case.
It’s not a makeup remover and this soap should be used to wash the war paint. It can dissolve a lightweight powder yet I wouldn’t trust it to remove my eye makeup.
The full-size bottle seems to last forever, the soap is very economical.
This is great as a part of the three-phase system where the lotion cleans up the pores and the moisturizer relieves of tightness. If I were asked if I recommend this by one of my friends, I’d say: I do, but use a good cleansing oil before it, and a good lotion after it.
It’s a goodish face wash and since I’ve switched to double cleansing, I’m okay with it. I’ll only repurchase it if I have to choose something quickly and the choice is limited.
