Anyone who knows me personally will confirm that I have not always had a good relationship with my skin. I struggled with genetic cystic acne from the age of 12 and for over a decade, I punished my skin for it. Bad skincare products, harsh physical exfoliants and DIY products consisting of bicarbonate of soda, lemons, toothpaste, coconut oil, egg whites, essential oils, you name it I’ve tried it. Then I went through a phase of only doing “natural” skincare… What. A. Waste. Of. My. Money. Anyway, I’m 26 now and I’m managing wave two of puberty really well. I will do a full post on my skincare journey where I focus on what I’ve learned and how I eventually got my skin to cooperate with me. Now, I’m just focusing on which cleansers I use to achieve healthier, glowing skin.
Dermalogica is a well-known brand. It’s got some super star products and a few of them are featured in my routine. Their cleansers do particularly well, mainly because they have something for everyone. I’ve incorporated three of their cleansers (and their travel sizes) into my routine because each one meets a different need.
#1) The Daily microfoliant – My Favourite
The Daily Microfoliant is one of the best skincare products I have used. I don’t really consider it a physical exfoliant because the rice enzyme powder is very fine and dissolves well in water. It’s got Salicylic acid, a powerful tool for fighting acne and skin sluggishness. My skin feels smoother and looks brighter every time I use this product. For the past two years, I’ve been using it once a day, at night and I mix it it with one of the other foam cleansers. It. Is. Not. Cheap. The big bottle, 75g, costs R1150 and to be fair, it lasts exceptionally long. I buy it twice a year at most. Granted, I also have the travel size, 13g, which is R275 and I buy that one twice a year as well. Of all my cleansing and/or exfoliating products, this one is definitely among the non-negotiable. It’s a solid 4.5/5.
#2) The Clearing skin wash
The Clearing skin wash is fairly new to my routine. I’ve been using it for about 6 months and I appreciate how quickly my spots disappear since I started using it. The big win about this product is that it does what it claims. It’s part of the Active Clearing range and it performs well in terms of managing spots and scarring relatively quickly. The active ingredient in this product is Salicylic acid, a clear fave. It also has a smidgen of Lactic acid which is a great one for hyperpigmentation. The main criticism I have against this product is the extract of balm mint included in its formulation. I don’t want my facial cleanser smelling of mint, even if it’s as faint as it is in this formula. Does the mint actually add any value? I doubt it. If I could find another cleanser which does the same thing, I would definitely switch over. But unfortunately, the options for high quality affordable skincare in the Global South are limited so I’m probably going to continue using it. The 250ml size retails for R650. I don’t like having skincare products for longer than 6 months so I don’t buy the size bigger than this one. I’d give this product a 3.9/5, it gets the job done.
#3) The Special cleansing gel
The Special cleansing gel has a fond place in my heart and if I wasn’t combatting acne and hyperpigmentation, it would be a regular. It’s not a spectacular cleanser but it’s really great if you’re looking for something gentle and effective. I usually use it in winter (not this winter though, because of my breakouts) and when I’m traveling because it keeps my skin calm through any drastic climate or water quality changes. I also revisit it from time to time when I’m incorporating stronger acids into my skincare routine, so that my skin is prepped by a gentle cleanser in anticipation of the exfoliants. It retails for R650 (250 ml) and R225 (50ml). I’d rate this cleanser a 4/5.
As a disclaimer, I am not a skincare professional, esthetician or dermatologist. I am a person who is developing and sharing a skincare routine that works for them. The internet can provide resources which guide but it cannot replace professional treatment and advice. That being said, I hope this review has been informative and helpful. I want this blog to encourage growing self-esteem and glowing skin. Please let me know which skincare product you’d like me to review next!
Have you tried the pre-cleanse oil? What do you think about it?
Hi! So I precleanse with the Clinique Take The Day Off balm, I’m so loyal to it so I really haven’t wanted to try any other precleanse. Whenever I find something that works well for my skin, it’s difficult to get me to move to a different product/brand. But I’ll definitely consider tying the Dermalogica one when my Clinique balm runs out.
It’s an absolute pleasure!
Thank you! I hope that someone who’s had a similar skin journey to mine will find solace in knowing that it gets better.
I’m so glad to hear this:) you can pop me an email at tsepiso@candidcharms.com