I received a huge bounty of skincare products and samples from a friend over the weekend. So much that I need to try a bunch at a time in order to get through all of them!
Here are some of the new products that I tried last night:
DHC Cleansing Oil – I finally got around to trying this cleanser that some of you like and asked me to compare. My overall thoughts – nice oil, not my favorite, still prefer Dermalogica Precleanse and Boscia Make-up Breakup Cleansing Oil for heavy duty cleaning.
This has a semi-light viscosity. It is better for skin that isn’t too dirty, doesn’t have a lot of makeup or sunscreen, or skin that is naturally oily.
Tips On Choosing A Cleansing Oil
If you have a lot to remove (sunscreen, makeup, or dirt) or you have dry skin, you need to use more of this oil to get a good slide going. In other words, this oil has a bit of drag. In the first 30-60 seconds, the oil moves around fairly easily. Then the oil starts to dry up and lose its slide. As you continue rubbing, there is increasing friction with your skin, and you have to push harder to keep it moving.
In order to keep the slide going, you can start with a larger amount of oil. Or you can add more oil as you massage. Neither solution is ideal for me. This oil is not so problematic if you have oily skin, where a slide is easier to achieve when you have more surface oil on skin. But if you have dry skin, you will likely find this oil to be “light.”
Both Dermalogica and Boscia are medium-weight oils that slide much more easily, using a smaller amount of oil. Medium-weight oils (they are thicker), are generally better for massage. Not all thicker oils slide well though. Some look thick but spread like molasses.
When it comes to cleansing oils, how well it moves over the face matters a lot to me. It’s no fun “pushing” skin around with an oil that drags. If you have aging skin that is loose, you also don’t want to be dragging your skin around.
The sliding quality in an oil is also important because to get a good clean, you need to spend some time massaging it into skin. When you work the oil into congested areas, it has more time to pick up excess sebum and dirt. Plus, the massage is nice for skin (increases circulation). And, since oil cleansing is a daily routine, it should be as effortless as possible.
As for how well it cleans, DHC offers a competent clean. It emulsifies and rinses off just fine. This is a decent cleansing oil to me. It’s an oil that I would use this on days when my skin doesn’t have makeup or physical sunscreen. Or, as the second cleanser following removal of makeup with a micellar water. In other words, when I need a light clean. For a deeper clean, I would turn to an oil or balm that can be massaged for a longer period of time.
Elemis Tri-Enzyme Facial Wash – I like the cleansing effect (thorough without stripping). Enzymes offer a great way to exfoliate skin gently. I like enzymes much more than AHA’s on my skin because they are gentle. AHA’s have a greater chance of irritating since they penetrate deeper into skin.
This cleanser also noticeably brightened my skin. I would like it more if the scent weren’t so heavy (has the strength of your typical French brand.)
Gokmul Ultra Ampoule Toner – This is a bi-phase toner – unusual in a toner, which is why I am showing it. It has an oil layer and water later. Like oil and vinegar in a salad dressing, or a classic eye makeup remover. You have to shake the bottle to blend the 2 layers each time you use it.
It wasn’t oily or heavy like it looked. (Note: my skin type is normal, this may feel oily on oily skin.) It felt like any other Asian softener, but the hydration lasted longer. PS – an ampoule is a more concentrated liquid.
D’Ran Lifting Eye Cream – A creamy texture that softens easily when rubbed between two fingers. So it glides over skin without tugging. Medium emollience – not rich enough to moisturize my eyes alone. But enough if I use a serum underneath or another eye cream. Did it lift overnight? No, of course not! 🙂 Only time will tell.
Lioele Intensive Time Reversing Snail Cream (moisturizer) – Not a new product. I made sure to finish my routine with a product that is “safe” on my skin, which brings me to this important reminder:
SKIN TIP / REMINDER
When you try new products, it’s best to TRY ONLY ONE AT A TIME.
Don’t imitate me. Especially if you break out easily or have sensitive skin. I happen to have resistant skin, don’t have acne, know my skin very well, and since I am a skin professional, know what combinations of products are okay to use together. When I show you a bunch of products, it’s to be efficient.
About these brands: DHC is a Japanese brand; Elemis is a French spa brand; Gokmul, D’Ran, and Lioele are Korean brands.
Related Posts:
- What To Look For In A Cleansing Oil
- Bad Skin Reactions to New Products? Try Only One Product At A Time
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