#CleanUpYourAct with a New Generation of Cleansers

I’ve always pretty much taken cleansers for granted, it’s something I need to have and so I will just go with whatever best complements the rest of my skincare routine.  But there is a big trend towards multi-tasking cleansers now, where these are not merely to remove makeup and dirt.  From helping us save time by exfoliating, cleansing even toning all in one product, to soothing sensitive skin and smoothing away signs of aging; these new-generation cleansers are here to help you #Cleanupyouract.  I received a box of these cult favourites recently, many of them I’ve had my eye on for a long time, even been using for a while now; and would like to share my first impressions with you today.

The Multi-Sensorial Multi-Taskers:

• Sephora Triple Action Cleansing Water [S$28 for 400ml] is one of the cheapest, and gentlest micellar cleansing water I have ever tried yet effectively removes all traces of makeup.  I also love that it comes with a pump that allows you to just place a cotton pad over the top and pump away for the ultimate in laziness!  It is formulated with plant-derived HydroSenn+, and removes all traces of makeup and dirt without needing to be rinsed off afterwards.  Great solution for those living in places where the water is too hard to simply aggravating on sensitive skin; and of course wonderful when you need to change up your makeup in a rush.
• Glamglow Powercleanse [S$59 for 2x75ml] is a range of daily facial cleansers from our favourite clay mask brand that I’ve been meaning to write about for the past year but never found the time to do so.  This particular Mud & Oil to Foam cleanser has been a permanent member of my beauty arsenal ever since it was launched, and I simply love it!  A very clever dual-chamber design holds an oil cleanser on the left, and a mud cleanser on the other, each with its own pump dispenser.  You can use them separately, or pump a bit of both out, mix them together and simply remove your makeup and cleanse in 1 single stroke!  The mineral-rich green clay detoxifies skin while ceramics and lipids in the oil nourishes the skin.
• Dr. Jart+ Dermaclear Trans-foam Clay Trio [S$37 for 3x50ml] is a set of 3 clay masks that are designed to be used daily.  They apply like any clay masks, are meant to be left on for 5 minutes, and then rinsed off.  The white one contains chamomile to calm skin and is gentle on even the most sensitive skin; pink contains lotus flower extract to hydrate; and green features tea tree, eucalyptus and lemongrass extract to clear out excess sebum.

My Favourite Morning Clarifying & Soothing Cleansers:

• Estelle & Thild Biocleanse Silky Soft Cleansing Milk [S$36 for 150ml] is a very pampering light, milky cleanser that sweeps away all impurities effectively while maintaining skin’s natural pH levels.  Those health-conscious will like the fact that Estelle & Thild is organic, and uses Black Elderflower and Aloe Vera to soothe.  It’s wonderful when skin is extremely stressed out and/or irritated.
• Arcona Cranberry Grommage [S$60 for 100ml] is an exfoliating cleanser that was awarded Allure’s Best of Beauty in 2011.  It contains Jojoba Ester beads for physical exfoliation, Cranberry and Raspberry enzymes to unclog and minimise pores, and Blueberry enzymes serve as chemical exfoliants.  It is perhaps not the finest of all the physical exfoliants I’ve used, but pretty effective.

The Anti-Aging Powerhouse:

• Algenist Genius Ultimate Anti-Aging Foaming Cleanser [S$55 for 150ml] became my favourite morning cleanser the moment I tried it!  It comes in a self-foaming pump, creating a luxurious airy foam that goes on the skin like a cloud.  It also contains Alguronic Acid and Microalgae oil to minimise the appearance of fine lines.  I love anything that is without parabens, sulphates and synthetics so this is definitely a huge plus!
• Peter Thomas Roth 24k Gold Cleansing Butter [S$103 for 150ml] was one I have been eyeing for a very long time, and it is as luxurious as it sounds!  Infused with 24k gold, this is a lavish treat that leaves my skin visibly brighter and glowing!  It has a light balm texture (buttery soft is the right word but not oily like you might envisage), and melts away makeup and dirt like a dream.  It also contains Chamomile Butter and Honey to hydrate the skin.  Comes with a clever tear-drop shaped konjac sponge for deeper cleanse and light exfoliation, the pointier tip allows easy access to the corners around the nose!

The Game Changing Devices:

• Foreo Luna 2 [S$299] has been on my radar ever since they popped up in the market.  The one I have here is Lavender for sensitive skin, and the silicon nubs are finer than the others.  It comes with a specially-designed ribbed back side for boosting circulation and stimulating collagen regrowth to fight signs of aging.  I’ve got to try this out for a while longer to give you my true insights, but I love how light it feels in my hands and the fact that a single charge lasts for half a year!!
• Makeup Eraser [S$30] is an elongated microfiber cloth that feels wonderfully soft and promises to erase all traces of makeup using only water!  To use, dampen with water, and gently massage in circular motions.  It can even be used on the eyes, and is supposed to remove waterproof mascara.  I’m naturally a skeptic, and with all the gunk I place on my eyes, plus rubbing my eyes is a huge no-no, so I still insist on a proper eye makeup remover.  But, the ability to skip using any products at all, is a huge advantage for those whose skin simply cannot tolerate chemicals.  It’s a nice backup plan to have when you’re traveling, and if you’re incredibly ostentatious, maybe to clean those makeup brushes?!

So there you have it, lots of fun stuff to check out!  Everything is available at your friendly neighbourhood Sephora!  And thanks to the merger with Luxola, you can now shop online here [unaffiliated link]!  As you know, these are all first-impressions, it’ll probably take me months to get through all of these if I were to test them for a suitable period of time.  But I probably will do a more comprehensive review at some point, let me know if you have any that you are particularly interested in!  Have you tried any of these, or do you have a HG cleanser to share?!

_{This post featured products that were generously provided by Sephora Singapore for my consideration.  Regardless, all opinions expressed here are entirely my own honest, unbiased views.}