While I was composing product review for a new skin care range that I’m currently on, I feel the need to walk you through types of moisturizer and how to choose the right one for your skin type. Come to think of it, it will be a bit odd (for me) if I don’t start from the cleanser up to moisturizer. Being as random as I can be sometimes, this brings us to today’s topic – Facial Cleansers.

There are so many different type, brand, texture, function and benefits cleansers out there to choose from. Sometimes I can’t help but to wonder, is it really necessary to came out with so many type? I don’t usually go with a specific cleanser targeting a skin concern unless I have a severe breakout then only I’ll start searching for something to calm the breakout. Otherwise, I’m more into texture type of cleanser.

In today’s Cleanser 101, I’m going to walk you through basic types of cleanser for the last step in cleansing before toning. I’m also leaving makeup removers out of today’s topic because that’s going to be in another topic. Do bear in mind I’m only talking about some of the cleansers I have with me with what I think, there might be more cleanser out there and you may have different view than I do. But really, it used to be as simple as gel, self-foaming, milk and cream cleanser!

Gel Cleanser

Suitable For: Combination, oily and acne-prone skin.
Recommended Product: Antipodes Juliet Skin-Brightening Gel Cleanser, Biotherm PUREFECT SKIN Cleansing Gel, Thursday Plantation Tea Tree Daily Face Cleanser.

Several years ago, I was recommended to use gel-based cleanser as I have combination to oily skin. The right gel cleanser with the correct pH balance could be perfect for combination to oily skin users. Some gel cleanser doesn’t foams up a lot but they do provide decent amount of foam for cleansing action. I have been on and off gel cleanser because I’m not crazy over it. It does clean my face well but due to the fact that my face oils up faster than other people, I prefer cleanser that is “stronger” i.e. exfoliating cleanser. The gel-ish texture doesn’t give me the psychological peace of mind that my face is clean. For me, I feel that all skin type can use gel cleanser. Some people do feel it’s a tad bit too dry on them but that depends on which brand / type of gel cleanser. If you are looking into trying out gel cleanser, look for one that suit your skin type.

Cleansing Milk

Suitable For: Normal, dry and sensitive skin. Some cleansing milk is formulated for oily skin as well.
Recommended Product: Clarins Cleansing Milk With Gentian

I was debating with myself if I should include cleansing milk into this post because I use cleansing milk as my makeup remover, not as a form of cleanser. Typically, cleansing milk is meant for normal, dry and sensitive skin users as it’s a cleanser with moisturizing properties. It does not foams up at all. Some said it’s not suitable for combination or oily skin but I personally feel it is definitely suitable. As you know, some oily skin users are dehydrated on the inside so they need to hydrate their skin in order to control sebum secretion. You also need to be careful not to stripped of the skin’s natural oils therefore cleansing milk is the way to go. I was told to incorporate cleansing milk as the first part of my cleansing routine because of this reason. However, it can be too tacky thereafter so I would need to double cleanse. Dry skin user may find this step not necessary. I say follow what your skin tells you. If you feel your skin is clean and happily hydrated, just skip the 2nd cleansing step.

Self-Foaming Cleanser

Suitable For: Normal, combination and oily. Dry, very dry, sensitive and eczema-prone skin will need to beware.
Recommended Product: SENKA Speedy Perfect Whip, Yadah Anti-Trouble Bubble Cleanser, Thursday Plantation Tea Tree Daily Face Wash.

Self-foaming cleanser has been a hit over recent years as it’s hassle-free, time-saving and environmental friendly as you use lesser water to rinse. It can be quite fun and luxurious to use due to the ultra-smooth foams. I wouldn’t recommend this to very dry skin users because the foam can (some don’t) dry your skin out. I think it all lies down to how long you left the cleanser on the face. I would suggest to quickly cleanse and rinse to prevent dryness. I personally didn’t encounter any dryness nor has it stripped off the natural oil from my skin. I actually kinda like the squeakily clean feel after rinsing.

Exfoliating Cleanser

Suitable For: All skin type, except for sensitive and very dry skin.
Recommended Product: Clarins One-Step Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser With Orange Extract.

My favourite cleanser of all time is some sort of 3-in-1 cleanser whereas it removes makeup thoroughly, cleanse and exfoliate at the same time. I call this my lazy cleanser. This type of cleanser is one of the best to use because it really do removes makeup completely and cleanse at the same time. The exfoliating beads is not too harsh on the skin thanks to the cream cleanser. Depending on the brand and type, some cannot be use daily. So far I’ve only tried one brand and it can be use daily. I have nothing else to say about exfoliating cleanser but everyone should give it a shot. Oh and this is also suitable for all skin type, even dry skin. A few of my friends that have dry skin said this cleanser suits them well. If you have very dry skin, you should avoid any form of exfoliating products.

Multi-Task Cleanser

Suitable For: All skin type.
Recommended Product: Philosophy 3-In-1 Cleanser For Face and Eyes.

A multi-task cleanser is an all-round removes makeup, cleanse, tone and hydrate product. It’s similar to exfoliating cleanser except that this one includes toning action and without exfoliating beads. What this means is you can skip your toner after using the cleanser. I like to use this when I don’t have heavy makeup on and when I’m in a rush. It may look like a lotion cleanser but it lathers well and does a great job in cleansing. It is somewhat a light cleanser but extremely hydrating on the skin. You can also use this on bare face itself. Not necessary when you have makeup on. However do bear in mind not all multi-task cleanser available in the market are formulated and made to be same.

Foaming Cleanser

Suitable For: Combination and oily skin.
Recommended Product: Clarins Gentle Foaming Cleanser With Cottonseed, Hada Labo Fash Wash, Oxy Deep Cleansing Wash, Oxy Anti-Blackhead Wash.

The most common and popular cleanser of all time is foaming cleanser. Foaming cleanser may be too drying for dry to very dry skin users so combination and oily skin tend to have better luck with foaming cleanser because it is made to deep cleanse, removing dirt, sweat, sebum, bacteria and moisturizes the skin. Usually this type of cleanser lathers very well so you only need a small pea size each use. One tube of cleanser could last you for months!  Some foaming cleanser are infused with oils or other emollients but these ingredients may not strip the natural face oil from the skin. There are tons of different types of foaming cleanser available. Choose the right one according to your budget and needs.

Hope you enjoy today’s feature on Cleanser 101. I do apologize if there is any shortcoming with the feature as it’s a last minute decision to do this post. These are just the basic types of cleanser that I’ve used personally. It can be quite confusing shopping for cleanser because there are just too many types out there. All you need to remember is to choose either gel, milk, self-foaming, multi-task or the conventional foaming cleanser. Then from there it should be easier for you to choose the specific targeting cleanser that you need.

The post Cleanser 101: Types of Facial Cleansers appeared first on Street Love. by Fiona

People say as you get older your skin gets drier. I am the other way round. Oily skin can get a little bit annoying at times but nonetheless I felt blessed because I don’t have fine lines or wrinkles on my face. It’s either that or this, right?

At my age now I shouldn’t still have oily skin or a skin that is prone to breakout. If you remember not long ago I have shared with you my current skincare routine using a full anti-aging skin care range that I find might be too rich for my oily super oily skin that it gave me a few new pimples every day? I was in luck because not long after my review was posted up, my long expected Thursday Plantation Tea Tree skin care series parcel arrived my doorstep. I badly needed these products to turn my skin around.

Nope, you did not read the title wrongly. I did received five Thursday Plantation Tea Tree skin care products, which I find by just using three products from the brand helped to solve my acne problem. I’m not going to review all five products by sequence, i.e cleanser > toner > gel but instead I’m going to tell you my favourite product from Tea Tree series down to my least favourite. Since there’s going to be five products and you can already foresee how long this review is going to, I don’t think I’ll go too technical like the usual review. Just straight to the point like and dislike . Ready? Let’s start.

Tea Tree Daily Face Cleanser (RM28.70 / 200ml)

My favourite and also the main product in reducing existing pimple as well as preventing future pop out is this cleanser – Tea Tree Daily Face Cleanser. I am a firm believer in serum or cream in making a difference with skin condition but this cleanser changed everything. It’s not just any cleanser. For me it’s a gel cleanser that not only managed to reduce sebum production but also helped to reduce pimple from flaring and preventing future breakout. I know it’s hard to believe the preventing part actually works on my skin but it did. I didn’t have any new pimples after a week of using this cleanser.

Tea Tree Daily Face Cleanser is suitable to be used daily as the name suggest. It contain antiseptic and antibacterial action to help removing excess oil. It’s no wonder my face is actually less oily than previous. If you do notice, the cleanser is infused with soothing Chamomile. Chamomile presence in skin care is to calm irritated, inflamed skin. And of course it comes with Tea Tree Oil that helps to control bacteria on the skin. Let me warn you this whole Tea Tree range contain a very strong Tea Tree scent. It smells almost like a strong herbal, which will take time to get used to. I certainly did.

Tea Tree Oil 100% Pure Multipurpose Liquid (RM30.70 / 10ml or RM46.70 / 25ml)

The second product that took an important place in the whole Tea Tree routine is the Tea Tree Oil 100% Pure Multipurpose Liquid. You know there’s a similar oil in the market that is highly raved by most people on the net? This one from Thursday Plantation is exactly that but with the exception that this one is way much better that the other one. It’s not only a Tea Tree Oil that calm down flare-up pimple but also a multipurpose solution for almost everything. I’ve used the other before so I will be able to tell you the difference. Thursday Plantation Tea Tree Oil is so much easier to dispense out from the bottle. It’s also more runnier, more concentrated as it is 100% pure while the other one is just 15% and most importantly it works almost immediately.

On pimple it does reduce the inflammation but takes probably 2 – 3 days to make it go away with day and night use. It’s amazing when used on insect bites or on any itchiness on the skin. It takes less than two minutes and the itch went away just like that. Although it’s an oil that goes on oily but what I like is that it dries down completely leaving the skin without any oiliness or stickiness. It does leave the skin a minty, peppermint sensation which is quite nice and soothing especially when used as a solution on infected pimples. I’m also sharing this with mum as she have irritated itchy skin from gardening around long grasses around my house.

Tea Tree Blemish Gel (RM24.70 / 25g)

This Blemish Gel equally gets a spot in my favourite product from Thursday Plantation Tea Tree series along with the Tea Tree Oil. Honestly I couldn’t pin point which is the best because they’re both good

The name says it all. It’s a Blemish Gel that contains a 20% concentration of Melaleuca Alternifolia Oil, which also known as Tea Tree Oil that works by killing off bacterias that causes acne. This gel is said to be suitable for acne, pimple, blackheads and whiteheads. I’m only using it for pimples because that’s my biggest concern. I’ve already used up 1/4 from the tube so you can imagine how bad my skin was a month ago. The Tea Tree Oil scent is more subtle comparing to all other products. The gel too leaves a cooling sensation on the skin. Slightly minty and cool but not as great as Tea Tree Oil.

Blemish Gel is the first product of all five Thursday Plantation products that I received and that I broke into within the first day. Coincidently I have a few pimples so I am able to show you how it fares on me. Usually my itchy hands will just pop the pimples I see but this time round I let it flares up. I’m so sorry that I didn’t expect it to be this awful looking. It took me only two days to clear it up. I don’t mind the marks because that’s how my skin is so it’s not a surprise. How nice if Thursday Plantation came out with acne marks gel, eh?

Tea Tree & Witch Hazel Toner (RM35.90 / 100ml)

Tea Tree & Witch Hazel Toner arrived with some leaking from the bottle so I have to clean it up and put a aside until I have totally forgotten about it. I was told by a few friends and readers that this is their favourite toner. I don’t usually put a requirement on a toner but since this is highly recommended, I’m intrigued!

This toner is alcohol-free and it contain natural aloe vera, lavender and tea tree oil extracts that works by soothing, calming and removing excess oil as well as bacteria from the skin. Witch Hazel is a natural plant that are high in tannins. Tannins are found in any natural astringent because of their ability to tighten, dry and harden tissues. So Witch Hazel is infused into the toner to help tighten pores and to improve skin appearance. I can understand why this toner is a favourite among everyone I spoke to. It does accelerate the healing process faster when used together with it’s cleanser, follow-up by either the Tea Tree Oil or the Blemish Gel. The downside for me is the extreme tea tree oil scent that is a little bit too strong for a toner for my liking. Imagine when the cleanser is so strongly scented, then I apply this strong scented toner and then the strong scented oil. It’s a little bit too nose clogging for me.

Tea Tree Daily Face Wash (RM39.70 / 150ml)

I thought my favourite amongst all five Thursday Plantation Tea Tree products would be the self-foaming face wash but turns out its the least favourite product of mine. Not in a bad way actually. This face wash is dedicated for normal to sensitive skin. Its an all-natural soap-free foaming cleanser that is infused with certified organic Chamomile Flower to soothe skin. I like self-foaming cleanser because it takes zero downtime to lather and rinse off. The problem with this for me is the strong tea tree oil scent once again. Everytime I dispense some cleanser onto my palm and place both palm onto my face, the foams will just get into my nose, making it difficult for me to breath with the heavy scent. I do hear some user commenting that this cleanser dries up their skin but not me. I don’t have the usual combination or the usual oily skin mind you. My skin is the super oily type that no cleanser will be able to dries up my skin . I like to use this as night cleanser right before I sleep because that is the only time my face takes a small effort to clean.

You don’t need to get all five products to combat with acne. All you need is just three products – cleanser, toner and oil/gel. My top pick would be Tea Tree Daily Face Cleanser, Tea Tree & Witch Hazel Toner and Tea Tree Oil. If I have smaller pimples that is not flaring red, I would substitute Tea Tree Oil with Blemish Gel. If I need to pick just one product from Thursday Plantation for rainy days, that product would definitely be the Tea Tree Oil 100% Pure Multipurpose Liquid

Limited Time Promotion

Exclusively at Guardian pharmacy from 7th May to 31st May 2014, purchase a bottle of Tea Tree & Witch Hazel Toner 100ml for RM30.48 (NP: RM35.90) and get a tube of Daily Face Cleanser 75ml for FREE!

Disclaimer: Product was sent to me for review consideration. This doesn’t affect my judgement in the review in any way.

The post Thursday Plantation Tea Tree Series: How I combat acne attack using less than five products appeared first on Street Love. by Fiona