SKOON GEL-TO-GO CLEANSER +MAKE-UP REMOVER {REVIEW}

SKOON

 is a home grown South African skincare brand and one that has

impressed me thus far, with the two products, that I have reviewed.

As I have made clear on my blog, so many times, my preferred

format for a cleanser is either a milk or cream cleanser, 

call me "Old School" but nothing beats the comforting feel a 

cream cleanser gives whilst either removing your make-up

or just cleansing away the pollution of the day.

I generally prefer to do a double cleanse, 1st cleanse is with a 

face wash/balm or oil type cleanser and then I go in with a

 milk or cream to give my skin the perfect double cleanse.

However with this

SKOON GEL-TO-MILK Cleanser + Make-Up Remover

I chose to use it as my 1st and 2nd cleanse, if the quantity in the sachet

allows for it.

This all-in-one cleanser and makeup remover

goes from a soft gel to milky fluid the moment you add water, 

soothing while cleansing. 

It's a foam-free, jelly cleanser that claims to soothe extra-dry

 or sensitive skin.

It removes make-up without ‘stripping’ vital oils and is

Fragrance free.

How to Use:

Can be used both AM & PM

Massage small amount of cleanser into skin. 

Dip fingers into water and continue to massage milky gel to uplift 

any residual makeup. 

Final step, splash with water and SKOON recommends that you

 wipe with a muslin facecloth to remove any excess cleanser 

and leave skin smooth and polished.

Unfortunately I was only able to get one application from my sample

yet it was just enough for me to form an opinion.

Whilst the gel to milk cleanser was pleasant to use and it did remove my

light make-up and didn't strip my skin, it didn't really impress me enough

 to say much more on the product and it's not one I would personally

 go onto purchase.

Thankfully the use of the sample did prevent me from dropping

over R450 on a rather small 100mls of cleansing product.

SKOON

GEL-TO-MILK CLEANSER

 + MAKE-UP REMOVER

30/100ml

R

229.95/469.95

SKOON is available online

or from selected retailers:

Woolworths

FRESH SOY CLEANSER {REVIEW}

FRESH isn't a brand that I know very much about because

it's not available in South Africa.

This FRESH SOY CLEANSER was behind one of the doors in

my John Lewis Beauty Advent Calendar 2021.

I had to do some research about the brand and here's a brief

overview...

In 1991, Lev Glazman and Alina Roytberg were Russian immigrants

 living in Boston, and they saw the need for beauty that was both

 effective and indulgent.

What began as a small collection in a neighbourhood shop has evolved

 into a full lifestyle line of skincare, lip care, bodycare, and fragrance 

sold all over the world. 

The sensoriality of their products, their textures and scents sets them apart. 

But they’re also scientifically proven to work extremely well. 

It’s this combination of high efficacy and amazing sensations that 

they’re known for.

Lev says fresh creates products people don’t know they need—and then

 can’t live without. 

The founders still work with the brand every day to fulfil their original 

dream of making beauty that performs and transforms.

This best-selling universal face wash is proven to maintain skin’s pH

 while also cleansing, softening, and hydrating all skin types & tones.

Featuring upcycled soy proteins, the makeup-removing, 

non-stripping formula deeply cleanses pores while maintaining skin's pH

 and increasing hydration—even after you rinse.

Formulated for all ages, genders, skin types, and tones. 

Being the first product from Fresh that I have tried it would not

have been my first choice, as I have read several good reviews

on their lip products and a Deep Hydration Toner that has 

rose petals floating in.

Any way it was part of the advent calendar and I've used it

and for me it was just a "nice" cleanser and performed its function and

 there isn't much more I can say about it other than it's not one I 

would purchase or particularly recommend.

Has it put me off the brand NO and as the floating rose petal toner still

appeals to me...

FRESH 

SOY FACE CLEANSER

50/150ml

R

N/A

£

13/31

$

15/38

KATE SOMERVILLE EXFOLIKATE FACIAL CLEANSER {REVIEW}

This is my first Kate Somerville product review, so it calls for a 

brief overview of the founder and the brand.

After enrolling at an esthetician school Kate Somerville got the idea

 to use active ingredients to help patients heal more quickly 

after cosmetic surgery. 

In 2004, Kate opened her first Skin Health Experts Clinic in the 

heart of Hollywood.

 Celebrity clients quickly fell in love with Kate’s post-procedure care

 and began booking esthetics appointments with her.

In 2005, one of Kate’s celebrity clients asked her to bottle her 

clinic super facial so she could take it on location while filming 

under harsh lights.

Kate’s holy grail product, ExfoliKate® Intensive, was born. 

Today, her clinically perfected luxurious formulas are sold all 

over the world. 

Jessica Alba, Olivia Wilde, Kate Hudson, Kirsten Dunst, Eva Mendes and

 Demi Moore are just a few of the many leading ladies who entrust the 

Los Angeles-based esthetician with the care of their complexions.

KATE SOMERVILLE EXFOLIKATE FACIAL CLEANSER

was another full size product from my 

John Lewis Beauty Advent Calendar

but sadly this brand is not available in South Africa.

This cleanser is a luxe, daily foaming face wash for all skin types 

that effectively cleanses 

away dirt, oil, makeup and other impurities while gently exfoliating 

to reveal softer, smoother, glowing skin.

Formulated with active ingredients that deliver transformative results

with minimal irritation.

Glycolic Acid and Lactic Acid 

refines the pores and helps to clear build-up on the skin's surface.

Papaya, Pineapple and Pumpkin Enzymes 

naturally enhance skin exfoliation without over drying

Gentle enough to use morning and night to clear debris while visibly 

improving texture and pores.

Apply a small amount to wet face and neck and massage gently

 for 30 seconds. 

Rinse and gently pat dry. 

I have been enjoying this gentle exfoliating foaming cleanser

 and in particular the fresh, clean fragrance.

It delivers on its claims and the skin feels exceptionally

smooth post rinse and it would be a perfect 2nd step product

in a double cleanse routine.

Would I purchase? 

I don't think I would, however if I was on

a Kate Somerville regime for a specific skin issue

 then most definitely I would

as it's important to keep to the recommended sequence of

 products, as they have all been formulated in order for your skin 

 to achieve the best results.

KATE SOMERVILLE 

EXFOLIKATE FACIAL CLEANSER

50/120ml

R

N/A

$

22/44

£

19/38

AVÈNE TOLERANCE EXTREMELY GENTLE CLEANSER {REVIEW}

The French skincare brand Avène 
has to be admired for their commitment and constant research & 
development of new products for those suffering from sensitive
and intolerant skins, in fact they re-invest 20% of their sales into R&D

 and it's a brand that's effective and one that I really enjoy

 and recommend often.

 Their newly launched range TOLÉRANCE now takes that one step further
  as its been formulated for hypersensitive and reactive skin with ingredients selected for their purity, skin affinity and efficacy, without potentially irritating additives and is high in natural-origin ingredients, making this range a

 pretty SMART formulation.

Consisting of 3 products:

The other 2 products in this range are:
TOLÉRANCE CONTROL SOOTHING SKIN RECOVERY CREAM

TOLÉRANCE CONTROL SOOTHING SKIN RECOVERY BALM

and I will be bringing you my reviews on these two products very soon

However today I am reviewing the first step in this skincare range:

TOLÉRANCE
EXTREMELY GENTLE CLEANSER

My preferred choice of cleanser has to be a milky cleanser and I found

 this product, which is actually a gel-cream, to gently cleanse and remove

 make-up without irritating 

or drying the skin. This cleanser is also a NO-RINSE formula.

The inclusion of D-SENSINOSE, which is
 a postbiotic active ingredient calms the skin and controls hyperreactivity.

It contains the iconic AVÈNE THERMAL SPRING WATER 
which is soothing, softening and anti-irritating.

This collection is Fragrance,Preservative and Paraben free.

Applied AM or PM on either a cotton wool pad or the fingers it can be 

used both on the face, lips and around the eye area and then you 

simply wipe off.

Upon application your skin feels immediately calmed and soothed 

and I can only imagine how comforting 
this cleanser must feel if you have a super intolerant and reactive skin.

This cleanser is a one step, simple and easy to use cleanser

 and as the name suggests it's extremely gentle, soothing and more 

importantly for a reactive, sensitive skin, it does not disrupt the

 hydro-lipid film or skin barrier function.

Whether you have a sensitive skin or not, this is a lovely velvety soft

cleanser for any normal to dry skin, especially as it leaves the skin feeling 

soothed, calmed yet nourished. This is one to have in your cleansing line-up

for those days where you skin feels intolerant or for days where 

you just want to take a break from the more active cleansers...

AVÈNE
TOLÉRANCE
EXTREMELY GENTLE CLEANSER

200ml

R

279

£

11.50

$

24

Avène products are available in South Africa 

Clicks

Dischem

Dermastore

RAIN BOTANICAL CLEANSING GEL {REVIEW}

Having written many reviews over the years on RAIN products they're

 my go-to local brand for bath, body and home fragrance products.

Their humble beginnings started when their founder, Bev Missing, 

established Rain back in 1999 by making soaps in her garage in Ladybrand, 

a small rural village on the Free State border between 

South Africa and Lesotho. 

Today, Rain is a proudly South African international brand.

 There are currently 30 Rain retail stores across South Africa and the globe, 

including Ireland and New York.

The Botanical Natural unisex skincare collection was launched back in 

2019 with 9 products and now it consists of 10 skincare products.

The Exfoliating Facial Scrub has since been added to the original launch line-up

 and it just so happens to be "Currently Under Review" on Beauty Shout Box, 

so expect my full review to be posted soon.

I reviewed the Relaxing Night Serum back then and made mention

that this serum would be ideal for men to use due to it's formula being

effective, yet non sticky and quick to dispense and apply.

I soon after lost this serum to my hubby and he gave the product a 

massive thumbs up...

To read that review Click here

This time its the turn of the 

Botanical Cleansing Gel

Formulated using African botanicals such as Aloe Ferox, Honeybush and 

Bulbinella, this cleanser will gently remove any makeup and dirt while

 leaving your skin feeling clean, soothed and comfortable.

Other ingredients include:

 Green Tea

Coconut

Baobab

 Marula

 Moringa

&

 Mongongo Nut

Can be used by all skin types in your daily cleansing routine. 

Apply a small amount to wet hands, lather and gently massage onto face. 

Keep eyes closed to avoid irritation. 

Rinse well, pat dry and follow with rain serums and moisturisers.

A natural and gentle facial cleansing gel, formulated with probiotics 

and botanicals known for skin conditioning. 

Naturally fragranced with Spearmint and Grapefruit essential oils, that help

 turn this cleanser into a lovely uplifting and refreshing cleansing experience,

which is my ''standout" like about this product.

It's waterproof packaging with a handy flip lid makes this an ideal 

shower product.

I may just have to hide this cleanser, so hubby doesn't lay claim to it, 

but I have to admit... he would also love it!

RAIN

BOTANICAL

CLEANSING GEL

120mls

R

299

$

34

For more info about RAIN and their outlets

RAIN

ELEMIS PRO COLLAGEN ENERGISING MARINE CLEANSER {REVIEW}

 Cleansing milks, lotions and creams have always been my preferred way

to cleanse my skin, however over the years I have been slowly

converted to cleansing balms, liquid cleansers and facial washes.

Having a normal/dry skin cleansing milks still feature but I have introduced

 several balms/washes into my beauty regime and I now keep

on hand in the shower at all times.

The

ELEMIS PRO-COLLAGEN 

ENERGISING MARINE CLEANSER 

is a recent addition to their hugely popular PRO COLLAGEN range 

 and I have been testing it for about a month now.

Pro-Collagen formulas provide intense, skin-plumping hydration to help smooth

 the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. 

World-renowned for having heavenly textures and delivering surreal results,

  this award-winning collection leaves skin looking firmer and more 

youthful than ever.

This energising gel cleanser effectively removes daily grime, 

make-up and impurities, whilst leaving skin with a youthful glow and no

signs of tautness that I have experienced in the past with similar products.

This luxurious gel cleanser helps energise the skin for optimum performance. Supercharged with minerals Magnesium, Zinc and Copper and a trio of acids,

 the advanced formula leaves the complexion looking beautifully revived 

and rejuvenated.

It builds to a soft, rich lather to easily lift away make-up and daily grime

 without stripping the skin of essential moisture.

 The deep cleansing action helps reduce excess oil and minimises the 

look of pores, for skin that feels rebalanced and invigorated.

How to use:

Use every morning and evening.

Massage a pea-sized amount into damp skin with fingertips.

Add warm water to create a lather.

Rinse off.

As I said earlier this cleanser already has its place in my shower, as I find it

 to be invigorating and cooling and perfect for my morning cleanse.

It has the iconic Rose & Mimosa aromas found in the 

Pro-Collagen Marine Cream, which I do enjoy.

It made light work of make-up and worked well with my cleansing milks, 

if I used as a pre-cleanse.

The gel feels luxurious, as did the lather that it created and I enjoyed

the convenient pump, as it enables you to control the amount that you

 dispense and I found just one pump to be sufficient, 

as a little goes a long way, as this cleanser carries a luxury price.

My love of Elemis products continues.

To read my previous Elemis reviews

ELEMIS PRO-COLLAGEN 

ENERGISING MARINE CLEANSER

150ml

R

920

(Do shop around as often there are discounts)

£

42

$

62

ELEMIS 

products are available from:

OneSKIN.emporium

Superbalist

Absoluteskin

Retailbox

Britishbespoke

Arcstore

Takealot

Edgars Beauty

INSTITUT ESTHEDERM OSMOCLEAN HYDRA CLEANSING MILK {REVIEW}

Sometime back I spotted the Institut Esthederm range of skincare

 products in my local Dischem and whilst I haven't 

previously used any of their products this brand is quite prevalent 

in French pharmacies and that's where I've seen it before.

As always when I review a product from a brand for the first time

I like to give you some of their backstory and this one is slightly

different, as Institut Esthederm is a NAOS brand.

What is a NAOS brand you may well ask, well simply put 

NAOS is a purpose-driven company with a mission.

NAOS sees the skin as a living ecosystem that constantly interacts with 

its environment and that changes over time. 

Ecobiology was born from this dynamic vision: radically different to 

traditional cosmetics, this scientific approach is based on respect for the 

skin and knowledge of its biology.

Rather than over-treating the skin, you have to teach it to live...

The brands Bioderma, Esthederm and Etat Pur

were all born from this idea.

Bringing together health, beauty and well-being, 

Institut Esthederm Paris 

presents a range of luxurious skincare products with research 

and innovation at its core.

In treating skin as a unique eco-system, Institute Esthederm respects 

and re-educates your skin, with products and treatments that protect 

it from the environment while maintaining the skin’s optimal state 

as it evolves.

I recently purchased the 

Institut Esthederm Osmoclean 

Hydra Cleansing Milk, 

which is a soft, moisturising cleansing milk that comforts the skin

 as it cleanses.

A cleansing milk has always been my first choice in cleansers

and this particular cleanser is my type of product.

This high-tolerance cleansing base cleanses thoroughly 

while protecting the hydrolipid surface film and you can feel that

 immediately, as it provides both immediate and lasting comfort.

Enriched with Coconut, Palm and Almond Plant oils work to

 moisturise and soften the skin.

Suitable for all skin types, especially dry, mature skin and fragile skins

that suffer from discomfort associated with cleansing.

You can apply either with a cotton wool pad or with your fingers and if 

you like to remove with water, its water soluble, but my preference

 is to apply with a cotton wool and remove with a toner.

 Esthederm is dye, fragrance and paraben-free.

In a blindfold test I would have picked out this cleanser as being one 

from a French brand.

This product is exactly what you'd expect from a traditional French

 type of cleansing milk, as this gentle creamy milk worked its magic in 

one swift move whether it be on bare skin or on a full face of make-up.

It respected my skins barrier and left it feeling comforted and soft 

and all in an easy "fuss free" manner leaving your skin fully prepared to 

absorb the benefits of your remaining skincare

and I thoroughly loved it...

 

ESTHEDERM

OSMOCLEAN

HYDRA CLEANSING MILK

200ml

R

317

£

18

$

29

Available from selected 

Dischem