Wednesday, June 17, 2015

High End Cleansing

I remember when I found it horrifying to spend $34 on a face mask. Fast forward two years, and I'm at the point where the prospect of shelling out $52 for a cleanser isn't overly ludicrous. I mean, it's still an unbelievable amount to pay for something that washes off my face after 2 minutes, but I'm able to bite the bullet through seemingly rational justifications. Firstly, I do find it hard to find an affordable (primarily morning) cleanser I genuinely like that doesn't dry out my skin. On a cost-per-use basis, I know a 120ml tube will last me at least several months, so $52 spread over that time doesn't seem too bad. Especially since I barely blink an eye spending the same amount on stuffing my face.


I'd just run out of my small tube of Alpha-H Balancing Cleanser from the Anti Ageing Discovery Collection and was keen to try something new. Enter Radical Hydrating Cleanser. I'd heard it mentioned before on Amelia Liana and I Covet Thee, but browsing the Mecca Cosmetica website late at night and reading all the glowing reviews was what finally persuaded me. It seemed to tick all the boxes: non-foaming, not a cleansing milk (shudder), not a clay (too catered to oily/combo skin), not a clear gel but not a watery, "natural" cream cleanser (somewhere in between), something that would nourish and hydrate the skin rather than leave it feeling dry and stripped, and a product that could actually remove makeup. The latter was more a hope than a requirement, since it's surprising how many cleansers simply are unable to get rid of makeup properly, especially ones that purport to be gentle and kind to the skin.




Ingredients: Aqua (Water), Isododecane, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Potassium Palmitoyl Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, Coffea Arabica (Coffee) Seed Extract, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Extract, Niacinamide, Camellia Sinensis Leaf, Carica Papaya (Papaya) Fruit, Mangifera Indica (Mango) Fruit, Citrus Reticulata (Tangerine) Peel Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Cetyl Alcohol, Squalane, Triethanolamine, Allantoin, Propylene Glycol, Carbomer, Disodium Edta, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Pca, Sodium Benzoate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ascorbic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Lecithin, Tocopherol, Limonene, Linalool




I've been using the Radical Hydrating Cleanser almost daily for three weeks now, and I've been thoroughly enjoying it. The scent reminds me so much of Antipodes Aura Manuka Honey Mask oddly enough, with a bit of Antipodes Reincarnation Pure Facial Exfoliator. A refined, subtle, sweet orange, botanical scent. I use a larger than pea-size dollop every morning (maybe 60% of a Malteser ball?) and work it into my skin in sections, eventually massaging my whole face with it. The routine of it all is therapeutic and it feels instantly soothing and nourishing in my bleary-eyed, just awakened state. Washed off, my skin feels balanced, gently cleansed (goodbye skin care gunk from the night before and morning eye poo), and most importantly, not stripped or irritated or dried out in any way. There's no residue left either, which can sometimes occur with a richer cleanser loaded with oils like Emma Hardie Moringa Cleansing Balm (love the stuff, but it gets into the eyes and I always need to ensure I wash it off thoroughly).

I did try the Radical once for makeup removal, and it fared better than expected. It dissolved most of my face paint, though mascara needed a bit more attention and could've used the help of a micellar water first. I'd say in terms of makeup removal effectiveness, it's on par with something like the Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish, though probably a step up as the majority of my eye makeup was removed more easily with the Radical. However, given I need to use 2-3 times more than the amount I use in the mornings, it wouldn't be my makeup remover of choice (I'm on my second bottle of DHC Deep Cleansing Oil for that).

Overall, despite the steep cost, I'm happy with the Radical Hydrating Cleanser. I'll continue to use it in the mornings until it runs out, which I don't foresee happening any time soon given I use a modest amount each time and I don't intend to waste it. When it runs out (or perhaps before, let's be real, most likely before), I'll probably finally buy the Oskia Renaissance Cleansing Gel I've been meaning to try for years. Unless I happen to discover a non-foaming, hydrating cleanser that does everything the Radical does but for a fraction of the price. I tried Sukin Cream Cleanser and it was only okay, I tried Moreish Euphoria Cream Cleanser and it covered my face in welts. Antipodes Juliet Skin-Brightening Gel Cleanser was too drying for me. Cetaphil is too boring. If anyone knows what could fit the bill, I'm all ears.

30 comments:

  1. This sounds awesome Lena. I have been looking for a good high end cleanser too and have been meaning to try the Oskia one for long now. I really wanna try this one too now. Do you wash this off with water or a hot cloth ?

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    1. I wash it off with water but you can also just tissue it off :) I'd be curious to see how the Oskia stacks up against the Radical once I do manage to try it!

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  2. Mixed thoughts about this cleanser... When I first started using it, I thought it was amazing. We're talking HG status here. My skin is mostly fine, but I have two patches of acne on my lower cheeks which don't respond very well to a plethora of ingredients, so I generally struggle to find products to suit the whole of my face. This was good, though. Towards the end of the tube, however, it started to really sting my face, just under my eyes where the skin is a bit thinner. It was so painful to the point where I couldn't use the cleanser. I'd never had a reaction like that before to a product half way using it. No clue whether I developed a mild allergy to it or if the product expired (but at that price I hope it didn't haha!) but I'd be wary to repurchase it... Such a shame as it started off so well for me! Hope you have a better experience with it. Great post, as always x

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    1. That is so strange! I don't think I've experienced a reaction mid-way through a product. Usually we think if we don't have an immediate reaction the first time, we're good. I guess the only reasonable explanation is that the product somehow transformed ... perhaps it expired. Sometimes I think my foundations experience a similar thing (obviously not as severe as to result in stinging) after a couple of years. I'll keep in mind your story. Hopefully I won't have a similar experience - though it would be really suss if I also did! :p

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  3. I love Radical!! their undereye cream is amazing its probably the best one ive ever used i need to try more from this brand i had a sample of this cleanser and it was pretty awesome but dont think id spend that much on it though

    www.beautyandtheboy.com

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    1. Yeah, it is super pricey! Never tried their eye cream but glad to hear it's a good one :)

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  4. I've been using the Nutriganics cleansing gel from The Body Shop ( I believe it has a stamp of approval from Caroline Hirons) and it's a get that turns into oil. I really like it for the morning time because it's moisturizing, it's not harsh and personally does not leave any type of residue.
    This clenaser looks quite good as well, I might check it out when my current one ends.

    The only thing I won't recommend it the First Aid Beauty cleanser. They say it's non-foaming but...it does foam and it's super drying. I god bad breakouts because of it :c

    take care*

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    1. I've never heard of that The Body Shop product but it sounds intriguing! Especially the transition from gel into oil. Very cool :) It does sound ideal for morning cleansing so I'll keep it in mind. I'm also eyeing their Camomile Silky Cleansing Oil which was featured on a few UK beauty blogs. I've never tried the FAB cleanser but it doesn't sound like one I'd be interested in. I don't like the ones where they say it's non-foaming but it clearly is, lol!

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  5. This is funny because I've been using it for the exact same time! I love it too, its a new found after I polished off my Oskia Renaissance Cleansing Gel which was getting a bit heavy for the humid summer here. I definitely don't use it to remove makeup at that price I just cant! :P

    P.S: I bought mine from Luxola on a 40% discount and it made the blow lighter. They ship to Aus too try it next time may be?

    TheConscienceFund

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    1. Oooh, 40% off is very nice! Will keep that in mind next time Luxola have a 40% off sale. I find their main problem when they have those epic sales is that almost everything is sold out!

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  6. Oooooo interesting, love a detailed review!

    http://whattaylorbuys.blogspot.co.uk/

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  7. Lol @ boring Cetaphil. I'm at the stage where spending $20-50 for cleansers is physically painful and have reconciled with the boring drugstore stuff that actually work really well. Might have to do a post on it. I think that I'm done with oil cleansers too.

    But I still want to try an expensive cleanser once in a while and have heard good stuff about Radical brand in general.

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    1. Would love to read that post! Done with oil cleansers? Why is that Liz? :p

      $52 on a cleanser is ridiculous, but meh. My spending is out of control lately, not gonna lie.

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  8. This sounds like a nice cleanser :) I'm really liking cream cleansers at the moment. Based on what you're looking for in a cleanser, the Oskia Renaissance one is definitely worth picking up. It's amazing - so nourishing without being too heavy :)

    Amy | Lilac Lemon

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    1. Sounds great! It's definitely on the list for products to buy when the time is right :)

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  9. Oooh this sounds amazing! Love the Antipodes mask so that comparison right there sold me. Although may I ask why you don't like cleansing milks? I find them really soothing as a morning cleanse for my dry skin.

    Erin | Erin and Katherine Talk Beauty

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    1. Haha there's no particular reason ... I just never got on with them. Something about them feels odd and not particularly enjoyable? It's hard to explain. I guess I don't like the consistency and the ones I've tried have probably turned me off cleansing milks in general.

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  10. This sounds ideal. And you sound like you're loving it! I've contemplated trying Liz Earle C&P and the Emma Hardie but I don't know if I need to go to all that effort to find a cleanser when there are lots of options here, just not those particular names. And I think it's high time you try Oskia (for your next purchase)! And Sarah Chapman while you're at it! ;) All those UK beauty girl cult products.

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    1. Oh yeah, I forgot all about Sarah Chapman. I believe that's just as expensive as Radical, if not more expensive. I don't think it's even stocked in Australia (at least I've never seen it anywhere). I did love Liz Earle C&P for a period (mainly when I was overseas on holiday and my skin was suffering and I bought it and did the whole routine with the cloth and it worked wonders), but I'm not that enthused with it now. I don't really reach for it anymore and it's not effective at taking off makeup. The Emma Hardie is luxurious but it's a heavy, super scented balm and it's a bit high maintenance. Really nice and a treat, but I can understand if someone wouldn't get along with it.

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  11. Hahah, yes! In the past I would also take a while to shell out the money on skincare but I've spent so much on make up without thinking! This sounds like a solid cleanser and I would love to try a new cleanser after having used so many tubes of shiseido's purifying cleansers! I'm not just ready to spend so much on a cleanser though as I'm actually trying to curate skincare for my night time routine like a good treatment serum and moisturizer. It's totally true that Cetaphil is boring, although I've used their wash before and it did do well with my skin it was not something I looked forward to!

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    1. True, I think the idea of a nighttime serum and moisturiser invites more lavish spending than something like a morning cleanser, lol. Never tried that Shiseido cleanser but it must be good if you've gone through multiple tubes! I have a bottle of Cetaphil that a friend passed onto me ... it's okay if I haven't worn any makeup just to gently wash my face, but nothing that inspires particular emotion or devotion in me :p

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  12. This sounds really great. My absolute HG cleanser for mornings is the Clarins Anti-Pollution Cream Cleanser - AMAZING stuff!

    Sarah | More Than Adored

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    1. Never heard of that but I'm sure it's lovely :) I've only tried the Clarins Gentle Foaming Cleanser with Cottonseed and it's okay but I think a bit harsh on my skin.

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  13. OH THX FOR DISSING MY BORING OLD CETAPHIL THAT I'VE BEEN USING DAILY FOR YEARS (well, to be honest, I fall into the camp of people that can't be bothered spending too much $$$ on something that is meant to be on your face for less than two minutes and literally rinsed down the drain)

    This cleanser sounds dreamy though. Not that I'd expect anything less from Radical. (But seriously, what is with cleansing milks? They're just awful and feel weird on the skin)

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    1. Haha, I'm sure Cetaphil has basically the same function and benefits for my skin as this dastardly $52 Radical :p

      So glad you feel me with the cleansing milks! Just no!

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  14. this sounds amazing. I have been using the Fresh soy cleanser for many many years and at CAD $44 each, every time, I hesitate to re-purchase. I love the results the cleanser brings but really want to try if I could wean myself off and try some drug store ones.

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    1. Never heard of the Fresh cleanser but it sounds really nice! Actually I don't think Fresh is even stocked in Australia, so it'll be something I have to check out if I'm in the US again on holidays. $44 is a lot to spend for a cleanser though, so I understand the desire to seek out viable cheaper alternatives.

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  15. This hasn't sounds quite good and, I do have to agree, Cetaphil isn't the most luxurious or exciting face cleanser...

    I'm onto my second bottle of Avene Milk Cleanser and that seems to do quite a good job! It actually like milk cleansers, so it feels good on the skin and it doesn't dry it out at all.

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    1. I've never heard of the Avene milk cleanser. Can't go wrong with Avene though! I tried their Gentle Gel Cleanser and it was pretty good for the mornings.

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