Can a cleanser fight pollution? Paula’s Choice Defense Hydrating Gel-To-Cream Cleanser promises to neutralise the damaging effects of pollution on your skin thanks to a superfood antioxidant complex. Does it deliver? Mmmm… As big of a fan I am of antioxidants in my skincare routine, my cleanser is the one place where I can do without them. I actually prefer it when my cleanser doesn’t have it. What?! I know, it sounds crazy, but hear me out. Here’s all you need to know about this cleanser and the power of antioxidants in the fight against pollution in a cleanser: Show
Key Ingredients In Paula’s Choice Defense Hydrating Gel-To-Cream Cleanser: What Makes It Work?GENTLE SURFACTANTS TO CLEANSE SKIN Paula’s Choice Defense Hydrating Gel-To Cream Cleanser hits that perfect spot between effective and gentle. Thank its gentle surfactants (ingredients that help oils mix with water, so they can easily be rinsed away) for it:
Why so many when the average cleanser contains 3/4? Every surfactant in here is so gentle, you need a generous bunch to up the cleansing power enough to remove every last trace of dirt, pollution, and makeup. Related: Should You Avoid Sulfates In Skincare Products? ANTIOXIDANTS TO FIGHT POLLUTION? Paula’s Choice Defense Hydrating Gel-To Cream Cleanser has its fair share of antioxidants to fight pollution. It works like this: pollution generates free radicals, the nasty molecules that give you wrinkles, dark spots, and all kinds of skin woes. Antioxidants, like green tea and liquorice, neutralise free radicals before they can wreak their damage on your skin. IF they’re left on your skin. In a cleanser, they end up down the drain and do nothing to fight pollution. Bummer! That’s why I don’t like them in a cleanser. Cleansers with antioxidants cost MORE money (antioxidants drive the price up), yet they really don’t stay on your skin enough to do anything. I’d rather go with a cheaper option that does the cleansing job already and invest what I saved in a retinol or Vitamin C serum. Said this, if you can spend a bit more for a cleanser, this one does a good job indeed (I need to be fair, ladies). Related: Common Antioxidants In Skincare Products: Which Ones Are Best For You? Struggling to put together a skincare routine that minimises wrinkles, prevents premature aging, and gives your complexion a youthful glow? Download your FREE “Best Anti-Aging Skincare Routine” to get started (it features product recommendations + right application order): The Rest Of The Formula & IngredientsNOTE: The colours indicate the effectiveness of an ingredient. It is ILLEGAL to put toxic and harmful ingredients in skincare products.
TextureWhen you pour it out of the bottle, the cleanser looks like a clear gel, It turns into a semi-creamy lather as it mixes with water. It spreads on the skin easily and doesn’t leave any film behind once it’s rinsed off. FragranceIt’s fragrance-free. I dig that. Fragrance may make your cleanser smell amazing, but it’s the most irritating ingredient used in skincare. Any product that leaves it out gets a thumbs up from me. How To Use ItLike all cleansers, it’s the first step of your skincare routine, both in the morning and at night. If you’re double cleansing (you don’t need to, by the way), use this as a second step. PackagingThe cleanser comes in a sleek coral bottle with a big opening. I do like the colour. It’s so rare to see such a bright bottle and it looks great on your vanity. And it’s practical, you can use it without wasting product. Performance & Personal OpinionI’m obsessed with Paula’s Choice Defense Hydrating Gel-To Cream Cleanser. It’s true the gel texture never fully turns into a cream, but it’s gentle enough even slightly dry and sensitive skin can use it. It does a great job at removing EVERYTHING from my skin: Makeup, including long-lasting foundation? Check. Sunscreen? Check. Dirt and grime? Check. Pollutants? Check. The best part? It doesn’t leave my skin a tight and flaky mess afterwards. After every cleanse, my skin is both soft and clean. By the way, when I say the cleanser removes pollutants from my skin, I mean that it removes the polluting substances that deposit on your skin as you go about your day every day, especially if you live in a big city like I do. But, it does NOT neutralise the free radicals that these pollutants cause. That’s a job for antioxidants and the ones in here end up down the drain, remember? How Does Paula’s Choice Defense Hydrating Gel-To-Cream Cleanser Compare To Other Paula’s Choice Cleansers?Paula’s Choice makes a gazillion cleansers, all for a different skin type and concern. How do you know which one is right for you? Here’s a quick overview to help you make the best choice for your unique needs:
What I DON’T Like About Paula’s Choice Defense Hydrating Gel-To-Cream Cleanser
Who Should Use This?It’s suitable for all skin types, but I especially like it for combination skin. It’s gentle enough not to irritate dry skin, but it’s no so emollient to make oily skin breakout. Does Paula’s Choice Defense Hydrating Gel-To-Cream Cleanser Live Up To Its Claims?CLAIM TRUE? This gentle gel-to-cream cleanser removes dirt, oil and makeup, and rinses away skin-damaging pollutants that can cause premature signs of aging. True. Superfood complex leaves skin looking fresh and radiant. It just ends up down the drain, doing nothing for your skin. Unique texture transforms from soothing gel to skin-softening cream. It never turns fully into a cream, but it does get creamier than a gel. Price & Availability$19.00/£25.00 at Cult Beauty, Dermstore, Paula’s Choice, Sephora, and SpaceNK The Verdict: Should You Buy It?If you’re curious to try it, and your skin isn’t terribly dry, you’ll like this. Especially if you have combination skin and are struggling to find a cleanser that removes enough impurities without drying out your skin. Dupes & Alternatives
Aqua, Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate (cleansing agent), Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine (cleansing agent), Sodium Lauroamphoacetate (cleansing agent), Cocamidopropyl Betaine (cleansing/lather agent), Glycerin (skin-replenishing), Sorbeth-230 Tetraoleate (texture enhancer/emulsifier), Decyl Glucoside (cleansing agent), Pentylene Glycol (hydration), Sodium Chloride (stabilizer/texture enhancer), Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate (cleansing agent), Lauric Acid (cleansing agent), Lactic Acid (hydration), Sodium Lauroyl Oat Amino Acids (skin-soothing), Sorbitan Laurate (cleansing agent/emulsifier), Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate (cleansing agent), Disodium EDTA (chelating agent), Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice (hydration), Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract (antioxidant), Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract (skin-soothing), Linoleic Acid (skin-restoring), Phospholipids (skin-restoring), Glycine (amino acid/hydration), Alanine (amino acid/hydration), Serine (amino acid/hydration), Valine (amino acid/hydration), Isoleucine (amino acid/hydration), Proline (amino acid/hydration), Threonine (amino acid/hydration), Cocoyl Proline (hydration), Sodium Citrate (pH adjuster), Sodium PCA (skin-replenishing), Sodium Lactate (hydration), Arginine (amino acid/hydration), Glycine Soja (Soybean) Sterols (antioxidant/hydration), Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride (skin-replenishing), PCA (amino acid/hydration), Histidine (amino acid/hydration), Phenylalanine (amino acid/hydration), Lactoperoxidase (hydration), Glucose Oxidase (hydration), Aspartic Acid (amino acid/hydration), Phenoxyethanol (preservative), Ethylhexylglycerin (preservative). What are the benefits of cream cleanser?A cream-based cleanser washes as well as moisturizes your skin. It will help you in getting rid of any dirt, sweat, makeup, or bacteria. At the same time, its cream-based texture can gently cleanse your skin. A cream cleanser is usually thick, creamy, and contains essential moisturizing elements like botanical oils. Are creamy cleanser good?You can use the Creamy Cleanser without a doubt. The mild, non-irritating formulation of this cleanser is perfect for those with normal and sensitive skin. Is Paulas Choice a good skincare?Paula's Choice is a popular skincare brand known for its effective and high-quality products such as the BHA exfoliant and salicylic acid serum. Customers appreciate the brand's transparency, thoughtful product formulation, and commitment to zero-waste. What does Paula's Choice cleanser do?Paula's Choice CLEAR cleanser contains 0.5% salicylic acid, which is just enough to soothe sensitized skin and visibly reduce redness during the cleansing process. Is Paula's Choice CLEAR Cleanser good for dry skin? Yes, CLEAR Pore Normalizing Cleanser is suitable for dry, acne-prone skin. |