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Perfecting the Art of Conversuasion

All About Cleansers

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Combination skin. Also known as the least desirable skin type known to womankind – and also the most common! In fact, many women think they have oily or dry skin, but actually have a combination of both.

Here are some signs you have combination skin:

– You experience excessive oil and shine in your t-zone (forehead, down the nose to the chin), while your cheeks feel tight and dry.
– Your skin is oilier in summer and dry in winter, and even if you switch up your skin care, 11:00am shine in your T-zone is pretty much a guarantee.
– During menstruation, you may experience breakouts in your T-zone. However, once your period is over, the breakouts clear right up and your skin begins to feel extra dry and flaky.

Sounds like you? Welcome to the world of combination skin!

Now you may feel like your skin has a split personality, and unfortunately, it kind of does. I’ve dealt with the consequences of combination skin for decades and am acutely aware of the importance of finding the right cleanser. In fact, using the incorrect cleanser – whether it be too stripping or too moisturizing – can derail your entire skin care regime. So, take some time, do a little trial and error, and uncover the perfect cleanser for you!
13767626_1018845368235334_1146099638_nThe first step? Choose a brand with proven, superior skin care solutions that really work. As the first cosmeceutical brand in Canada, NeoStrata develops leading-edge skincare products that are supported and endorsed by the medical community. NeoStrata’s cleansing products refresh and cleanse, revealing smoother, clearer and younger-looking skin. 

For combination skin:

Oli-Free Gel Cleanser with 4% Glycolic Acid (Normal to Oily). This foaming rinse-off cleanser with glycolic acid helps to purify and gently exfoliate, while still being suitable for sensitive skin. With 4% Glycolic acid, the most ideal AHA, the cleanser is very effective in removing the build-up of dead cells on the surface of the skin. Plus, it’s non-comedogenic, non-irritating, alcohol-free, paraben-free and soap-free.

My results: After using this cleanser for about a week, I immediately knew that my combination skin was too dry to handle the addition of 4% glycolic acid. While my oily T-zone was singing its praises (I witnessed an immediate reduction in build-up of dead cells and clogged pores ), my dry and irritated cheeks were feeling unbalanced and tight.

My recommendation: A must-try if you have oily skin, dilated pores and/or blackheads!

Cleansing Foaming Water (Sensitive). Formulated for all skin types, this gentle foaming water cleanses, soothes and hydrates in one simple step. The addition of 2% Glycolic acid helps in the removal of the build-up of dead cells on the surface of the skin, and pro-vitamin B and cucumber extract provide hydrating and soothing benefits.

My results: Ahh! I love a good foaming water! This cleanser was gentle on my sensitive, combination skin and 2% Glycolic acid was just enough to do the trick without upsetting my dry cheeks. I used this cleanser morning and night for just over a week and I am thrilled with the results.

My recommendation: Perfect for sensitive, combination skin!

All-In-One Cleansing Milk (Normal to Dry). A no-rinse milk that gently cleanses even the most sensitive skin, removing makeup from the face, eyes and lips. It hydrates while leaving skin soft and non-greasy, and the addition of 0.25% Celldetox, a plant extract, reinforces the skin detoxification process to improve skin radiance and prepare skin to better receive skin care ingredients.

My results: A cleansing milk with avocado butter is likely the most luxurious formulation I’ve ever come across! Best suited for normal to dry combination skin, this cleanser was heavenly on my cheeks, but a bit too rich for my T-zone. However, I’m not willing to give it up; I’ve decided it makes the perfect eye makeup remover and will keep using it on my eyes and cheeks!

My recommendation: Normal to dry skin will feel quenched after using this cleansing milk!

Detoxifying Micellar Gel (All Skin Types). A no-rinse cleanser that, like all of the above mentioned NeoStrata cleansers, is non-comedogenic, non-irritating, alcohol-free, paraben-free and soap-free. It also contains Vitamin E (an anti-oxidant) to provide soothing benefits, and helps detoxify the skin of impurities and environmental stressors for a more radiant complexion.

My results: It’s lighter than the cleansing milk; all the benefits with a gel consistency that is compatible with an oily T-zone! Now, since I’m a fan of rinsing off my cleansers with water, I wouldn’t necessarily use this as my staple. However, for late nights when I’m just dying to jump into bed, this makes makeup removal a breeze while keeping my combination skin balanced.

My recommendation: A must-have for travel and/or makeup removal in a flash!

As you can see, finding the right cleanser can take a little trial and error. With NeoStrata, I’m happy to have found three that work for me! The Cleansing Foaming Water will be my go-to, the All-In-One Cleansing Milk for easy eye makeup removal, and the Detoxifying Micellar Gel for travel and quick cleansing. Success!
DSC_1192Tell me: What is your biggest skin care concern? Stay tuned as I continue to discover NeoStrata!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  2. Ashley Jenkins

    WOW great review!! Definetly going to try the Cleansing Foaming Water and the All in one cleansing milk. Sounds like heaven.

  4. Cheryl

    Great review, I have never really understood my skin because I have breakouts and I never thought I would at this age

  6. kathy downey

    I am going to try the Cleansing Foaming Water and the All in one cleansing milk,my skin is so dry on my face and hands is down right terrible.Thanks for the wonderful review!

  8. Judy Cowan

    I have normal to dry skin on my face, the All-In-One Cleansing Milk sound like a good product for me.

  11. Chandra O'Connor

    I USA
    Ly get them for my girls but now I’m starting to use them. Skin feels great

  15. Cara W

    I haven’t tried NeoStrata products before but would love to try them out! My biggest skin concern is sun damage.

  16. Soozle

    Huh.. I guess I do have combination skin; but leaning more towards dry! I have never tried Neostrata – but worth looking into as I do struggle to find a good cleanser

  18. Stephanie

    I have always been looking for a good cleanser! Thanks for the suggestion! P.S I do have combination skin!

  20. June M

    I have oily skin which causes an issue even with waterproof mascara as I still get smudging. So frustrating

  21. Chandra O'Connor

    my oldest has such a hard time with her face. lots of cleansers burn her face she is so sensitive

  26. sarah alexis

    I totally have combination skin – I had no idea, it never made sense to me before but you have done a great job explaining it!!!!

  27. Debbie Bashford

    have to go into town today will see if our local pharmacy carries the Oli-Free Gel Cleanser with 4% Glycolic Acid

  33. Debbie White Beattie

    It’s always hard to figure out which cleanser will be the most beneficial for my skin but Neo Strata does have really good products

  37. Jenn Erin

    My skin concern is uneven skin, and I get the occasional break outs! The Micellar Gel sounds interesting. I love that this is a no rinse cleanser that also helps detoxify the skin!