There have been quite a few skincare launches in the past few months, and I’ve been busy trying out all the new cleansers! Jurlique have been around for a while, but Boots No 7 and Skin Theory are two brands which have just launched in Australia which is super exciting. Here’s what I thought of the cleansers:
Jurlique Purely Age-Defying Nourishing Cleansing Oil
This is a cleansing oil which marries the make-up removal properties of an oil with the clean feeling of a cream cleanser. I’ve posted before about how cleansing oils work – essentially you need an oil and a surfactant that will help the dirty oil dissolve in water. It comes out clear but when mixed with water, turns milky white. In this cleanser, polyglyceryl-10 laurate and polyglyceryl-2 oleate are the main surfactants, while a mixture of ethylhexyl stearate, and castor, safflower and sunflower oil make up most of the oil component.
Cleansing oils are typically very gentle and non-stripping, and this is no exception. It’s very mild and has some good ingredients (like licorice root extract, which brightens skin, and a host of skin-friendly oils), but its effects would be limited in a wash-off product. Like most Jurlique products, it smells great without being over-the-top or irritating.
Ingredients: Ethylhexyl Stearate, Ricinus communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Polyglyceryl-2 Oleate, Carthamus tinctorius (Safflower) Seed Oil, Helianthus annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Sorbitan Oleate, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Aqua (Water), Ribes nigrum (Black Currant) Seed Oil, Sesamum indicum (Sesame) Seed Oil, Limnanthes alba (Meadowfoam) Seed Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Betula alba Leaf Extract, Sambucus nigra Flower Extract, Glycyrrhiza glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Evodia rutaecarpa Fruit Extract, Fragrance/Parfum, Squalane, Tocopherol, Bisabolol, Propanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Limonene, Linalool.
Jurlique Clarifying Deep Cleansing Gel
This contains little scrubbing beads made from environmentally friendly jojoba oil, which unfortunately didn’t show up very well in my photo. It’s recommended for oily skin but has lots of humectants, which is good news for dehydration-prone skin like mine! This is a pretty gentle scrub, at an appropriate, slightly acidic pH 5.
Ingredients: Aqua (Water), Decyl Glucoside, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Glycerin, Jojoba Esters, Carrageenan, Rosa canina Fruit Oil, Simmondsia chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Glycine soja Protein, Salix nigra (Willow) Bark Extract, Mentha piperita (Peppermint) Leaf Extract, Equisetum arvense Extract, Melissa officinalis Leaf Extract, Lavandula officinalis (Lavender) Flower Extract, Origanum majorana Extract, Rosmarinus officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Salvia officinalis (Sage) Leaf Extract, Urtica dioica (Nettle) Extract, Hamamelis virginiana (Witch Hazel) Extract, Achillea millefolium Extract, Calendula officinalis Flower Extract, Spilanthes acmella Flower Extract, Crithmum maritimum Extract, Fragrance/Parfum, Xanthan Gum, Tocopherol, Citric Acid, SD Alcohol 40-A (Alcohol Denat.), Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Limonene, Linalool.
Skin Theory Gentle Cream Cleanser
Skin Theory is a new skincare range launched from Colour Theory (there’s also a new beauty tools range called Beauty Theory). The range is very budget-friendly, topping out at $12.
There are three cleansers in the range, and I’ve tried two of them so far – there’s also a foaming cleanser I’m yet to test-drive. The Gentle Cream Cleanser cleans by dissolving make-up and dirt off your face. It doesn’t strip the skin, which also means that on the flip side, it also can’t cleanse very thoroughly so it’s not ideal when you’re wearing a lot of sunscreen or heavy make-up. This leaves a slightly filmy feeling on the skin which I don’t mind, but I can imagine it’s not for everyone.
Ingredients: Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, 1,3-Butylene Glycol, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Glyceryl Stearate, Stearyl Alcohol, PEG-100 Stearate, Cetyl Alcohol, Myristyl Alcohol, Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid, Myristic Acid, Lauric Acid, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Triethanolamine, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Chloride, TEA Cocoyl Alaninate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Water, Crithmum Maritimum Extract, Propylene Glycol, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Diazolidinyl Urea, Fragrance.
Skin Theory Exfoliating Polish
The Exfoliating Polish is a scrub containing salt particles in a creamy base. It’s quite rough compared to the peeling gels I’m used to, but the salt crystals dissolve as you use them and it doesn’t feel too scratchy if it’s used with minimal pressure.
Ingredients: Sodium Chloride, Water, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Sodium PCA, Decyl Glucoside, Sodium Isethionate, Jojoba Wax PEG-120 Esters, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ammonium Glycyrrhizate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Chitosan, Fragrance.
Boots Optiva Radiance Renew Foaming Wash
Boots is a drugstore in the UK which has a range of cult products, that are finally making their way over to Australia. This cleanser is in the first wave of releases- it comes in a pump bottle which aerates the cleanser as it comes out, meaning it needs less stripping foaming agents to work. It’s gentle and very lightly fragranced, and seems to work pretty well. I haven’t seen many reviews of this cleanser around – I have a feeling it’s a repackaged product. I’m looking forward to seeing more Boots products pop up!
Ingredients: Aqua (Water), Glycerin, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, Sodium Chloride, Citric Acid, Phenoxyethanol, PEG-18 Glyceryl Oleate/Cocoate, Sodium Citrate, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Benzoate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Parfum (Fragrance), Tetrasodium EDTA, Althaea Officinalis Root Extract.
These products were provided for editorial consideration, which did not affect my opinion. For more information, see Disclosure Policy.
The two Jurlique products sound absolutely lovely! The scrubby beads made from Jojoba oil is ver cool! I’m still yet to see the colour/skin/beauty theory brand around, but it sounds great for a budget line!
Tasha // shiwashiful.