If there is one skincare item I religiously use twice a day, it is a cleanser. My skin just never feels clean unless I’ve cleansed after my morning shower and just before I go to bed. No matter what I’m doing or how tired I am, I will always use a cleanser twice daily. It’s funny though, many of us are quick to buy a cheap cleanser, yet are happy to splurge on items such as serums and oils. But when you think about it, it’s the cleanser that does all the hard work. It’s what cleans and refreshes the skin, and removes any left over traces of makeup. So why are we not making a bigger investment in our hard-working cleansers?
As you probably know, I’m incredibly passionate about natural skincare and for the past two years I’ve only used natural products on my skin. I used cheap drugstore cleansers for years before swapping to natural products, and suffered from acne for a good chunk of these years. I never realised that they were packed full of unnecessary harsh chemicals that were likely making my skin worse. Ingredients such as Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and Isopropyl Alcohol are two ingredients commonly found in cheaper cleansers. On the surface, these appear to do a good job as they remove oil from the skin, however due to their aggressiveness, they generally do more harm than good, breaking down the skins natural barriers and allowing inflammation in the skin. This can in turn cause acne and also lead to premature ageing. Since I had acne, I assumed my skin was oily, therefore I would opt for cleansers that removed this oil, therefore creating further inflammation and an endless loop of bad skin.
As I’ve become more interested in natural products, I’ve become better educated on which ingredients to avoid and which ones to look for in skincare. Basically, when it comes to skincare, the cleaner the better. This is why the brand Snowberry appealed so much to me.
Snowberry was founded ten years ago by cosmetician Soraya Hendesi. She was fed up with the number of skincare products that contained harsh chemicals, and wanted to create a range that avoided these chemicals while still taking advantage of dermatological science. Hence, Snowberry was born – a brand containing ingredients that are scientifically proven to work with your skin rather than against it. The Snowberry brand consists of a range of skincare including cleansers, serums, oils, moisturisers and sunscreens. There are also a few products available in each category at a variety of prices, for example there are three cleansers available. Each one targets a specific skin type or concern and contains different active ingredients.
Over the next couple of weeks, I will be sharing with you three of the Snowberry cleansers, starting with the Gentle Cleanse and Tone. This soft-foam cleanser is designed to tone and replenish the skin. It contains nothing harsh, and is therefore perfect for even the most sensitive of skins. While it’s not completely natural, it doesn’t contain any chemicals that are deemed to be harmful.
This cleanser is a gel like substance that very gently foams as you mix with water and blend into the skin. I start with a damp face and apply a small amount of the Gentle Cleanse and Tone to my skin. I work it in in circular motions, and I like how it foams up just a small amount as I do so. I generally opt for this cleanser in the morning, as I like the fact it’s a 2-in-1 cleanser and toner. As a new mum, I don’t have a tonne of time in the mornings to get ready, so having a multitasking product like this eliminates another step in my skincare routine! Sometimes I’ll also use it at nights once I’ve removed my makeup and in conjunction with my Clarisonic brush. It does a good job of removing any dirt or makeup that I’ve missed, although do keep in mind it’s not designed to actually remove makeup.
The Gentle Cleanse and Tone leaves my skin feeling really soft and healthy and it doesn’t feel like it strips all the natural oils out of my skin either. I can skip my moisturiser if I don’t have time, and my skin isn’t left feeling dry or stressed. This is down to the myriad of oils and extracts packed into this product, such as kiwifruit oil, neem oil, sunflower oil, and algae extract.
I think the packaging is really cute, and I like how simple it is. The tube is great for getting as much of the product as you can, and I think the design on the box is really fun. It’s a little quirky and stands out from other skincare brands.
Overall, I really like this cleanser. The fact it’s a 2-in-1 product means it gets a massive tick from me, and I like how it leaves my skin feeling after using. The Gentle Cleanse and Tone comes in a 100ml tube and retails for $56. You can purchase at these stockists or online here.