Biore Blemish Clearing Scrub

Bioré has a reasonably complicated array of cleansers available.  I'm a big fan of the Combination Skin Balancing Cleanser - months on now, my skin hasn't dried out and I'm using such a tiny amount it feels like the never ending cleanser.

I won a full size of the new Blemish Clearing Scrub.  Now, I'm not normally a fan of combination scrub/cleansers.  Firstly, I'm not convinced I need to exfoliate like that every day and secondly, I often find them drying.  However, my other half does use this type of thing so I figured even if it wasn't quite right for me, I'd be able to find it a happy home.

Unlike the Balancing Cleanser this scrub has a very strong scent which is dominated by mandarin.  Also, the main ingredient after water is not glycerin, but laureth-4 carboxylic acid.  This is used in acne treatments and is a surfactant, so it basically helps the product foam.  Having done this tiny bit of research, it's not surprise to me that I found this product dried out my skin.  Also, I really disliked its strong scent.

Handed over to my other half, he's decided it's not as good as his usual product and, like me, he finds it 'too orange-y'.

So overall, this product is a miss, rather than a hit.

Widely available.  RRP ~ $11.

Bioré.

Source: prize.

Biore Combination Skin Balancing Cleanser

I'd run out of cleanser so I decided to investigate what was in my large pile of sample sachets.  The first thing I came across was this Bioré Combination Skin Balancing Cleanser.

Normally I steer well clear of cheaper cleansers:  my experience has been that they are far too drying, even on my combination skin.  I remember once going for a weekend away and using my partner's cleanser (he's a proper man's man, so the fact he even uses something you could call a cleanser is a miracle).  In the space of just two or three days my skin was tight, dry and flaky.  Bleah.

So I was prepared to use this a couple of times and then discard the sachet.

But I've been really pleasantly surprised.  No dry skin and I actually really like this cleanser.  It's a gel which foams up, it's lightly scented (the scent is quite feminine though - think watermelon with floral notes ... might not really work for manly men!), and it washes off easily.

My skin has been left feeling clean, no squeakiness, and after about a week of using it - no dryness.  I'm seriously tempted to buy this when I'm next in the market for a cleanser (I have a LOT of samples hanging around!).

Widely available.  RRP ~ $11.

Bioré

Sample from magazine.

Clarins Cleansing Milk with Alpine Herbs

The Clarins Pure Melt Cleansing Gel is my favourite cleanser at the moment but I finished it off and I seem to have a loads of Lait Démaquillant Velours from gifts with purchase.  I used it while I was on holiday (perfect holiday size!) and was happy with it, so I'm continuing to use it to clear something of a backlog (my mum uses Clarins too so I often get donations from her gifts with purchase!).

The normal-dry skin version of this works well on my combination skin - leaving it feeling nice and smooth.  Being a cleansing milk, you can either wipe or rinse off - I always rinse off and I apply it to dry skin and give it a (very brief) massage in.

It rinses off easily and has a pleasant, not too strong, herbal scent.  I personally prefer the way the gel feels and leaves my skin feeling:  it's almost like it's a bit more squeaky clean but without the drying sensation.  However,the Cleansing Milk would be fantastic for anyone with really dry skin or who is not into oil based cleansers.

I don't think I've tried a Clarins cleanser I haven't liked:  this is one area where the brand seems to really know its stuff.  Another solid tick.

Available from a Clarins counter.  RRP $40.

Clarins.

Source:  gift with purchase.

Rimmel Gentle Eye Make Up Remover

A while ago (as in many years) I was looking around for an eye make up remover.  I'd had a sample of Chanel biphase one which had been awesome but was also (I suspected) out of my price range for every day use.

I did a bit of research and this Rimmel product got some very promising reviews.  I've been using it ever since and have recommended it to other people who have been just as happy.  This includes people who wear contacts and have had issues with other products irritating their eyes.

In Australia this retails around $10 but last time I bought it I found it a bit tricky to find (in the end, I snared the last bottle in David Jones).  Maybe availability has improved since.

As an eye make up remover, all it has to do is remove eye make up.  It does the job well and unless you cake eye make up on or use some kind of industrial mascara you should be happy.  I find that generally only one or two wipes of the eyelid are required, with a bit more attention to eye lashes.  And while I recently raved about Lancôme's Hypnôse mascara, that too came off nicely with this product.

I should caveat this by noting that I do generally give the cotton pad a good soaking with the eye make up remover. My logic is that I don't want to be dragging anything across the delicate skin around the eyes, so the more the better. A big tick from me - definitely a go to product.

In theory, available where Rimmel is sold. RRP ~ $10.

Rimmel.

Source: purchase.

Clarins Pure Melt Cleansing Gel

Up front I have to confess to being a huge Clarins fan and have been for a very long time.  If you ever get the chance to have a Clarins in store facial (particularly in one of the larger stores where Clarins has its own dedicated beauty room) I recommended you give it a go.

I first used this gel when I got a sample in a gift with purchase.  I loved it from the outset.  It's a gel which melts into a cleansing oil.  Squeeze a little out of the tube, rub your hands together and apply it to DRY skin.  Rinse off and you have clean, soft skin.  None of the squeakiness or dryness that you can experience with something soap based.

This is easily my favourite cleanser (at the moment ...).  It just does a great job.  There's no overpowering smell and it's easy to use and rinse off.

NOTE that you do apply this to DRY skin.  Don't wet your face or hands first or you will be disappointed.

This doesn't foam up and, obviously, it is basically a cleansing oil - so if you want foaminess or you really dislike using oils it's probably not for you.

Everyone else should give it a go!

Available at Clarins counters.  RRP $48.

Clarins.

Source:  purchase.