Dry skin and the desire for a proper foaming cleanser are not natural allies. Most people with dry or sensitive skin have learned, that the satisfying lather of a foaming cleanser tends to come at a cost. The cost is that particular tight, faintly abraded feeling that sets in before you have even reached for your moisturiser. The solution most brands offer is to abandon foam entirely and move to balms, milks or oils, which cleanse well but never quite scratch the itch of a cleanser that actually feels like it is doing something. Dermalogica have taken the more interesting approach of trying to solve both problems at once with the Dermalogica Oil to Foam Cleanser.
What is it?
A oil cleanser which transforms to a foam the minute water is added. It’s suitable for all skin types.
What Do I Think?
The Oil to Foam Cleanser starts as a golden gel-oil, which in itself is a pleasant thing to work with. It transforms into a rich foam the moment water is introduced. The shift is genuinely satisfying in a way that is difficult to explain without sounding slightly unhinged. But anyone who has ever felt vaguely cheated by a cleanser that just sits there will understand immediately.
It melts away makeup, sunscreen and the general accumulation of the day, rinses off completely and without fuss, and leaves skin feeling clean and soft rather than clean and parched.
The formula contains sea buckthorn oil, which brings vitamin E and antioxidant benefits, alongside a plant-derived prebiotic that draws moisture to the skin and supports hydration over time.
There is no oily residue, which is the concern most people have with oil-based cleansers, and no dryness either, which is the concern with foam. It manages the balance well enough that I use it morning and evening without any adjustment, which is not something I can say about many cleansers.
Would I recommend?
Yes. For dry skin types who have spent years making peace with cleansers they find merely adequate, this is worth trying.
Brands Product Description
Transformative oil to foam cleanser removes make up, sunscreen, and debris while cleansing skin in one step for ultra-clean, healthy-looking skin.
This dual make up remover and cleanser starts as a golden gel-oil infused with Sea Buckthorn Oil; massage into skin to melt away layers of make up, sebum (oil), and sunscreen. A splash of water transforms the gel-oil into a rich cloud-like foam to wash away debris and any remaining impurities. This foaming cleanser with a plant-derived prebiotic leaves skin feeling instantly soft and smooth.
Key Ingredients
- Sea Buckthorn Oil – Rich in antioxidant Vitamin E and helps moisturise the skin.
- Plant-derived Prebiotic – A moisture magnet to support long-lasting hydration.
How I Use It
For the morning, I’d apply to damp skin and begin massaging into my face straight away, like a typical foaming cleanser. In the evening, I like to apply to dry skin, massaging for a while before adding a bit of water to lather it up before rinsing.
Would I Repurchase/Buy?
Yes. I’ve really enjoyed it.
How Much?
£56.00 for 250ml. It’s expensive, but a little bit goes a long way and it lasts months and months.
