This post will be reviewing The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser.
I was a bit hesitant to try as well as review this product because it is marketed as a makeup remover aka First Cleanse. Anyone that is familiar with my blog knows that asides from the occasional lipstick, I haven’t worn makeup in over two years. Hence, my general obsession with skincare. But then, I’ve heard so much good stuff about this product. It was so hard not to resist giving it a try. After all, I wear sunscreen religiously and I double cleanse at night.
It goes without saying that this review will be based on my experience as a non-makeup wearer. But a religious sunscreen wearer with dry dehydrated skin. If you’re still interested in why I adore this product, then stick around!
First Impressions of The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser
According to The Ordinary;
A gentle cleansing product formulated to target makeup removal whilst leaving the skin feeling smooth and moisturized. The formula incorporates Squalane, alongside other lipophilic esters that are gentle, moisturizing, efficient in dissolving makeup and facial impurities and increasing the spreadability of the product.
When rubbed between your palms for approximately 10-30 seconds, the product undergoes an important textural change from a balm-like consistency to a clear oil-like consistency. This allows the emulsifying sucrose esters in the formula to trap and blend the dissolved makeup and facial impurities with water for rinsing.
Being non-comedogenic and soap-free, this formula is designed to be gentle enough for daily use, without over-drying the skin, making it suitable for all skin types.
The first time I started using The Ordinary Skincare, one of my favourite products was easily The Plant-Derived Squalane. While I don’t use it as much lately, it was a total game-changer for my dry dehydrated skin. I honestly could not live without it. So imagine my excitement when I found out that one of my favourite oils has been formulated into a Cleanser.
Ingredient List & Fragrance
With Squalane as the very first ingredient and Glycerin as the fourth, you have a super moisturizing cleanser that won’t strip your skin. I’ve used my fair share of oil/balm cleansers and I can tell the differences when I rinse my face. I can tell what products stripped my skin leaving it tight and dry. I can also tell what products left my skin soft and moisturizing removing the need for a second cleanser. The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser falls into the second category.
Before I move on, here are some further interesting facts about the product that you might consider;
- It is soap-free. Instead of the typical surfectants like Sodium Laureth Sulfate and Sodium Lauryl Sulfate that is typically found in most cleansers, this is formulated with gentler surfectants like Sucrose Stearate and Sucrose Dilaurate to mention a few.
- Asides from the faint vanilla-like scent, It is completely fragrance-free. There are no essential oils or plant extracts that could potentially irritate even the most senitive skin. This makes it perfect for all skin types.
- It’s also cruelty-free and non-comedogenic. Even if you have the oilest skin, it is perfectly safe for you.
Texture & Consistency
Okay, this is where it gets interesting. While I’m used to the typical textures of cleansing balms, this one is a bit different. Yes, the texture is a balm but it’s a lot softer and applies very smoothly. Like other products, you also need to rub it between your palms and dissolve it into an oily consistency before applying it to your face.
Some people were confused about how to use it initially. But I figured they are not very familiar with how cleansing balms work. But this is a brilliant product. In fact, having tried a good chunk of The Ordinary products, I like to think that this is easily their most cosmetically elegant product. You don’t have to deal with any kind of piling or stickiness that typically comes with the range. It simply does the job it claims to do with a pleasant experience.
If The Ordinary decides to release a BHA Squalane Cleanser in the future, they might as well take all my money!
Packaging, Price & Avaliability
The product comes in a squeeze tube which I don’t mind at all. I prefer how hygienic this is compared to dipping my fingers in a tub. I don’t struggle to squeeze out the product at all. It’s just pretty easy to use.
The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser now comes in two sizes just in case you are living under a rock; a 50ml and the recently released 150ml size. While the former goes for $7.90, the latter goes for a whopping $19.90. If you’re a heavy makeup user or you simply use a lot of products, I suggest you go for the latter. It’s just cheaper than buying several 50ml tubes.
Review of The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser
As I mentioned earlier, I don’t wear makeup so I can’t give a balanced review but given all the reviews I get from my Facebook Group, it’s a solid makeup remover as well. But I wear a lot of sunscreen and I have to take it off at night so this definitely counts.
Performance
After a long day of applying and reapplying sunscreens, I start with a pea-sized amount and rub it in my palm until I get an oily consistency. Usually, that pea-size isn’t enough so I go in a few more times until I’m satisfied with the quantity of oil on my face. This is where oil cleansers trump balm cleansers but that’s a conversation for another day. Anyway, I always love a good facial massage, so I go in for about two to five minutes ensuring that I cover all the corners and crevices of my face. When I’m satisfied, I rinse out with warm water. It is worth mentioning here that it is completely fine to cleanse your face for 60 seconds if you’re pressed for time. I personally just like to go overboard.
It is soap-free so it doesn’t lather which might confuse some people. On some lazy nights or if I’ve been indoors all day, I don’t go in with a second cleanse. I’ve realized that I’m usually satisfied with the results I get after one cleanse. I love how soft and supple my face is. But on days when I’ve been outdoors, I make sure I go in with a foaming cleanser as a second cleanse.
It goes without saying that The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser takes off my sunscreen without stripping my face. Plus, it is moisturizing enough to occasionally skip a second cleanse.
In Conclsuion,
I’m sure you can already tell how much I love this product. So, don’t be afraid. Even if you have oily, sensitive or even normal skin, you can definitely use this product.
If you’re a heavy makeup wearer, it is also worth trying. But if it doesn’t work for you – which I honestly doubt – you can use it on non-makeup days.
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