For the longest time, I thought that what cleanser I use doesn’t really matter as long as I go for what’s meant for my skin type. Meaning, blemish control, oil control, charcoal-based cleansers– you get the picture. Anything that is targeted towards caring for oily, acne-prone skin.
But as I got more and more interested in the world of beauty, I realised that this is not necessarily the case. Even if cleansers aren’t in contact with your skin for long, they really can make a difference. So that was when I really started paying attention to what I was buying, and tended to steer clear from drugstore brands unless I receive a recommendation. I’ve had one too many bad experiences, you see.
Still, in spite of that, I recently tried out one such brand. This time, I’m going to blog about my experience with Hada Labo’s Deep Clean & Blemish Control Face Wash (RM24.90).
What is it like?
At first glance, this cleanser seems to be the perfect candidate to take on my notoriously oily skin. It was actually purchased by my brother, and when he recommended it to me, I thought, why not? I’ve been using Lush’s Coalface for so long now; maybe it is time for a change.
So after giving its labels a quick run through, I decided to give it a try. Here’s what it says at the back:
Bentonite Clay: Mineral clay from natural volcanic ash has high content of minerals to effectively absorb excess dirt, oil and impurities from skin
Wild Pansy Extract: Contains natural Salicylic Acid that helps to control and prevent blemishes
Hyaluronic Acid: Hydrates skin to help prevent dryness and keep skin soft and supple
Below that, it further states:
Combines the power of two natural ingredients with hydrating Hyaluronic Acid to deep clean without drying skin and helps prevent blemishes to reveal a smooth, radiant complexion.
Low irritation. Free of fragrances, colorant, alcohol and mineral oil
Sounds quite promising, doesn’t it?
The product itself is pretty creamy and lathers easily. Something I sorely miss after using face soap bars for years. Because as much as I love my Coalface, it can get pretty inconvenient whenever I’m in a rush; lathering it up takes a bit of time, and it doesn’t even really produce much.
A stark contrast to Hada Labo’s cleanser. It doesn’t take a lot to create a rich foam with this. Smoothing it on is enjoyable, and washing it off is simple. I only need a few splashes to get it all off.
Packaging
Hada Labo decided to go with a clean, glossy tube, which I quite like. Its soft construction makes squeezing out the product a breeze, though I imagine getting it all out once it is almost gone would be a pain.
End result
The end result? After splashing it off, I was pleased to see that my skin looked bright and clean. There was no tightness and my skin felt comfortable. That’s a win, right?
At least, that was what I thought until I used it a few more times. It was as early as the second try that I noticed that my skin started drying out. And that’s saying something, because it can take as many as 2-3 oil blotters to completely absorb the oil on my face. (Gross trivia is gross, but you get the picture. It would take a lot to dry it out.)
That was not the only reaction I got from this, though. Throughout the day, I experienced this strange, tingling sensation on my skin. And under a certain light, it kind of looked papery?
So yeah. Even though it cleans well enough, it is super drying. Not something I’d recommend to those with dry skin.
Extra: Please note that this cleanser contains Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES), which is something I only discovered afterwards. Ah well. That explains it.
For those who are unaware, SLES is a lathering agent that is used in many cleaning products. It can be found in something as innocent as your shampoo, to the cleaner you use on your garage floor. So yes, it is that potent and can cause irritation to your skin.
Where can I find it?
Watsons & Guardian.
Verdict
- Product rating: 2/5
- Packaging rating: 4/5
As much as I like how it cleans and foams up easily, I’m not keen on the aftereffects. I’ll stick to my Coalface for now.
Ingredients
Water, Lauric Acid, Glycerin, Stearic Acid, Cocamidopropyl Betaine/Water, Potassium Hydroxide, Butylene Glycol, Palmitic Acid, Acrylates Copolymer/Water, Glycol Distearate, Polyquaternium-7, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Cocamide DEA, Potassium Cocoyl Glycinate/Water, Stearic Acid/Disteardimonium Hectorite, Dismodium EDTA, Methylisothiazolinone/Iodopropynyl Butylcarbarnate/Water, Glycerin/Water/Viola Tricolor Extract, Sodium Hyaluroate.
