SPOT.ph Tries: Can This Facial Cleanser Beat Its Tried-and-Tested Predecessor?
We put it to the test.
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(SPOT.ph) Let's face it, finding the right skincare product can be a long and arduous process. The multitude of factors you need to consider include what actives are included in the formulation, whether or not your skin will purge, and more—you know, the whole nine yards. So when you find the one, chances are you'll never let go.
In the case of this author who's tried one too many skincare brands to count, one product she's stayed loyal to is Oxecure's pH 5.5 Gentle Cleanser, which has been a godsend for her acne-management skincare routine. Recently, the Thai-based brand released a new version of the product called Ultra Gentle Facial Cleanser which makes us wonder: Can the new and improved version beat its own well-known predecessor? We share out thoughts below.
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Here's what you can expect with the new Oxecure Ultra Gentle Cleanser:
The difference between Ultra Gentle Facial Cleanser and pH 5.5 Gentle Cleanser
Perhaps the only thing similar between both cleansers is the texture of the product, given its clear and viscous consistency. In terms of price, Oxecure sells a 200mL bottle of the pH 5.5 Gentle Cleanser for P379 while the Ultra Gentle Facial Cleanser retails for P419. It's also worth noting that it only comes in a 120mL variant. The two can be used for both face and body.
Ingredients-wise, the second ingredient found on the Ultra Gentle Facial Cleanser's list is cocamidopropyl betaine, an ingredient so mild that it's internationally recommended for products intended for babies and infants. Plus, it's also a great ingredient to have if you're targeting eczema or have sensitive skin. Meanwhile, pH 5.5 Gentle Cleanser's second-highest ingredient in terms of concentration is sodium lauryl sulfate, a surfactant known to have foaming properties.
Both products claim to help maintain the skin's natural pH balance (which should be between pH 5 and pH 6), help cleanse and hydrate the skin, as well as soothe any irritation. Only the pH 5.5 Gentle Cleanser claims to repair the skin's barrier.
The author's experience and skin type
Most would consider my skin type to be a combination—not too dry, a bit oily, but also extremely sensitive to the point that my skin tends to get irritated easily. Hormonal acne also tends to appear towards my jaw area thanks to a previous diagnosis of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, a.k.a PCOS.
I used the Ultra Gentle Facial Cleanser for about a month before writing this review. Like any other person in the world, I can't quite say it was consistent use since there were days where I just couldn't be bothered to use a cleanser, instead opting to just wash my face with water. A bad move, I know.
On the days that I did use the ultra-gentle cleanser (just in the evening as I don't like to over-strip my face of natural oils), I noticed that my skin was softer, less irritated, and more hydrated. Any hyperpigmentation issues remained the same as the cleanser wasn't really formulated to correct those issues. However, there was a noticeable difference in how much acne I got whilst testing the product. While there were still a couple of unforgiving acne spots, I noticed that they only tend to show up during that time of the month, as compared to before when I was using the pH 5.5 Gentle Cleanser. Back then, my acne was more pronounced and didn't seem to go away as "quickly".
The verdict
Having been loyal to Oxecure's first version of the cleanser, I can pretty much say that the ultra-gentle variant exceeded my expectations. It doesn't have that foaming quality like the original variant, making it easier for me to actually breathe while I cleanse my skin, IFYKYK. It also did what it claims to do which was help soothe my skin and help lessen acne—I think I was able to more or less count how many breakouts I had during the entire time I was testing out the product, and let's say it was noticeably less considering I have hormonal pimples.
If there was one thing that I could change, I would focus on the price and sizing. Ultra Gentle Facial Cleanser retails at P419 for a 120mL bottle and while it will take a couple of months to consume (I used up about one-fourth during a month-long test), I would have preferred they kept it at 200mL to make the price increase feel a little less jarring on my wallet.
Oxecure's Ultra Gentle Facial Cleanser retails for P419 and is available on Lazada, Shopee, and Watsons stores nationwide.
For more information, check out Oxecure on Facebook.
Update (August 2, 2023 at 11 a.m.): The article has been updated to reflect the proper product name from Gentle Facial Cleanser to pH 5.5 Gentle Cleanser.
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