For a long time, I didn't really think that cleansers mattered. After all, you wash them off, so why spend on a product your skin only feels for a few minutes? Then, a few years ago, my skin became sensitive, dehydrated, and often quite irritated, and I started to find that cleansers did make a difference.
Ever since, I've been trying all kinds of cleansers and attempting to figure out what works for me. While it hasn't been an exact science, I've found that cleansers beyond your standard soapy cleanser have been the most effective. There have been a lot of balms, oils, waters and the like in my routine over the last few years, and I'm finding that these two cleansers from Oskia and Nude offer a happy medium when it comes to product texture and performance.
When I say "happy medium", I really mean it. I find cleansing water types of products leave me feeling not quite so clean (mostly a mental thing), while cleansing balm generally feels like too much effort for everyday use. I love my Tatcha Cleansing Oil, but can't stop myself from saving it, so these two cleansers really are somewhere in between.
Swatches L-R: Oskia Renaissance Gel Cleanser, Nude Skincare Omega Cleansing Jelly
They're easy to dispense compared to a balm, (phew) and both have light scents. Oskia's smells like a hint of rose, and the Nude jelly is light and slightly sweet. You apply the product to dry skin, and the product emulsifies once in contact with water. It's easiest to rinse off with a cloth (I use an Eve Lom muslin) but I'm happy that they both rinse off decently well without one. I don't find that either cleanser leaves a film or anything like some cleansing balms can, though I do find it more difficult to cleanly rinse off the Oskia Renaissance Cleansing Gel without a muslin, and that's usually when I'm too tired to do a proper rinse of it anyway.
There is one difference that is important to note: the Oskia cleanser comes in a handy pump bottle, while the Nude cleanser is in a tube. At first, I didn't mind, but I find that the more that I've used up the Nude, the more annoying it is to squeeze it... I wonder if it will be difficult to squeeze once it is nearly empty? Will the Oskia cleanser's pump stop dispensing too?? I suppose we'll see!
All in all, I've been loving these cleansers in my routine! Have you tried either of these cleansers? Do you like to save or splurge on cleansers? I'd love to know! :)