When it comes to cleansers, I am pretty consistent. I like my cleanser to clean every bit of makeup off my face after cleansing oil; I like my cleansers to do something other than clean. That brings me to NeoStrata’s Foaming Glycolic Wash 20 Bionic/AHA. The cleanser has a combination of 18% glycolic acid and 2% lactobionic acid, a polyhydroxy acid. Here’s a nice little abstract on the positive effects of polyhydroxy acids, including lactobionic acid.
My skin type
Oily, acne scars on my cheeks and chin. I have hormonal breakouts every month.
What it’s supposed to do
Clean your face while working to accelerate skin cell turnover. I read that as exfoliate and improve the texture of the skin. Here’s a description from Neostrata:
Our most potent cleanser is formulated in an amphoteric system to capture the benefits of Glycolic and Lactobionic Acid while minimizing the potential for irritation. Formulated with 18% Glycolic Acid and 2% Lactobionic Acid to gently exfoliate, unclog congested skin, and enhances cell renewal it prepares skin for optimal benefits of the regimen that follows. pH balanced. Not recommended for patients with sensitive skin. Soap-free, fragrance-free. Dye-Free. Paba-Free. Formulated with 18% Glycolic Acid and 2% Lactobionic Acid.
The brand says the pH is 4.5.
Ingredients
Aqua (Water), Glycolic Acid, PEG-8, Alcohol Denat., Arginine, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Ammonium Hydroxide, Lactobionic Acid, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Polysorbate 20, Propylene Glycol, Citrus Paradisi (Grapefruit) Fruit Extract, Methylparaben, Chlorphenesin.
How I use it
I use this cleanser in the shower in the morning and also in the evening. I have tried it with my facial spin brush, but I accidentally over-exfoliated while using in combination with other products, especially other acids. So now I just apply with my hands, massage into my face for about 45 seconds and rinse off.
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How long I used it
I have been using this cleanser since mid-April
What I like about it
Well, first and foremost, I have noticed a marked improvement in the overall tone of my skin; specifically my hyperpigmentation. My hyperpigmentation has been rapidly fading ever since I started using this cleanser and minimizing the products I use on my face. During the week, my skincare routine currently consists of no more than 5 products which includes this cleanser, my modified Blithe Splash mask, some form of Vitamin C, Bio Oil, Hada Labo’s Alpha Milk, and Erborian’s sleeping mask at night. I intermittently tone depending on how my skin is feeling with either an acid or a moisturizing toner, and follow up with sunscreen during the day. On the weekends, I will do a longer facial-like routine with more products.
What could be better
As far as performance, this is a cleanser that I will repurchase after I finish it because of the ingredients and the improvement I am seeing with my hyperpigmentation. My scars are fading faster than they ever have before. It is $40.00, which is on the pricey side for a cleanser, but all you need is two pumps. I imagine I won’t have to buy another cleanser for at least 3 months. So that $40.00 goes a long way!
Joy Factor
On a scale of 1-10, the Neostrata Foaming Glycolic Wash is a 9! I constantly reach for this even when it’s not in front of me. Acne scars be gone!
Where to indulge
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*The products in this post were provided by the brand for review. All opinions are my own.
