Loreal pure clay detoxifying gel wash review

I’m currently in the midst of testing numerous products. I haven’t actually counted how many but it’s definitely over ten!

For now, I’m just focusing on the moment and with an almost entirely different skincare routine, I truly hope I’m making the right transition! If all goes well, I will write up my new skincare routine in about a month’s time. 🙂

Today, it’s the L’Oreal Paris Pure Clay Detox Wash that I’ll be talking about so carry on reading to see what I make of it!

For reference, I have combination/oily skin that can have a tendency to be dehydrated.

What is it? 

It’s a cleansing gel-wash formulated with three pure clays combined with charcoal, to help detoxify your skin. The ‘detox’ includes absorbing excess oil, dirt and make-up residue which more often than not, lead to imperfections if not treated well.

With use, this product helps to deeply cleanse and purify your skin.

(Below Information taken from FeelUnique.com)

3 PURE CLAYS + CHARCOAL
Kaolin- a highly effective natural clay, known to absorb impurities and excess sebum
Montmorillonite- rich in minerals, a clay recognised for helping to eliminate imperfections
Ghassoul- a pure clay highly concentrated in minerals, renowned to help clarify complexion
Charcoal- acts like a magnet to draw out impurities

How much does it cost?

£5.99 which for a drugstore cleanser is, on the pricier side but nevertheless, still quite affordable. (I later realised I could have got this in Superdrug for cheaper as it was on offer, so look out if interested.)

Where from?

You’ll find this in Boots, Superdrug and possibly supermarkets too! (International readers, you’ll definitely find this in your local drugstore.) If you are asking about the brand itself, the products are formulated within their Paris Laboratories.

Who is it for?

Product states ‘for all skin types’. I would feel though that combination/oily skin types are favoured a bit more because of the clay and charcoal ingredients. (Read more below.)

What made you buy it? 

Noha from Cat Flicks and Matte Lips raved about this (and a couple other L’Oreal cleansers) in this post a while back and since then, I made sure to keep a look out for the new L’Oreal cleansers. Once I found them in Boots, my eyes were set on this particular one!

Can you talk me through the ingredients?

Aqua / Water, Glycerin, Coco-betaine, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Potassium Laurate, Acrylates Copolymer, Kaolin, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Moroccan Lava Clay, Charcoal Powder, Hydroxyacetophenone, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Tetrasodium Edta, Citric Acid, Montmorillonite, Polyglycerin-10, Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Acrylates/steareth-20 Methacrylate Copolymer, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Phenoxyethanol, Ci 77499 / Iron Oxides, Linalool, Limonene, Parfum / Fragrance

The packaging states ‘soap-free’ but note that it doesn’t state ‘fragrance-free’ or ‘preservative-free’ – something to be wary about if you are particularly sensitive or allergic. (Linalool, Limonene, Parfum are the fragrances here.) On another note, if you are scent-sensitive, the cleanser itself doesn’t necessarily smell. If anything, it just smells like clay and charcoal but on a mild level. (More on this below.)

I have identified the active ingredients in bold font, primarily the three clays and charcoal with the addition of Citric Acid; an AHA and Capryloyl Salicylic Acid; a BHA. These are placed moderately high on the ingredients list. Actually, as far as drugstore cleansers go, the active ingredients here are generous if I do say so myself and are some of my favourite ingredients as someone with combination/oily skin.

Now dauntingly, everything else looks and sounds very chemical, doesn’t it? Well, I always say use everything with moderation. (As a matter of fact, the packaging states itself to reduce frequency of use if there are signs of irritation…) These chemical-sounding names pose little risk though I know Caroline Hirons would greatly disapprove because of the presence of SLS, a foaming agent and a bit of a skin-irritant. Personally I’ve had no problems but I’m always looking out for my sensitive readers!

What do you have to say about it?

Right off the bat, I’m just going to tell you – I really love this.

I haven’t used L’Oreal skincare for a good few years so in a way, I’m coming into this blindly. No expectations. But wow. I’m certainly interested to try out more from their new skincare line!

For a good few months, I’ve tried cleanser after cleanser – mostly drugstore. Typically, drugstore cleansers are not my favourite but there are exceptions; and this is one of them. This – on my skin at least, feels high-end, so much so that it’s hard to believe it’s drugstore (even if on the pricier side). It’s so hydrating. For a clay cleanser, I’m even shocked myself since clay can be drying and just decide to suck the living daylight out of your skin. This is great though, perfectly balanced that I think I’ve restored a lot more belief in drugstore cleansers!

At first use, and perhaps my only gripe is that due to its runny consistency, it’s easy to squeeze a bit too much out. I’ve gotten the hang of it a bit more now, though it’s possible to keep making the mistake so be warned. Despite so, it’s actually not a messy cleanse, especially given the colour; a charcoal grey:

(Really, I think colour has nothing to do with the performance of the product – just psychology isn’t it? But it’s always good to not make a hell of a mess in your white sink.)

I have heard some users compare this to the Pixi Glow Mud Cleanser. Personally I can’t make that comparison myself as I’ve never used it, but for sure it’s a unique product on the market especially for its price range. The texture is very different to your average drugstore cleanser and surprisingly fun to use. As aforementioned, it’s runny but it’s not tacky. It might even seem gloopy upon first glance but rest assured, it’s easy to work with. Very easy.

When massaging your face, you really are doing just that. There is no weird friction plus it’s very low-foaming. It was such a surprise because I’ve had a few too many experiences where a drugstore cleanser is stripping, disguised to be hydrating but is not. Cleansing – maybe. But this does both – hydrate and cleanse – very well, that I think it’s suitable for most skin types. (I say most as I don’t believe one size ever fits all.)

After cleansing, no residue is left on the skin – just fresh, clarified skin that still feels hydrated after the cleanse!

It’s beyond relief to finally find a cleanser that’s not only affordable but in arm’s reach  that this might be my favourite cleanser yet.

Pros:

• Consistency is very easy to work with on the skin
• Incredibly fun to use but is not a gimmick – it actually works!
• Cleanses and hydrates – not stripping
• Affordable
• Active ingredients is quite impressive for a drugstore cleanser
• Packaging is great – separates itself from all the other drugstore cleanser lines!

Cons:

• Its runny consistency means it’s easy to squeeze too much at one go (but it can be controllable once you are cautious of this)

Overall Loving: 9/10

Have you tried this product yet?
Let me know what you think of it in the comments below! ⬇️⬇️⬇️

What’s your all-time favourite drugstore cleanser if you do have one? 

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