Having eczema-prone and irritable skin means that I have to tread carefully before applying any product. This includes cleansers, face moisturizers, and especially exfoliators, which can be too rough for people with reactive skin. But for the last four months, I’ve been hooked on Caudalie Deep Exfoliator Cleanser, a 2-in-1 cleanser-exfoliator that leaves my complexion glowing and free of gunk without causing it to flare.
The cleanser is formulated with volcanic sand microbeads, which slough off dead skin cells with each scrub. The microbeads are infused in a creamy formula that’s enriched with hydrating ingredients like sunflower seed oil, grape water, and glycerin. Exfoliating can be a drying process, but these ingredients don’t leave my skin feeling like the Sahara desert.
“Sunflower seed oil has evidence to suggest it’s actually a great choice for eczema-prone skin,” says Rachel Nazarian, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York. “It’s anti-inflammatory and calming, and it can really help decrease some of the discomfort that comes with eczema.” Grape water and glycerin also come in clutch with their soothing and moisture-locking properties.
The exfoliator-cleanser comes in a recyclable aluminum bottle that makes application easy as pie. To use, I press a quarter-size amount to my fingertips, rub gently in circular motions on damp skin, and wash my face. The formula doesn’t foam like some cleansers, which means I have to apply a little more product to cover all of my skin. Instead, it lathers into a milky cream that reveals baby-smooth skin that’s softer and more radiant with every wash.
The best part? It’s gentle. I personally don’t find this product to be harsh or irritating on my face compared to other exfoliators I’ve tried. The formula hydrates while it cleanses and clarifies, preventing skin from getting red, dry, and rashy. A burst of menthol—which can typically be drying in some skin-care products—doesn’t trigger any irritation either, and adds a refreshing burst of mintiness while I scrub. However, it’s important to note that the product is formulated with microbeads and fragrance, which may not be ideal for some.
So far, I’ve been so impressed with how dewy my skin looks after using Caudalie’s gentle cleanser. After each wash, my face feels clearer and cleaner, not aggravated or on the verge of an eczema flare. There are a lot of cleansers on the market, but not a lot of them are gentle enough to work with my eczema-prone skin. The 2-in-1 formula also streamlines my routine so that I don’t have to use two separate products. Whenever I need to hit two birds with one stone, I’ll reach for this product. I’m halfway through the bottle and can’t wait to replenish my stock.
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