Steal Vs Splurge: Cleanser Edition
Welcome everyone to the first installment of a new blog series – STEAL VS SPLURGE! I follow many people within different industries – fashion, food, makeup – that feature similar comparison tools and they are always extremely interesting and informative. Therefore, we are hosting our own series here at Millefiori Medical Skin Rejuvenation, located in downtown Melbourne. We will feature a traditional skincare step routine as well as a few specialty items throughout the series. With the holidays (and gift giving…eeek!) upon us, it’s nice to know where you can steal a good deal – or put a splurge item on a wish list of your own!
Milky Cleansers
Steal: Yes to Cucumbers Gentle Milk Cleanser $6-$8 – This over the counter cleanser has green tea antioxidants to assist with healing and aloe to soothe the skin while cleansing. The thin, milky texture stays a cream consistency to keep hydration while also removing the grime of the day!
Steal (runner up): Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser $5-$7 – Also an over the counter product, Cetaphil is the most “vanilla” type of cleanser you can get. No fragrance, dye or active ingredient, there is nothing to aggravate even the most sensitive skin types.
Splurge: Skinceuticals Gentle Cleanser $34 –
Luxe aromatherapy including wild orange blossom delight your skin and the senses. It’s rich creamy texture rivals some heavy night creams and leaves the skin with a touch of dew for optimal pH balance. Used in our treatment rooms before medical procedures, this is one product you will love the experience of using.
Splurge (runner up): Caudalie Gentle Cleanser $28 – Derived from grapeseed extract, this milky cleanser has natural resveratrol and grapeseed extract that assists with natural skin health. It does have a strong smell – so make sure it’s one you enjoy.
Gel/Foaming Cleansers
Steal: CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser $8 –
Giving you a squeaky clean feeling, this cleanser packs a little more drying punch for a combo skin type. With a light, fresh fragrance, men and women can use this no fuss product to remove the dirt of the day.
Steal (runner up)- Neutrogena Fresh Foaming Cleanser $7 – Though not tested by myself personally, I have quite a few friends that used this throughout my college days. It removes makeup, including eye, and it is hypoallergenic. Easy, fast, and affordable – the perfect trio!
Splurge: Bliss Fabulous Foaming Face Wash $24 – The smell of this cleanser is absolutely divine, and includes passionflower and chamomile to balance combination skin. There’s also a micro bead in the product that works wonders on pore size and gentle enough to use everyday. Plus, if you know Bliss products, just reading the catchy marketing on the bottle keeps your morning entertained.
Splurge (runner up) – Skinceuticals Simply Clean $34 – I personally use this on my more grimy feeling days, and it really does work. We also use this back bar before any chemical peels due to needing the skin de-greased at a medical level. With little scent and a unisex look, leaving it in your family shower will entice everyone to use it, which may be a good thing 🙂
“Active” cleansers
Steal: Nip + Fab Glycolic Fix Cleanser $8 – With a low percent of glycolic acid, this cleanser is gentle enough to use everyday. Dissolving excess oil and skin, it reveals tighter and smoother pores, and can be alternated with a milky cleanser for sensitive skin types. Watch the eyes though, this baby will burn!
Splurge: Skinceuticals LHA Cleansing Gel $34 – Medical levels of salicylic acid dry overactive oil glands
and lighten sun spots like no other cleanser I’ve seen on the market. It packs a heavy punch, and should be prescribed with another cleanser to prevent over-drying of the skin, as well as a zinc for better brightening benefits.
Micellar Waters
Steal: Simple Cleansing Micellar $7-$10 – It’s hard to find micellar water cleansers here in the US, and finding them under $30 is near impossible. This cheap option is great for the no-fuss person who needs quick and easy. With b3 vitamins, it’s not a bad option, just don’t think it’s going to take off makeup like how the packaging claims.
Splurge: Darphin Azahar Micellar Water $40 – The crème de la crème of cleansing waters – and for $40, it should be. A subtle divine smell that makes you feel like you are at the most luxurious spa in France, and includes neroli oil for pore minimizing. And its approved for contact lense wearing clients – double bonus!
Organic Cleansers
Steal: One Love Organics Easy Does It Foaming Cleanser $9 – With chamomile and honeysuckle extract, this foaming cleanser cleanses, gives you a squeaky clean finish and calms the skin. Bonus: its natural, organic and cruelty free!
Splurge: Jurlique Purely Age Defying Nourishing Cleansing Oil $38 – This line literally grows all of their ingredients on their biodynamic organic farms in Australia – as natural as you can get! The cleansing oil is my favorite for dry skin, but the whole line in general is amazing for organic skin care options. 
