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Come winter, my skin can get easily irritable – the mixture between dry air, cold air, indoor heating and Tretinoin will do that – so it is the perfect time to test out products like the elf Pure Skin Cleanser, aimed at sensitive skin.

After all cleansing is non negotiable, but also a step that can make things worse when you reach for the wrong product!

So how did that affordable option work for me?

What the elf Pure Skin Cleanser claims

A non-irritating, gentle face cleanser that washes away dirt, leaving skin looking and feeling refreshed and nourished.

Facts about the elf Pure Skin Cleanser

Prize and size

I have a travel size in a tube, the original one comes in a pump bottle that contains 180 ml and is available for 10 € on the website here. The cleanser is vegan.

Texture and smell

It looks more like a lotion than a cleanser – I have two travel sizes and the cleanser and the moisturizer look so similar in packaging I often double checked I hadn’t grabbed the wrong one by accident – and has no real scent.

How to use the elf Pure Skin Cleanser

The website tells you to apply it to damp skin, but I found due to the lotion texture it worked well when applied on dry skin and then emulsified with wet hands as well. Using it isn’t much of an exciting experience, as it doesn’t foam up or anything – you just massage it in and then rinse it off. It was better at taking off my everyday makeup than I had expected, so using it both morning and night (if you don’t wear a full face of waterproof layers) will work. (More info: How to chose the best cleanser for your skin type)

It left my skin feeling clean and calm.

Ingredients of the elf Pure Skin Cleanser

Water (Aqua) solv, Glycerin sii|h 0 0, Cetearyl Alcohol emo|vc|emu|surf 1 2, Niacinamide cci|sb|aacne|h, Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Flour so|aox|emo, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Water, Sodium Hyaluronate sii|h 0 0, Tocopheryl Acetate aox 0 0, Ceramide NP sii, Ceramide AP sii, Ceramide EOP sii, Allantoin so 0 0, Phytosphingosine sii|cci|aacne|amic, Cholesterol sii|emo 0 0, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate emu, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate emu|surf, Carbomer vc 0 1, Glyceryl Stearate emo|emu 0 1–2, Caprylyl Glycol h|emo, Ethylhexylglycerin pres, Phenoxyethanol pres, Xanthan Gum vc, Disodium EDTA chel, Tromethamine buff

Hover the mouse over an ingredient for short explanation. Read more on INCIDecoder.

When you look at the ingredient list, it has Glycerin and Hyaluronic Acid as humectants, none of the usual surfactants that might be considered stripping, and a bunch of soothing and repairing ingredients. (More info: The benefits of Hyaluronic Acid in skincare explained) There is Colloidal Oat Meal, Niacinamide, Allantoin as well a three different Ceramides and Phytosphingosine to replace lipids the skin might have lost. (More info: The benefits of colloidal oatmeal in skincare explained, The benefits of Niacinamide in skincare explained and The benefits of Ceramides in skincare explained)

That lineup was the reason I wasn’t sure about the makeup removing abilities, but I was pleasantly surprised.

More info: How to read the ingredient list in your skincare products

Does it live up to its claims?

Yes.

It cleanses the skin from makeup and dirt and leaves the skin fresh, but not irritated.

How does it compare to…

Murad Soothing Oat and Peptide Cleanser

Yes, Murads version is much more expensive, as one is a budget and one a luxury brand. Both have colloidal oat meal for soothing that elf pairs with Niacinamide and Allantoin, while Murad uses soothing peptides to support the soothing effect. You could say that they are similar, as both are soothing, gentle and get the job done very well, but basic facts aside, Murads version is much more luxurious in texture and usage experience. If that is worth the extra money for you is for you to decide, it is definitely not necessary as both get the job done. I however value that extra luxurious feeling enough to pick the Soothing Oat and Peptide Cleanser over elfs version.

You can read my full review of the Murad Soothing Oat and Peptide Cleanser here.

The Inkey List Oat Cleansing Balm

Again a cleanser featuring oat meal and this time both are budget friendly – how does The Inkey List Oat Cleansing Balm compare to elfs Pure Skin Cleanser? The Oat Cleansing Balm has – no surprises – a balm texture compared to the more lotiony elf option. Which one you prefer comes down to your skin type and personal taste, as both are great to get rid off makeup and dirt, with The Inkey Lists version maybe working a little better on heavy or waterproof makeup. The Inkey List also leaves more hydration in the skin, so if you are really dry with a preference for waterproof liner, it might have an advantage for you. Some people complain about small grains in this one though, so if you dislike that, the more lotiony texture of the elf one would be preferable.

You can read my full review of The Inkey List Oat Cleansing Balm here 

Would I repurchase and which skin types do I recommend the elf Pure Skin Cleanser to?

Overall the elf Pure Skin Cleanser is a great option for sensitive skins, as it is able to remove regular makeup while leaving the skin calm. It is free from any fragranced, foaming or otherwise exciting things, which s great for reactive skin, but leaves me personally a little … bored? It does what it is supposed to do, but is more a workhorse than a treat, so I would not repurchase.

Shop elf skincare here

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