Do you know what “bias” means? If you have worked in a scientific setting before, chances are you do.
But did you know that as bloggers we are bound to fall for it? I for one am guilty as charged.
Wait. Let me quickly rephrase that: “Guilty” is too harsh a word, and opposed to medical research a blog post is not likely to have a lasting impact on people’s health and well-being.
But despite all our “neutral and independent” claims, we might be falling for one bias or the other.
The “publication bias” is the one that I feel is the most common: You only publish what excites you or gives positive results. Because no one wants to read about a product that was straight boring and we want our blogs to be a happy place. Is that dangerous? Not really. But it prevents us from sharing helpful experiences that could someone else stop from buying.
And then the one that I did struggle with when reviewing the pixi Caroline Hirons Double Cleanse: The social bias. You see, I have been reading Caroline Hirons blog for ages. And after watching her vlogs (that never fail to make me laugh), she grew on me as a person. I enjoyed spending virtual time with her. She became a (very unilateral) online friend. So when she released a cleanser, I knew I had to buy it. And I was prepared to love it.
What I was not prepared for, what I simply did not WANT to happen, was that the pixi Caroline Hirons Double Cleanse would just be okay for me.
What pixi claims
Unique 2-in-1 jar created by Caroline Hirons where one side contains a solid cleansing oil and the other side a luxe cleansing cream for the ultimate PM cleansing.
• Fragrance Free
• No parabens
• Not tested on animals
Facts
Prize and size
The jar holds two cleansers, separated by a sturdy plastic wall and protected by a lid. There is 50 ml of each cleanser and it retails for 24 GBP (29€) on the website here. Mine lasted about two and a half months of daily use.
Texture and smell
Both cleansers are not fragranced and thus smell of nothing. The oil melts on the skin and is easy to take off with a muslin cloth and warm water, the cream feels creamy and easy to apply, but has not enough grip for a full on massage.
Application and effects
The oil takes off all my makeup, waterproof mascara included and rinses without residue. The cream does remove makeup as well (I tried for testing purposes) and cleanses my skin efficiently, but leaves my face a little tight after using it.
Solid Cleansing Oil
Favorable ingredients
- Caprylic Triglyceride: Moisturizing
- Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Seed Oil: Rich in linoleic acid and other fatty acids, moisturizing
- Tocopheryl Acetate: Vitamin E, antioxidant
- All ingredients below that line are less than 1%
- Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter: Rich in omega fatty acids and Vitamin A and C, moisturizing
- Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil: Rich in omega fatty acids, moisturizing
- Camelia Japonica Seed Oil: Rich in omega fatty acids, moisturizing
- Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil: Lightweight, moisturizing, high in linoleic acid
- Oenothera Biennis (Evening Primrose) Oil: Moisturizing, antioxidant, promotes healing
- Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil: Moisturizing, soothing, rich in antioxidants
Other ingredients
- Cethyl Ethylhexanoate: Emollient
- PEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate: Cleansing and emollient
- PEG-8 Isostearate: Cleansing and emulsifying
- Polyethylene: Thickening agent, emulsifying
- Ethylhexylglycerin: Preservative
Unfavorable Ingredients
None. I mean, what did you expect?
Cleansing Cream
Favorable ingredients
- Caprylic Triglyceride: Moisturizing
- Glycerin: Moisturizing
- Stearic Acid: Fatty Acid, prevent loss of moisture
- All ingredients below this line are less than 1%
- Tocopheryl Acetate: Vitamin E, antioxidant
- Arginine: Healing, increases cell turnover, stimulates growth factors
- Sodium Hyaluronate: Hydrating, low molecular weight for better penetration
- Ascorbic Acid: Vitamin C, stimulates collagen production
- Camelia Japonica Seed Oil: Rich in omega fatty acids, moisturizing
- Camelia Sinensis Leaf extract: Green tea, antioxidant, antiinflammatory
- Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice: Antiinflammatory, soothing
- Acetyl Hexapeptide-8: Agireline, “natural botox”
- Sh-peptides: Stimulate EGF
Other ingredients
- Cethyl Ethylhexanoate: Emollient
- Hydrogenated Polyethylene: Thickening agent, emulsifying
- Dipropylene Glycol: solvent
- Sorbitan Stearate: Thickening agent, emollient
- Cetearyl Alcohol: Emollient (NOT Alcohol!)
- Glyceryl Stearate: Emollient
- Polysorbate 80: Surfactant and emulsifier
- PEG 100 Stearate: Emollient, prevents loss of moisture
- PEG 40 Stearate: Emollient
- Carbomer: Emulsifying
- Ethylhexylglycerin: Preservative
- Xanthan Gum: Improves viscosity
- Disodium EDTA: Binding agent
- 1,2-Hexanediol: Humectant
Unfavorable ingredients
Again, none. Some of the ones mentioned under “other” are controversial, but I personally don´t mind them.
Does it live up to its claims?
Yes, in most parts.
The oil breaks down my makeup with ease and is a pleasure to apply and wash off. The cream cleanses my skin very well, but seems just a tiny bit drying.
Would I repurchase?
Maybe.
You see, I adore the Cleansing Oil. It is up to parr with my favorite Clinique Take the day off balm (Review) and I prefer it over the pixi Nourishing Cleansing balm* (Review). But the Cleansing Cream? It is a good cream cleanser, don´t get me wrong, but I have had better. Maybe not at that price point, but I guess I am a spoilt brat when it comes to skincare.
So could I pretty please just get a pot of the Cleansing Oil?
Who do I recommend it to?
Anyone.
It is a decent product for a good price. The ingredient list reads great, it is a one stop shop for cleansing purposes and it is easy to travel with.
If your skin is really dry, it may be too stripping, but the lovely Siobhan from Beautylymin, which I recently chatted to about this cleanser, has dry skin and gets along with it just fine, so it might just be me.
So, this was a long one, kudos if you did stick with me till the end.
Do you think you have fallen for a bias in your blogging or personal life?