Cleansers - I looooove them. I have four on the go at the moment and as you've already heard about the other three, I didn't want to leave REN Hydracalm Cleansing Gel, €25, out. A new sister product to their Hydracalm Cleansing Milk, the Cleansing Gel is (as the name suggests) a gel cleanser to be used with water. While I use the Cleansing Milk with a muslin to cleanse and remove makeup normally, I also have lazy days where I just want to quickly wash my face while showering and I use the Cleansing Gel on those days.
Formulated for sensitive skin, Hydracalm Cleansing Gel is designed to thoroughly cleanse skin, leaving it refreshed and soothed and without any tightness or irritation. While I love the convenience of gel cleansers, I have found it extremely difficult to find one that doesn't leave my dry, sensitive skin feeling uncomfortably tight, so I was interested to try this one out, particularly as I already loved the Cleansing Milk.
Packaged in the same pump packaging as the milk cleanser, Cleansing Gel is a clear, colourless gel with a slightly watery texture. One pump provides enough product for one application. I lather it between my wet palms (it doesn't develop into a very sudsy foam, but does take on a nice texture for spreading on the skin) and then apply to wet skin to cleanse. The texture here is nice; it definitely feels as if it's doing something on my skin, rather than just running off it and the mild herbal fragrance is very pleasant and refreshing (and quite unisex, so watch out if you're sharing your shower with menfolk who might choose to sample it).
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I find that Hydracalm Cleansing Gel does a great job removing makeup and sunscreen, though I must say I haven't tested it on a very heavy application of foundation. I also can't vouch for its eye-friendliness, as I always use a separate eye makeup remover.
What I can vouch for is how well it treats dry, sensitive skin. There is absolutely no dry, taut feeling once it rinses off and it rinses clean very easily, leaving my skin feeling soft and looking clear and clean. I've used this quite regularly (usually alternating with a cream cleanser and muslin) and my skin has remained evenly balanced and with none of the breakouts of congestion that I develop quickly with ineffective cleansers.
If you have sensitive skin, but still like to use gel cleansers, I'd definitely recommend Hydracalm Cleansing Gel as a good option.
