Is your skin so sensitive, every cleanser you’ve tried stings like crazy?
I hear ya. The cleansing process is always traumatic for skin. You risk raising its pH, breaking down its protective barrier, stripping away its natural oil… It’s a minefield.
But it’s not like you can skip cleansing. Ugh. So what’s a girl to do, use only water? That may do in the morning, but it ain’t gonna take your makeup off…
Enter La Roche Posay Toleriane Demo-Cleanser. When you’ve tried everything, this baby comes to the rescue and takes everything off without the sting. Here’s what makes it the gentlest cleanser for sensitive skin:
What’s In La Roche Posay Toleriane Dermo-Cleanser?
ETHYLEHEXYL PALMITATE TO CLEANSE SKIN
The real reason why La Roche Posay Toleriane Dermo-Cleanser is so gentle? It has NO cleansing agents.
Wait, what?! How can it cleanse skin if it has no cleansing agents?!
Ethylhexyl Palmitate. It’s a substitute for mineral oil and works in pretty much the same way. It acts like a solvent that dissolves the oils and impurities on your skin so they can they easily be wiped off your face.
Plus, it’s so moisturizing, it makes even the driest of skin types softer and smoother. No way this is gonna strip your skin. It moisturises as it cleanses.
FYI, don’t let its origin scare you. Mineral oil undergoes a strict purifying process to remove all toxins. At the end of this process, it has no resemblance to oil anymore. It’s super safe even for sensitive skin and non-toxic.
Related: 5 Myths About Mineral Oil You Need To Stop Believing Right Now
GLYCERIN TO HYDRATE SKIN
Glycerin is a humectant. That’s a fancy way of calling ingredients that attract moisture from the air into the skin.
As your skin goes through the cleansing process, glycerin draws enough extra water to it to keep its moisture levels high. Once you’re done with it, your skin’s so soft and smooth. Like you’ve just moisturised instead of cleansed.
Related: Why Is Glycerin In All My Skincare Products?!
Struggling to put together a skincare routine that banishes dryness and makes your skin supple and dewy? Download your FREE “Best Skincare Routine For Dry Skin” to get started (it features product recommendations + right application order):
Texture
Creamy and milky texture.
Fragrance
It’s fragrance-free.
How To Use It
Morning and night, it’s the first step of your skincare routine.
Performance & Personal Opinion
La Roche Posay Toleriane Dermo-Cleanser has a creamy, milky texture that leaves a moisturizing residue behind – unless you wipe off the cleanser with a cotton pad or washcloth. That’s what I do.
It does a great job at removing dirt, impurities and most makeup from skin. I say “most” because it all depends on how much makeup you’re wearing.
I know the Kardashian look is very popular today. Personally, I’m not a fan of covering your skin under that many layers of long-lasting, waterproof makeup every single day.
But if that’s your cup of tea, cool. Just don’t expect this to take it all off. I recommend you use an oil-based cleanser for that and keep this as a morning cleanser.
If you’re more of the minimalistic type, La Roche Posay Toleriane Dermo-Cleanser doubles up as makeup remover. I favour sheer foundations and non-waterproof mascaras that subtly enhance my natural look and this cleanser takes them all off effortlessly.
It’s also super gentle and does not irritate skin. If you feel like that tight, post-cleansing feeling is totally normal, give this one a go. Not only you don’t get that, but your skin feels so soft afterwards!
Who Is This For?
- Dry skin.
- Sensitive skin.
Who Is This NOT For?
- Oily skin.
- If you wear a lot of makeup, this won’t be enough for you.
Packaging
A sleek and practical white bottle.
Does La Roche Posay Toleriane Dermo-Cleanser Live Up To Its Claims?
| CLAIM | TRUE? |
|---|---|
| A wipe-off milk to gently cleanse sensitive, intolerant or even allergy-prone skin, every day. | True. |
| Removes impurities and make-up without stripping skin. | True. |
Price & Availability
Available at: $23.99/£12.50 at Dermstore, Escentual, Feel Unique and Walgreens
Do You Need It?
If you have sensitive skin, this is one of the best cleansers out there for you.
Dupes & Alternatives
- CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser ($13.99)
Ingredients
Water/Aqua, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Carbomer, Sodium Hydroxide, Capryl Glycol/Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin.
I love the Toleriane range it’s so amazing I always recommend it to people with reactive skin.
Andrew James – theskincaresaviour.com
Hello, thanks for the info about this cleanser. I already use a mineral oil based cleanser, which the brand recommends following with a water based cleanser to remove residue. Is the LRP Dermo-cleanser a water based cleanser or is it basically another oil cleanser?
Sky, most cleansers are both oil and water based. Find one that removes everything and stick to that. No need to double cleanse.
Correct me if I’m wrong, but I thought ethylhexyl palmitate is derived from palm oil, not mineral oil?
Sanna, you’re right. It’s derived from palmitic acid, which can be found in palm oil.