I used to think cleansers with acids were a waste of money since you’re just washing them off. However, when it comes to the best salicylic acid cleanser, it can really help with clogged pores and texture, depending on your skin type.
If you’re finding that you have clogged pores and texture issues – and your barrier can take it – attacking the issue on several fronts can be helpful.
The Cosrx Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser is often regarded as one of the best salicylic acid cleansers for those looking for a lightweight option that doesn’t overly moisturize, helping reduce pore clogging.
Certainly I’ve had good results with the Cosrx but I was curious as to whether something with a bit heftier would do more!
Given my experience with Skin1004’s products, I was eager to try their best salicylic acid cleanser, the Madagascar Centella Tea-Trica BHA Foam, which contains a reasonable 0.45% of salicylic acid.
Texture
It’s creamy texture out of the tube and whilst it emulsifies, it doesn’t really foam up and feels a bit like a clay mask once it’s been emulsified, there’s that same thick creamy texture that I noticed when I go to wash off the Mary & May clay masks.
When searching for the best salicylic acid cleanser, texture is important.
Because it has an acid, it’s best to leave it on for a few minutes so the salicylic acid can get to work.
I’d say it’s more creamy and less velvety foam than the Skin1004 Madagascar Centella Ampoule Foam and I think that’s useful in something you want to leave on your skin for a few minutes.
As the Cosrx has some acids, even though they’re a low concentration, I do leave it on my skin (particularly my arms) and I find even incidental splashing from the shower dilutes it very quickly. However, the Skin1004 stays in place really well, even with a bit of splashing!
The Skin1004 feels a less refreshing than the Cosrx, whilst having a very similar refreshing fragrance. I suspect this just comes down to the texture, though: gel always seems fresher than something creamy.
Ingredients
I’m here for the salicylic acid but it’s nice to have all the other beneficial ingredients: Skin1004’s star soother, centella extract, in particular.
It also has tea tree oil and extract, which help with acne so those are good additions, as well as other plant extracts to help soothe skin.
Experience
What is particularly unusual about this cleanser is that it felt like the moisture has been sucked out of it!
As I’m washing it off, the surface of my skin feels dry and, to the touch, it’s like I’ve stripped my skin.
This totally freaked me out the first time I used it because I absolutely do not expect that feeling from a Skin1004 product and I was worried about my damaging my barrier.
Sure, it’s got salicylic acid, which can be drying, but it’s not an outrageous amount, 0.45%, whereas leave on products tend to have more (and there’s the derivative, betaine salicylate).
Of course, any cleanser could be stripping if it’s not well-formulated, regardless of whatever acids might be in it. Some foaming ingredients can be harsh or the pH might be too high which is a quick route to a damaged barrier.
However, as my skin dries, it doesn’t feel tight at all and, to my relief, feels soft. It’s just that initial feeling as I’m washing it off – so don’t be discouraged if your skin feels squeaky as you’re rinsing it.
You might want to be concerned if your skin doesn’t return to feeling soft once it’s dried and hydrating products feel like they’re not helping. Yes, your skin might feel a bit drier than if you’d used a cleansing oil but the point is to get the benefits of the salicylic acid so I wouldn’t expect a formula with an acid to be moisturising!
Granted, I do find I want an extra hydrating product compared to using a cleansing oil, for example.
That’s not a deal breaker because it’s easy to add another hydrating product in or an extra layer of toner.
However, interestingly, double cleansing completely changed my cleansing experience!
I prefer a one-and-done cleanser in the morning to save time and not overdo it with cleansing. Whilst some people may just be able to splash with water, I need something that washes off the rich products I use in my evening routine.
As a result, I’ve generally used this cleanser by itself. However, I wore makeup and removed it with the Skin1004 Madagascar Centella Light Cleansing Oil then followed up with this cleanser as I’d been out in the city and reapplied waterproof sunscreen multiple times.
That combination of makeup, waterproof sunscreen as well as general city dirt and pollution means I want to make an effort with cleansing.
Using an oil cleanser first really reduced the dry, rubbery feeling my skin had as I was washing on the foam cleanser. I assume the oils from the first cleanser were moisturising my skin, even though I don’t find the Skin1004 oil cleanser leaves a film.
One thing you will want to be really careful with is your eyes. Whilst I wasn’t trying to cleanse my eyeballs with the foam cleanser, I accidentally got some in my eye and it stung far worse than any other cleanser!
I immediately had to wash it out and apply eye drops, which thankfully I had to hand. I do have dry eyes anyway so I tend to have several bottles of eye drops kicking around.
I would totally avoid your eye area and I wouldn’t recommend trying to remove makeup with it. Granted, I wasn’t using it as a makeup remover but I wouldn’t even risk it – stick to an oil or balm cleanser for makeup.
Final Word
I found this definitely contributes to keep my pores clear and my skin feeling very well-cleansed, without being stripped. Oh and it probably goes without saying that I use it on other acne-prone areas too, like my arms!