Right now, I’m all about milk cleansers. But they weren’t alway my fave pick.
Back in high school, when my skin was shinier than a frying pan and my nose and cheeks littered with blackheads, I turned to foaming cleansers to rid me of all that gunk.
If your skin still plays those tricks on you, I recommend you give Bioderma Sebium Purifying Cleansing Foaming Gel a try. Here’s why:
What’s In Bioderma Sebium Purifying Cleansing Foaming Gel?
SURFACTANTS TO CLEANSE SKIN
Ever wondered what’s the stuff in foaming gels that makes them clean and foam so well? Surfactants.
They’re a family of ingredients that help water mix with oil and dirt so they can be easily rinsed off your face. The catch? If they’re too powerful, they do the cleansing job too well and strip your skin of all of its natural moisturising oils.
Bioderma Sebium Purifying Cleansing Foaming Gel uses Sodium Cocoamphoacetate and Sodium Laureth Sulfate, two gentle, medium-strength surfactants.
They remove dirt, impurities and the extra sebum oily skin produces BUT still leave a little bit behind to keep it naturally soft and moisturised (that’s what sebum is, your skin’s natural moisturizer).
SUGARS TO HYDRATE SKIN
A good cleanser doesn’t just cleanse skin. It also makes sure it stays well-hydrated during the stripping process.
Bioderma Sebium Purifying Cleansing Foaming Gel uses a bunch of sugars (Mannitol, Xylitol and Rhamnose) to hydrate skin. They work by attracting moisture from the air and binding it into the skin.
FYI, sugars aren’t bad for skin. Sure, eating too much candy and processed fruits can make you age faster. But when topically applied to the skin, they hydrate it without side effects. Phew!
Struggling to put together a skincare routine that banishes shine, pimples, and blackheads? Download your FREE “Best Skincare Routine For Oily Skin” cheatsheet to get started (it features product recommendations + right application order):
Texture
A gel.
Fragrance
Clean and fresh.
How To Use It
It’s the first step of your skincare routine, both morning and night.
Performance & Personal Opinion
Since I’ve moved to London, my skin becomes considerably drier during the cold winter months. But as summer’s around the corner, and my skin’s upping its sebum production once again, I thought it’d be safe to try Bioderma Sebium Purifying Cleansing Foaming Gel.
Light blue in colour, the gel texture conjures a little foaming action that removes everything it finds in its tracks. That includes dirt, makeup and even sunscreen.
I haven’t tried it around my eyes (I prefer to use a separate remover for that). But this forming gel works against long-lasting foundation, bronzer, blush… You name it.
On my oily t-zone, it worked like a charm. Once I rinsed it off, my skin was both clean and soft. My cheeks felt a little tight, but the skin there has always been drier…
Then, again, this is a cleanser for oily, NOT dry skin, so that was to be expected. That’s why it’s so important your cleanser is suitable for your skin type, ladies.
But can Bioderma Sebium Purifying Cleansing Foaming Gel decongest skin? Sort of. While it can’t remove impurities lodged deep inside your pores, it can and does get rid of any excess oil before it has a chance to clog your pores.
When you reduce the amount of oil on your skin, you won’t be so prone to blackheads and pimples anymore.
Who Is This For?
- Oily skin
- Combination skin
Who Is This NOT For?
Dry skin.
Packaging
A see through tube with a green cap. It’s not the prettiest, but it’s practical.
Does Bioderma Sebium Purifying Cleansing Foaming Gel Live Up To Its Claims?
| CLAIM | TRUE? |
|---|---|
| Gently cleanses and purifies. | It gently cleanses. Purifies is a skincare term that means nothing. |
| Limits sebum secretion. | It removes excess sebum, but it’d have to stay on the skin for longer to control sebum production. |
| Keeps pores from becoming clogged. | True. It does this by removing excess oils and impurities from your skin. |
Price & Availability
$14.90/£10.80 at Dermstore, Escentual and Feel Unique
Do You Need It?
If you have oily skin, this is a great option to consider.
Dupes & Alternatives
Ingredients
Aqua/Water/Eau, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Methylpropanediol, Disodium EDTA, Mannitol, Xylitol, Rhamnose, Fructooligosaccharides, Zinc Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, PEG-90 Glyceryl Isostearate, Lactic Acid, Laureth-2, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Chloride, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Hydroxide, Fragrance
I have T-zone is very oily. For me, this cleanser does wonders. I have never experimented dry skin while using Bioderma’s sebium cleanser. I highly recommend it to those who have oily skin! I am so thankful I can find it in my country.