Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel review

I bought the Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel because none of the cleansers I’d previously tried stood out to me. I have normal-oily skin, and I often felt underwhelmed from cleansers I’d used before.

While I justify spending a lot (too much sometimes lol) on makeup and skincare, I’d always opt for drugstore cleansers. One of my friends recommended the Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel to me and said it had done wonders for her skin. We have the same skin type, so I thought I’d try it out.

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What is Dermalogica?

Dermalogica is a popular US-based skincare brand that aims to deliver effective and proven products, as opposed to skincare with pretty packaging. The brand believes in skin health as opposed to “beauty”. It’s now a globally recognised skincare brand.

Some of its hero products include the Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel, Daily Microfoliant, Precleanse and Skin Smoothing Cream.

Product ingredients and claims

The Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel is a soap-free gel cleanser that is designed to remove impurities, without being too harsh or stripping. It promises to be lightweight and mild enough for everyday use, while soothing and calming the skin.

This iconic cleanser, which contains naturally-foaming Quillaja Saponaria, gently rinses away toxins and debris to leave skin feeling smooth and clean.

Dermalogica

First impressions

I like the packaging. Clean and minimal. Nothing too fancy and it keeps in line with the grey and white Dermalogica branding.

When I first tried this product out, I decided to use a small, almond-sized amount of product because I wanted to see if a little bit went a long way.

It did.

This cleanser definitely responds well to water because it lathered up very easily into a soft, foamy consistency. Importantly, it didn’t feel soapy or too irritable on my skin.

On application, it feels soft and gentle but you can tell it’s working to draw out any dirt and impurities too. This certainly proved to be true when I washed the cleanser away as my skin felt refreshed.

From using it for the first time, I was impressed.

A few months later

I’ve been using the Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel for just over 2 months now and the difference it has made to my skin is remarkable.

Recently, people have been telling me my skin looks clear, glowy and healthy. This is a comment I’ve definitely received far more since using the Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel. I also get very few spots now and my skin overall seems smoother. I’m quite happy to not wear makeup now thanks to the cleanser.

I think my clearer and healthier skin is a combination of the Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel and the Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate oil, which I LIVE for.

But, without a doubt, this cleanser is great and has seriously has cleared my skin up.

Where to buy

Retailing for £35 for 250ml, which is pretty pricey, you can purchase the cleansing gel from feelunique.

Although this is on the more expensive side for cleansers, I think it’s worth the price tag. I enjoy using it and it makes my skin look clear and feel refreshed. Not only that, but the product lasts because a little bit goes a long way, so it isn’t like you need to repurchase this every 2 months.

Final thoughts

I really like this cleanser because it’s removed almost all of my skincare woes. It’s light, rejuvenating and gentle.

And most importantly, my skin feels healthier, is clearer and looks more radiant. Result!

Rating: 5 stars

An amazing product with amazing results. What’s not to like?

Sarah Sarsby is the owner of A Woman's Confidence. With over 6 years' experience of writing in the fields of beauty and lifestyle, Sarah is passionate about all things content, makeup, skincare, wellness, and lifestyle. She has oily skin, is obsessed with lip gloss, and loves cookie dough.