Did This ‘Green Juice Detox’ *Actually* Purify My Oily Skin?
Main Image – Courtesy of writer
We could all do with a few more superfoods in our life, particularly in our diets. But in our skincare too? Sign me up! I’ll take all the healthy vibes I can get.
So when Youth To The People kindly sent me a cleanser named Superfood Cleanser (£38/$39), you can only imagine my delight. I looked it up online and found that it had been branded a ‘green juice detox for the skin’. As someone who cannot stomach actually drinking green juice (liquid spinach? No thanks). I was hopeful this would be the next best thing for my oily skin.
Here’s my honest review.
The product details
Suitable for normal, dry, combination and oily skin, this vegan cleanser promises to decongest pores, remove makeup without drying out the skin, leaving a fresh, clean finish. It contains a blend of protecting and nourishing kale, spinach and green tea, as well as liquorice root to soothe the skin.
It comes in three sizes – 59ml (£15/$16), 237ml (£38/$39) and in the UK, 473ml (£59). There is also a 500ml refill available in the US for $68.
First impressions
I don’t know what it is about a glass bottle in skincare, but I’m here for it. I think it automatically makes things feel more luxe, although the thought of it crashing onto my bathroom floor or ceramic sink makes me wince.
My 237ml bottle came boxed, complete with a screw-on lid and a separate pump. When the screw lid is on, it looks like a drinkable bottle of green juice (although I can imagine the mini size does more). I immediately swapped the lid for the pump though and predicted that I would never see that lid again (where do they go?).
I dispensed two pumps of cleanser onto my fingers – careful, it’s quite runny – and applied it to my wet face. I wasn’t sure what to expect from the smell, but I knew I didn’t want to smell the sort of greens you cook for a Sunday roast on my face.
Image – Courtesy of writer
Luckily, I was pleasantly – actually, very pleasantly – surprised with its herbaceous smell. A bit like walking through a herb garden, only less peppery, more fruity. A clean and healthy smell overall.
When I massaged it around my skin, it foamed up straight away and I loved the feel of it. It felt smooth and super-lightweight, but also like it was giving my face a good clean.
I rinsed it off and was reminded of why I love foaming cleansers – whilst balms and creams are super luxurious, they need a bit of extra help when being rinsed off. This one just lifted off after just a few splashes. Quick and easy.
My results – detox or no detox?
Once dry, the main thing I noticed was the softness of my skin. It didn’t feel tight at all, just beautifully smooth and fresh, and I had a subtle glow too.
Would I continue to use this cleanser based on the use? Absolutely. I love the simplicity of it – the speed and ease of application. Does my skin feel detoxed afterwards? Well, let’s be real. Do we ever know if skin is really detoxed?
I’d prefer to go with clean. Because what I love is how efficient the cleanser is.
I always use a micellar water before using my water cleanser and then I sometimes run an acid toner around my face with a cotton pad afterwards. I haven’t noticed any dirt or makeup on the cotton pad after using this cleanser, which speaks volumes. My skin is clearly completely free of nasties, it feels comfortable and looks fresh. Isn’t that all we can ask from a cleanser?
I can use it both in the morning and evening and I have even noticed my oil production is slightly reduced during the day when I’ve used it for my morning cleanse. Which I know my fellow oily-skin sisters will agree is a win in itself.
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What other users are saying
If you buy the mini size, beware of the pour! “I do find you have to be quite careful when pouring it out as you can end up with quite a lot of product coming out at once, due to the bottle being glass with the screw top, rather than pump,” writes Olivia.
So the mini bottle clearly doesn’t come with a pump, meaning this is very good advice given the runniness of the cleanser. “Have been using for a couple of days, feels nice and refreshing,” she adds.
Nils says, “left my skin feeling so clean and fresh – I haven’t tried another cleanser like it. However, it is extortionate and I’m not sure I can justify the cost!” Yup, we’re getting to the price, but I agree. A cleanser is a cleanser at the end of the day.
Ayesha didn’t have a bad word to say about it. “This is the best cleanser to use on all skin types, especially blemish prone skin,” she says. “It made my skin soft and radiant. This is going to be my favourite cleanser, and I will continue to stock up more in the coming weeks.”
Image – Courtesy of writer
Overall value for money
I’ve touched on the cost, but I haven’t moaned about it – yet. I get it, the cleanser contains some true goodness and is a really lovely product. Plus, you know – glass bottle.
But the mid-sized bottle, with pump, is £38/$39. I don’t mind spending this on my skin serum which stays on my skin, penetrates deep beneath my skin’s surface and works overnight. But spending this on my cleanser, which is quite literally being washed down the sink? Probably not. I just can’t justify it.
The mini version (£15/$16) is better, but there is no pump so wastage is pretty much guaranteed. And how many weeks’ use can a 59ml bottle really give you if you’re using it twice a day? Answers on a postcard.
The takeaway
It smells good, it cleans my skin, and it does the job quickly and efficiently. What’s more, it contains some really healthy ingredients too.
In my book, if a cleanser ticks all of the above boxes, and reduces oil production even slightly, it’s got a place on my bathroom shelf. But the price! If it was more affordable, a top-up bottle would be winging its way over to me already.
Get Glowing!
