One thing all beauty editors know is this: cleansers can make or break your skincare routine. The feeling of clean skin is satisfying, but if you don’t wash your face correctly, your skin simply won’t reap the benefits of serums and moisturisers. They can sit on top of makeup, sunscreen and whatever else your skin has come into contact with that day, rather than absorbing and using it to its full potential. Not only is this a waste of time, but it’s also a waste of money.
With brands like The Inkey List, CeraVe and Byoma offering high-quality, affordable formulas, you don’t have to spend a fortune on face cleansing. In particular, The Ordinary’s products are ridiculously affordable. If you’re already a fan, you’ll know that the Squalane Cleanser (£8) has become a must-have among dermatologists and TikTok skincare enthusiasts for its silky, balm-like texture. Then there’s the newer Glucoside Foaming Cleanser, £11.10, which is a very effective make-up remover. Now there’s competition for both. Enter: the Glycolipid Cream Cleanser, £11.10. This unique formula has several factors that make it different from its predecessor. First up, the texture: Compared to balm-oil cleansers (like Squalane Cleanser), it’s more gel-cream-like and doesn’t foam (like Glucoside Foaming Cleanser).
Since it’s water-based, it feels more like a lightweight lotion, but its cleansing power can’t be underestimated. The Ordinary promises that the Glycolipid Cleanser removes dirt, environmental pollutants (like pollution), and makeup. Even better: it’s suitable for all skin types. What are glycolipids? If you don’t mind a crash course in chemistry, lipids are naturally occurring fats. Glycolipids are lipids that contain carbohydrates and attach to the cells that form tissues such as skin. Glycolipids are considered to be highly emollient, so they can soften, soothe, and moisturize dry skin. This also makes them an effective supplement to moisturizers, serums, and cleansers, like this one from The Ordinary.
Is The Ordinary’s sugar-and-fat cleanser any good? Before I get into the point: I rarely have my cleansing products ready. My job is to try out the latest products as soon as they come out, but most of the time
I miss products before I’ve used up the last drop. To avoid wasting anything, I’ll use a cleanser on my body or use foam to clean my makeup brushes. But I love sugar-lipid cleansers so much
I don’t want to see the end. When I make this, I don’t have too much on hand. The gel-cream texture is similar to CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser (£11.50), arguably the most viral cleanser on TikTok. If you regularly
use R29, you know I love using it. It’s gentle on reactive and sensitive skin, removes makeup, leaves skin feeling soft, and doesn’t cause breakouts.
However, I noticed one key difference: while regular cleansers with sugars and oils can penetrate thick mascara with just one swipe, CeraVe requires a double cleanse to remove everything. For this reason alone, I tend to use sugar- and lipid-containing
cleansing products. Anything that can shave a minute off my skincare routine gets my vote. I should tell you one other thing: before the Glycolipid Cleanser landed on my desk, I had a new cleanser, £42, from a brand that’s popular with dermatologists that I used. It took so much effort to dissolve my foundation and mascara that it stung my eyes. The regular cleanser, at £11.10, is a fraction of the price and, in my opinion, more effective and more pleasant to use. It’s safe to say that we’re more aware of our skin barrier (the outermost layer of skin, like a protective armour for the face) than ever before. As a result, foaming cleansers that can leave skin feeling tight and uncomfortable are being replaced by smoother, gentler ones. Although I have combination skin, a very oily T-zone and the occasional blackhead, I find that the Glycolipid Cleanser works better for me than the foaming cleanser. In fact, I think I like it better than the brand’s new Glucoside Foaming Cleanser. I don’t feel the urgency to moisturise my skin with a serum afterwards, and moisturiser can be a refresher, because my skin isn’t thirsty. Instead, it’s soft and bouncy. Since learning to take better care of my skin barrier (choose moisturizers with ingredients like ceramides and glycerin, don’t overdo it with products like retinol or exfoliating acids, and switch to cleansers like this one), I’ve also noticed fewer breakouts.
My partner (who also has combination and acne-prone skin) loves the Sugar Lip Cleanser as much as I do, which is why you can see how long the tube lasts when it’s squeezed down to an inch. We’ve even considered cutting off the top to keep the rest. My only criticism is that the tube isn’t twice as big. I use them to remove makeup at night and to freshen my face in the morning (not to mention I’ve shared them with others), and the whole thing has lasted us less than
less than a month. The Sugar Lip Cleanser is available now at theordinary.com/en-gb, and I have a feeling that, like the cleansers before it, it’ll be gone from the virtual shelves soon. I know a future cult classic when I see one.
DQH Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C?
It’s easy to create a skincare routine, but knowing how to use it is another thing entirely. In most cases, if you’re not getting the desired skin results, it could be due to the layering of conflicting ingredients. So, is it possible that salicylic acid and vitamin C are such ingredients? Or are these active ingredients the duo that’s been missing from your skincare routine? If you want answers, stick around because today we are going to explain the benefits of salicylic acid and vitamin C and how they can be used in your daily life.
What are the benefits of salicylic acid for skin?
Salicylic acid is one of the most commonly used beta hydroxy acids and is favored by many people with oily, acne-prone skin. This acid is derived from willow bark, and unlike its water-soluble relatives (called alpha-hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble, which means it can penetrate deeper into the lower layers of the skin. Once it reaches the lower layers, it can help unclog pores of excess sebum, dirt, bacteria, debris, and impurities. This results in clearer skin tones and greater definition.
Not only does salicylic acid benefit the underlying layers, but the outer surface of the skin benefits as well. When applied to the skin, salicylic acid removes the buildup of dead skin cells. This is accomplished by breaking the bonds that hold dead cells to the surface. Over time, this can cause the complexion to look dull and prone to acne, blackheads, and other blemishes.
If you’d like to learn more about salicylic acid and how it can improve your skin, check out this dedicated blog post from a beauty insider.
What are the benefits of vitamin C for skin?
Vitamin C is considered one of the most powerful antioxidants, which means it is very effective at fighting free radicals and preventing them from causing further skin damage. Examples of free radicals include pollution, central heating, UV rays and harsh climate. They attack proteins, fats and cell membranes as soon as they come into contact with the skin, causing signs of premature aging such as fine lines and wrinkles as well as hyperpigmentation, flaky patches of skin and loss of elasticity.
Many people usually prefer to use vitamin C in their morning routine as this ingredient gives the complexion a radiant glow. You’ll also find that vitamin C can target areas of hyperpigmentation, plumping the skin and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
The thing about vitamin C is that there are a lot of outdated studies going back to the 1950s that describe vitamin C as an unstable skin component. Thanks to improvements in modern technology, this is no longer the case as all products now contain a stable form of vitamin C.
Visit The Beauty Insider to learn more about vitamin C. So please check out our blog post.
Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C?
Yes, you absolutely can. In fact, it’s thought that using salicylic acid before using vitamin C ensures it penetrates faster and works faster.
This is an efficient way to utilize two power sources, and the reason has to do with pH. For example, the skin’s natural pH is about 4.7, making it slightly acidic. Salicylic acid and vitamin C are also both acidic, and you’ll find that vitamin C is absorbed quickly into the skin. Therefore, using salicylic acid beforehand can increase the acidity of the skin and allow vitamin C to penetrate into the skin faster.
While this is considered an effective way to combine two powerful ingredients, you need to be aware of your skin type and how it reacts to certain active ingredients. Even people with perfect, normal skin can experience skin sensitivity and irritation. Therefore, always consult a doctor or dermatologist before using any new products on your skin.
It’s also important to follow skin application rules. In this case, you need to use the product correctly to ensure you get the best results for your skin. If you’re not sure what I mean, the basic rule for skin is to start with the thinnest consistency and work your way up to the thickest consistency. This prevents a barrier from forming on the surface, preventing other active ingredients from penetrating the skin.
Can I use salicylic acid at night and vitamin C in the morning?
Yes, absolutely, this is considered the most effective way to get returns without any adverse side effects. This is because there is enough time between applications to ensure that the skin’s pH levels return to balance.
You’ll also find that Vitamin C is rich in antioxidants and is perfect for use in the morning to ensure your skin is protected and looking its healthiest. Due to the small size of salicylic acid molecules, it is an acid that is able to reach the deepest parts of the skin. While this is effective at keeping skin clear, it also increases the risk of irritation and photosensitivity. Therefore, many people prefer to use powerful BHAs in their evening routine without exposure to UV rays, pollution, or harsh weather.
Warning: If you avoid using sunscreen every day, none of these ingredients will do what your skin needs. The combination of chemical peels and powerful ingredients increases the risk of further damage to the skin’s surface. Use SPF 50 every day to keep your skin protected and your lipid barrier healthy, even on cloudy days, keeping your skin in top condition.
