My honest review of Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel
I have to say that this is one of my favourite cleansers of all time. It has stood the test of time on the market and is a celebrity and skin therapist favourite. Launched decades ago as one of Dermalogica's founding products, it was a pioneering product that helped launch Dermalogica into the skin products spotlight. It's a classic, foaming cleanser that leaves behind zero residue and is gentle enough for twice a day cleansing. You really get that "clean-skin" sensation when using this product.
It's also great to use as an alternative to shaving gel at a pinch. I take it on holiday with me and it serves a great purpose as a 2-in-1 cleanser/shaving medium product that saves on luggage space.
Price Classification - ££££ (Premium)
Pricing
from £39 for 250ml
Sizes: 50ml, 250ml, 500ml & 500ml Refill
Strengths
Perfect cleanser for those with drier skin or who often feel dehydrated after using foaming cleansers. Rinses clean and doesn't leave any residue behind, unlike most other cream based cleansers. Gentle enough for twice daily use.
Weaknesses
None. Although if you have extremely dry or dehydrated skin maybe Dermalogica Intensive Moisture Cleanser would be a better choice instead.
Key Ingredients
Quillaja Saponaria Bark Extract
Full Ingredient List
Water/Aqua/Eau, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Quillaja Saponaria Bark Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract, Citrus Limon (Lemon) Peel Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Oil, Cymbopogon Winterianus Herb Oil, Glycerin, Cocamidopropyl Betaine , Coco-Betaine, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate , Capryloyl Glycine, Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate, Methylpropanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, PPG-5-Ceteth-20, Sodium Hydroxide, Disodium EDTA.
* Whilst every care is taken to reflect the actual ingredient list, manufacturers sometimes make changes to their formulas. Therefore, always please check product packaging before purchasing.
Fragrance
None Added - Natural Essential Oils of Lavender, Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract, Lemon Peel, Bergamot, Cymbopogon Winterianus (Java Citronella) Herb Oil. (However, these oils are in a very tiny proportion of this product so it is actually considered to be relatively fragrance free).
Allergens
Limonene, Citral (Naturally occuring in essential oils) - Can cause skin sensitivity in those allergic to limonene or citral. (These allergens are included in a very tiny amounts in this cleanser. Only those with the most sensitive or reactive skin to fragrance would react to this product.)
My Opinion
I have used this product myself (both personally and professionally) for nearly 20 years. It is really very gentle but also very effective at removing dirt and debris, without stripping away the skin’s natural hydration. Also great for shaving, I used this as a shaving gel for many years without any skin irritation from shaving. It has a lovely foaming action and doesn't have any noticeable fragrance. I use it twice per day to thoroughly cleanse my skin.
Would I buy it again? Yes! It's already a firm favourite in my bathroom cabinet!
Where to buy it
Directly from Dermalogica's Amazon Webstore .
Parent Company
Unilever (a British multinational consumer packaged goods company, and its headquarters are based in London, England, United Kingdom.)
Country of Manufacture
Southern California USA
All products are manufactured in USA and the original owning company was Dermalogica Inc. However in 2015, Dermalogica Inc was aquired by Unilever. Dermalogica still maintain their Head Quarters in Carson, California, USA.