Where I got it
I got this direct from Paula’s Choice website for AUD$33. They usually have offers and discounts going on, so sign up to their email newsletters or follow their IG for special codes and offers!
Paula’s Choice Optimal Results Hydrating Cleanser
What I got
This is Paula’s Choice Optimal Results Hydrating Cleanser (190ml). A silky smooth skin-softening cleanser that replenishes skin’s moisture content while gently but effectively cleansing the skin and removing makeup.
- Cleanses without dryness or leaving a tight feeling
- Contains skin-restoring ingredients
- Hydrating lotion formula
- Use as the first step in your AM/PM skincare routine
Ingredients: Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride (emollient/texture-enhancing), Decyl Glucoside (cleansing), Glycerin (hydration/skin-replenishing), PEG-20 Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate (cleansing), PPG-20 Methyl Glucose Ether (texture-enhancing), Methyl Gluceth-20 (hydration/texture-enhancing),Glyceryl Stearate (texture-enhancing), Stearyl Alcohol (texture-enhancing), Polyacrylamide (texture-enhancing), Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract (green tea extract/antioxidant), Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract (skin-soothing), Sapindus Mukurossi Peel Extract (soapberry extract, cleansing), Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate (cleansing), C13-14 Isoparaffin (texture-enhancing), Laureth-7 (texture-enhancing), Xanthan Gum (texture-enhancing), Disodium EDTA (stabiliser), Citric Acid (pH adjuster), Caprylyl Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, C10-16 Alkyl Glucoside, Phenoxyethanol (preservatives), Ethylhexylglycerin.
How I find it
I have been using PC products for years and my holy grail would have to be the 2% BHA liquid. This is probably the first time I purchased a cleanser from PC and I love their new packaging! So simple and the colours are so beautiful too.
I chose this cleanser because I needed a morning cleanser that is gentle and non-stripping. I used to use quite strong actives like AHA toners, BHA exfoliating liquids, Retinol creams, Vitamin C, etc. (not all at once of course!), so I felt like my skin is a little stripped and sensitive. I have since reduced the amount and frequency of these actives and space these out through the week.
Paula’s Choice Optimal Results Hydrating Cleanser
So I usually use this in the morning, I just dampen my hands and then use 1 pump of this cleanser and massage it all over my face and neck. The cleanser is so easy to spread with the help of a little bit of water. Rinse off and then the rest of my skincare.
I also like to take my makeup off in the late afternoon around 5 pm when I don’t need to go out anymore. I double cleanse with cleansing oil or balm and then use 1-2 pumps of this to clean everything off. It’s very gentle and usually, my cleansing oil gets all my makeup off anyway, I don’t need a harsh cleanser every day.
Overall
Absolutely love this cleanser even for my combination-oily skin. I feel that throughout the years I have been using a too harsh or too stripping cleanser that kind of throws my skin off balance a little. I often cleanse 3 times a day if time allows because I like to take my makeup off as soon as I’m home and I know that I won’t be going out for the rest of the day. Then I cleanse my face again at the end of the night when I shower. So this gentle creamy cleanser is perfect for the morning and afternoon cleanse. The last cleanse is usually a gentle one as well, but that would be a gel cleanser.
My skin feels soft and balanced after cleansing. I don’t really get that tight and dry feeling after rinsing the cleanser off at all. I use a cotton pad with toner to wipe everything and I don’t see any residue as well.
This big bottle also lasts a long time because I only need one pump for the entire face. Sometimes I use two pumps to give myself a bit of a massage too because this has a nice slip and it’s hydrating while cleansing! Win-win!
