The purpose of a serum cleanser is to clean the skin (just like a regular cleanser would), however it is typically very different to other cleansers you may have tried. Despite being on the skin for a short period of time and then being washed off, a serum cleanser will continue giving your skin benefits long after it’s been removed. How does it do that? Well, it comes down to the active ingredients. A serum cleanser will typically contain a cleansing agent combined with active ingredients to hydrate and nourish the skin. Active ingredients are commonly found in serums, so a serum cleanser is a serum-like formula that both cleanses the skin and provides nourishment long after it’s been washed off.
Why is it different to other cleansers?
Different consistency - Firstly, it can take a bit of getting used to because the consistency is very different to other cleansers. A serum cleanser is typically a thinner consistency than that of a regular cleanser and won’t foam up like other cleansers (which is a good thing)! The consistency is a little runnier (just like a serum) but that doesn’t mean it’s full of water. In fact, it should be quite the opposite. If you look at the ingredients on a regular cleanser, you'll often notice that water (aqua) is the first listed ingredient. The reason this happens is because water can make a product stretch further and therefore reduce the cost for the consumer. Whilst a cheaper price is great, what they don’t tell you is that water in a product can also dilute any natural activity contained within the product. This means that any results are purely synthetic or rather like a placebo effect on the skin, making it ’feel’ hydrated, but this is only temporary. Biologi’s Bc Refresh Cleanser is a serum cleanser that is free from water, aqua, or any other ingredient that can dilute the actives. Your skin receives all the benefits of every single drop of plant extract, so results are faster and longer lasting.
It won’t foam heavily - A serum cleanser will not foam like some people might expect it to. Gone are the days when a tight skin feeling meant a good thorough cleanse. In fact, by now we should all know that tight feeling is actually dehydration, and it tells us the skin is unhappy. Unfortunately, many traditional cleansers rely on synthetic surfactants to create the foam that cleans the skin. Whilst this can do a great job of removing dirt and impurities, the tight feeling after cleansing doesn't mean your pores are super clean as we've been led to believe. What it actually means is that the skin's natural oils have also been stripped away along with the surface dirt. Not a good thing for your skin.
It won’t strip the skin ’ Because serum cleansers contain gentle ingredients, it won’t strip the skin of its natural oils. A great example of this is Biologi’s Bc Refresh Cleanser which harnesses the power of Soapberry. Soapberry contains saponins (triterpene glycoside), a natural foaming agent that cleans the skin without drying it out. These natural actives were created inside the plant in a water-soluble environment and do not look for water to absorb so no dehydration occurs. What you’re left with is cleansed, hydrated and silky-smooth skin.
It keeps working long after you wash it off ’ Regular cleansers are traditionally applied onto the skin's surface and washed away taking grime and dirt with the foam or cream. While they may be highly effective at removing surface dirt, the results from traditional cleansers are only skin deep and go no further.
Serum cleansers are typically water-soluble products which means the active ingredients penetrate deeper into the skin during use. Not only does the product clean the skin, but the active ingredients also hydrates, build antioxidant protection and help to repair cells deep within the dermal layers offering results far more than simple cleansing.
They’re suitable for all skin types - When choosing traditional cleansers, you'll notice they're usually marketed towards a certain skin type such as dry, combination, oily or sensitised. But not all cells were created equal. Cleansers for oily skin types tend to contain more alcohol which can have a drying effect and cause unnecessary damage to those cells which aren't excessively oily. Biologi’s Bc Refresh Cleanser being a gentle serum cleanser is suitable for all skin types, even the most sensitive of skins. Because the cleanser contains fully active ingredients, each phytonutrient works to simultaneously hydrate, nourish and protect every cell without the use of synthetics. Bc Refresh Cleanser is naturally beneficial for all skin types, including sensitive skin.
What are the benefits on the skin?
The basic benefits are of course cleansing the skin in a gentle way, however it doesn’t just stop there. Serum cleansers contain fully active ingredients so they works like a serum would, offering hydration, antioxidant protection and repairing of cells deep within the dermal layers. Typical cleansers work on a wash-on-wash-off basis, which does the job of cleansing, but there's no chance to nourish cells or protect against the free radical damage. Therefore, your skin is at risk of dehydration which can lead to visible signs of ageing.
Do you need to use a serum cleanser differently?
The short answer is yes! A serum cleanser doesn’t contain harsh stripping ingredients so will not foam up on your face and cleanse your skin with an overpowering force. Instead, it may feel like it’s not actually doing something, but in actual fact it’s working overtime. The best way to use a serum cleanser is by using in conjunction with a microfibre cloth when washing off make up, followed by the serum cleanser as a way to double cleanse and nourish the skin. If using in the morning when you’re likely not wearing makeup, the cleanser can be put on the skin and left for a few minutes before washing off.
TRY: Biologi’s Bc Refresh Cleanser is a game changer in the cleansing department that will have you rethinking your entire routine. Harnessing the untouched power of soapberry extract, Biologi has achieved what was previously thought impossible and created a cleanser free from synthetic surfactants and foaming agents.
Listen to our podcast episode with Ross founder and creator of Biologi to learn more about the brand.
