Obagi Medical - Nu-Derm Gentle Cleanser

A mild cleanser for skin that easily feels tight after washing.

Why it works

Most cleansers remove too much. They use surfactants that not only dissolve dirt and makeup but also the lipid barrier that holds your skin together, which is what causes that tight feeling afterwards. This cleanser uses oat amino acids: mild surfactants that bind moisture instead of stripping it away. Aloe, panthenol, and apricot kernel oil soften and keep the skin supple, while sage and borage soothe.

The gel foams lightly and rinses off completely. Your skin feels clean afterwards, but not tight or squeaky.

For whom

For normal to dry or combination skin, and for reactive skin. Also great in winter, when your usual cleanser suddenly feels too harsh, or during a period when you are using acids or retinol and your skin is a bit more sensitive.

If you have oily skin or wear a lot of makeup, the C-Cleansing Gel cleanses a bit more thoroughly.

How to use it

Morning and evening. Wet your face, take a small amount on damp fingertips, and massage over face and neck for half a minute. Rinse with lukewarm water. Pat dry instead of rubbing.

If you wear heavy or waterproof makeup, use an oil cleanser first, followed by this gel. One mild cleanse is better than scrubbing vigorously twice.

What I would like to share with you

There is a lot of noise surrounding cleansers, but this is the step where you can lose the most and gain the least. A good cleanser does nothing spectacular; it simply cleanses without causing damage. That sounds modest, but a large portion of the sensitive, easily reddened skin I see in the clinic didn't become sensitive by nature. It became that way through years of harsh cleansing.

Two practical tips. Use water at body temperature, no warmer, because heat compromises your lipid barrier. And apply your next step within a minute of drying off, while your skin is still damp. It really makes a difference.

Are you unsure which cleanser suits your skin? Feel free to send me a message, and we can look into it together.