Acure Seriously Soothing Cleansing Cream

Who this cleanser suits

It's a cream cleanser rather than a foaming one. If your skin runs dry or reactive, the kind that feels tight and stings after washing, a cream base is usually more comfortable. Foaming agents are what strip the barrier in the first place.

It takes off makeup, sweat and general end-of-day grime without leaving your face squeaky. Some people like the squeak. If that's you, this will feel like it didn't work.

The ingredients doing the work

Peony root extract sits near the top of the list alongside two chamomiles, German flower extract and Roman flower oil, plus blackberry fruit extract. Glycerin and plant emollients handle the softening. The cleansing agent is sodium cocoyl isethionate, which is milder than the sulfates in most face washes.

Acure formulates without parabens, sulfates, mineral oil or formaldehyde donors. The line is vegan and isn't tested on animals.

How to use it

Small amount, wet face, massage in circles, rinse. Follow with toner and moisturizer while your skin is still damp, since that's when moisturizer does the most good.

Worth a patch test on your inner arm if your skin reacts easily. Chamomile belongs to the ragweed family, so ragweed sensitivity is worth knowing about before you put this on your face.