Do foam cleansers cleanse better?

It’s a coincidence that of the products I received last week, two were foam cleansers of natural and organic formulation. I noticed that there are increasingly more of such products in the market. Besides the Kiehl’s Açaí Damage-Minimizing Cleanser and Ecobeau Loess Water Cleanser that are featured here, others that I’ve come across include Nutriganics Foaming Facial Wash for example. I used to call the cleansers I use foaming cleansers but these are unlike those I use which are really cream or gel based and need some water to work into a lather. These are actually liquid cleansers contained in a pump bottle that disperse a lightweight fine facial cleansing foam without further need for additional water.

||What I like about them||

1. They are fun and convenient to use
My first foam cleanser was the L’Occitane Immortelle Brightening Cleansing Foam. Undeniably, these foam cleansers are a novelty to the first time user. I mean, who doesn’t like foam? Plus, it’s fun to disperse foam directly from the pump bottle and not have to work a lather to get a foamy facial wash. You can say it’s more convenient too.

2. They’re usually gentle on the skin
Although you see a lot of foam, but most of them are not drying on the skin as they’re mostly sulfate free. Hence, you can use a few pumps of the foam and still do not feel that your skin becoming overly drying.

3. They cleanse pretty well
Most of the formulations I’ve tried cleanse the skin quite well. You may need more help with a thicker eye makeup but as a whole, you should find your face quite clean after using such a cleanser. It is said that Japanese women like to use foam cleansers to keep their skin clear. I believe however, that the secret of their clear skin is due to double cleansing with a foam cleanser.

||What I don’t like about them||

1. They are rather deceiving
The foam is deceiving as it seems you’re using a lot of the cleanser just with one pump. However, if your face is quite oily, you’ll probably need about two pumps of the foam to cleanse thoroughly. Hence, if you’re going to use this to cleanse your face of makeup, then you’re going to need at least three to four pumps and you’ll still need to double cleanse.

2. They don’t last as long
So as a whole, these foam cleansers do not last too long and they deplete really quickly because you’ll need to use more than one pump most of the time. Cost per use is definitely higher than the usual cleansers and that was why I didn’t repurchase the L’Occitane Immortelle Brightening Cleansing Foam as it was too expensive.

Do they cleanse better?
And the big question is, do they cleanse better than the other types of cleansers? Personally, I like them better than cream or milk cleansers. I also like to use them after using an oil cleanser. I do find they cleanse pretty much the same as my usual lathering cleansers but if you ask me to choose, I’ll prefer my usual cleanser anytime as I don’t use so much of the product just for one cleansing session. In addition, I feel the cushion effect is better with a cleanser I can work into a lather.

Agree or disagree? Share your thoughts on foam cleansers with me and if you have a particular favorite, tell us too.

Comments

  1. AtelierGal says:

    There’s the bubble cleanser and the actual foam cleanser.

    BC – convenient to use, and apparently the particles can penetrate into your skin to better remove dirt.

    FC – takes a while to build up the foam but the creamy formula can better cleanse your face.

    I don’t really like bubble cleansers, they don’t really do a good job. Was actually about to do a post on this ?

  2. Noresa says:

    Foam cleanser suitable for oily skin. I do have oily and acne breakout at times but I still refer using oil based cleanser like Christian Dior, if u strip your skin too much. It get worse!

  3. sesame says:

    It’s a bit confusing; most companies call it foam cleansers and now, bubble cleansers? I assume the BC one you refer to is the same as pic?

    For foam cleansers, I find they cleanse pretty well but you need more pumps. One pump is usually not sufficient. I also think it might have something to do with the quality of the pump. Some produce more suds but little of the cleansing liquid.

  4. sesame says:

    Oil cleansers can get rid of makeup very thoroughly but most pple don’t like the residue it leaves behind. So usually, they’ll follow up using another type of foam or foaming cleanser. I agree with you – don’t strip your skin of the natural lipids so the best bet is to use those without SLS.

  5. Yvette says:

    I just got on the foam cleanser bandwagon and I’m loving it! I still have to double cleanse but I really like that the foam cleansers I’ve tried so far don’t over-dry my skin. Plus, I think the foam makes cleansing fun. =)

  6. AtelierGal says:

    Foam cleansers need loads of lathering, and can take up a lot of time but they really cleanse well.

    Lathering is the key, that’s what I learned after attending a recent blogger event.

  7. pf1123 says:

    I like them in the morning because I’m still not convinced that they clean as well as cream/gel cleansers.

    But yes, they’re quite expensive because they are used up very fast. So, I stick to my cream and gel cleansers which needs lathering these days.

  8. flym says:

    I prefer foam cleansers, or cleansers which lather up and has to be washed away. I think lathering + rinsing off = cleaner, or so I feel. Very important that I get to wash it off with water.

  9. BlovetBeauty says:

    I’ve always wanted to be able to use foam cleansers, somehow though, they have a tendency to make me break out. The more foam in a cleansing product, the more likely I react! I still love how they bubble up so nicely though…

  10. sesame says:

    Yeah, they’re fun to use and good thing that most brands have formulated theirs to be gentle and non-drying.

  11. sesame says:

    That’s good to know! I love those cleansers that lather up into a foam and I find them the best in terms of cleansing my face. I’ve even stopped using oil cleansers and just double cleanse using these cleansers now.

  12. sesame says:

    Got to pump more…with makeup on, the usage is even higher. I find it also depends on the formulation. Some of the foam are thicker and wash better but others are “hollow” and got to use more to achieve same level of cleanliness.

  13. sesame says:

    Yes, same here. I like them compared to oil or cream cleansers. Those leave behind a residue and I’m paranoid that my skin isn’t so clean just using them.

  14. Rennie says:

    For me who has combin-oily skin, I find cream cleansers too moisturizing for my skin and gel cleansers too difficult to lather up. Foam cleansers are the way to go for me. It’s easy to use and not drying on my skin. Rather if it cleans as well as other form of cleansers, I think it’s probably the weakest. But nothing a toner can’t clean up.

  15. sesame says:

    Oh they break you out? That’s really strange. Your skin must be sensitive to some of the ingredients then. I’m curious as to which ones you’ve tried.

  16. sesame says:

    Rather curious to know which foam cleanser you use too. Although I haven’t used that many foam cleansers, I feel that the cleansing capabilities differ from brand to brand. Some can do the job quite well with one pump but some others may need more.

  17. pf1123 says:

    I usually use an oil cleanser or makeup remover before a foaming one. Don’t really feel comfortable using it as the first step of double cleansing. hehehe…

  18. Dee says:

    I occasionally use foam cleansers from time to time, but I feel that it can make my skin on the dry side if I use it too often.

  19. Rennie says:

    You are probably right about brands though I am not too practicular about cleansers since they don’t last a long time on your skin as toners, moisturizers, or sunscreens do. Right now I am using Boots No7 gentle foaming cleanser. It’s very gentle and makes my skin feel clean.

  20. sesame says:

    I used to but decided to change and I seem to be happier with it. I use a cotton pad to lightly wipe away my eye makeup and with double cleanse, I feel very assured. ?

  21. sesame says:

    I see…I guess it doesn’t always suit every skin type.

  22. sesame says:

    Boots is one of the brands that I’ve been reading raves on. Unfortunately, we don’t get it here…

  23. Ann says:

    I always had sensitive eyes, tried several cleansers but came across Dermalogica’s soothing eye makeup remover, it’s the best so far…..Iknw I sound like an advertg agent.

    Well I think whatever we are using to cleanse, depends how much time we devote to dissolve that makeup with the cleanser, time is also one of the factors to get good results. I would use the same cleanser for my face as well….lol.Oh yea and it does froths a lil bit if I rub it.
    The foam cleansers sounds like a good idea, will go and get one this time :)….and let me know if u want me to send u Boots products, they are really cheap, safe and no less than other nice brands.

  24. sesame says:

    I’ve heard good things about Dermalogica products. Glad it’s working well for you.

    Oh and so nice of you to offer me w.r.t. Boots. I’ll let you know. ?

  25. sesame says:

    Oh interesting. I didn’t know. Will check it out. Thanks for sharing the link with me.

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