Did you know? Pai Camellia & Rose Gentle Hydrating Cleanser has been around for 10 years! In the world of skincare, that’s a lifetime.
The cleanser was one of the first products Sarah Brown, founder of Pai Skincare, formulated for her new brand. You know what they say: if it an’t broken, don’t fix it.
So what made it last the test of time?
What’s In Pai Camellia & Rose Gentle Cream Cleanser?
CAMELLIA, CASTOR, & SWEET ALMOND OIL TO CLEANSE SKIN
You guessed it, Pai Camellia & Rose Gentle Cream Cleanser is a creamy, oil-based cleanser.
Oils work because like attracts like. Camellia, castor and sweet almond oils attach to the oils on your skin and in your makeup and take them on a trip down the drain.
Plus, they double up as moisturisers. If you’re used to this type of cleanser, you know they can leave a greasy residue behind. This residue is moisturising, but you can always remove it with a washcloth or water-based cleanser if it really bothers you.
Either way, these oils leave your skin both clean and soft. Win win.
Related: What The Heck Is The Oil Cleansing Method & Should You Switch?
GLYCERIN TO HYDRATE SKIN
Pai Camellia & Rose Gentle Cream Cleanser is one of the most hydrating cleansers I’ve tried.
On top of the moisturizing oils, it also has its fair share of glycerin, a humectant that attracts moisture from the air into the skin. Thanks to this extra moisture, your skin stays well hydrated during the cleansing process.
There’s no way this cleanser can dry out your skin – unless you’re too rough with the cloth (more on that later).
Related: Why The Heck Is Glycerin In All My Skincare Products?
Struggling to put together a skincare routine that banishes dryness and makes your skin supple and dewy? Download your FREE “Best Skincare Routine For Dry Skin” to get started (it features product recommendations + right application order):
Texture
A thick, creamy cleanser.
Fragrance
Technically, it’s fragrance-free. But it has fragrance oils that give it a lovely herbal scent.
How To Use It
It’s the first step of your skincare routine at night. Massage it all over your face and remove it with the muslin cloth it comes with.
The cloth has a textured side to exfoliate skin during cleansing and a soft side if you want to skip the exfoliation. If you have sensitive skin that can’t tolerate acids or scrubs, do use the textured side. If, like me, you prefer chemical exfoliants, use the soft one. Either way, I like that Pai is giving us the option.
Performance & Personal Opinions
Pai Camellia & Rose Gentle Cream Cleanser comes with a muslin cloth – that’s how it’s meant to be used.
I used both the texture and soft sides during the month I tested this. They both remove the cleanser well without scratching skin. Having said that, it’s not the gentlest washcloth I’ve tried. If you already have softer face towels at home, feel free to switch.
I must admit I don’t like using muslin clothes or face towels with cleansers. Not because they don’t work – they do. I’m just too lazy to do all that laundry.
Muslin cloths are a breeding ground for bacteria when wet. You have to wait until they’ve dried out completely before using them again. And that’s if you don’t use makeup. If you do, they get dirty pretty quickly. It’s a hassle. It’s up to you to decide if it’s worth it for you.
Pai Camellia & Rose Gentle Cream Cleanser works both with and without the muslin cloth. So, which one is the better option? It depends.
Using the cleanser with the matching muslin cloth provides a better experience. The cloth helps remove makeup and ensures that every trace of the cleanser comes off too.
When you use the cleanser without the muslin cloth, you’ll feel like you still have a slightly greasy layer on your skin. That’s not dirt or makeup – the cleanser removes both well with or without the cloth. It’s the oils in the cleansers.
Remember what I told you above? Oils do a terrific job at removing makeup but they can leave behind a moisturising residue. I don’t mind, but if you do use it with the cloth.
Talking about makeup, Pai Camellia & Rose Gentle Cream Cleanser does remove everything – even waterproof mascara. Keep in mind, that I don’t like heavy makeup. The Kardashians look that’s so popular today is so NOT for me. If that’s what you dig, it’ll probably take you a little longer to take everything off.
The only thing I’d do without is the lavender and geranium oils. My tough skin can take them fine but they could cause irritations if you’re sensitive to them.
Who Is This For?
- Normal skin
- Dry skin
Who Is This NOT For?
- Oily skin: May be too rich for you
- Sensitive skin: The essential oils may irritate your skin
Packaging
A white bottle with a pump applicator. Simple, sleek, and practical.
Does Pai Camellia & Rose Gentle Cream Cleanser Live Up To Its Claims?
| TABLE | CLAIMS |
|---|---|
| A cult favourite, our cream cleanser made for sensitive skin is a gentle power-house. | It’s gentle enough, but it has a few drops of essential oils that could still irritate sensitive skin. |
| he face cleanser features a trio of oils which lift away dirt and makeup with ease while protecting the skin’s delicate oil and PH balance. | True. |
Price & Availability
£40.00 at Content, Cult Beauty, Free Beauty and Revolve
Do You Need It?
If you have dry skin, this is a good option to consider.
Dupes & Alternatives
Ingredients
Aqua, Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Lactobacillus Ferment, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Butyosperumum Parkii Butter, Tocopherol, Cetearyl Glucoside, Beta-Sitosterol, Rosa Damascena Oil, Squalene, Pelargonium Graveolens Oil, Sodium Levulinate, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Lactic Acid, Litsea Cubeba Fruit
