Beauty Pick of the Month: La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Facial Cleanser

I am in no way affiliated with La Roche-Posay or any other products that may be mentioned below unless stated otherwise. All purchases were made of my own accord and with my own money, and all opinions are my own.

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Happy May, everyone! We’re in the thick of spring, but before we know it, it’ll officially be the start of summer (and halfway through 2021 *insert gasping/shocked emoji here*). During this time of year, a lot of us are ditching heavier makeup and opting for lighter options—like a simple skin tint, glowy balm, clear gloss, etc. I, for one, tend to wear less makeup in the warmer weather because I’m outside more and spend almost all of my free time lounging near some body of water (preferably the ocean) with a book in my hand until sunset. This time of year is when I like to put my bare skin on display, and in order to do so confidently, using products that really get into skin, clean it well, and leave it looking fresh and hydrated is an absolute must.

Cue my beauty pick of the month for May: the La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Facial Cleanser. This facial cleanser gets the job done without stripping the skin. The result? Fresh, clean, and glowy skin at price that’s affordable AF.

You know the drill: below I’m going to break down exactly what this product is, why I’m loving it, and how I use it. Keep on reading to learn more.

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What is it?

La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Facial Cleanser:

[from the La Roche Posay website]: “This daily facial cleanser for normal to dry skin gently removes face and eye makeup, dirt, and impurities. Its gentle cream formula helps restore skin comfort and retains essential moisture, leaving skin feeling comfortable and hydrated.”

KEY INGREDIENTS:

• Ceramide-3
• Niacinamide
• Glycerin
• La Roche-Posay Prebiotic Thermal Water

ADDITIONAL NOTES:

• Removes impurities, excess oil, and face and eye makeup
• Maintains the skin barrier
• Leaves skin feeling clean with no residue
• Milky texture
• Dermatologist tested – safe for sensitive skin
• Soap-free
• Sulfate-free
• Oil-free
• Fragrance-free
• Non-comedogenic
• Allergy tested
• Paraben-free

All information above found on the La Roche-Posay website.

PRICE POINT: $14.99, 13.5 FL OZ/400 ML

Where to buy:

I purchased this from Amazon, but it’s available at many retailers both online and in-store. Some retailers include but are not limited to: the La Roche-Posay website, Target, Amazon, Ulta Beauty, and Walmart. Look online for more local listings and availabilities, especially since prices may vary from seller to seller.

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Why I’m loving it:

The first time I purchased this product was around 1 year ago, and there hasn’t been a moment since where I’ve regretted it. There are many reasons that I love this facial cleanser, but the biggest thing that drew me to it was the fact that it was specifically labeled as being formulated for normal to dry and sensitive skin. My skin is verrrrry sensitive, and is prone to getting dry easily if I don’t take the time to moisturize. I knew I needed a cleanser that would be effective without irritating my skin, and after being recommended La Roche-Posay sunscreen by my dermatologist previously, I felt confident in the brand and product. That affordable price point was also another incentive in buying this.

True to its word, this cleanser is both very gentle and hydrating on skin. I love how it really gets into and cleanses skin without stripping it of its natural oils and moisture; as stated on the website, this cleanser is designed to maintain the skin’s barrier, and it does just that. I also love the texture. It feels so milky and creamy when lathered onto skin, and it leaves my skin glowing and radiant after use; my skin always feels so clean afterwards. It works equally well for both the days I’m not wearing any makeup and the days that I am. It doesn’t matter if I’m in full glam or not, the cleanser works the same and just as well, no matter what’s on my skin. It does its job without irritating my sensitive skin, what’s better than that?

Additionally, I’m also a huge fan of the bottle. I love the fact there’s a pump to dispense product. Not only does it make it easier to use, IMO, I think that it allows for better control when it comes to dispensing product; it’s more controlled and helps prevent wasting. Plus, for only $14.99 this bottle lasts—and I mean really lasts. In fact, the current one I’m using I’ve had since late fall, and I use it religiously, every single day. You don’t need to go crazy with the product either, less is more.

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Application:

When it comes to all things skincare, everyone is going to have different methods based on what their skin needs and what works best for them. I always recommend reading the directions before trying a new product, and then adjusting said directions if needed. This is always the first step in my skincare routine, no matter what.

Directions:

[found on the back of the bottle]: “Wet skin with lukewarm water. Pump cleanser into hands and massage into skin in a gentle, circular motion. Rinse thoroughly and pat dry without rubbing.”

How I use it:

I use this cleanser on the daily, morning and night. I don’t wear makeup very often (usually 1-2x per week, and that will vary depending on what time of year it is), but the times that I do, my cleansing routine will vary slightly. I’ll break down both cleansing routines with makeup and without below.

Daily routine:

1. Morning: In the shower, I’ll dispense 2-3 drops of the cleanser into my palms, then massage it into my skin in gentle circular, upward motions. I also make sure to cleanse my neck. I then rinse right in the shower. Afterwards, I’ll follow it up with my normal skincare routine.
2. Night: First, I wet my face with lukewarm water, then dispense about 2-3 drops the size of a quarter into my hand. I then lather the cleanser into my face and neck using gentle upward, circular motions. I rinse the cleanser off using a face cloth with cold water by gentling rubbing face cloth against skin in gently upward, circular motions. I keep doing this until my skins feels fully clean. I gently rub the face cloth in upward, circular motions until all product’s come off and my skin feels clean.
   1. Note: I use a bigger amount of cleanser at night to really make sure I get off any dirt and grime that may have built up throughout the day, as well as my other skincare products and sunscreen.
   2. Note: I like to rinse my face off with cold water because I feel like it helps prevent my skin from drying out too much.

With makeup:

I always start by using a separate eye makeup remover to begin breaking up my mascara (I hate going to bed with any trace of mascara still on my eyelashes), and once that’s done, I’ll begin using this cleanser.

1. Wet face well with lukewarm-warm water, including both eyelids and neck.
2. Dispense a generous amount (2-4 drops) into palms and rub together, then begin lathering into skin using gentle circular, upward motions.
   1. Note: I usually start on the outside of my jawline and work my way upward and inward, then move down to my neck, and underneath my chin.
3. Gently apply cleanser on eyelids and eyelashes using ring finger to use least amount of pressure. Rub back and forth gently to break down product.
4. Begin rinsing with a wet face cloth with cold water applied to eyelids and eyelashes first to prevent product from dripping into eyes.
5. Begin rinsing face and neck using same face cloth in gentle upward, circular motions.
6. Wet skin again with lukewarm water and dispense 1-2 drops of cleanser into hand; this is how I double cleanse my skin.
7. Repeat steps mentioned above in same order; and if necessary, repeat on eyelids until all mascara is gone.
8. Follow it up with normal skincare routine.

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