Simply Soft and Sensitive - Like Me! (Simple Purifying Cleansing Lotion)

Member Name: skidd

Product:	Simple Purifying Cleansing Lotion
Date:	14/04/09 (302 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Leaves skin clean and soft . Suitable for sensitive skin. Inexpensive

Disadvantages: Container could be better designed

I haven't washed my face since I was in my early teens. Friends often look aghast when I tell them this and my poor Mum was horrified when I took up such nasty, unclean habits! However I was determined because the Mum of my best friend was a beauty consultant (at least she sold perfume and cosmetics in the local chemist's) and she told me water was bad for my face and soap even worse. Now I thought she was quite old (in retrospect she was probably about 39!) and had beautiful skin so I thought it wise to take her advice especially as I felt soap and water made my face come up all blotchy and feeling tight. Mum had to acquiesce as I used my own pocket money to buy some cheap cleansing preparation!

It's well known that lots of kids develop an allergy to soap at some stage! But it later turned out mine was a real one. After the development of my eczema, in my twenties, I found I could only use glycerine or olive oil soaps but I stuck to cleansing lotion on my face and this has to be very mild and suitable for sensitive skin.

I first used Simple some years ago but then turned to more expensive brands thinking they were better for my skin. However a couple of years or so ago, feeling the need for a little economy, I again purchased Simple Cleansing Lotion and I have to say I am really impressed and wonder why I ever gave it up!

*****SIMPLE PRODUCTS*****

Simple soap was launched in 1960 and, it is claimed, was the first ever perfume and colour free soap but it was not until 1978 that their first skin care range was launched , just a cleanser , toner and moisturiser. Although today their products cover a much wider range from antiperspirants to shower/ bath preparations, sun protection products and antiwrinkle treatments and include special ranges for babies and men, their philosophy remains the same in that all products are 100% perfume and colour free and contain " no unnecessary additives". As such they are considered suitable for sensitive skins from which apparently 50% of people in the UK claim to suffer. Importantly too, for many readers, their products are not tested on animals.

The website is worth a visit as it contains not only product details but also helpful advice for those with sensitve skins. An interesting glossary explains many of those long terms which can be found on cosmetic ingredient lists. http://www.simple.co.uk/index.aspx

*****SIMPLE PURIFYING CLEANSING LOTION*****

***Ingredients***

I won't go into all the ingredients because it would take a lot of effort to discern the tiny writing and I am sure most people would not be too interested. However the chief ingredients seem to be water, hydrogenated vegetable oil and glycerin. It also boasts active ingredient pro-vitamin B5, otherwise known as panthenol which is a well known emollient and moisturiser. Interestingly enough Wikipedia notes that it is sometimes mixed with allantoin (also listed as an ingredient) and used for the treatment of sunburns, mild burns and minor skin disorders as it "improves hydration, reduces itching and inflammation of the skin and accelerates and improves healing of epidermal wounds".

I just need to confirm it is lanolin free because, although it is widely believed that lanolin is good for the skin and it is used in many trusted skin care products, such E45 cream, some people are allergic to it and these include (yes, you've guessed it) boring, old, allergy ridden ME!

***My experience***

This white plastic container containing 200ml is about 6 ins high with a screw on lid and is recyclable The dispenser is just a hole, revealed when the lid is removed and the thick white creamy liquid is quite easily dispensed when the bottle is inverted. As with all Simple products there is no perfume at all.

The instructions are to squeeze onto cotton wool and "cleanse in upward movements over the skin morning and night". I usually use this method but when I have run out of cotton wool, I have been known to use my fingers applying straight onto the skin and then using a tissue to wipe over. It certainly cleanses as the evidence shows on the cotton wool or tissue! It's easy, it's quick and accomplished with very little mess!

But, in addition, it is claimed that the lotion softens and conditions and I have to admit my skin always feels good afterwards -never tight or dry and still soft to the touch. Most important, I have never yet suffered any adverse reaction which must prove, knowing my skin, that it is very gentle.
It is also, according to the instructions, "soft enough to use around the delicate eye area" and I can verify this because I also use it to remove eye makeup. Maybe I should add that I do not wear waterproof mascara so I can't judge how effective it would be on that. It has never yet stung my eyes.

The instructions also add that toner and moisturiser should be applied afterwards but I skip the toner. (Any beauticians reading this, please don't admonish me for this sin of omission, I just don't like the way toners feel on my skin!)

Just a couple of small criticisms. Firstly, this type of container seems to trap air and, the lower the contents become, the harder you have to squeeze to remove the air before any lotion emerges. Secondly, the dispenser under the screw top does not screw off but is very firmly attached to the container and, if you want to remove all those last drops, you may have to run the risk of cutting this off. Normal precautions should be taken if attempting this!

***Value for Money***

This is a very reasonably priced when compared with similar products. A quick search of Tesco website will illustrate:-

Price per 100 mls:-
Simple Cleansing Lotion £1.00
Tesco Skin Wisdom Cleansing Lotion £1.22
Garnier Clean and Soft Cleansing Milk £0.91
Nivea Visage Gentle Cleansing Lotion £1.93
L'Oreal Dermo Extreme Nourishing Cleansing Milk £1.80

I find it goes a long way as just two small, pea-sized globules will usually be sufficient for a cleansing session. My present bottle has lasted some two months and is still going strong and I don't have to pay extra for special eye make up removers.
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***The Verdict***

This is a reasonably priced and effective product which I will be buying again and which I would recommend to all whether or not they suffer from sensitive skin. From my experience it cleanses efficiently and leaves the skin feeling as good as some products I have used which cost ten times the price. But then I am a sensitive woman with simple tastes (whatever my ex husband may say!).

Summary: Safe, effective, inexpensive and therefore worth a try.