Sephora Sample Review: Clarins One-Step Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser

Clarins One-Step Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser - $35 at Sephora.com

And the reviews keep on coming! I have more samples hanging around the house than I even thought I had! I found a bunch more of them this morning hiding in my makeup case. So many things to try! I decided I wanted to at least change it up from simply moisturizers and eye creams, so today I am branching out into cleansers. I realized I also have actual makeup to try out, as well as some perfume, so that's all on it's way too.

This week, I have been using my mini sample of Clarins One-Step Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser. I haven't used a lot of Clarins products recently, though I used to be a big fan of their lipstick and foundation. It can be difficult to find an exfoliating cleanser that is the right balance between harsh and smooth. The little beads or particles inside some can be so abrasive that it feels like you're scratching your face. Some can be so light that they don't feel much different than a regular cleanser, and they don't give you the benefits of exfoliation. This cleanser is definitely a good mix of the two. The silica microbeads inside feel good on the skin, and you can also feel the exfoliation happening. The cleanser is made with orange extract that gives it a light, citrusy smell, that is perfect for a morning wake-up.

The cleanser washes off nicely and leaves the skin feeling fresh after sloughing off all those dead skin cells.  I wouldn't use it as a daily cleanser, since you're not supposed to exfoliate every day, but as a deep cleanser to use 2-3 times a week, it would be great. At $35 for a 4.4 oz bottle, it's pretty affordable for this type of product. I'm not clamoring to buy it right away, but it's a solid product and I certainly couldn't find any negatives, which is a big plus considering my sensitive skin.