You know that squeaky feeling you get after using a powerful cleanser?
That’s what happened when I used Skyn Iceland Glacial Face Wash. And it’s NOT a good sign…
Here’s why:
What’s In Skyn Iceland Glacial Face Wash?
POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE TO CLEANSE SKIN
Potassium hydroxide (or lye) is a powerful cleansing agent that easily removes everything from the skin.
The catch? It’s highly alkaline (read: can cause irritations if you have sensitive skin). Needless to say, it shouldn’t be used around the eyes.
I’d say most skin types shouldn’t use it all. This is 2020. There are gentler cleansers that can do the job without irritating skin.
Related: Still Using Soap To Wash Your Face? Read This
SODIUM METHYL COCOYL TAURATE TO CLEANSE AND LATHER
Don’t let the long name fool you. Sodium Methyl Coco Taurate is much gentler than Potassium Hydroxide.
While potassium hydroxide may do the heavy lifting, sodium methyl cocoyl taurate helps remove its fair share of dirt, too – without drying out or irritating skin.
Plus, it produces a nice lather.
GLYCERIN TO HYDRATE SKIN
Cleansing is a traumatic process for skin – especially when Potassium Hydroxide is involved.
Glycerin is here to make it easier on the skin. As the cleansing agents do their cleansing job, glycerin attracts moisture from the air into your skin, helping it to stay hydrated during the process.
Related: The Complete Guide To Glycerin In Skincare
Need help creating the best skincare routine for you oily skin? Sign up to the newsletter below to receive the “Oily Skincare Routine Cheatsheet” (it includes product recommendations, too!).
Texture
Creamy and foaming. Produces a decent amount of lather.
Fragrance
Clean and crisp.
How To Use It
It’s the first step of your skincare routine. Add water to a tiny amount of cleanser and work it into a lather before massaging it onto your face. Rinse off with lukewarm water.
Performance & Personal Opinion
Skyn Iceland Glacial Face Wash is a creamy cleanser that leaves skin squeaky clean. Really squeaky clean. I wouldn’t say it dries out my skin, but it does strip a bit more natural oil from it than most cleansers do.
This (coupled with Potassium Hydroxide) could be a sign the pH of this cleanser is higher than it should be. In the long run, a high pH can disrupt the skin’s protective barrier and cause acne.
If you’re always breaking out and don’t know why because your skin routine is on point, a cleanser that cleanses too much is usually the culprit.
I couldn’t test the pH with pH strips, so I can’t tell you for sure its pH is bad for skin. I can only tell you what it did for me. It removed too much oil.
It didn’t dry out my skin just because I stopped using it after a week. It’s obvious we’re not a match.
Related: Why You Should Use Low pH Cleanser (And My Fave Picks)
Who Is This For?
I have a feeling the pH of this is too high. I can’t really recommend it.
Who Is This NOT For?
Again, I do NOT recommend this. But it’s especially NOT suitable for dry and sensitive skin.
Packaging
A sleek, icy blue tube that reminds you of Iceland. Sleek and practical.
P.S. Mine is a mini-size that came in a gift set.
Does Skyn Iceland Glacial Face Wash Live Up To Its Claims?
| CLAIM | TRUE? |
|---|---|
| A creamy, foaming cleanser that works to refresh, soothe and purify stressed skin. | It’s creamy and foaming, but it can’t soothe and purify stressed skin. FYI, NO cleanser can purify skin. |
| Pamper it with a refreshing, foaming cleanser that will leave your skin squeaky clean and hydrated. | It leaves skin squeaky clean, but not hydrated. |
| This mild cleanser detoxifies and purifies without stripping skin of its natural moisture. | No cleanser can detoxify and purify skin. Your kidneys do that. And it does strip skin of its natural moisture a little. |
| Skin’s harmony, balance and glow are restored. | No. |
Price & Availability
$30.00 at Skyn Iceland
Do You Need It?
Nope. There are gentler options around (check out the Alternatives section below).
[penci_review]
Dupes & Alternatives
- Corsx low PH Good Morning Gel Cleanser ($11.00)
- Neutrogena Fresh Foaming Cleanser ($6.99)
- Paula’s Choice Skin Balancing Oil-Reducing Cleanser ($18.00)
Ingredients
Water/Aqua/Eau, Glycerin, Myristic Acid, Potassium Hydroxide, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Behenic Acid, Lauric Acid, Palmitic Acid, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Stearic Acid, Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Extract, Salix Alba (Willow) Bark Extract, Rubus Chamaemorus (Arctic Cloudberry) Seed Oil, Oxycoccus Palustris (Arctic Cranberry) Seed Oil, Luffa Cylindrica Seed Oil, Thymus Vulgaris (Thyme) Flower/Leaf Extract, Buddleja Davidii Extract, Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Angelica Archangelica Root Water*, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Laminaria Digitata Powder, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Sodium Lauroyl Oat Amino Acids, Propylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Menthone Glycerin Acetal, Disodium EDTA, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Tocopherol, Retinol, Polysorbate 20, Lecithin, PEG-75 Shea Butter Glycerides, Pentylene Glycol, Perfluorodecalin, Glycosphingolipids, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Butylene Glycol, Potassium Phosphate, Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Benzoic Acid, Dehydroacetic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polyaminopropyl Biguanide, Potassium Sorbate, 1,2 Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Benzoate, BHT, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Linalool, Hydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde, Benzyl Salicylate, Hexyl Cinnamal, Geraniol, Limonene, Citronellol, Eugenol, Fragrance (Parfum), Blue 1 (Ci42090), Red 33 (Ci 17200).
