REVIEW | AXIS-Y Quinoa One-Step Balanced Gel Cleanser

Hello!

Today I come back with another review. It’s about my current go-to cleanser; it’s Quinoa One-Step Balanced Gel Cleanser (phew! What a long name) by Axis-Y.

This brand is currently hyped up in my country. I see it everywhere on Instagram, and I was curious about them. Axis-Y is known for its 6+1+1 Advanced Formula and created the most sincere skincare for people with oily, acne-prone skin living in humid climates (Oh, wow, that’s SO me!)

They have four products; Quinoa One Step Balanced Gel Cleanser, Daily Purifying Treatment, Arthichoke Intensive Barrier Ampoule and the newest Dark Spot Correcting Glow Serum.

I was in need for a new cleanser; I ran out of a cleansing oil and second cleanser at the same time L and I thought the cleanser would be perfect to shorten my cleansing time. I always double cleanses, especially on night routine after a long day. But I often get too sleepy and tired to wash my face properly. So, I decided to buy this.

Claim

“This gentle facial cleanser removes makeup and impurities in one step with a pH balanced gel formula. Made with Quinoa, this cleanser also helps calm irritation-prone skin.”

Texture & Scent

It’s a clear gel with a slight floral scent which I believe comes from Geranium Oil in it.

Ingredients (see picture below)

Since it’s a pH balanced cleanser, it contains Decyl Glucoside, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate and other gentle surfactants instead of SLS/SLES, which I was afraid my skin would break out to these kind of surfactants.

How To Use

Apply 2-3 pumps on face, gently massage and wash off with lukewarm water.

My Experience, My Thoughts

I had ever tried a cleanser with similar claims (pH balanced) and similar surfactants, and my skin experienced a pretty bad breakout which I still can’t forget. I had a breakout of that cleanser after two weeks of usage. So, since I’ve been testing this for 3 weeks now, I think I could finally write my thoughts.

I try using this two ways; on a dry face and on a wet face. The result is, when I apply the cleanser on a dry surface, it lathers up so little, almost no foam. 

But when I apply after I damp my face, the foam is there, but not as much as using a facial foam. You can see the picture below.

Does it leave the skin feeling dry? Yes and no. It depends on my skin condition. When my skin is okay, it feels slightly dry but still comfortable. But when my skin is dehydrated, it’s extremely drying out my skin and my face feels so tight, which I am not comfortable with until I drench it with many layers of hydrating toner.

How is the cleansing ability? I don’t wear makeup on a daily basis; only skincare, sunscreen and some face powder. I can say that this cleanser is quite good at removing dirt and impurities since it leaves a minimal dirt residue on a cotton pad everytime I use a cleansing toner.

So, is it good for removing makeup as well? I tested this cleanser to clean a concealer, Peripera Ink Airy Velvet (which is so hard to remove even after using an oil-based cleanser), an eyeliner and a local brand lip tint. Please take a look on pictures below.

As you can see, it doesn’t remove them that well. You still can see the pigment of lip tints left on my hand. So, I never use this as a single cleanser everytime I use makeup. I don’t recommend you to use only this cleanser when you wear makeup. You still have to double cleanse.

Finally, in my opinion, this cleanser is so convenient to use when you don’t have much time to do a double cleansing. On a side note, please continue with a cleansing toner to make sure your face is completely clean from dirt and impurities. I do recommend this to people with oily skin like me, but I don’t think dry skin fellas would love this since it could make your skin drier than before. Since I don’t experience any breakout, I’d continue using this because it shortens my cleansing time very much.

YMMV~

Have you tried any product from Axis-Y? What is your favorite? Please share down below J