Sarah Chapman Skinesis Ultimate Cleanse review

Cleansers are one of my favourite categories to try: a good product not just gets the job done, but turns the whole evening routine into the SPA-like relaxing experience. Sarah Chapman is a popular high-end UK skincare brand, but I don’t see the Skinesis Ultimate Cleanse mentioned as often on Instagram. Keep on reading for my thoughts on it.

Disclaimer: this product was purchased by me and all opinions are my own. The site uses affiliate banners and affiliate links (marked AF). By purchasing through these links you help with the costs of running the site.

Description

The brand describes the Skinesis Ultimate Cleanse as follows:

“This intelligent aromatic infusion works deep into the pores to melt impurities and remove make-up, including waterproof mascara.

Cell receptors are awakened to a powerful dose of antioxidant vitamins, collagen-boosting Dermaxyl™ peptide and de-ageing Vitamin A. Soothing omega-rich baobab and borage oils are blended with vitamin C-powered rosehip, meadowfoam, abyssinian and jojoba oils. Complexions are gently cleansed and exfoliated to help prevent pore clogging, sebum secretions are balanced and skin is nourished, radiant and soothed”.

Packaging

The premium experience starts with packaging: the plastic feels heavy. You can regulate the amount of product you get from the pump. This type of packaging is my favourite for this type of cleanser: it is quicker to get the product (especially in the evening, that’s a dealbreaker if you are tired and want to have a quick routine). It also keeps air-sensitive antioxidants fresh. As with any opaque packaging, the downside is that you don’t see how much product you have left.

You get 100ml which is a standard size for this type of cleanser. There is also a 30ml version (in a simple tube packaging), which is great for travel or just to try the product out.

Texture:

Skinesis Ultimate Cleanse (AF) has a balm texture that melts when you start massaging it around the face. It reminds me of Deviant skincare Cleanser Concentrate (read my review here), somewhere in between Emma Hardie Moringa Balm and Gel cleanser (read my review for gel here).

Ingredients:

The full ingredient list is very impressive and complex. See below (taken from the site):

“Isopropyl Palmitate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, PEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Sorbitan Oleate, PEG-10 Laurate, PEG-10 Laurate, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil, Ceteareth-6 Olivate, Beeswax (Cera Alba), Decyl Glucoside, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Crambe Abyssinica Seed Oil, Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam) Seed Oil, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Water (Aqua), Cinnamomum Camphora (Camphor) Bark Oil, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Limonene, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Oil, Propylene Carbonate, Tribehenin, Ethanol, Ubiquinone, Tocopheryl Acetate, Juniperus Virginiana Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Ceramide 2, PEG-10 Phytosterol, Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil, Borago Officinalis Seed Oil, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Lilium Candidum Bulb Extract, Glycerin, Retinyl Palmitate, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, Linalool, Citrus Aurantium Amara (Bitter Orange) Leaf/Twig Oil, Citrus Limon (Lemon) Peel Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Oil, Citrus Aurantium Amara (Bitter Orange) Flower Oil, Citrus Nobilis (Mandarin Orange) Peel Oil, Myrtus Communis Oil, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil, Myrocarpus Fastigiatus Oil, Mimosa Tenuiflora Bark Extract, Cananga Odorata Flower Oil, Jasminum Officinale (Jasmine) Flower/Leaf Extract, Rosa Damascena Flower Oil”.

I am by no means a dermatologist or a cosmetic formulator, so can only comment from the perspective of a skincare enthusiast who reads a lot about ingredients.

I use this type of cleanser for a second cleanse (more on that later). Keeping that in mind, antioxidants can be beneficial to the complexion, when massaging the product for a while. It won’t make as much impact as a serum though, cause it doesn’t stay on the skin for long.

Skinesis Ultimate Cleanse (AF) also contains a number of essential oils. While I am ok with that (and according to the site it is suitable for all skin types and has soothing properties), from my experience it might be a problem if you have reactive or sensitive skin. The reaction is very individual in these cases, so I suggest to check the ingredient list if you know that it might irritate your skin.

Fragrance

The site describes the scent as

“essential-oil blend of camphor, neroli, chamomile, jasmine and rose”.

For me, camphor is the strongest scent I can smell here. It’s not overpowering (like in the camphor ointments you get for the bites), but beware if that something you don’t fancy. I find the scent quite relaxing and complementary to the evening routine.

Use

As I’ve mentioned above, I prefer to use this type of cleansers as a second cleanse in the evening, mainly for two reasons. I prefer a lighter cleanser (ideally, gel texture) in the morning. And in the evening I don’t like to waste this type of cleansers to take off make-up: I think you can do it with cheaper products like micellar water. When using it for a second cleanse and massaging the face you get the most benefits from the ingredients.

I use 1,5 pumps for my face and neck. It spreads easily and melts on the application. It glides across the face and is very nice for a massage. I then take a cloth wet with warm water and take it away. This cleanser does not dry my skin but leaves it soft and calm.

Overall impression

I would never say a cleanser is your first priority when spending money on skincare. For me, a serum, then cream and sunscreen would come first. You definitely can get a cheaper cleanser that would be as effective in terms of gently cleansing the face.

Skinesis Ultimate Cleanse (AF) might be a product for you if you want to enhance your evening routine. If you find yourself skipping proper cleansing, cause you can’t be bothered, it might be just an extra motivation you need when you are tired. I often look forward to that 30 seconds or a minute of a massage with that cleanser, and the scent helps me unwind in the evening.

As far as I can tell from the ingredient list and my experience, the skin benefits from it, however not as much as from the serum. A cleanser won’t make the biggest difference on its own, so don’t get your expectations high that it would magically change your skin.

I would repurchase it for the sensory experience it provides. So if you are looking for a new cleanser to enhance your evening routine, this might be it.