Review: The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser

You know the joy you get from a perfect piece of toast in the morning? It’s simple, it’s no fuss, it’s easy. It’s not as extravagant as pancakes, or exciting as granola and poached fruit, or as tasty as bacon and eggs, but toast totally earns its place in the breakfast rotation and that same logic applies to The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser. This product is toast; perfectly boring, nothing flash, but totally essential and a really unexpected source of joy.

What Makes It Special:
The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser begins as an opaque gel, but on contact with skin transforms into a clear, oil-like consistency. The soap-free formulation is gentle enough to use daily, but is powerful enough to get through makeup, SPF and the general pollutants of the day without stripping the skin or leaving my face feeling squeaky clean.

Why I Like It:
In the same way that I love Murads Hydro Dynamic Moisturiser for its basic-ness and simplicity, I like The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser for the same reasons. I like to rub it into dry skin and have the gel melt into an oil, which makes a beautiful, hydrating base for a quick facial massage before moving on with your routine; a great way to get that circulation going. I can use this no matter how my skin is feeling on any given day (normal, particularly dehydrated or even a bit oily) and I can recommend this to anyone regardless of their skin type and know it will work for them. Plus it’s an affordable option, so I can confidently recommend it to just about anyone.

What I Don’t Like About It:
I like everything about it. In a perfect world, there would be a scented version available too but I can definitely live with only this plain, non-offensive, fragrance-free option.

Application:
This can be used as either a first or second cleanse but I prefer it as a first cleanse in my PM routine. It’s effective at removing makeup, SPF and the general grime of the day, while still leaving my skin feeling comfortable and nourished. I like to apply it to dry skin and have it slowly melt into an oil and remove it with a washcloth (or reusable cotton round) to get the bulk of it off. Having said that, it does rinse off nicely with warm water but I’d always go in with a second cleanse after anyway.

Product Claims:
Suitable for all skin types – agree
A gentle cleansing product formulated to target makeup removal whilst leaving the skin feeling smooth and moisturized – agree

Ingredients:
Squalane, Aqua (Water), Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Glycerin, Sucrose Stearate, Ethyl Macadamiate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sucrose Laurate, Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, Sucrose Dilaurate, Sucrose Trilaurate, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Isoceteth-20, Sodium Polyacrylate, Tocopherol, Hydroxymethoxyphenyl Decanone, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Malic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Chlorphenesin.

Available From:
Adore Beauty
Cult Beauty
Priceline
Myer

Details:
Available in two sizes:
50ml – $13.90  /  £5.50
150ml – $34.90 / not found

Repurchase:
Absolutely. It’s soft and squeezy packaging, low price, versatility and ease of use make it the perfect cleanser to travel with (when that’s allowed again!) and it’s a cleanser that I reach for whenever my skin is feeling dry or dehydrated. I’ve made a really decent dint in mine over the past few months and I’ll definitely be replacing it when I run out.