Babor • Phytoactive sensitive • Cleansers

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dandelion on 6/20/2009 12:42:00 AM more reviews by dandelion

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Blue    

Love, love, love Phytoactive in combination with Hy-Ol! This is definitely my favorite cleansing systems I have repurchased three times and have stopped experimenting with other cleansers and cleansing oils because this is a HG for me!

It is a bit pricey but I find that it lasts almost 5 months of using it every night. I began using this after starting RAM .1% and being very dry but also acne prone. This has helped with dryness and doesn't give me any breakouts. I really love this system!

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*TOP REVIEWER* casia on 4/14/2009 2:18:00 PM more reviews by casia

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination   Hair: Other   Eyes: Blue    

This review is overdue! I have been hogging others' reviews on MUA for a while, I am finally getting around to contributing a few new ones today. :)


This is my favorite oil cleanser. I have only used Fancl and DHC. I was on the fence about this one and Shu, but went with this one and I am extremely pleased. I purchased it from BeautyBridge.com--a generous travel size was only $12, no tax and no shipping. What a great way to try it! Highly recommend this site if you want to try it. Since, they have emailed me promo codes ranging from 5-15% off. Very pleased so far.


Back to the cleanser itself ... it feels very clean and as if it does a great job of removing makeup, powerful sunscreen, etc. I don't use it every night, but I use it when my skin needs extra cleansing, such as when I wear Dior Airflash instead of my usual powder foundation, or my Shiseido sunscreen, or when I have slept in makeup--even though I wear very little--and want a deep cleaning in the morning. I have used this with my fingers as well as a "buffing glaze" of sorts with my Clarisonic. I have had no breakouts and I break out easily.


About my skin: I have battled cystic acne and still do at 36. I have acne scars, fine lines, red spots--an overall mess. :( I have gotten very good at covering my messy face and finding products that work well for my very complex skin type. If you're like me, sometimes you need an oilier cleanser due to redness or drying products or combating aging or all of the above, but ALSO one that is going to rinse clean and be soothing. I really love this. Using it every few nights, I am still on my first travel size set I bought 2-3 months ago, with about 1/8 of the bottle remaining. I've gotten no clogged pores or troubles of any kind. I liked Fancl quite a bit until I tried this, it is far superior--at least for my face.


As with all of my reviews, feel free to page me with questions.

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sara9 on 9/19/2008 6:23:00 PM more reviews by sara9

Age: 19-24   Skin: Other   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Green    

I used this in conjunction with the oil and I have to say, I'm not impressed. It didn't really do anything although it was quite messy to use. It was also not soothing.

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*TOP REVIEWER* Tess35 on 9/11/2008 5:12:00 AM more reviews by Tess35

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Medium   Hair: Black   Eyes: Black    

HG ALERT.

I ordered Hy-ol + this phyto Sensitive from skinwest.com at $39 last time they had sale. Lately I have been seeing blackheads on my face, my expensive cleansers are not cutting it anymore. Shu is expensive and good but gives me cumulative acne/blackheads, Clarins is okay but requires too much work to clean well and Sisley cleansing system is excellent but way too expensive.

I read about good reviews about this cleanser in another board and decided to try it and I tell you- this is a serious HG material. Leaves face smooth and soft and even-toned. No need for follow up wash or toner. My skin is glowing and I am so happy. I am so hooked on this stuff I look forward to spreading it on my face at night, really.

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adiwright on 4/3/2008 12:21:00 AM more reviews by adiwright

Age: 30-35   Skin: Acne-prone, Olive   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

I am a product junkie, always looking for the next best thing, as far as cleansers go, I've found it! I have very sensitive, combination skin. I will get hives and dermatitis around my eyes sometimes. I also deal with cystic acne. This cleanser along with the Babor pure day and night cream has cleared up my skin in less than a month! You have to use this cleanser in conjuction with the hy-oil. I use 2 pumps hy-oil, massage, 1pump phytoactive sensitive, massage, and wet finger tips and massage then rinse off. This leaves your skin soft, clean and moisturized. LOVE IT!!!!

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*TOP REVIEWER* amara_lani on 1/23/2008 1:59:00 AM more reviews by amara_lani

Age: 25-29   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Hazel    

Firstly, let me say that I have combination, very sensitive, acne-prone skin (OSPW) and was hesitant to try a cleanser containing oil anything. But I LOVE LOVE LOVE this. NOTHING makes my skin look more like skin! I had to stick with it for a few weeks to really see the difference. I have a radiance and glow that gets lots of compliments. Smells divine, luxurious, and fresh. A treat every time I use it. Never would have known about this were it not for my esthetician at a very top-notch SF spa where the Babor line is used extensively. Love all the products they use on my skin, but nothing more than the basic Hy-ol (cleansing oil) and accompanying Phytoactive Sensitive. I use every night (removes ALL makeup very easily). I start with the Hy-Ol, massage it in for a couple minutes, then apply the Phytoactive on top, wet my hands, and work them into a white, watery lather. I start with my face then massage over my eyes to remove eye makeup very easily. I use half the amount recommended (1-2 pumps hyol, 1 pump Phytoactive) and this stuff has lasted over 5 months! Lately I have been using an alcohol-free softener following the Hy-Ol and Phytoactive Sensitive to remove any remaining residue before applying serums and to give an added glow. If my skin were very oily, I'm not sure this cleansing duo would be the right fit, but for me I was looking for a cleanser that would not strip my face and leave it feeling tight and dry. My combo, acne-prone skin looks and feels its best when I start out my long regimen with this duo.

Updated 10/17/2008:
Ingredients: Lime Blossom, Hops, Balm Mint Inactive Ingredients: Water (aqua), Alcohol Denat., PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Ethoxydiglycol, Propylene Glycol, Tilia Cordata Flower Extract, Humulus Lupulus (hops) Extract, Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract, Butylene Glycol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Lactic Acid, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Fragrance (parfum), Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Ethylparaben, Propylparaben, Butylparaben, Isobutylparaben, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate.

Contains parabens and I no longer use. But I must admit, of all of the standard cleansers I used in my lifetime, the Babor Hy-Ol and Phytoactive Sensitive was my favorite!

**I reserve a 5-lippie rating for products that shine above the rest in terms of efficacy, and based on toxicity and comedogenicity. I have a strong interest in consumer health and setting higher standards for the beauty industry. I extensively research products developed with consumer health in mind. This is my personal quest to find the best-quality products. We shouldn't have to choose between beauty and health.**

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raisinette123 on 11/8/2007 10:09:00 AM more reviews by raisinette123

Age: 44-55   Skin: Sensitive, Fair   Hair: Red   Eyes: Blue    

I first started using this product in combination with HyOil in the U.S. But when I went to buy the combo at a Babor salon in Belgium, the owner said that her customers use the Phytoactive alone and that it's only her American customers that use both products together. This was surprising to me. I plan to visit Babor's flagship salon in Aachen, Germany, one of these days and see what they say. At any rate, the combo has been one of the best I've tried for my sensitive, fair slightly-mixed skin.

However, I like even more a line from Poland: Oceanic's AA Help line. My skin loves their Help Cleansing Milk or Cleansing Gel/Creme. Help AA is sold outside of Poland by a few online sites (the product info below is in Polish, but there are some English sites around). I bought it in Krakow a few years ago and have been a follower ever since. It's a lot cheaper than the top European brands like Babor, Darphin, etc.
http://www.kosmetykiaa.pl/produkty/oferta/cosmetics/twarz/aa_help.htm?produkt=2974

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*TOP REVIEWER* vodkabarbie on 7/18/2007 7:58:00 AM more reviews by vodkabarbie

Age: 25-29   Skin: Sensitive, Fair   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Blue    

I have sensitive skin prone to redness, dryness and spots and have tried EVERY range under the sun. I'd resigned myself to being uncomfortable and to using cleansing lotions rather than rinsing with water, which I disliked.
After a Babor facial which miraculously calmed my skin I purchased this - I know the two-step system seems expensive but I no longer need to buy toner or eye make up remover as this with the Hy-Ol seems to replace them. I put the oil on, then this, then lather with a little water before removing with a wet muslin.
I can't rave enough about this - my skin is clear, the redness has gone, it feels soft but clean and my pores are tighter too. My boyfriend and little brother commented on the difference after 4 days of use - it's that dramatic. I adore this product and despite it being hard to get hold of in the UK I won't consider using anything else. A MUST!

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*TOP REVIEWER* ECMac25 on 6/6/2007 12:03:00 PM more reviews by ECMac25

Age: 25-29   Skin: Normal, Medium, Warm   Hair: Black, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Black    

I recently switched back to using Babor products to cleanse -- the Phytoactive is meant to be applied together with the Hy-ol (cleansing oil). It helps to break the cleanser down and make it rinse easier as well as adding a refreshing feel to the skin. This is like a syrupy toner which liquifies when mixed with the Hy-ol. Despite the alcohol in the ingredients, this doesn't dry my skin out and it really does make my skin feel very clean & comfortable. It helps to soothe any irritation as well. I tried the Phytoactive for Combination skin before, but I remember that one broke me out so I decided to go for the Sensitive version this time. It's excellent, and I recommend for everyone to try the Phytoactive Sensitive with the Hy-ol regardless of skintype.

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EyeCatcha on 6/30/2006 3:47:00 PM more reviews by EyeCatcha

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Blue    

LOVE using it after the Hyol cleansing oil makes me feeling and smelling so good and freshy looking hot to flush healthy cheek flush glow from skin glowing activator best to have if I am feeling UGLY feeling somehow tired without good sleep or not so good night looking hot and glowing sex cheeks and from the product smell feeling just ready to feel good again and of course sexy like i look then absolutely best cleansing system if i have or want to use it again sometime or day if i maybe need a break from my erno laszlo absolutely best sensitive skin or sensitive face or nerves cleansing system for me babor cleansing system

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annic on 4/17/2006 1:22:00 AM more reviews by annic

Age: 30-35   Skin: Other   Hair: Other   Eyes: Other    

I use this with the Hy-ol cleanser. This 2 step cleansing system is my HG. (see HY-ol review) Gentle, deep cleansing, leaves skin perfectly balanced with no need for a toner. Kinda expensive so I use a small amount, only at night, to cleanse off makeup and sunblock. And in the morning I just use toner.
Highly recommended!

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makhoo on 2/23/2006 10:42:00 PM more reviews by makhoo

Age: 25-29   Skin: Normal   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

i was hesitant at first to try this product due to the "two=step" cleansing system. must use the hy-ol first, followed by the phytoactive, and subsequently activating them with a little water. but my aesthetician swears by it. i have used it for 4 months now, and when i switch off to anything else (away on weekends), my skin will appear drier. it does a great job removing makeup, oil and dirt. and haven't noticed any blackheads since using this.

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jordan131kiwi on 12/16/2005 7:53:00 AM more reviews by jordan131kiwi

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Normal   Hair: Red   Eyes: Hazel    

I received this along with the Hy-Ol (the two are mixed together to cleanse) as a sample from Sephora. I should first state my skin type - I am prone to dryness, even in the t-zone, but I do have an occasional blemish. My skin is also slightly sensitive - it usually rebels against any products aimed at even slightly oily skin, or those strong "clarifying" masks and treatments. Okay - getting back to the product at hand. The sample I received of each necessary product (very small amounts) lasted over a week, which was pretty shocking in itself - I think that the price might be a little justifiable considering the length of time that the products last. Well, after just one application of the Hy-Ol/Phyto-Activ mix cleanser, my skin was so soft and bright - it was literally glowing. My skin has never responded so well to ANY skincare product. It was by dumb luck that I found this, and I'm so glad that I did. **ditto the other users who stated the blackhead-clearing effects - my skin looked very clear with this

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fechenwiesen on 2/27/2005 2:53:00 PM more reviews by fechenwiesen

Age: 30-35   Skin: Acne-prone   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

I have been using this with the Hy-Oil, and really love it. I have combination/oily skin prone to breakouts, and this system seemed strange at first, but really seems to clean without stripping.I haven´t had any breakouts, and I think my blackheads are disappearing. I use two pumps of Oil and three of the Phytoactiv. I find I actually have better results if I appply to oil first, then the phytoactive and mix on the face. I wish that the bottle were bigger, I have two buy two of the phytoactive for one bottle of the oil. If you have combo sensitive skin, you might have good results with this.

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*TOP REVIEWER* rae_rae on 7/20/2004 4:59:00 PM more reviews by rae_rae

Age: 25-29   Skin: Acne-prone, Tan   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

I use this in combo with the HyOl cleansing oil and it works great. It removes my face makeup very well and feels cool to the face. It doesn't strip my skin. This system has cleansed my skin of all blackheads! I will stick with this gentle system unless I find something else that does it one better!

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