Dermalogica • Dermal Clay Facial Cleanser • Cleansers

rated 3.6(172 reviews)

Average Rating.3.6
Would buy this product again.62%
Package Quality3.7
Price3.8
Ingredients

rated 4 of 5 rockychick on 5/23/2013 6:21:00 AM more reviews by rockychick

Age: 25-29   Skin: Other   Hair: Other   Eyes: Other    

This is definitely a must have cleanser for all those who have oily skin. It does not overly dry the skin. So you could certainly use it twice a day. A little goes a LOOOOOOOOOONG way.......im on my third day on this. and i have been able to see a huge difference.. so go ahead and purchase it!!!!!you will not regret it!

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rated 2 of 5 elifisiklar on 5/6/2013 9:44:00 PM more reviews by elifisiklar

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Fair   Hair: Red, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Hazel    

My skin type: Oily t-zone, dry-ish cheeks and eye area. Rarely acne on chin and around lips.

**Pros**
-- It truly freshens up the skin. I can feel every zone on my face when I wash my face with this product.

-- It completely takes the oil out of my t-zone for a good few hours.

**Cons**
-- This is not the perfect product for those who have combination skin like I do. When it took the oil out of my T-zone, it dried my cheeks. Nothing a good moisturizer can't fix, but if you're in rush and have no time to put on a lotion, you'll have dry cheeks until you apply a lotion.

-- This is not the perfect product to clean your face with. When I have make-up on, wash my face with Dermal Clay Cleanser, after I wipe my face with a toner, I can still see some dirt on the cotton, at a level that I have to wipe my face 2-3 times to get it truly clean.

-- No effect on blackheads.

-- I prefer face wash bottles with a pump. This cleanser isn't as runny as liquid face soaps, so without a pump, it gets hard to take it out of the bottle when it's almost finished. And if you ever forget to close the bottle, it dries up and blocks the opening.

-- Ingredients are NOT written on the bottle or on their website, which makes it very hard to trust this product. After a little googling, I've read that it contains parabens. I can't know if it's true or not because again, ingredients are not written on the bottle. This is solely enough for me to never use this product again. (If you don't know the potential health risks of parabens, please google it.)

If I had to give one-sentence review, I'd say; "You can find better products for the same price."

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rated 5 of 5 JennHen on 2/22/2013 11:47:00 AM more reviews by JennHen

Age: 30-35   Skin: Acne-prone, Medium, Warm   Hair: Black   Eyes: Green    

I love this product! I have been struggling with acne for years and must have spent thousands of pounds on many different products. I wish I had found this cleanser first! Only been using this product for 7 days so I don't know if the results will last but I hope so as they are amazing!! My spots are nowhere near as red as they were and getting smaller everyday. My friend I last seen a week ago could not believe the improvement in my skin. Love love love this product. After trying hundreds of cleansers and masks, I am so happy to find a product that does help my acne. This cleanser smells good and feels great on my skin. So cooling and refreshing. Really hope the results last!!

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rated 4 of 5 caragh87 on 2/7/2013 9:37:00 PM more reviews by caragh87

Age: 25-29   Skin: Oily, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Blond, Fine   Eyes: Green    

I've been using this for a few days and have noticed a HUGE difference in my skin. Previously at the end of the day my skin was almost dripping with oil.
That changed within 24 hours, my skin feels smoother and so much cleaner than normal.
I have oily/combination skin that has a lot of congestion and blackheads but I am also prone to dry spots.
I find that this product is very refreshing and it does tingle a bit but doesn't hurt me at all. I look forward to seeing the full results after a month or so.

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rated 3 of 5 dieffenbachia on 12/4/2012 10:54:00 AM more reviews by dieffenbachia

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

Skin type: oily t-zone, prone to oiliness on the cheeks, sensitive and acne-prone. I've had acne since a teenager and am approaching my thirties and have never shifted it for more than a couple of months at a time.
Overview: not enough improvement to warrant the price. I would not repurchase because of comedogenic ingredient glyceryl stearate.

Regime:
I used this for about a year so was really able to let my skin adjust to the new regime. I applied with clean finger tips and rinsed with water (light touch). I followed it up with the Medi-Bac moisturiser and their targeted spot treatments.

Impact on skin:
First bottle seemed to control my skin flare-ups. I would get only occasion spots and I liked the feeling of my skin afterwards. My skin became noticeably smoother and softer.
Purchased bottle number two about 6 months into the regime. The gains started to wane and noticed my skin deteriorate with the occasional cystic acne breakout.

I'm not sure whether the product itself gave rise to the cystic acne or whether it was not keeping them at bay, but overall I felt it was time for a change to something cheaper that may not aggravate skin and thus lead to cystic acne.

It is worth noting that the dermal clay cleanser has glyceryl stearate in it which is a comedogenic ingredient and may contribute therefore to blocked pores.

Packaging and price:
Pump made for easy application. One pump was sufficient for entire face and neck. Two pumps for more thorough clean. Pump can be locked in place for portability in a wash-bag - fiddly to do.
The large size bottle (I think 16 oz) lasted me 3-6 months which meant that although initially expensive, the product lasted a long time. However, the large size was not very portable for short trips/weekends away.

Aside: Something that all acne sufferers should check before buying is the ingredients list of products for ingredients that exacerbate or aggravate acne (you can find a list of ingredients to avoid from the acne.org website which I have saved on my comp for when I want to try a new product).

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rated 4 of 5 oysterriver on 11/11/2012 2:58:00 PM more reviews by oysterriver

Age: 44-55   Skin: Oily, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Blue    

This feels so wonderful! Very smooth & cool. I often mix it with a bit of Daily Microfoliant with great results.

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rated 2 of 5 Aijamal on 11/5/2012 2:35:00 AM more reviews by Aijamal

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

Luckily I bought small bottle of this "cleanser" frist, to give it a try. Glad that didnt buy big one. I found that it doesnt cleans my skin very.When I used toner aftetwards, cotton ball still had dirt on it.

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rated 1 of 5 AppleBlossom012 on 9/19/2012 7:38:00 PM more reviews by AppleBlossom012

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Combination, Fair   Hair: Red   Eyes: Blue    

AM I THE ONLY PERSON THAT ABSOLUTELY HATES DERMALOGICA??? I wish I could have experienced such positive results like so many on this forum have, but this made my skin break out in ways it never did before. I would like to prevent any one else from experiencing what it did to me. My skin is almost perfectly clear with a few spots that show up. I had heard so many good things about this brand and after seeing a beauty guru with such great skin rave about it, thought I should give it a try. WORST SKIN MISTAKE I HAVE EVER MADE. It felt really good at first, like it was taking out all of the impurities. After a while though, my skin started breaking out with cyst like acne.Of course, skin goes through transitions when you change or try a new product, but after about a month or two (if the product really works)- skin should clear up. Fourth months in, my skin never got better and I had to go to a dermatologist to fix the acne it left behind. I'M GLAD FOR THOSE SKINS IT HAS WORKED ON. For those interested in purchasing this, really, really research whether or not you want to buy it.

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rated 1 of 5 eyesopen33 on 7/28/2012 2:03:00 AM more reviews by eyesopen33

Age: 36-43   Skin: Oily, Fair   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Brown    

I was lucky enough to get a sample of this at the spa that I go to. I just used it tonight and I must say that I most definitely agree with the reviewers that state this is an oily product. My face also didn't feel clean after I washed it with this stuff, and I could feel a layer of oil on my face. I did like the cooling sensation, but for oily skinned gals, I would think this would cause some problems.

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rated 3 of 5 *TOP REVIEWER* lunalove on 4/9/2012 9:32:00 AM more reviews by lunalove

Age: 25-29   Skin: Acne-prone, Medium, Warm   Hair: Brown, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

I have oily acne prone skin that still manages to be sensitive.
I would only use this cleanser in the mornings bc 1) you dont have any gunk on your face in the mornings usually, and 2) it really tightens the pores up and takes care of oil, short term.
I dont like to use this at night because it does tighten the pores up and has a cooling sensation on the face.
Since I want my products to sink in at night and also do any extractions at night, I do not want my pores temporarily shrinking at that time. I also find the cooling sensation as a bit of a wake up, which is also not what I want before bed.
For the price, there are other cleansers that work as well. I prefer dermalogica's clearing skin wash.

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rated 5 of 5 lauboo87 on 4/8/2012 9:19:00 AM more reviews by lauboo87

Age: 19-24   Skin: Very Oily, Fair-Medium, Neutral   Hair: Brown, Kinky, Medium   Eyes: Blue    

OILY SKINNED GIRLS- LISTEN UP!!!
This has been the holy grail of products for my skin for 6 years now & i can't imagine not ever using it. I was first advised to get this product when i went for microdermabrasion facials & have never looked back. Its the only face wash that cleanses my skin without leaving it dry or feeling sensitive etc Its a simple clay based wash to help get rid of oil etc on the skin. It also doubles as a mask which is great as i put it on in the mornings hop in the shower & leave it on whilst i wash, then take it off after my shower & my skin feels amazing. I normally team it with dermalogica skin prep scrub or dermalogica daily microfoliant which are also two amazing products for us oily skinned gals.

I real can't express how great the benefits of this product are. My oil levels are out of control and especially after night time i wake up looking like u can fry an egg on my face. This wash gets rid of all my oil leaving my skin feel smooth & ready for the day! Team this with dermalogica active moist moisturiser (which is water based and again is BEST PRODUCT EVER FOR OILY SKIN!) and your skin will see improvements straight away.
I don't think this product would work as good for other skin types as the clay formula is for helping oiliness etc.
It might seem that the price is a bit steep, however my 500ml bottle that costs between £40-£50 lasts 6 months, could last even longer if i didn't slather it on so much, so 100% worth the dosh!

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rated 4 of 5 *TOP REVIEWER* MSFIT75 on 10/25/2011 10:51:00 AM more reviews by MSFIT75

Age: 36-43   Skin: Very Oily, Dark, Warm   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

This product is a gem in the Dermalogica line up & one of the older products they've yet to discontinue & probably won't because it works. Although I used this cleanser many moons ago & found it beneficial then for soaking up oil/dirt & really leaving a noticeable difference behind, I really observed its benefits while in school for esthetics last summer. I would often use this cleanser on congested/oilier skin types & would allow to sit for 5minutes or so as a mini-mask. Clients loved the cooling effect & felt their skin felt clean & free of grime from being outside in the hot sun all day. I think this cleanser is a staple to be used a few times a week.

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rated 5 of 5 srelliott214 on 10/17/2011 8:40:00 PM more reviews by srelliott214

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

THIS PRODUCT IS WONDERFUL!!!!
**IF used right. I love it, especially after I've been playing around with it. If you have oily skin, this stuff is great and has done wonders on my acne. But hopefully if you're reading this, you do not give up on the product if it hasn't proven to be wonderful to you, and you give it another a try.

Here is how I have found that it works:

1. I use it at night, after I have washed all of my make-up off. So important.
(The directions say to apply to a dampened face, however most people probably aren't getting the amount of pore cleansing needed if they splash their face with water and then apply.)
2. I literally pat dry my face off, and then wet the wash cloth with hot water. Then, once my face is lightly dampened, I use a dime-quarter sized amount, and apply it where needed. For me, that's my entire forehead and temples, tops of cheeks, chin, and nose. If it's dripping into your eyes, you've used too much water.
3. You can just massage in tiny circles for a bit, and then rinse with luke warm water. However, if it's at night or my skin is extra oily, I do the following.
4. Leave on skin, and take a blow-dryer and hold it on a low/cool setting and hold about a foot and a half from your face. This allows the product to dry and to soak up any oil. Do that for a minute.
5. If it's not all dried up, massage slowly in tiny circles with your fingers around the needed areas. Then rinse.
6. Wash face again if you really need to, sometimes i do with normal cleanser.

I know it's a lot, but if you have acne like I do....you do crazy things to get rid of it. And this product has worked great for me after trying everything.

It's important to note that it does not clean your make-up off. And if it is drying your skin out, try using once a day or a few times a week at night. And always follow with moisturizer. I use Philosophy during the day and a dab of nuetragena acne moisturizer during the night.

Hope this helps someone either looking to buy it, or give up on the product. It really works for me and I'm so grateful for any product that helps with my skin.

ALSO--- I once used on my neck and it broke out into horrible rashes. Only use this stuff if you have oily skin!!! My neck is not oily, so I can see where it can go wrong. And I did use as a masque over night, but I do not recommend using it for more than a spot treatment over night. The masque over night was a bit too much.

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rated 4 of 5 brookleen on 10/3/2011 11:29:00 PM more reviews by brookleen

Age: 36-43   Skin: Oily, Medium   Hair: Black   Eyes: Black    

Help in controlling oiliness of my face. Really works, the only problem is the price. When you use other product such as make-up that can cause pimples, this has no ability to control it. This is for oil control and not a completely acne-combat.

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rated 1 of 5 becky9106 on 8/15/2011 10:55:00 AM more reviews by becky9106

Age: 19-24   Skin: Very Oily, Fair, Cool   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Blue    

So disappointed that this didnt work for me after reading all the good reviews. I bought the big bottle so it wasnt cheap however i wont be buying again. I have very oily skin and was expecting this to help in some way but if anything it made it worse, since i stopped using this my skin has calmed down back to normal. Mine had a strong nasty smell to it which put me off using it. It didnt foam or scrub or feel like it was getting rid of anything. I must admit my skin did feel matte and dry straight after but it didnt last 10 minutes. Not worth the money at all a drugstore cleanser will do much better than this!

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rated 3 of 5 5catmom on 6/2/2011 11:14:00 PM more reviews by 5catmom

Age: 36-43   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

I really wanted this product to work for my combo skin, but it mostly dried me out and I broke out as well. Disappointed since I bought a large pump bottle.

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rated 5 of 5 TeenieWahine80 on 5/17/2011 3:31:00 AM more reviews by TeenieWahine80

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Neutral   Hair: Brunette, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Hazel    

***READ THIS PLEASE!!***
This is such a great product when used *rightly*!!! I know this might sound crazy but this works like a spot treatment for acne. And the GREATEST one at that! I tried this at a friend's house one night on a HUUUGE forehead pimple. I wasn't expecting much of a difference because this zit was GIANT and Cystic. I put a dab of it on, including some other smaller zits .....and are you ready? I washed it off the next morning with a washcloth and water and my zit had COMPLETELY dried up and it was flat!!! I was SO amazed!!! I screamed to her "This stuff works wonders!" and she agrees completely!
Please give this a try! I can almost guarantee great results. (AS A SPOT TREATMENT, NOT CLEANSER) I hope this helps anyone who reads this and tries it! The huge bottle lasts forever too!

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rated 4 of 5 danielle22 on 4/8/2011 5:21:00 AM more reviews by danielle22

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Combination, Fair   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Hazel    

I LOVE THIS CLEANSER. One of the only cleansers that actually make my skin feel clean. I only use it once a week though due to it being too strong for my skin but once i do my skin feels like it has had a propper clean out. my skin has cleared dramaticly. Would not use this if you have not been reccomended it by a professional though as is very strong and designed for a special skin type like other cleansers in the Derm range.

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rated 1 of 5 Distillerette on 4/3/2011 2:17:00 PM more reviews by Distillerette

Age: 25-29   Skin: Very Oily, Fair   Hair: Blond, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Hazel    

So glad to see other reviewers having the same reaction as me... I knew I was in trouble the moment I read you should repeat the process for better results. What? This is the WORST product I have ever put on my face. Honestly, a jar of mayo would have the same effect (actually, better, there'd be no stinging). My face is the oiliest it's ever been and my pores — which had never really bothered me much — are the size of craters, I've never seen anything like it.

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rated 5 of 5 water_baby on 2/22/2011 11:57:00 PM more reviews by water_baby

Age: 25-29   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brown, Fine   Eyes: Black    

I have the travel size bottle. This product works! I've noticed my face isn't so oily anymore , don't have to blot until midday, after lunchtime. I'm pretty sure this and the salt mask are helping my skin soooo much!it's fairer, more even toned and the blemishes have shrunk...

I just wet my face, pour this on my palm and apply to my face, then i massage it in and rinse with water - and clear, clean skin!

It does sting the eyes a little so be very careful. Best applied with dru hands so that it doesn't drip into eyes.

I've learnt from other reviews here that it can be used as a mask, I'm gonna try that! next. I will buy a full size bottle!

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