Where to purchase: Available on the Stratia Website HERE – (The Link gives you $10 off your first order)
Price: $15 / £10.63
Volume: 4fl oz / 118ml
Made in: Canada
What is it?: A Moisturising, Non-Foaming Cream Cleanser.
Brand Description: Gently removes makeup, dirt and grime without damaging the skin’s barrier (tries to avoid that dry and dry feeling after washing). Uses a water-soluble form of Olive Oil (so not just in an oil format but dissolved in water) to provide some oil/moisture to the skin while still cleansing the skin.
Supposedly Good for: Dry Skins, Normal Skins and Moderately oily skins (Stratia do state that this may not suit very oily skins and I would agree).
What I think: I think all skin types, even sensitive skins (as this contains no fragrance and/or essential oils). I have oily-combo skin and immensely like cleansers that strip the skin as little as possible.
Youtube Video – Swatching Stratia Products (Including the Cleanser) + Discussing the ingredients in-depth.
Vegan?: Yes
Cruelty Free?: Yes
Packaging: Please see the above video to get a closer look at the packaging! It’s a plastic bottle with a pump that locks open and closed. I think that the pump does a good job at dispensing quite a lot of product! I’m not left pumping for ages just to cover my face.
Directions: This is a second cleanser in a double-cleansing routine to remove SPF (and light light makeup). However if one is wearing heavy or waterproof makeup, then it’s recommended to use an oil cleanser / micellar water first.
How I use it: I use this in the PM to wash off my SPF. I apply 2-3 pumps (I don’t lather it since this doesn’t really lather) and massage into the face. Of course if I’m removing makeup, I would go with a cleansing balm or oil like the DHC Cleansing Oil (Review HERE) or the Juno Skin Cleansing Balm (Review HERE) and then this.
Key Ingredients: Olive Oil Esters (Soluble Olive oil which cleanses while mositurising the skin). Rice Bran Oil (Also helps dissolve SPF and makeup while keeping the skin moisturised). Aloe Vera (Soothing). Also contains Chamomile Oil to soothe the skin.
Full Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Olive Oil PEG-7 Esters, Caprylic/Capric Triglycerides, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Oil, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Polyacrylamide, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Laureth-7, Ceteareth-20, Matricaria Recutita (Chamomile) Flower Extract, Allantoin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Disodium EDTA, Propylene Glycol, Potassium Sorbate, Diazolidinyl Urea, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate
- However Diazolidinyl Urea is supposedly a formaldehyde releaser (But please don’t be too alarmed as the % is most likely under the 0.5% which deems it safe to use. Please read more about it HERE).
NOTE: The Incidecoder have a full ingredient breakdown HERE
Texture Video:
As you can see, this has a creamy texture. It’s not as sticky/tacky as you would think. It just looks like a moisturising cream.
Video Swatch:
This is a lightweight Cream-like formula that doesn’t foam up. It emulsifies so it’s easy to wash off.
Swatches:
As you can see, a very creamy formula. You can see this isn’t so liquidy as it’s not running down the hand and can hold its shape.
pH: ~5.0 (The Skin is 5.5)
Fragrance?: No added fragrance and/ or essential oils
Good at removing makeup?: Not the best. But Stratia do state If you use the double cleansing method, the Velvet Cleansing Milk is a second cleanser. It can remove SPF but not heavy makeup (I would say any makeup), and requires a makeup remover first to dissolve.
How long have I been using this?: 4 months
The Effect?: Gently cleansed skin that doesn’t feel too tight (I always feel some sort of tightness when cleansing twice BUT just using this as a single cleanse to remove SPF and my skin doesn’t feel painful).
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What I like:
- Didn’t irritate my skin
- No added fragrance or essential oils
- Didn’t dry out my skin
- Creamy texture, doesn’t feel like soap
What I don’t like:
- Not that great at removing / dissolving makeup (have to use it as a second cleanser). I can’t simply just use this on its own)
- No flip top cap – makes me a bit uneasy travelling with this kind of packaging
Overall Rating and Conclusion: 4/5 – Stratia describe this as ”moisturising and gently cleanses without leaving a tight and squeaky feeling.” – I would agree. This has a nice creamy texture and washes off easily. It’s not a good makeup remover, especially a waterproof makeup remover i.e it doesn’t dissolve my waterproof mascara or eyeliner BUT this is a good gentle 2nd cleanse in a cleansing routine. And I mainly use this to remove SPF so that’s why it’s worked for me in my routine. I think those who require a deep cleanse may not find this as useful in a routine. I also would wish for a squeeze-y tube just so I can feel more comfortable travelling with this.
Would I repurchase?: Yes! I would as it’s a decent gentle cleanser. I wouldn’t use it to remove my makeup but to simply remove SPF or if my skin is feeling especially tight and dry, I wouldn’t have a problem reaching for this. Available to purchase ont heir website HERE (Receive $10 off your first order).
Dupe?: I’ve not tried anything that has the same texture BUT two other gentle cleansers I like are the Laneige Milk Oil Cleanser (Review HERE) and The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser (Review HERE), but two other gentle cleansers are the Ordinary
My Skin Type: I am acne prone and have slightly dehydrated combo skin. My skin is usually tight where the cheeks and eye area is and the outer parts of my face. My T zone is oily. My skin isn’t a fan of thick/heavy formulas so I opt for lightweight formulas to prevent it from clogging up. My skin doesn’t like essential oils either and I try to avoid fragrance when I can.
Disclaimer: I am a skincare enthusiast and not a skin expert. I am not qualified to give out dermatological advice. This type of advice should only be given by a medical practitioner. Upon trying / using any of the reviewed products on the blog, please follow the manufacturer’s instructions and warnings and please seek medical advice if needed.
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My Skincare Regime 