Review: Purito – Defence Barrier pH Cleanser (Is Tea Tree Oil safe?)

Where to purchase: Yesstyle: LINK / Stylevana: LINK / Look Fantastic: LINK

Price: 12.67

Volume: 150ml

Made in: South Korea

What is it?: Gentle Gel cleanser with a low pH that aims to remove dirt and excess oil. Containing Tea Tree Leaf Oil, Centella Asiatica Extract and Royal Jelly to help the skin’s barrier and aid in moisture.

What does it do?: Cleanse the skin without stripping it (tries to moisturise the skin and leave the skin’s barrier in tact).

Supposedly Good for: Sensitive and Dry Skins.

What I think: I think this could suit even Oily and Oily-Combination Skins thanks to its gel texture, and what’s nice is that it doesn’t make the skin feel tight post-cleanse, so Sensitive skins could use this (unless you have a sensitivity specifically towards Tea Tree Leaf Oil).

Vegan?: Yes

Cruelty Free?: Yes

How long does it last after opening?: 12 Months.

pH: 5.5

Packaging: Plastic tube with a flip-top cap. (This came with a silver hygiene seal I had to peal off before using). Note: the bottle is made from recycled plastic.

Directions: ”Can be used in the AM and PM. Dispense a moderate amount on the wet face. Then, massage the product on for 30 seconds. Then, rinse with lukewarm water” (From the Website HERE).

How I use it: I use this to wash off SPF and regular dirt and oil after working out. Thankfully, this doesn’t make my skin feel tight after cleansing, so I don’t have to rush to put a serum immediately on to save my skin.

Does this sting the eyes?: No.

Key Ingredients: Tea Tree (Anti-blemish + Soothing _ Antioxidant) / Lauric Acid (Anti-blemish) / Cica (Soothing + Antioxidant + Hydrating) / Allantoin (Soothing) / Arginine (Natural Moisturising Factor) / Betaine (Moisturising)

Surfactants (Cleansing Agents): Coco-Betaine, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Sodium Methyl Isethionate, Lauric Acid, Sodium Laurate [These are not too stripping].

Why Tea Tree Oil? Is it irritating?: Tea Tree Oil is an Essential oil from the leaves of the tea tree, Melaleuca alternifolia, from the Southeast Australian coast. It is used for its antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties (Antibacterial, Antiviral and Antifungal).

Applying undiluted Tea Tree Oil may cause skin irritation and swelling. In people with acne, it can sometimes cause skin dryness, itching, stinging, burning, and redness.

Tea Tree oil contains a lot of chemical mixtures, making it potent both in scent and effect. In terms of skincare: due to its antibacterial properties, Tea tree is supposedly good for acneic skin types as it helps supress the growth of P.acnes (acne-causing bacteria). Interestingly, this study showed that 5% of Tea Tree Oil in a gel format is supposedly just as effective as 5% Benzoyl Peroxide (lotion) at treating pimples.

Tea Tree Oil may be too strong for sensitive skins, especially if undiluted. It contains limonene (common fragrant allergen to those who are sensitive). However, it has a minimal allergen content (so shouldn’t be too triggering, especially when diluted).

So overall: Tea Tree Oil (Especially when diluted i.e. no higher than a concentration of >25%) seems to be tolerable for the skin. It has unique anti-blemish and antibacterial properties which render it a useful essential oil. It seems to be the most useful to those with acne-prone skins.

References: LINK / LINK / LINK / LINK / LINK

Full Ingredients: Water, Coco-Betaine, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Arginine, Sodium Chloride, Betaine, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Hydroxyacetophenone, Sodium Methyl Isethionate, Lauric Acid, Centella Asiatica Extract, Sodium Laurate, Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Allantoin, Disodium EDTA, 1,2-Hexanediol

NOTE: The Incidecoder have a full ingredient breakdown HERE

Purito did a skin irritation test which shows this cleanser should be compatible with sensitive skins (rating of 0.00)

Texture:

• As you can see, this has a gel-like texture.

Does this Sting if the Skin has been Irritated / Sensitised by Shaving/Heavy Retinol Use?: No.

Summer or Winter?: Good for both seasons (even for Dry and Oily skins)

Video Swatch:

As you can see, when water is added, this changes from a transparent, gel to a soft, fine foam (i.e. doesn’t create a lot of bubbles, therefore not drying). This turns milky when water is added and is easy to wash off.

Does this dry out the skin?: This did not for me (Oily-Combination Skin in dry weather).

Makeup Removal Test:

In terms of makeup removal: this cleanser isn’t branded as a makeup dissolver (I was just interested to see how strongly it cleanses), so it doesn’t get rid of makeup entirely on the first go (which makes sense as this is a gentle cleanser). If you wanted to use this in a makeup-removing routine: first, use an oil-based cleanser, and then this cleanser second (in a double-cleansing routine).

Fragrance?: Contains Tea Tree, so this has a typical Tea Tree oil scent (contains limonene). This smells like the COSRX low pH cleanser.

How long have I been using this?: 2-3 Months.

Will I use until Completion?: Yes.

How Long will that take?: Another 3 Months.

The Effect?: Cleansed skin without feeling tight and painfully dry (I have oily-combo skin).

What I like:

• Cruelty-Free
• Doesn’t strip the skin (i.e. doesn’t make the skin feel uncomfortably tight after cleansing)
• Didn’t irritate my skin (aimed at sensitive skins)
• Easy to wash off

What I don’t like:

• Not Essential Oil Free

Overall Rating and Conclusion: 4/5 – A gentle cleansing gel that doesn’t foam up too much and is easy to wash off! This did not irritate my skin or make it feel tight or dry after cleansing (Oily-Combination Skin). Personally, I’m not a fan of the inclusion of any essential oil (even Tea Tree, as I also don’t really like the scent), so I deducted a point. But the overall effect of this cleanser has been quite decent.

Would I repurchase?: I’m not the biggest fan of the scent of Tea Tree and would prefer an unscented gel like the HaruHaru Wonder Black Rice Cleansing Gel. HOWEVER, if I had to repurchase this then I would, as other than the tea tree, I am happy that this doesn’t make my skin feel tight or dry after cleansing, which is very important.

Dupe?: The COSRX – low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser is an alternative to this cleanser as it also contains Tea Tree and also cleanses the skin without stripping it too much (however, I would say oilier skins may find this more suitable).

Available at: Yesstyle: LINK / Stylevana: LINK

• The Haruharu Wonder Black Cleansing Gel is another good alternative (Swatches + Review HERE) and is Fragrance + EO Free (Vegan + Cruelty-Free as well).

Available at: Yesstyle: LINK / Stylevana: LINK / Soko Glam: LINK

• The Vegreen – Rice Facial Wash Cleanser (Swatches + Review HERE) – Is a gentle foaming cleanser that also works to cleanse the skin without stripping it of its natural oils. This is Fragrance and Essential Oil Free, Vegan + Cruelty-Free.

Available at: Stylevana: LINK

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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