Born from the potent ingredients found in grapes, Caudalie may seem new to us at Sephora, but in the ultra fine French skin care world, they’ve made a name for themselves for over 20 years. Caudalie Instant Foaming Cleanser ($28) was an impulse buy at Sephora. I hate to admit it, but I’m a sucker for those bins at the check out lines where they always seem to get me with one sample/mini product of some kind or the other.
Happens all the time!
At the time I had been dealing with a lot of irritation & inflammation on my face and although I had switched my moisturizer, I was still experiencing some irritation and suspected my face cleanser.
I had been meaning to purchase a cleanser at my holistic skin care store, but never got around to it, I impulsively picked this up in hopes that it would work. At fist I was skeptical about this cleanser’s claims because I wasn’t too familiar with the brand or reviews but what had me sold was that the bottle indicated it was free of parabens & does not include irritating ingredients like sulfates and others.
Caudalie’s skin-care line is based on the polyphenols in red wine, distinctively the compound resveratrol which has been proven to help beat the effects of aging, such as dry & dull skin, wrinkles and premature aging due to sun damage and it’s also a powerful antioxidant.
The Brand & its ingredients
According to Sephora:
A 99 percent natural, soap-free liquid cleanser that turns into a generous, airy foam for gentle, effective cleansing.
This natural blend of grape extracts, sage, and chamomile effectively cleanses and removes makeup and impurities while soothing skin. The improved formula is now more natural, more effective, and gentler on the skin. From the first use, skin is cleansed, radiant, and refreshed. Instant Foaming Cleanser is suitable for all skin types and ideal for combination or sensitive skin.
Formulation & Ingredients
-Red Grape Extract: Provides protective antioxidants for added radiance.
-Sage Extract: Renews, tones, and acts as an antibacterial to fight blemishes.
-Chamomile Extract: Acts as an anti-inflammatory to combat redness.
-Plant Glycerin: Moisturizes and softens.
Water, Glycerin, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Sodium Chloride, Citric Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Fragrance, Coco-Betaine, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Sodium Phytate, Matricaria Flower Extract, Sage Leaf Extract, Grape Fruit Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Linalool, Citronellol.
Formulated without:
- Sulfates
- Synthetic Dyes
- Petrochemicals
- Pthalates
- GMOs
- Triclosan
- Parabens
- Phenoxyethanol
- Mineral oils
- Paraffin
- Synthetic artificial colorings
- Sodium laureth sulfate
- Animal-derived raw materials
- Not tested on Animals
My Review + Thoughts
I got the small sample bottle (1.69 oz) for $14. I found it to be pricey for a sample, but interestingly enough the sample lasted about a month and 2 weeks. So a little goes a long way with this product and cleanses makeup right away with just 2-3 pumps with every use.
I don’t wear waterproof makeup of any kind so I can’t tell you how potent it is with waterproof mascara. It does a decent job with removing my current mascara, but sometimes I find I have to go back with some oil just to remove what the cleanser did not get around my eye area.
I normally remove my makeup with oil, then follow up with a soap cleanser, but on those days I don’t use oil, I just wash my face with this and it does the trick.
This cleanser is very light and for a foaming cleanser, it was not stripping or drying to my sensitive skin which is a plus since most foaming cleansers tend to be drying and geared toward oily skin.
When I ran out of the sample, I went to the drug store and got a soap based cleanser to hold me over until I got to a Sephora and my skin went crazy. I started to get irritated so I decided to just purchase the full size.
My face is still healing, but I notice a lot less inflammation and redness since switching back. So now I definitely know my skin can’t tolerate soap based and chemical based skin care products.
Caudalie is a very French brand and from what I’ve known French women value natural beauty as a woman’s greatest asset and accessory. Flawless skin is what seems as a birthright for French women but in reality it requires dedication and work. Mathilde, the creator, (along with her husband) wrote an amazing book “The French Beauty Solution” where she shares her French beauty secrets along with lifestyle advice that truly defines the state of a woman’s skin as well as aging process.
Caudalie also has a number of Skin Care Spas throughout the world from Asia, Europe (of course), and The Americas where they use their products for a luxurious experience. I hope to visit someday and treat my self to a spa date.
In the meantime, here are some other products on my wish list.
- Grape Water
- Anti Wrinkle Protect Fluid
- Resveratrol Lift Eye Lifting Balm
- Makeup Removing Cleansing Oil
Sources & Links
Caudalie Discussing French beauty in Vanity Fair
Hell Notes for Beauty™ is the premiere metaphysical destination for the strong willed, inspired and determined soul. I am dedicated to the solitary practitioner seeking to establish spiritual independence, self care and recognition of ancestral knowledge.