I have been using this product for a fortnight now, and I love it. But it wasn’t all smooth sailing. Initially, the strong smell of rose/jasmine and vetiver was very off-putting. This lasted about 4-5 days. Eventually my nose (as will yours) turned a blind nose (or nose blindness) to the fragrance. (The fancy name is olfactory fatigue for your nose getting comfortable and used to a scent).
The cleaning action of the product
The main surfactant (the ingredient responsible for removing dirt, fat, oil etc) is Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate. This is a mild surfactant that is designed to produce some foam (but I don’t notice it) and leaves a smooth feel on the skin.
One pump is more than sufficient – you must apply the product to moist skin and rub gently.
(If you’d like to read more about the chemical action of cleansers, please read this blog, How does a cleanser work?)
Will this remove make-up and foundation?
This does remove sunscreen but it is simply too mild to remove foundation, mascara or pigmented lipsticks. I’d suggest you use a micellar water to remove make-up, followed by this product.
(See Top 3 micellar water recommendations for products)
Ingredients
For a cleanser, the product really doesn’t stay on your skin for long enough to impart really benefit to your skin. My view is to look for ingredients that (i) help keep the skin moist and (ii) that doesn’t damage the skin barrier (by looking at the surfactant, as above).
This product has Glycerin, a humectant that helps keep the skin moist. It also has essential oils that (by their nature) must be present in small quantities. I remain unconvinced that the jasmine or rose essential oils perform any function other than to make the product smell (despite what Kama write on their website).
How does it compare to Forest Essentials Mashobra cleanser?
I prefer this to both Forest Essentials and Clinique. On a long term basis I prefer Shiseido’s product, as that removes make-up too.
However, the price points are very different. This product cost INR 850 for 100ml if you buy it in India (and US$ 30 for purchases outside India) and Shiseido’s product is US$ 40 for 125ml.
Would I use this again?
Absolutely. In the interest of full disclosure, I am suffering from a bout of hormonal acne – and this product has not exacerbated my condition.
Where to buy?
There is a real issue with pricing of skincare products that we are not going to resolve today. The Clinique face wash costs US$19 or US$20 where I live. It may cost marginally more in India.
However, I do take issue when Indian brands such as Kama Ayurveda charge a huge mark-up on products when they export outside India. The same rose cleanser outside India costs INR 2,250 (or US$ 30) and within India costs INR 850 (or US$ 12). That’s a 150% mark-up excluding shipping and import taxes.
I find this kind of pricing arbitrage intolerable. I bulk buy from Nykaa India and then do Shop & Ship to where I live. Here is the link to Nykaa
Other blogs you may be interested in are:
Forest Essentials vs. Clinique – which product?
Forest Essentials 240 day product review