A Gentle Face Wash for Morning Use: Breaking Down the Ingredients and Finding a Budget-Friendly Alternative
Hello everyone!
I'm super excited to share my thoughts on the Bioderma Sensibio Gel moussant for sensitive skin. This stuff has taken off and is a go-to recommendation from many dermatologists and skincare pros.
I've been using this gel for ages now - I've lost count of how many bottles I've gone through! I've even had smaller sizes, like the one you see in this pic. I usually order it from Golden Delicious using a promo code, but honestly, it's not the cheapest option. The gel itself is pretty pricey.
Bioderma Sensibio Gel moussant for sensitive skinIn this review, I'll break down the ingredients, share who this gel is best for, and who might want to look elsewhere. Plus, I'll give you a budget-friendly alternative that does the same job - I actually switched to this one because I couldn't tell the difference between the two.
Bioderma Sensibio Gel moussant for Sensitive SkinI want to start by sharing my skin type, so you know where I'm coming from with this review. I've got combination skin that's been giving me grief since I was 14 or 15. Now, at 30, my pores are huge and clogged most of the time.
Any moisturizer or rich cream I use tends to clog my pores and cause breakouts. I'm currently using a retinol cream, which has helped shrink my pores a bit, but my skin still feels greasy and dehydrated.
I've also got rosacea on my nose and chin, plus some scarring from past breakouts and inflammation. My skin's pretty sensitive, so I always look for gentle cleansers that won't strip my skin or cause irritation. If not, my skin just starts flaking and peeling like crazy.
Bioderma Sensibio Gel moussant for Sensitive SkinOne thing that caught my eye is the size of the gel. It comes in three different volumes:
100ml
200ml
500ml
Price in Zolotoe Yabloko: 2100 rubles.
Manufactured in France.
Bioderma Sensibio Gel moussant for sensitive skin cleanserBioderma Sensibio Gel moussant for sensitive skin cleanserIngredients:
Aqua/water/eauSodium CocoamphoacetatePropanediolSodium Lauroyl SarcosinateCitric AcidCoco-glucosideGlyceryl OleateSodium CitratePEG-90 Glyceryl IsostearateMannitolXylitolLaureth-2RhamnoseFructooligosaccharidesTocopherolHydrogenated Palm Glycerides CitrateLecithinAscorbyl PalmitateBreaking down the ingredients
Aqua / Water / Eau - It's basically just purified water, the foundation of the formula.
Sodium Cocoamphoacetate - This is a super gentle amphoteric surfactant, often used in products for sensitive and reactive skin. It cleans gently, reduces the irritating effect of other surfactants, and doesn't leave any harsh residue.
Propanediol - It's a moisturizing agent and solvent that helps retain moisture in the skin, making the gel's texture feel more comfortable – not sticky and easily tolerated by sensitive skin.
Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate - This is a mild anionic surfactant that gives a gentle cleanse without stripping the skin of its natural oils, effectively removing sebum and impurities without drying out the skin or leaving it feeling tight.
Citric Acid - This pH regulator helps maintain a healthy skin pH level, which is especially important for people with cuproase and retinol users.
Coco-glucoside - Another gentle cleanser based on glucose that enhances cleaning without being harsh, making it suitable for sensitive and problematic skin.
Glyceryl Oleate - A moisturizing component that counteracts the cleaning action of cleansers, preventing a tight and dry feeling after washing.
Sodium Citrate - A buffering agent that works in tandem with citric acid to stabilize pH levels.
PEG-90 Glyceryl Isostearate - An emulsifier and stabilizer that helps combine the water and oil phases, improving the texture of the product.
Mannitol - A moisturizing component and antioxidant that maintains the skin's water balance and participates in cell protection.
Xylitol - A humectant that helps the skin retain moisture and reduces feelings of dryness.
Laureth-2 - A mild auxiliary cleanser and solubilizer that enhances the distribution of the product and its cleaning properties without being aggressive.
Rhamnose - A sugar often used in products for sensitive skin that has soothing properties and supports the skin barrier.
Fructooligosaccharides - A prebiotic that supports a healthy skin microbiome, which is especially important for problematic skin and inflammation-prone skin.
Tocopherol - Vitamin E, an antioxidant that helps protect the skin from oxidative stress.
Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides Citrate - An antioxidant and formula stabilizer that further moisturizes the skin.
Lecithin - A component related to skin lipids that supports the skin barrier and improves the product's tolerance.
Ascorbyl Palmitate - Fat-soluble vitamin C that works as an antioxidant, acting more as a supporting component here.
Bioderma Sensibio Gel moussant for sensitive skinBioderma is a pharmacy dermatological cosmetics brand, and the manufacturer claims that the formula of this gel is based on gentle surfactants and is designed for sensitive skin – something we see in practice when looking at the ingredients. I've deliberately included a detailed breakdown of each component, which you can expand and read.
Bioderma Sensibio Gel moussant for sensitive skinAs it turns out, the composition of the gel is indeed very gentle. The ingredients are carefully selected to avoid disrupting the skin's lipid barrier and provide a delicate cleanse. There are no harsh surfactants, alcohol, fragrances, or components that could potentially irritate sensitive or reactive skin.
Cleansing with this composition is gentle and soothing – which is a relief. You won't feel any 'tugging' on your skin, and that's the truth. The formula also includes prebiotics, which act as a soothing component.
In the end, we get a gentle, caring, and basic skin cleanse.
Bioderma Sensibio Gel moussant for sensitive skinI've got the 500ml bottle, which is the largest size they offer. As you can see, I've already used up most of the gel - I only use it at night now, so it's more of a nighttime cleanser for me.
The bottle itself is made of clear, rose-tinted plastic, which makes it easy to see how much product you're left with. The dispenser is really convenient and works well - just one click and you're good to go.
Bioderma Sensibio Gel moussant for sensitive skinAs for the scent, this gel has a really subtle, almost imperceptible aroma - it's not a strong, chemical smell at all, but more of a gentle, dermatological-type scent.
The texture is pretty liquidy and gel-like, but not too thick or foamy. It's completely transparent, as you can see from the photos, and doesn't leave any residue behind. I've tried to get as much foam as possible out of this product, but it's really not necessary - the gel does its job just fine on its own.
After using it, my skin feels really clean and smooth, with no tightness or dryness at all. It's got a lovely, gentle feel to it, and I can definitely see why they claim it's got soothing and moisturizing properties. Overall, it's worked really well for me and delivered on its promises.
Bioderma Sensibio Gel moussant for Sensitive SkinI've found that this gel is specifically designed for morning use. It's not meant for removing makeup, and it won't take off foundation or BB cream. Even after using a micellar water, I think it's better to use a more intense cleanser in the evening, not this gel.
For me, Bioderma Sensibio is just a morning cleanser after sleeping. In the evening, I use a Korean foam cleanser that's also suitable for sensitive skin, but it cleans way better. My routine is to remove my toner with micellar water first, then wash my face with the Korean foam. I've already reviewed that one too, and you can find the link ROUND LAB 1025 Dokdo Cleanser.
BiodermaThis gel is perfect for people with sensitive skin that easily reacts and doesn't tolerate harsh cleansing products. It's also great for those with dry, dehydrated skin that gets tight after washing with other products.
I've found this gel to be a great fit for anyone using retinoids, prescription-strength creams, or going through a skin recovery phase when the lipid barrier is compromised or weakened. In these situations, it's especially important to use a gentle and non-irritating cleanser, and this gel does a great job of that.
One thing to keep in mind, which I mentioned earlier, is that if you're looking for a more thorough and deeper cleanse, even if not to the point of stripping, after using a micellar water or oil cleanser, this gel might not be enough on its own.
Bioderma Sensibio Gel moussant for sensitive skinNow, let's talk about the alternative.
I've been familiar with this product for a while now. It's a gel cleanser with antibacterial properties and barley enzymes from the Levrana brand, pH 5.5.
Of course, Levrana is a natural cosmetics brand, not a dermatological pharmacy brand like Bioderma, so the formula is quite different. There are more plant-based ingredients and a different approach to the formula. Additionally, the Levrana gel has a light floral and herbal scent, unlike the nearly neutral scent of Bioderma.
However, in terms of texture and, more importantly, the effect, I personally don't see any difference. The Levrana gel doesn't foam up much (they're identical in terms of foaming). After use, the skin feels the same as after using Bioderma - gently cleaned, without any pulling or irritation, without feeling a dry film on the face. It's the same delicate and gentle cleansing experience.
Bioderma Sensibio Gel moussant for sensitive skinThe Levrana gel costs around 500 rubles, and you get 400 ml of product with a built-in dispenser. I always opt for the 400 ml size, as it's the most convenient for me. You can also find 200 or 150 ml formats, but they don't come with a dispenser.
I've read plenty of reviews, and many people swear by this gel, especially those with sensitive skin or who use retinoids. It works great as a morning cleanser.
Bioderma Sensibio Gel moussant for sensitive skinTo be honest, I don't see much of a difference between these two products. I alternate between them, depending on whether I can snag a deal on the Bioderma Sensibio Gel moussant at the Golden Apple store or not.
So, if you're looking for a budget-friendly alternative to the Bioderma Sensibio Gel moussant, I highly recommend giving this Levrana gel a try. I'll definitely be repurchasing it again and again.
I hope my review was helpful!