Clarins Extra-Comfort Anti-Pollution Cleansing Cream

Another skincare product that made it's way into my bathroom during the dark days of post-Jim tomato face. And another that, at the time, got relegated for not immediately fixing my face. This is partly down to cleanser snobbery as I am a balm gal, will I ever love a cleanser that's not a balm? Well it would have to be bloody good and this one is pretty great.

I feel that the first thing I should mention, because it's the first thing you notice, and I notice it every time, is the smell. This smells amazing. Well, I love it. I've read some reviews that don't like the smell - if you are buying this in store you can have a whiff of a tester before you buy. It's fragranced but doesn't irritate.

Another thing worth mentioning is that a lot of the reviews for this are from those who have used it for years when it used to come in a tub and be a slightly different consistency. I never used it then so I can't comment on that - maybe if you were one of those people you could let us know in the comments which you prefer and what the differences are (from what I can tell it seems to be smell and consistency). 


It's one of the few products in my bathroom that actually claims to be anti-pollution something which I'm trying to learn more about as I live in London. I am going to do a separate post on this but I believe the Moringa detoxifies and clarifies the skin to help protect it from pollution. I'm guessing they would say this was an evening cleanse but I've been using it both in the morning and evening depending on my mood and what my skin needs. Although I'm vague on the anti-pollution details (because I want to find out scientifically how they can tell this) it's nice to feel that I'm using something on my skin geared to getting proper gross stuff (technical term) off my face rather than just make-up.

Now some people, including me, like a balm cleanser because, frankly, I like the feel of something greasyish on my face. Having always had dry skin it just feels really nice for me to be able to rub something in for ages and often with cream cleansers, this one included, I feel like my skin just absorbs it within a minute. Which is why if I do use a cream cleanser I'd prefer it to be a second cleanse. I've been mostly using this either in the morning or in the evening on days when I have been not wearing any foundation/tinted moisturiser which I've been doing a lot lately to try and let my skin have some time off while it's getting its arse kicked by baby hormones.

This does feel nice on the skin, has not caused me any redness so I'd recommend giving it a go if you have sensitive skin (though not if you are sensitive to fragrance). And is a good all-rounder, by which I mean if you are someone who just wants one cleanser to doing morning and evening then this is a very nice one to go for. Is it really exciting with glowing results? No. But I feel my skin is genuinely clean after using it, I like the slightly thick consistency and it's been very kind to my skin - it feels clean an moisturised after use with no tightness. Which is ultimately what a lot of people want from their cleanser.

What You Need to Know - Clarins Extra-Comfort Anti-Pollution Cleansing Cream

• £25
• 200ml
• Moringa, Jojoba, Shea, Lemon Extract
• Suits all skin types
• Available from Clarins, Feel Unique, Escentual