Naturium Vitamin C Complex Cleanser Review

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I am always excited to try newness from skincare brand Naturium and as a cleanser superfan, I had high hopes for this one. Here’s what you need to know about the Naturium Vitamin C Complex Cleanser.

What is Naturium Vitamin C Complex Cleanser?

This is a gel cleanser designed to refresh and brighten the skin:

• Works to removes makeup, oil and impurities
• Uses two types of vitamin C to even out the skin and target pigmentation
• Contains phytic acid and fruit enzymes to gently exfoliate dead skin cells
• Leaves skin feeling fresh and smooth

My Review

First Impressions

First of all, I really like the simple packaging and the pump dispenser. It is sleek and minimal, like all Naturium products, and I always love how easy and mess-free a pump makes things.

I really like the light gelee texture of this cleanser. It is really similar consistency to the Naturium Niacinamide Cleansing Gelee*. It has a luxurious feel and I like that you don’t really need to add water to get it to emulsify. It feels really gentle on my skin.

Once you add water, it becomes a light, creamy lather. It’s really enjoyable to use. It’s really refreshing and comfortable.

It doesn’t have a scent per se. There’s no classic citrussy smell, however, it kind of smells fragrance-free if you know what I mean? I don’t love the smell. It’s my least favourite thing about this cleanser.

Key Ingredients & Claims

Naturium promises a non-stripping, gentle cleanse while delivering the brightening benefits of vitamin C.

While this is formulated to be gentle, I do think it’s important to note that alongside Vitamin C, there are acid exfoliants, as well as enzymatic exfoliating ingredients in the formula, so just check you aren’t double exfoliating with any of your other products. You should probably avoid going in with an acid toner after using this, for example.

Here’s a quick look at the ingredients:

• Vitamin C Complex (Ascorbic Acid & Ethyl Ascorbic Acid) – to help brighten skin tone and combat dullness
• Ferulic Acid & Tocopherol (Vitamin E) – to stabilise and boost the effectiveness of vitamin C
• Bromelain & Papain (From Pineapple & Papaya Extracts) – natural enzymes that gently exfoliate and promote a smoother complexion
• Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate & Decyl Glucoside – mild surfactants that cleanse without stripping moisture
• Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice & Sodium Hyaluronate – to hydrate and soothe
• Phytic Acid & Citric Acid – for gentle exfoliation and help improve skin clarity.
• Sunflower Seed Oil & Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride – helps to maintain the skin’s lipid barrier

Application & Experience

I have been using two pumps massaged it onto damp skin. The gel lathers up into a light, silky foam – nothing too frothy, but just enough to feel like you’re getting a thorough cleanse. It rinses away easily and leaves the skin feeling clean but not tight. It does make me feel as though I need to moisturise, and it isn’t the most hydrating cleanser I have used, but it doesn’t feel stripping.

A similar cleanser that’s perhaps more gentle and hydrating, but still has mild exfoliating properties is one of my all time favourite gel cleansers from Elemis. It is more expensive but absolutely divine. If you want more information on that, read: Elemis Pro-Collagen Energising Cleanser Review.

I really like how brightening this formula is. While I wouldn’t say it replaces a vitamin C serum in your routine, it’s a great way to incorporate an extra boost of antioxidants into your cleansing step. I think it will be great for a morning cleanse, as I think it lends itself well to a quick skin refresh and cleanse, rather than makeup removal.

If you’re looking for a richer cleansing formula for more heavy duty makeup removal, I love Naturium’s cleansing balm. For more information on that. check out my Naturium Purple Ginseng Cleansing Balm Review.

Final Thoughts

Overall, I think the Naturium Vitamin C Complex Cleanser is a fantastic option if you’re looking for a cleanser that supports brighter, healthier-looking skin. It’s affordable and packed with great ingredients, and will delivers a refreshing, exfoliating cleanse, especially for those with combination and oily skins. This may not be the best option if you have dry skin, however, it suits my combination skin well.

If you are still looking for a new cleanser, read: Best Cleansers for all Skin Types & Budgets.