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The Huxley Secret of the Sahara Cleansing Oil, Deep Clean, Deep Moist is a effective and gentle cleansing oil that rinses off easily and completely and leaves skin feeling hydrated and comfortable. It is safe and non-irritating to use around the eyes and gently removes eye make up and mascara and all traces of sunscreen and foundation.
Claims:
According to the Huxley website, this is a lightweight cleansing oil that gently removes makeup and impurities. Formulated with antioxidant-rich prickly pear seed oil, this cleansing oil leaves skin refreshingly clean and silky smooth without heavy residue. Suitable for all skin types and recommended for removing heavy makeup.
- Simple all-in-one Cleanser removes face, lip and eye makeup. It easily removes all sunscreen, foundation, lip and eye makeup.
- Non-comedogenic lightweight oil. This lightweight oil gently melts onto the skin allows your fingers to easily glide without clogging pores and minimizing irritation while cleansing.
- Plant-based oil leaves skin hydrated. A luxurious blend of plant-based oils like Prickly Pear Seed Oil creates a moisture barrier, preventing moisture loss for a deep clean.
Appearance and Scent:
The light-weight oil has a thin and easy to spread consistency, and a light fruity scent. It has the texture and viscosity of a light oil, that turns into a white milky-like liquid when mixed with water. It is easily rinsed away with a few splashes of water, leaving skin clean and feeling comfortable.
Packaging, Size and Expiry:
The packaging is a frosted plastic pump bottle. The pump comes with a sleeve that can be reattached to prevent accidental spillages during travelling. The bottle contains 200ml of product and expires three years after the date of manufacture.
Cost and Number of Uses:
The cost is NZD $55.70 or USD $40.00. I have found only one or two pumps per use is required and the bottle lasts me around 5 months.
How to Use:
Pump two to three times into dry hands. Massage gently onto dry face in circular motions before adding a small amount of warm water to emulsify the formula and turn it into a milky liquid. Rinse with warm water. I use this product alone in the morning. In the evening I follow this step with a foaming cleanser to remove any remaining traces of makeup or sunscreen.
Ingredients:
Isopropyl palmitate, Triethylhexanoin, PEG-20 glyceryl triisostearate, Isodecyl isononanoate, Hydrogenated polyisobutene, Triisostearin, PEG-8 glyceryl isostearate, Moringa oleifera seed oil, Water, Tocopheryl acetate, Hippophae rhamnoides oil, Opuntia ficus-indica seed oil, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Helianthus annuus (sunflower) seed oil, Calendula officinalis flower extract, 1,2-hexanediol, Opuntia ficus-indica stem extract, Calendula officinalis flower oil, Glycine soja (soybean) oil, Bixa orellana seed oil, Tocopherol, Fragrance, Ethylhexylglycerin
Ingredient Analysis:
Isopropyl palmitate is Is used as an emollient, and moisturizer. It is often used as a light-weight alternative to heavier greasy-feeling oils and gives a smooth, silky feel to products. It is an ester of isopropyl alcohol and the fatty acid palmitic acid, an ester that occurs naturally in coconut and palm oil. It is considered potentially comedogenic (pore-clogging) but does not cause allergic reactions or toxicity.
PEG’s – polyethylene glycols are polyether compounds with repeating ethylene glycol units. Peg-20 glyceryl triisostearate is a non-ionic compound used as an emulsifier, dispersing agent and solubilizing agent in skincare. It is mainly utilized and rinse off cleaning products due to its high molecular weight and hydrophilic property’s, it is not anticipated to cross biological membranes or bioaccumulate. Skin and eye irritation or sensitization is expected to be negative or weak.
Moringa oleifera seed oil comes from the Moringa plant found in the Himalayan Mountains. It is high in antioxidants and omega fatty acids that are able to smooth and soften dry skin. It has been used in skin ointments and cosmetics since Egyptian times and is a rich source of vitamin A, E and C.
Tocopherol refers to a group of molecules known as Vitamin E, a fat-soluble antioxidant essential for healthy skin. Vitamin E is delivered to the skin through sebum, but can be applied topically, especially in cases where the diet is lacking. Vitamin E absorbs UV energy and reacts with reactive oxygen species (ROS) which protects the skin from UV-induced free radical damage and provides protection from the damaging effects of UV radiation. It is also able to provide anti-inflammatory properties within the skin. It is added to skincare for its ability to protect collagen from degradation by ROS. Tocopherol acetate is synthetic where Tocopherol is naturally sourced.
Hippophae rhamnoides oil, or sea-buckthorn oil is extracted from the fruit and seeds of the Hippophae rhamniodes plant. The plant possesses a number of active ingredients that are commonly used in many cosmetic products to give skin a healthy appearance. It is especially useful in treating dry, flaky or ageing skin due to its unique unsaturated fatty acid composition, which includes, palmitoleic acid (omega-7) and gamma-linolenic acid (omega-6). It is able to easily pass through the epidermis, softening skin and improving elasticity. The gamma-linoleic acid is converted to prostaglandins, offering protection against infection, allergies and inflammation resulting in anti-ageing and improving the appearance of scars and enhancing wound healing.
This study published in the International Journal of Pharmacological Science looked at the changes in skin barrier function following long-term application of 5% sea-buckthorn oil and water in water emulsion. The 13 subjects applied either the emotion or a placebo for 12 weeks. The emulsion containing the sea buckthorn resulted in significant improvements in skin hydration and transepidermal water loss (TEWL), and a significant improvement in the skin barrier function was observed.
Opuntia ficus-indica seed oil and extract comes from the cactus known as prickly pear. It has been used in traditional medicine for its richness in bioactive compounds and has been proven to be effective in healing skin burns and calming sensitized skin. The stem and seeds contain antioxidants, polyunsaturated fatty acids and amino acids that hydrate and nourish the skin.
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride is an emollient, skin softening ingredient that is capable of retaining moisture and repairing the skin due to its high fatty acid content. It also has the ability to enhance the penetration of active ingredients without leaving an oily residue on the skin. It is produced by mixing coconut oil or palm kernel oil with glycerin.
Sunflower seed oil comes from the Helianthus annuus plant seed. It consists of oleic (omega 9) and linoleic (omega 6) acids and is utilized in skincare due to its high linoleic acid concentration. Sunflower seed oil has been shown to improve stratum corneum integrity and improve the hydration and enhance the skin barrier repair mechanisms.
Calendula officinalis flower extract and oil is produced from marigold flowers. It is considered to be moisturizing and good for dry, irritated skin. It has a long history for topical use in the treatment of skin ulcers, wounds, and eczema.
Glycine soja (soybean) oil comes from the species of legume native to East Asia. They contain many functional compounds, including phenolic acids, flavonoids, tannins and small proteins. When added to skincare, it can act as an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant, stimulate collagen, decrease pigmentation and protect against UV radiation.
pH Testing:
The formula is water-free, therefore does not have a pH value.
Results:
I have purchased three bottles of this cleansing oil as the formula is the most user-friendly cleansing oil I have used. It rinses so easily and cleanly, spreads effortlessly and removes all traces of makeup and SPF. During the time I have been using this product I noticed an improvement in the overall health of my skin. This may be in part due to the fact that this product allowed me to reduce the amount of foaming (surfactant-based) cleansers out of my routine which are known to be incredibly harsh on the skin. I do finish my nighttime cleansing routine with a second, low-foaming cleanser, but due to the effectiveness of this cleansing oil, only a very gentle and brief cleaning is required.
Overall Impressions:
This product is effective at removing makeup and sunscreen and does an excellent job as an oil cleanser. The ingredients are nonirritating and beneficial to the skin with long-term use.
Things I Liked:
- Effective at removing mascara, sunscreen and makeup
- Packaging is hygienic and easy to use
- Free of alcohol and essential oils
- Safe for use around the eye area
- Affordable
- Travel-friendly packaging
- Huxley is a cruelty-free brand
Things I Disliked:
- Isopropyl palmitate may be comedogenic
- There is added fragrance in the formula
- Huxley products are not readily available everywhere
Sources:
- Huxley Website
- Antiinflammatory and skin barrier repair effects of topical application of some plant oils. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2018.
- Promising features of Moringa oleifera oil: recent updates and perspectives. Lipids in Health and Disease, 2016.
- Vitamin E in dermatology. Indian Dermatological Online Journal, 2016.
- Vitamin E and skin health. Oregon State University-Micronutrient Information Centre, 2012.
- Hippophae rhamnoides oil-in-water (O/W) emulsion improves barrier function in healthy human subjects. International Journal of pharmacological science, 2014.
- Milady Skincare and Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary, 4th Edition, 2015.
- The Antimicrobial and Wound Healing Potential of Opuntia ficus indica L. inermis Extracted Oil from Tunisia. Evidence Based Complement Alternative Medicine, 2019.
- A Review on Pongamia Pinnata (L.) Pierre: A Great Versatile Leguminous Plant. Nature and Science, 2009.
- Medicinal uses, phytochemistry and pharmacology of Pongamia pinnata (L.) Pierre: A review. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2013.
