Glossier’s New Cleanser and Retinol Proves The Brand is Growing Up

Emily Weiss, Into The Gloss and Glossier founder, said herself that cleansers are “perhaps the most intimate of beauty products” – and they are undoubtedly the most important.

Our cleansing habits often dictate the overall health of our skin, as well as ‘product optimisation’. In other words, if you’re layering an exuberantly priced serum over a quasi-cleansed face, it is an utter waste of money as the products can’t penetrate the film of dirt, grime, SPF and/or makeup that has embedded itself throughout the day.

Unlike the plastic vessel that contains its younger sibling Milky Jelly, Cleansing Concentrate is housed in an elegant glass bottle. It is weighty, minimal and feels luxe but not flashy. The pump has been designed with precision to disperse just the right amount of the calendula and chamomile-infused golden nectar.

Its silky, almost oily consistency emulsifies into a light lather when wet and is perfect for a 60-second massage, which is the desired cleansing time to reach all the nooks and crannies, and get your blood pumping. Perhaps you can even meditate while you’re at it.

Depending on your skin type, you may experience a faint tingle. A gently exfoliating duo of lactic and malic acid helps to keep dead skin at bay, but tread carefully as your skin will need a few of them for your protective skin barrier to maintain a well-balanced ecosystem.

At £18, it is a welcome upgrade from the brand. It is Glossier for grown-ups, and the ingredients reflect that the brand is maturing alongside the consumers who helped it grow into the billion-dollar behemoth it is today.

With the confirmation of a retinol also scheduled to launch later in the year, Glossier is ensuring that it focuses on us, its beauty-crazed fans – many of whom are now ticking a different age box from when it first launched.

Lead image courtesy of Glossier