NEO | VIEW
Real Flower Rose Cleansing Water
REVIEW BY SARIRAH HAMID

Neogen Real Flower Rose Cleansing Water Review

For the longest time, I couldn't find a need for a cleansing water in my skincare routine. Nor could I find a cleansing water that didn't leave my skin feeling dry. That was until I discovered the NEOGEN Real Flower Rose Cleansing Water. Another star product from the NEOGEN Dermalogy range, this Korean and cruelty-free soothing bio-cleanser contains natural cleansing agents that won't strip the skin and contains additional actual rose petals suspended in the water. To any lover of rose based products, I'd highly recommend checking this out. It has become a staple in my morning skincare routine.

INGREDIENTS BREAKDOWN

Water, PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, Rosa Damascena Flower, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower, Rosa Damascena Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Flower Extract, Brassica Oleracea Italica (Broccoli) Extract, Symphytum Officinale Leaf Extract, Hyaluronic Acid, Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Extract, Xylitol, Centella Asiatica Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Dipropylene Glycol, Cetrimonium Chloride, Sodium Chloride, Phenoxyethanol, Panthenol, Ethylhexylglycerin ,PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Disodium EDTA, Fragrance

As expected, the first two ingredients are pretty standard (water and a humectant/emulsion stabiliser). Both are considered pretty harmless. Let's move on to the fun ingredients, though. The ones that have built this up to be my favourite cleansing water ever.

Rose - Both in real flower form (with petals) and as an extract. Rose is known for its soothing and hydrating properties. Perfect for those with sensitive or dehydrated skin. It also contains antibacterial properties so can be great over breakout areas of the skin and for a gentle but thorough cleanse. And then there's the beautifully calming but light scent the rose gives off.

The second flower used is the hibiscus flower which is a source of antioxidants. This didn't bother my skin at all but if natural fragrance has been known to irritate your skin then perhaps this isn't the cleansing water for you. The fragrance of the hibiscus flower is known to be quite strong depending on whether the entire flower is used or whether it has been isolated as an extract instead. The former seems to be the case in this instance.

Aloe and cucumber are great soothing, calming and refreshing ingredients to have. Since developing eczema (at this late stage in my life as a side effect of internal inflammation and a disrupted immune system) aloe has become a favourite product of mine. It's cooling and a great relief when skin feels hot and sore.

Rosemary Flower Extract is antimicrobial and a god antioxidant.

Broccoli Extract - Used as an astringent.

Hyaluronic Acid - Speaks for itself, really! An ingredient that is amazing at retaining more than its weight in water which means it's guaranteed to pack in the moisture.

NEOGEN REAL FLOWER ROSE CLEANSING WATER REVIEW

I always wash my face as soon as I wake up but I don't complete the rest of my morning skincare routine until after breakfast. Using this cleansing water as a second step, a toning step, I apply some to a Cotton Pad and gently swipe across the face and down the neck. It feels light on the skin and adds some hydration and plumpness back in. You'd also be surprised by how much "dirt" still remains on the skin even after a morning face wash. I like using this water to determine how well a face wash has actually worked at cleansing my skin.

Personally, I've not used this to remove makeup with because I'm happy using a cleansing oil to break that down. The fragrance is light and doesn't irritate my skin, I can sweep this water over my eyelids lightly but I wouldn't use it to remove mascara (even though they say you can). My eyes can be quite sensitive so I avoid it.

My skin never feels dry, stripped or sticky after this product is applied. It doesn't feel like it dries on the skin either (like a bad facial mist). I like to focus on cleansing my t-zone as this helps to clean out my pores and avoid build up once I start applying other layers of skincare and makeup on top.

I have used this to remove makeup swatches on my arms and lips and it does the job well. I never use makeup wipes or other cleansing waters on my lips because for some reason it causes them to peel and get incredibly dry for days afterwards. However, NEOGEN's cleansing water was suitably soothing and didn't require excessive scrubbing.

FINAL THOUGHTS

This is a beautiful toning step for my morning routine or a quick fix makeup removing solution. Another winner from NEOGEN Dermalogy in my books. They also have a Calendula version (with real calendula petals suspended in the water) which would suit even more sensitive and easily irritated skin types prone to redness. 

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON CLEANSING WATERS? HAVE YOU TRIED ANYTHING FROM THE NEOGEN RANGE?