Bioderma Sebium Purifying and Foaming Cleansing Gel

Bioderma Purifying and Foaming Cleansing Gel is a cleanser from the Sebium line formulated for combination or oily skin. This cleanser was the promotional freebie given when I purchased three Bioderma Sensibio items, which I reviewed in previews posts.

The blue cleanser has a liquid-gel texture, leaning more on liquid. The Bioderma website describes this cleanser as:

"• Formulated with non-irritant substances, Sébium Foaming gel cleanses gently.

• Sébium Foaming gel reduces sebum secretion and purifies the epidermis thanks to the Fluidactiv^® sebum-correcting complex. It also regulates sebum quality.

• Its soap-free, washing base guarantees good cutaneous and ocular tolerance.

• Sébium Foaming gel is non-comedogenic."

It doesn't foam up very much, and leaves the slightest feeling of leftover cleanser film on the skin. Oddly enough, it didn't cause my skin any breakouts.

It is gentle on the skin, did not sting my eyes, nor cause any irritation.

Although it makes a good cleanser, I don't think I'd repurchase because I prefer a thoroughly clean feel after washing the face. That aside, this cleanser lasts a long way; the 200ml bottle lasted close to three months with two pumps used each day (one for morning and another for evening). I do think this cleanser is worth trying for those with oily and combination skin.

The ingredients list above. 

Bioderma Sensibio H20 Micelle Solution

Bioderma's Crealine H20 Micelle Solution is a constant favorite of beauty editors and bloggers alike. When I chanced upon its sensitive skin variant, the Sensibio H20, I thought it was time to see what the ballyhoo is all about.

The cleaser is described in the website as:

 "The benchmark micelle solution that daily cleanses and removes make-up from sensitive skin.

• At the cutting edge of innovation, BIODERMA has pioneered micellar solutions. Specially formulated for sensitive, normal to dry skins, the Sensibio H2O micelle solution gently cleanses face and eyes. It removes water-resistant make-up.
The micelles contained in its formula effectively micro-emulsify impurities while maintaining the skin’s balance (soap-free, physiological pH).

• Soothing and decongesting active ingredients prevent the feelings of irritation often caused by cleansing.

• Sensibio H2O guarantees excellent cutaneous and ocular tolerance (tested under ophthalmological supervision)."

Gentle, soap-free, removes water-resistant makeup -- these all sounded like music to me.

It comes in a sturdy plastic bottle with a red transparent flip-top cap.

The hole is properly-sized enough to control the desired amount of cleanser to be used.

Product description.

Ingredients.
More ingredients (on the box). I find the smell of this product -- a mix of coconut and rust - repelling. It also didn't offer any soothing effects; the worse part is it broke me out and caused my skin to turn red and irritated. There was also no "immediate freshness sensation" as promised. It felt like I had to wash with a foaming cleanser again, despite it saying "rinsing not necessary." Overall, a total failure of a micellar solution. (All is not lost, for I found out Bioderma Sensibio Micelle Solution makes a good makeup brush cleaner.) A better experience I had of a similar product was with Avene's Micellar Lotion Cleanser and Make-up Remover. 

Bioderma Sensibio Eye Contour Gel

Continuing with my Bioderma series, I present you Sensibio Eye Contour Gel.

It comes in a white box with Mandarin print that must be exclusive for the HK distributor.

The squeeze tube packaging is very sanitary; a good reprieve from potted skincare.

As with most eye creams, the standard content is 15ml.

This can be used both on day and night. An extra perk is it's contact lens-friendly too.

The slim nozzle makes squeezing out the desired amount a breeze and it also helps keep the whole process hygienic.

It is a white cream-gel like texture and dries down with a matte finish.

Vive la France.

Aside from the fact that the packaging very reassuringly noted this product as excellent for sensitive skin, and is fragrance free, what convinced me was the presence of caffeine, an ingredient I had good experience with fighting off dark circles (with Shiseido's Bio Performance Super Eye Contour Cream).

I apply a pea-size amount for both eyes during the evenings only. The finish is clean and not sticky. It gives a slightly soothing effect. One of the best things about it is it didn't sting my eyes or give irritation. I truly think it helps decrease my dark circles and keeps the undereye area adequately moisturized, although I'd say if moisturizing is your top concern, this is better as a morning treatment, as it doesn't help very much with deep hydration nor with fine lines and crow's feet. It does help with puffiness though, keeping my normally puffy undereyes a bit deflated in the morning.

The ingredients list above. Overall, I don't think I would repurchase as my eye cream needs lean toward nourishing the eye area and this product's consistency was not rich enough. For morning users, sensitive skin types, and people with few eye area concerns, this product is great because it acts as a great eye base for makeup, keeps the eye area hydrated, and helps diminish a shade or two of dark circles. It can go the extra mile too -- one tube can last about 5 months.

Bioderma Sensibio Lotion

Bioderma is a French pharmaceutical skincare line the likes of Vichy and La Roche-Posay, where in Mannings HK they are peddled and pitted against one another against one charged, magnificent wall. Though Bioderma has not entered my consciousness as clearly as Avene has, I know for a fact that its non-rinse cleanser Sensibio H20, which I will review in a separate post, is a grand hit in Europe.

The brand has many lines catering to different skin and the Sensibio line, which easily caught my eye, is meant for sensitive skin-types.

The liquid is clear and comes in a sturdy, transparent plastic bottle. Bioderma pulls its look as clinical with a touch of style, since it markets its products as dermatological but with a wider customer breadth.

The Sensibio Lotion is meant for normal to dry sensitive skin. I was wrong to think that, as a lotion, it can be more forgiving than creams or moisturizers and can accommodate my oily to combination skin. It is still best to stick to one's skin type when choosing products.

This product functions more like a Japanese lotion to prep the skin for moisturizer, rather than traditional toners from Western brands that clean the face off excess dirt.

I couldn't disagree more from the description on the packaging. Part of the reason I bought the Sensibio line was because it promised "calming, soothing, decongesting" properties which my skin craves. Sadly, this product did not do any of the above. It irritated my skin -- made it red, flushed, and uncomfortable. Worse, it broke me out. The lotion was the only new product in my regime, so I am quite sure it was the culprit.The bad effects were immediate the moment I patted the product on my face. Definitely not gentle as it claims.

 Description in Mandarin.

Aside from Bioderma, the only other brand I know of that thoughtfully incorporates Braille into its packaging is L'Occitane.

The simple ingredient list was a cocktail of nuisance for my face.

Expiration date. This sadly didn't work out for me, but with so much product left the only other use for this was as a body moisturizer -- and that didn't turn out so bad.