I have combination sensitive skin and this is my go to cleanser. It was given to me as a birthday present years ago. I loved it then and I love it now.
It is definitely a foaming cleanser, you only need the tiniest amount for it to cover your entire face and neck which is one of the reasons why I love it. It means that it lasts a very long time so the price you pay initially ends up working out better in the long run, for me anyway.
The packaging is nice and simple. It's easy to get the product out and easy to cut open to get that last little bit out!
I don't really see the point in the micro pearls as they don't really do anything unless you pop them.
It does give my face a tight feeling but I don't find it drying at all nor does it make me oily. It makes me feel clean. I like trying different products but this is the one I always come back to. As soon as I use it again my face basically goes "ah that's better" I use it after using a make up remover, I don't find it very effective at getting a full face off.
Careful of your eyes as well as it can sting!
I purchased the Clarins Gentle Foaming cleanser when I had oily, acne prone skin and used it morning and night until finished. Overall it was a great cleanser, helped reduce oiliness and didn't aggravate my acne.
This is one of those cleansers that leaves your skin squeaky clean and tight, so if you don't like that feeling then it isn't for you. I personally don't mind this feeling as I am always toning and moisturizing afterwards so it doesn't last long. I used this product every second morning, alternating between this and an exfoliating cleanser. I also used it every evening after removing my makeup. It was great for removing any last traces of makeup, but it would be ineffective and wasteful to remove a full face of foundation. It cleansed my face and removed remaining makeup and oil which helped in the prevention of blemishes, but no more than any other cleanser. I didn't notice a difference in my acne, although it didn't make it worse either, which I why I used it for so long. I did however notice a difference in the oiliness of my skin. It was slightly less oily during the day, particularly after the first week of use. It didn't dry my skin out at all, although it certainly isn't a product for those with normal or dry skin. The 'purifying microbeads' didn't seem to benefit my skin as they often wouldn't burst unless intentionally squeezed and there really wasn't a whole lot of them.
Each use only required a tiny, smaller than a pea sized amount as I took the time to foam it up in my hands with a small amount of water. To me this justified the price that I paid, as it lasted a full year of almost twice daily use. It is in a squeezable tube so I was able to cut it in half and use the remaining product. The formula is what I describe as a creamy foam as it is initially thick and heavy before becoming lighter and foamier when mixed with water. This is in comparison to a lightweight foam that is dispensed from a pump as a bubbly foam.
After finishing the Clarins Gentle Foaming cleanser I was undecided as to whether to repurchase. I very rarely repurchase skincare and in the end I decided to try something new as my skin is now more normal/combination rather than oily. This is a great staple product for oily skin although it doesn't do anything beyond basic.
Tips: Only a tiny amount of product is needed if foamed up in hands with water before applying to face;