Cleanser is the unsung hero of skin-care products. While it’s absolutely an essential in your skincare routine, where it’s responsible for sweeping away grime, excess oil, and makeup, it’s considered more expendable than, say, serums and moisturizers — likely because you rinse it off after a few second, seemingly lowering the stakes. Plus, traditional cleansing formulas can leave a lot to be desired; not only can they strip skin of moisture, leaving it feeling squeaky-clean and tight, but some also don’t remove makeup well, leaving residue behind.

That’s where the new Avocado Ceramide Moisture Barrier Cleanser. The latest cleanser to join the Glow Recipe fam, it’s designed to actively support the all-important skin barrier, delivering benefits long after you rinse, while also meeting the expectations of a good cleanser — that is, thoroughly removing grime, makeup, and sebum without leaving skin dry and irritated. To pull that off, it pairs some of our favorite ingredients, such as ceramides and avocado oil, with targeted newbies, like pre- and postbiotics and colloidal oatmeal. They work together to strengthen skin while you cleanse, leaving it comfortable, balanced, and most importantly, clean. With that, here’s what you’ll find inside.

What’s inside

Let’s start with the eponymous ceramides. Ceramides, for the uninitiated, are a type of lipid naturally found in the skin barrier. They act as the glue between your skin cells, where they (along with other lipids, like cholesterol and fatty acids) help create a seal for skin, keeping external irritants out and moisture in. However, your ceramide levels naturally fall over time, leading to dry or even sensitive skin. To offset this dip, our formula contains both ceramides and ceramide boosters, which mimic ceramide’s structure and actively soothe skin even after you rinse. (Really — we tested it to make sure.)

Then, there are prebiotics and postbiotics in the Avocado Ceramide Moisture Barrier Cleanser. They’re different from probiotics, which are live bacteria. Instead, prebiotics basically serve as bacteria food. They fuel the good bacteria that partly make up the skin’s microbiome, a.k.a. the ecosystem of microorganisms that help keep skin balanced, hydrated, and healthy. (When the microbiome is out of whack, on the other hand, it can lead to dryness and even breakouts.) 

Postbiotics, meanwhile, are byproducts produced by skin’s good bacteria; while there are different kinds out there, our formula includes glycolipids, which replenish moisture and soothe skin redness from dehydration. We even tested it to make sure they stayed on skin after rinsing — giving you even more of a lasting benefits.

For additional soothing action, you’ll also find colloidal oatmeal in here; it’s a well-known skin protectant beloved for its ability to quell irritation, support the skin barrier, and help retain moisture. The formula is also infused with avocado oil, the vitamin-packed oil we know and love; here, it works double-duty to both nourish skin and help dissolve oil-soluble makeup, like waterproof formulas.

And, because no one wants raccoon eyes post-cleanse, the formula also includes dedicated makeup-removing agents. The sulfate-free blend is used in baby washes — it’s that gentle — and leaves skin clean but not overly dry.

How to use it

Morning and night, dispense an almond-sized amount of the cleanser into damp palms and rub your hands together to lather. Massage the formula into your face and neck using small, circular motions until your makeup is dissolved. Then, rinse with lukewarm (not hot!) water. Pat dry, then follow with the rest of your regimen. If you’re looking to support or strengthen your skin barrier, we recommend following with the Avocado Ceramide Recovery Serum, Plum Plump Hyaluronic Cream, and, for daytime, the Watermelon Glow Niacinamide SPF 50.

While this cleanser will do the trick to remove grime, excess oil, and even face and eye makeup, you can also use it as the second step of a double-cleansing routine. Start with a balm cleanser like Papaya Sorbet Enzyme Cleansing Balm, which gently resurfaces skin with papaya enzymes, and then follow up with the Avocado Ceramide Moisture Barrier Cleanser for lasting skin barrier-strengthening benefits.

In as soon as a week, you’ll start to see results. In a clinical study of 30 participants, when used as directed, 93% showed improved skin barrier health after one week. And, in a clinical study conducted in that time period*:

• 96% agreed skin felt nourished and soothed
• 93% agreed skin feels and looks healthier
• 93% agreed that this visibly reduced flaking skin

And, after two weeks, 100% agreed this gently and easily removes all makeup**.

We’re so happy that we can finally share this exciting launch with you, and can’t wait for you to try the Avocado Ceramide Moisture Barrier Cleanser for yourself. Got questions? Just leave a comment below and we’ll get back to you!

*Based on consumer perception on 30 subjects when used as directed.

**Based on consumer perception on 21 makeup users.

Read more about babying your skin barrier:

• How to Get a Healthy Skin Barrier
• How a Healthy Skin Barrier Helps Keep Skin Clear
• How to Tell if You’re Overwashing Your Skin