All About My Love/Hate Relationship With The $95 Cleanser

Kjaer Weis is best known for its eco-luxe yet practical, refillable compacts. The line is not entirely makeup centric, however. It includes a gorgeous lip balm, a body oil, and The Beautiful Face Oil that promises (and delivers) a brighter, more luminous complexion. Since makeup is not quite ‘my thing’, I was ecstatic when the brand sent over their recently launched Cleanser and Toner. 

Fact: A proper cleanse is my favorite step of a skincare routine. Whether I choose to spend an extra minute and turn the simple task into a relaxing facial massage at the end of the day or pair the ritual with a cleansing gadget first thing in the morning — it’s where skin and self-care come together. 

Side note: I am not annoyingly picky about the cleansers I use. So it is with a heavy heart that I say the new Kjaer Weis Cleanser is something I am both hating to love and loving to hate. Hear me out. 

The Cleanser comes in a stunning glass bottle with a pump dispenser and has a unique soft gel texture. What it doesn’t come with, are directions. My first instinct was to accessorize the shower shelf with this fancy addition (and pray I wouldn’t drop the glass bottle and ruin my foot modeling career). After an unsuccessful initial experience, I learned quickly that this is not an in-shower face wash. It’s a sink-side cleansing balm. You apply it to dry skin, massage it in to remove all traces of sunscreen and makeup, then add water, watch it turn milky, and rinse off. Again, it would be helpful to have the directions printed on the box.

In addition to the hefty bottle, which can double as a paperweight (note to millennials: a heavy object used to keep loose paper from flying around), the pump dispenser is the absolute$#@%ingworst. A single pump spits out such a minuscule amount of product that you need to press it down exactly 15 times to receive a dollop large enough to cover your face and neck. FIFTEEN. It’s a mini workout. 

Let’s talk about the good because there is plenty to love about the Kjaer Weis Cleanser. The formula is packed with organic, cold-pressed plant oils and extracts. The seemingly standard base of Sweet Almond and Olive Oils is infused with soothing Calendula and Chamomile, nourishing Squalane, and antioxidant-rich Camellia Leaf Extract. The added natural fragrance evokes floral notes of honey — it’s beautiful. 

The cleansing experience delivered by this Kjaer Weis latest is full on spa level. If only every professional facial would begin with this very formula. In addition to the aromatherapy, my skin feels clean and nourished; bouncy and never tight. It’s an excellent balm that provides a thorough cleanse without stripping the protective lipid barrier. When it comes to performance, it’s absolutely wonderful. I prefer to use it at the end of the day, do my 15 pumps, apply to a dry face, massage it in for a minute or two, and hop into the shower. Since it liquifies with water so well, I have no need to follow up with a second cleanse. Instead, I go straight to a toner. 

And speaking of toners… The Kjaer Weis Toner is pretty great. Ish. The liquid formula is housed in the identical glass bottle as the cleanser but is armed with a spray pump. If you’re expecting a whimsical experience of fine mist gently descending on your face, snap out of it. And that you will as the first rather aggressive spritz hits your skin. The blend of plant waters (Lavender, Lemon Balm, Honeysuckle, Prickly Pear) hydrates and balances while the brand’s signature addition of Chinese Yam Extract delivers impressive luminosity to the skin. 

Both formulas are 95% organic and while we’re on the topic of numbers, you may find the following equally important: the Cleanser is $95 and Toner $85.

P.S. I’m 100% not sure these are re-fillable. 

Available at bluemercury.com