Skinfix just pulled the classic bait-and-switch. Their Barrier+ Foaming Oil Cleanser used to be a thick, balmy oil that melted makeup like butter. Now it’s a watery foam that feels like it’s from 2012.
Loyalists are pissed — and not just because change is scary. The old formula didn’t strip your skin. This new one leaves my cheeks feeling tight if I don’t double cleanse fast enough.
It’s a $32 foaming cleanser that claims to remove makeup + maintain the barrier. I tried it because the original was my “I’m too lazy to do a second cleanse” shortcut.
Foam vs. Oil
Pumps out as a translucent gel that lathers into airy foam — not the dense, silky oil of before.
Makeup Removal
Takes off light SPF and powder in 45 seconds. Waterproof mascara? You’ll need a separate remover now.
Rinse Feel
Slides off fast. No greasy residue. But also no cushion — your skin squeaks a little.
They swapped the oil-heavy base (jojoba, sunflower) for a water-based surfactant system. The hero stays — colloidal oatmeal for calming — but the texture shift is drastic. Lipids got downgraded.
- Colloidal Oatmeal: Soothes irritation on contact
- Glycerin: Hydrates but sits on surface
- Coconut-derived Surfactants: Clean without sudsing too much
- Niacinamide: Brightens over time, but low in formula
First wash: it feels like a regular foaming cleanser. Thin. Airy. Not that oily slip that made the original addictive. I actually checked the bottle twice to make sure I didn’t grab the wrong one.
By week 2, my nose pores looked slightly smaller — weirdly. Not clogged like I feared. But my cheeks have a new tightness by the time I towel off. That never happened before.
My skin didn’t break out. It didn’t glow either. It just… washed. No drama. No magic. The old one left a film that felt protective; this one leaves you dry if you dawdle.
It’s a fine cleanser that nobody asked for. Skinfix took a cult hit and made it ordinary — if you need a gentle foam, it works, but don’t expect the magic of the original.