We always knew that one day we’d create a face cleanser to complete our collection. But we didn’t want to add yet another face wash to an already oversaturated market just to say we did it. We wanted to go deeper (literally!) without complicating your skincare routine.
Given our commitment to skin health and sun protection, it only made sense for us to formulate a cleanser that could effectively remove impurities AND sunscreen. But rather than going the typical route of creating an oil-based cleanser to remove sunscreen and a water-based cleanser to clear the rest, we thought… why not combine them into one?
So we did! The result is a cleanser that’s tough enough to remove makeup, impurities, and sunscreen (even mineral sunscreen!) without stripping your skin or messing with its PH. It’s also fragrance- and irritant-free, making it the ideal cleanser for even the most sensitive skin types.
Ready to meet your new cleanser? Let’s dive in!
How does Wash Away’s “one step” formula work?
What makes this cleanser truly amazing is its ability to wash away mineral sunscreen with ease, and without double cleansing.
When you apply a mineral sunscreen, two things happen:
First, its main protective ingredients, Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide, settle on top of the skin to protect your skin from damaging UV rays. Then, a typically silicone-based (aka, oil), water-resistant barrier sits on top of those ingredients, making sure the sunscreen does not run when you’re sweating or swimming.
Necessary for protecting your skin… but a pain to try and wash off later, especially if your cleanser is solely water-based (because, as we all know, oil and water don’t play well together!).
In order to truly clean your skin, you need to first be able to break down the water-resistant barrier, then you can get to the zinc, titanium dioxide and grime underneath.
That’s where Wash Away comes in! Here’s how it works:
First, gentle, sulfate-free surfactants (cleansing agents) break down the water-resistant barrier. From there, the oils - grape seed and argan oil - are no longer obstructed from going in and loosening up any zinc, Titanium Dioxide, dirt, makeup (even mascara!) and other impurities your skin picked up over the day, for ease of washing off.
While you wash, your skin is also soaking in major goodness.
Like all MDSolarSciences formulas, Wash Away also pampers and nourishes your skin as it cleanses.
Light Exfoliation
This low-foam formula contains pineapple and apple extracts, which provide very mild, surface-level exfoliation to help remove any dead skin or trapped minerals.
Fruit-based Antioxidants
Pomegranate extract, green tea extract, and grape seed oil all help in neutralizing any damaging and dulling free radicals your skin picks up from the sun. Grape seed oil also provides the highest level of linoleic acid from a fruit - aka, major anti-aging benefits such as an increase in ceramides.
Moisturizing AND Hydrating Agents
Both of these are required to keep skin plump, free of fine lines and rosy! The hydrating agents - Panthenol (Pro Vitamin B5), Glycerin, Hyaluronic acid - attract and hold water to the skin, while the moisturizing agents - Argan oil, Squalane, Grape seed oil - leave a thin “barrier” that prevents water from evaporating. So skin stays hydrated and plump all day!
How to add Wash Away to your regular routine
Because of its super gentle, non-irritating formula, this cleanser can be used twice a day to wash away your day… and night!
A.M. Routine - Wash Away + MD Restore Eye Gel + Daily Perfecting Moisturizer SPF 30
P.M. Routine - Wash Away + MD Restore Eye Gel + MD Revitalize Retinol Serum
To learn more about skincare routines in the Fall and Winter, check out this blog.
