ast Updated:11.25.2014
Jar Packaging:No
Tested on animals:Yes
This liquid cleanser is said to contain "charged" water, which M.A.C. claims is better at providing immediate hydration to skin. First, in cosmetics, water is water. Your skin cannot tell the difference between charged and uncharged water. Second, there's no regulation or agreed-upon definition as to what constitutes "charged" water. M.A.C. seems to think that charging water with minerals will help, but, in truth, minerals have minimal benefit for skin when applied topically because unless the minerals are made into nanoparticles they just sit on the surface of the skin. Even if they were made small enough to be absorbed, there is no research showing that's a good thing.
Minerals are best ingested, where the body's various enzymes allow the minerals to function properly. This simply doesn't happen on the skin, plus in a cleanser the minerals are just rinsed down the drain. In short, the entire "Mineralize" angle is marketing hype, not skin care science.
This is an OK cleanser that's marginally adept at removing makeup. It's OK if you wear mineral makeup and avoid long-wearing or waterproof formulas, but everyone else will likely find this isn't up to par. On the plus side, this rinses without leaving a hint of residue.
Ignore the gimmicky ingredients in this product, which include the gemstone rhodochrosite and diamond powder. Even if those were brilliant for skin, they are washed off before they have a chance to work. The same is true for the salicylic acid in this cleanser.
PROS:
Rinses without leaving a residue.
CONS:
Expensive for a smaller-than-usual size and a rather basic formula.
Most of the beneficial ingredients are rinsed down the drain.
Doesn't cleanse all that well; not adept at removing long-wearing makeup.