As you may or may not know, I am a huge fan of probiotic-infused skin care. After some initial skepticism about probiotics’ ability to actually improve my complexion, I started testing out several probiotic-infused products — namely, Tula’s Day and Night Cream and Eminence’s Probiotic Mask. And after a couple of months of regular use, I couldn’t ignore the fact that my skin looked drastically clearer and more hydrated. But after integrating them into my routine, I realized I have a new problem with probiotic products: They tend to be on the pricey side.
Which is why I was excited to stumble upon a more affordably priced brand called Gallinee while perusing Urban Outfitter’s online beauty section a couple of weeks ago. I did a bit of research on the brand and learned that it is French, cruelty-free, vegan, and probiotic-infused — all words I like a lot. At the time, I had just run out of my beloved (non-priobiotic-infused) Dr. Loretta Hydrating Cleanser, so I decided on a whim to buy Gallinee’s foaming facial cleanser after reading its product description, which says it’s suitable for dry, sensitive skin.
I’m so glad I did. This stuff has totally saved my skin from its annual (sweat-provoked) summer breakouts and congestion. For $25 — which isn’t cheap cheap, but is still more than half the cost of my probiotic-infused faves from Eminence and Tula — you get a gentle foaming formula that is safe for ultrasensitive skin, and infused with pre- and post-biotics (which both nurture your skin’s good bacteria and fight off the bad). Basically, the mix of ingredients helps to balance out your skin during the cleansing phase, ensuring it’ll stay clear, bright, and healthy even if you’ve spent the entire day sprinting around in 90-degree heat with 100 percent humidity.
Gallinee’s cleanser also incorporates lactic acid, a very gentle exfoliant that helps lightly smooth out any textural issues. Which is why, when I use it, I don’t use my Lotion P50 after, so as to not over-exfoliate my skin. And to any sensitive-skin people who bristled at the words “includes lactic acid,” don’t worry: The stuff is not harsh at all. It has never once irritated my super-sensitive, eczema-prone skin.
After just a few days of use, I noticed my skin looked much brighter and plumper; old dark marks began to fade, and my complexion looked more supple and velvety smooth, rather than tight and parched. I now use this cleanser in the morning and at night on days when I’m not using a strong exfoliant. I’ll follow the Gallinee cleanser with my Timeless Hyaluronic Acid Serum (which hydrates even deeper) and Biossance Omega Cream (which soothes and nourishes) — a three-step routine that’s basically my new summer ritual for achieving fresh-faced skin.
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