Tweaking This Key Step in My Skincare Routine Healed My Inflamed Acne

Welcome to Deep Reviews—your one-stop destination to discover the absolute best products and brands the beauty industry has to offer. The Who What Wear staffers you already know and trust will research, test, and review the market's most sought-after and buzzed-about products to see which formulas (of the hundreds up for consideration) are worth your hard-earned money and attention. You can expect honest, uncensored feedback and no-BS recommendations our hard-to-please testers endorse without reservations.

The majority of our Deep Reviews will feature our editors' honest, ultra-hot takes on entire product categories or multiple products from a particular beauty brand, but every so often, we'll sprinkle in a special single-product format called Honestly, I Love It. As the name suggests, these reviews will home in on one standout beauty formula our editors can't shut up about. This time around, I'm highlighting Tower 28's SOS Gentle Hydrating Gel Cleanser ($20).

Skincare experts say that cleansing is one of the most important steps in a skincare routine, and I'm inclined to agree. I used the wrong kinds of cleansers for years because I struggled with acne and thought the harsher, the better. Obviously, I was wrong and had to learn that the hard way. Using high-dose benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid cleansers not only made the issue worse for me but also left some serious skin dehydration and barrier damage in their wake. It wasn't until recently that I realized using a gentle cleanser paired with an AHA (like mandelic acid) was the way to heal my acne. Once I stopped using harsher actives and stripping cleansers, my skin started to clear up and was so much less dehydrated—go figure! The cleanser I've had the most luck with is Tower 28's SOS Daily Balancing Gel Cleanser ($20).

I'm already a huge fan of Tower 28 products. The brand's Daily Skin Barrier Recovery Moisturizer ($24) got me through some tough times when my sensitive skin was purging and couldn't handle any moisturizers with oil. Tower 28 is made specifically for people with sensitive, acne-, and redness-prone skin, so you can feel good about using it if you struggle with any of the above. I'm happy to report that the cleanser is another winner that's so gentle and calming. I especially love that it's a good cleansing option for barrier damage. If you're like me and struggle with that, you know that cleansing can be tricky because it leaves your skin feeling tight, dehydrated, and sometimes exacerbates the issue—not this one!

It's a really low-foaming gel cleanser that can even be used around the eyes to remove makeup. It's soothing, calming, and perfect for barrier recovery, as it reduces redness and doesn't leave that tight feeling. Like I mentioned above, it took me a long time to realize that the key to clearing my acne was taking a gentle approach, and if you've also tried everything before realizing this, give this cleanser a go. It works perfectly in combination with Sofie Pavitt's Mandelic Clearing Serum ($54) to slowly and gently clear the skin. My skin always feels soft and hydrated after use, and it doesn't burn or sting around my eye area.

Tower 28 is all about simple, effective ingredients that won't irritate sensitive skin. Founder Amy Liu has spoken extensively about her own sensitive, eczema-prone skin and how it paved the way for her to create Tower 28. If you have a skin condition, it's always important to do a patch test before trying any new product, but I can say that the formulas from this brand are designed for these skin types in mind and are much less likely to cause irritation.

A few star ingredients in this cleanser include minerals and electrolytes like zinc, copper, and magnesium to support skin's immunity and boost hydration levels. Pure aloe vera also helps to reinforce the skin's protective barrier by providing an extra boost of moisture. Lastly, oat is also a key ingredient to help soothe any skin irritation. This one especially comes in handy if you struggle with redness or breakouts. I find that my skin always appears calmer after using this.

Liu shared a little more with me about why exactly she wanted to create this cleanser. "I've been on an endless quest to find a cleanser that removes every trace of makeup without irritating or stripping my sensitive skin but never had any luck," she says. "The SOS Daily Balancing Cleanser is our answer! As with all of our products, the newest addition to our line is formulated to the National Eczema Association guidelines to ensure it's 100% safe for sensitive skin. It's also proudly dermatologist recommended and ophthalmologist approved (no stinging or burning eyes here!)." Liu and her team developed the formula to be soap-free, fragrance-free, and pH-balanced so it can be used both in the morning and evening but, at the same time, is effective enough to remove stubborn makeup and SPF.

As I first mentioned, the brand's other products are perfect for when your skin is going through it. Liu explained why that is. "Our goal with the SOS line was to create a comprehensive skincare routine that even the most sensitive skin types would feel safe using. That being said, we have a keen focus on delivering highly efficacious products that can fit into any routine, regardless of your age or skin type. The SOS Daily Balancing Cleanser is no different! Whether you're taking off a full face of makeup at the end of the day, looking for a skin-friendly cleanser to use before your skincare actives, or if you're just looking for a fresh start to your morning, it's the perfect companion to any routine."

Even though the brand's skincare was the focus this time around, both Liu and I have other beauty favorites from the brand as well. I discovered that we both love the brand's BeachPlease Cream Blush. "I'm really loving our new shade Finest Hour (which is back by demand in our permanent collection but was originally a limited-edition shade as part of our Kung Fu Panda 4 collab!). It's the perfect pop of red to transition from summer into fall. I blend in a bit on my cheeks and add a dab on my lips for an easy monochrome look. My other go-tos are the SOS Rescue Spray (so named because it literally did save my eczema-prone skin!) and the GetSet Powder. I love how it instantly brightens my face no matter how much sleep I had the night before, and the blurring effect is like an IRL filter!"

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