Hi friends!
First off, I hope you are all staying safe, healthy and as sane as possible in these uncertain, anxious times. If nothing else, I want my content on here – now more than ever – to be a welcome distraction from the craziness and sadness we’re seeing on the TV and reading about online. So if you’re joining me today, let’s immerse ourselves in beauty and forget about the world if only for a few moments. ❤️
All throughout March there will be lots of indie skincare content coming your way here on the blog. Make sure you check out the intro post on this new series here. First I reviewed an awesome skincare-makeup hybrid foundation – the Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint – and then an amazing moisturizer – the PTR Water Drench Hyaluronic Cloud Cream.
This week it’s all about the Wander Beauty Drift Away Cleanser. After interviewing the brand co-founder earlier this year, Wander very kindly gifted me a few of their products to try. I’ve been pretty dedicated to my beloved CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser for the past several months, but I was more than happy to test this one out. Now that I’ve been using it for about a month now (I alternate it with the CeraVe), I’m ready to share my thoughts with you. Let’s get into it!
DISCLAIMER: THIS PRODUCT WAS GIFTED TO ME BY THE BRAND, BUT OPINIONS ARE 100% MY OWN.
WHAT IS THE WANDER BEAUTY DRIFT AWAY CLEANSER?
Drift Away™ Cleanser gently sets impurities and makeup adrift. Our transforming gel-to-foam formula creates a soft lather and provides a double cleansed effect to nourish and revitalize in one-step. Coconut derived, sulfate-free, cleansing agents create rich bubbles that pick up dirt while additional water helps absorb impurities left behind. Lastly, dirt, impurities and makeup are washed away when rinsed with water. Powered by ingredients of the sea including sea water and kelp to hydrate and balance skin.
Suitable for all skin types. BPA Free. Cruelty-Free. Dermatologist-tested. Gluten-Free. Mineral Oil-Free. Paraben-Free. Phthalate-Free. Synthetic Fragrance-Free. Vegan.
HOW I USE THIS PRODUCT
I take a dime-sized amount of the cleanser (roughly) and start massaging onto dry skin. I get it everywhere on my face and then lightly wet my hands to activate the lathering/foaming. I continue massaging the product with my wet hands for a good minute to minute-and-a-half. I then either splash water onto my face to clean off the residue or take a wet cloth to wipe it off.
MY THOUGHTS ON PACKAGING
Wander is all about portable, easy-to-use products so I think they do packaging really well. This has really lightweight plastic packaging with a large pump that’s quite easy to manipulate; meaning you can squeeze out whatever amount of product you want. A lot of pumps can frustratingly stick. That’s not the case here.
(Please keep in mind, I have a mini of this cleanser – 30 mL – that came in a travel set. The regular size is much bigger than this – 100 mL.)
RATING: 5 / 5 ⭐️
Read this: Gentle. Affordable. Let’s talk CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser
MY THOUGHTS ON TEXTURE
This has a gel-to-foam texture that can lather up pretty intensely depending on how much product or water you use. I know that foaming cleansers can divide a lot of people in the skincare community (some say they are drying), but I don’t mind the foaming personally. I haven’t noticed much dryness or tightness in my skin after using this product, which is a big plus.
RATING: 5 / 5 ⭐️
MY THOUGHTS ON EFFECTIVENESS
This cleanser does a fairly good job at removing my makeup with the exception of mascara. I do find that I have to rub a little too much around my eyes to get most of it off, which I don’t like.
I think the issue I’ve had with this is that I haven’t quite worked out how much cleanser to apply to my face. The first time I used it, I used an entire pump but I found the lather to be way too intense. Plus it seems that whenever I use a generous amount of product, it gets in my eyes and it stings! So I switched to a smaller amount, but now that doesn’t seem enough to completely get my face clean.
On a few occasions I’ve resorted to using a wipe after the cleanser to get remaining mascara residue off. It’s a little frustrating.
RATING: 3 / 5 ⭐️
Read this: Quick thoughts! Lancôme Advanced Genifique Yeux Light Pearl
Gel consistency of Wander Beauty Drift Away Cleanser
THOUGHTS ON PRICE
For $32.00, you get 100 mL of product with the Drift Away Cleanser. To compare it to the CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser for example, you can get over 300 mL for $14.99 or even less depending on where you buy it. And in my opinion the CeraVe does a more effective job at removing all my makeup without stinging my eyes.
RATING: 2 / 5 ⭐️
FINAL THOUGHTS
The Wander Beauty Drift Away Cleanser is kinda a ‘meh’ product for me. It’s not bad but it’s certainly not my favorite cleanser product. I wish it did a better job at removing my makeup since that’s its main job. Plus the fact that it sometimes stings my eyes really bothers me. I prefer to stick with my CeraVe.
Have you tried the Drift Away Cleanser? What’s your favorite cleanser? I’d love to know!
xo, Erica
PIN IT!
That’s expensive for such a small amount! I never splurge much on cleansers because a dermatologist once told me they stay too little on to be effective. I’m currently using the new nivea cleansing oil, I’m not sure it’s out in the states though
You’re absolutely right. Cleansers really shouldn’t be too expensive, cause they just go down the drain anyway. I love Nivea products! Never tried a cleansing oil before, so I may have to check that out!
I love it! Honestly, takes everything off and it’s not drying
Will keep it in mind!
It’s sounds nice other than the stinging and the price. I think I’d rather stick with the CeraVe. The packaging is cute, though!
Love the packaging! But I just don’t believe in spending much on cleansers since they come right off. The CeraVe is still my holy grail!
Hmmm, expensive. I’ve personally never had luck with cleansers that “remove makeup”. I honestly don’t believe they do, not a full face anyway. I have to use an actual makeup remover or use my makeup removing towel. Maybe they mean traces of makeup, which I would agree with. Lol. Anyway, the product sounds great but yeah the foaming texture, I’m into it kind of? Idk. I would have to try their travel size and see if I like it.
The CeraVe does a pretty darn good job at removing 98% of my makeup, but a lot of people say you need to use a balm-like cleanser to really, really remove everything. Like the Clinique Take the Day Off Balm. Removing makeup is usually a 2-step process for me anyway, but if a cleanser claims to remove everything I gotta hold it to that standard, you know?
The foaming didn’t bother me for the most part, but with this one if you use a lot the foam got really intense and a bit too much for me.
Ah yeah, balms work really well for me. They haven’t let me down. The ones I’ve tried to far I mean lol. I would like to give the CeraVe cleanser a shot….
Yeah I get that, I have used too much of certain cleansers by accident that they either foam too much or it’s too much product that it applies like a layer and it doesn’t actually feel like I’m washing my face lmao.
I bought the Clinique one ages ago, but I kinda forgot about it and then it got old. I must try it again sometime. I wanna explore more drugstore cleansers though beyond the CeraVe. Maybe one day I’ll do a post!
Ah yeah it sucks when products expire before you get the chance to really use them. I’m still currently going through my stash lol
If you find any other good cleansers I hope you post about them 🤗
I definitely will! Now is the best time to really try and use your stash as much as possible, I think. If I buy something new, it’ll probably just be from the drugstore anyway since at least they’re still open!
I didn’t know Wander Beauty made skincare! That’s awesome they gave you some products for free. 😄
I never knew why people didn’t like cleansers that foamed & you always say your skin is super dry & if this didn’t give you the tight, dry feeling, it must be something other than the foam, right? Skincare can be so confusing & hard to remember everything lol.
I do not like anything that burns my eyes! Staying away from this, for sure. Thank you for your honest review! ♡
Yup, they definitely do skincare but I have yet to find something within their line I really like. I’ve found a couple of great makeup bits from them though (Lip Retreat Oil and the Mile High Mascara)! I don’t know what exactly or what ingredient in a lot of foaming cleansers make people’s skin dry, but I definitely know I’ve heard that countless times over the years. This is the only foaming cleanser I’ve ever used, and I definitely wouldn’t call it drying so who knows? Skincare confuses me to no end either!
I do like the Wander Beauty face palettes I have & I have an eyeshadow palette by them I haven’t used yet, too. ALSO, I have an illuminating oil that I haven’t opened so I guess I *did* know they made skincare LOL.
I’m glad to know that skincare confuses you, too! I’m just not into researching like a scientist to learn everything!!
Rossy said their illuminating oil is really good actually, and I think I have a sample of it. I must dig that out!