AXIS-Y is a new to me brand of Korean skincare that uses high quality ingredients. What really stands out is the brand’s focus on the climate and its effects on the skin. Their 6+1+1 Advanced Formula skincare (611) was developed specifically for people with acne-prone, oily skin who live in a humid climate. 611 means 6 key / active ingredients, 1 core ingredient, and 1 patented technology.
I chose a few of their products (watch the unboxing video here) to try and see if they would work for my combination skin in the Midwest (do we have a climate? Our weather here changes daily). You can find out more about the brand on their website and instagram.
Double cleansing is one of the best things about Korean beauty. However, using two separate products is not always the most time or cost effective way to get clean. I’ve had some disappointments in the “two in one” cleanser category, but I rarely give up. Gentle and effective cleansing in one step is important for a lot of my readers, especially those with very sensitive skin, and I was determined to find something I can recommend with confidence.
That’s why one of the items I chose to test was AXIS-Y Quinoa One Step Balanced Gel Cleanser. It’s sold on* YesStyle (use reward code KBHOBBIT for an extra discount) and their official website. It promises to remove makeup, hydrate, and clear pores all in one step. The cleanser has a skin loving pH of 5.5 and is not stripping.
How to use:
Apply a few pumps to wet face
Massage gently
Rinse with tepid water
Follow with the rest of your routine
In addition to quinoa, AXIS-Y Quinoa One Step Balanced Gel Cleanser contains centella asiatica (a beloved ingredient for soothing acne), calendula (to speed up healing), green tea (antioxidant), and more. A full list of ingredients is available at the end of the review. I can personally vouch for the healing power of calendula flowers, as my mom and grandmother used to always make concoctions from them when I was a kid. It’s interesting how life changes - from steeping calendula in Russia to reviewing Korean beauty in the USA.
My impressions
I tend to be skeptical of one step cleansers, because I had bad experiences in the past (dry skin, clogged pores, inadequate cleansing, etc). I wanted to really put this AXIS-Y cleanser to the test, so I used it as my only face wash for two and a half weeks. That’s right, I put away all my other cleansers and used only this. If it didn’t do a good job, that would be plenty of time to notice. Now that I have formed an opinion, I will continue using AXIS-Y until it’s gone, but will introduce some of my other products back in.
Since I only use a cleanser at night (I don’t wash my face in the morning), it has to be gentle but effective. I’m not a heavy makeup user, but of course, sunscreen is a must, which is why I typically double cleanse.
I’m happy to report that the AXIS-Y Quinoa One Step Balanced Gel Cleanser works exactly as promised. It’s non drying and non irritating (at least to me), and removes sunscreen, makeup, and dirt of the daily life beautifully. If you are a person who loves to use face wash in the mornings, AXIS-Y will work for that as well.
The clear gel produces a very light and gentle foam that’s a pleasure to use. There’s a bit of a scent - nothing overwhelming. The product rinses cleanly without any noticeable residue. Even with daily (and I would say generous) use, the bottle is slow to empty. I think it will last me for quite some time.
I don’t expect hydration from my cleansers - that’s what all the other steps are for - but I definitely need them to be non stripping and gentle. As someone with combination skin, I used to misguidedly fight my oily zones with as many harsh products as possible. That caused the skin to produce even more oil! Now I know that gentle products are so much better (and my skin is much more even). I’m happy to say that AXIS-Y Quinoa cleanser is very gentle.
Overall, I think AXIS-Y would be a great cleanser for most skin types (of course always check for individual sensitivities). My skin seems to really love it - my face feels clean without being “squeaky”, my pores are looking smaller (some of that is from other products, but it’s hard to get nice looking pores if they aren’t properly cleansed).
I think I have finally found a one-step cleanser that actually works, even with daily, exclusive use.
Want more content? Find me on Instagram, YouTube, Pinterest, and in my private Facebook group. Subscribe below to get blog updates via email.
#AXISY #vegan #crueltyfree #parabenfree #cleanser #climateskincare #kbeauty #centellaasiatica #calendula #greentea #allskintypes #combinationskin #acnecare
*Affiliate links
This product was sent to me for free. This is not a sponsored review.
All opinions are my own.
AXIS-Y Quinoa One Step Balanced Gel Cleanser ingredients: Water, Decyl Glucoside, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Chenopodium Quinoa Seed Extract, Glycerin, Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate, Betaine, Glycine Soja (Soybean Oil),Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Extract, Chlorphenesin, Hydroxyacetophenone, Ethylhexylglycerin, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Humulus Lupulus (Hops) Extract, Ocimum Tenuiflorum Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Fruit Extract, Citric Acid, Geranium Maculatum Oil, Allantoin