SKIN1004 Centella foam cleanser: what it does and how to use it

Which Centella product is this?

This guide covers Madagascar Centella Ampoule Foam, not the separate Centella Ampoule applied after cleansing. SKIN1004 uses Ampoule in the cleanser's name, so one word is doing two jobs on the bathroom shelf. The foam comes in 20 ml and 125 ml sizes and starts as a light brown creamy paste before turning into a rich foam.13

What does the cleanser do?

The foam is designed to remove makeup, impurities and excess sebum, the oil on your skin. Its cleansing ingredients include surfactants derived from coconut. Surfactants loosen oil and dirt and allow them to rinse away with water, which is why water alone is less effective at removing oily residue.14

SKIN1004 describes the foam as pH 5 and gives a specification of pH 5.0 to 6.0. That is mildly acidic, close to normal skin's pH of 4.5 to 5.75. The separate Centella Ampoule has a different specified range of 5.5 to 7.5, so its pH should not guide your choice of cleanser.134

What are the main ingredients?

• Centella asiatica extract is included for its soothing properties.
• Citric acid is an alpha hydroxy acid, or AHA, that helps loosen dead cells on the skin's surface. SKIN1004 describes the cleanser as mildly exfoliating.
• Sodium hyaluronate is a form of hyaluronic acid that helps attract and retain moisture.
• Sodium bicarbonate, also called baking soda, is included to help lift excess oil and buildup.
• Glycerin is also listed in the formula. The published full ingredient list does not list fragrance or parfum.

The citric acid percentage is not stated. Treat the foam as a cleanser with mild exfoliation, rather than choosing it as a specific strength acid treatment. Its listed soothing and hydrating ingredients do not change the final step: rinse the cleanser off.5

How do you use SKIN1004 Centella Ampoule Foam?

1. 1Wet your face and palms with lukewarm water.
2. 2Apply some cleanser to your wet palms and rub your hands together to create foam.
3. 3Use your fingertips to massage the foam gently over your face. General cleansing guidance also includes the jaw and neck. Avoid scrubbing with a brush, loofah or washcloth.
4. 4Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water until the foam and residue are gone.
5. 5Pat your skin dry with a clean towel rather than rubbing.
6. 6Apply moisturizer after washing to replenish moisture.

SKIN1004's directions do not specify a contact time. There is no universal rule requiring a full minute of face washing, so do not turn the foam into a timed mask. Hot water can strip the skin barrier and increase dryness; lukewarm water is the practical choice.26

Should you use it morning and night?

As general cleansing guidance, most people can wash morning and evening. Oily or acne prone skin generally benefits from cleansing twice daily, with an additional wash after vigorous activity when needed. Dry or sensitive skin can use water alone in the morning and cleanser at night. If you wash only once daily, choose the evening to remove the day's buildup.2

Washing your face in the shower counts as cleansing; an extra wash at the sink is unnecessary. A bathroom sink and a shower both work for washing your face, so the sink has no exclusive contract.2

Do you need to double cleanse?

For makeup wearers, general guidance supports using a cleansing balm, oil cleanser or micellar water first, followed by a gentle cleanser. The Centella foam would occupy that second cleansing step if it suits your skin. Without makeup, double cleansing is usually unnecessary and can increase dryness. Cleansing wipes are a fallback when a sink is unavailable, not the preferred daily replacement for washing.2

Who should be careful with this foam?

SKIN1004 positions the foam for normal and sensitive skin, but acid containing cleansers can irritate sensitive skin. Pay attention to stinging during or after washing, persistent tightness and flaking. Overwashing removes natural oils and can leave skin excessively dry. If combination skin becomes dry or irritated, change to a gentler cleanser or adjust your moisturizer rather than adding more washes.246

Be particularly cautious if your routine already includes acne treatments that stay on the skin, including prescribed products. Combining cleansing treatments with those products can increase dryness and irritation. Introduce new skincare products gradually so you can identify which change caused a reaction.34

What results should you expect?

The immediate purpose is to remove surface oil, dirt and makeup during washing. Do not choose the foam expecting an acne treatment or a guaranteed absence of breakouts. Centella Ampoule's human testing for pore clogging belongs to the separate ampoule, not this cleanser. Ingredient ratings alone are also a poor way to predict whether a finished formula will cause breakouts.34

When should you stop using it?

Stop using a new product if it causes irritation. Burning, itching, pain, peeling or a rash are reasons to remove the suspected trigger from your routine, not to wash harder. Note when symptoms started and which products touched your skin. Seek medical advice if symptoms are very bothersome or do not improve after about a week of home care. Persistent or painful breakouts warrant advice from a dermatologist.37