Finding a cleanser for skin that's sensitive and blemish-prone is no easy feat. You need a formula that effectively lifts away daily grime, helps control oil, and keeps future blemishes at bay. All without causing irritation. It's so hard to find that it's the product you've always asked us for. Now it's finally arrived.
Our London lab worked tirelessly to bring you Phaze: our first ever PHA-powered foaming face wash to clarify congested skin without stripping or drying even the most sensitive complexions. A new 'Phaze' in the sensitive skincare game, and a new era for your skin.
Proven to clarify sensitive skin
The trouble with traditional foam cleansers is that they often leave skin feeling stripped.
This is usually down to sulfate-based detergents like SLS and SLES, which are known to dry out the skin. But it's also about the formula as a whole. The key is to find the right recipe. That's our team's forte.
Phaze is a sulfate-free face wash specially formulated for sensitive, blemish-prone skin. The innovative gel gives you that refreshing foaming action with none of the usual consequences.
How? By combining exfoliating, hydrating and nourishing actives that work in perfect harmony. Your skin feels balanced rather than tight and uncomfortable.
Like every other product in our range, Phaze has been independently patch tested and is clinically proven for sensitive skin. We also put its clarifying and oil-controlling benefits to the test with an independent trial. It passed with flying colours.
In a two-week independent consumer trial with 115 women:
- 87% said their skin felt less oily
- 81% said their skin felt smoother
- 79% said their skin looked clearer
- 72% said it reduced the appearance of blemishes
- More than double the number of testers agreed that the appearance of blackheads was reduced after two weeks, compared to initial use
The results were just as we'd hoped, and the reviews were glowing too. One tester told us:
"This is without question the very best facial cleanser that I have ever used. My skin is radiant, blemish-free, clearer, with reduced pore size. My skin looks so healthy, it has never looked or felt as good."
How we did it
We really put our chemists to the test on this one. Our first ever foam face wash had to tackle blemishes and blackheads without irritation, using only COSMOS-approved natural ingredients.
It took time, but they found a way. Here are the hero ingredients in our certified natural formula that make it so unique, and so supportive for even the most sensitive skin.
POLYHYDROXY ACID (PHA)
Some exfoliating acids (like AHAs and BHAs) can penetrate deep into the skin because they have smaller molecules. That means they naturally have a greater risk of irritating your skin too.
Instead, we use Gluconolactone, a sensitive skin-friendly Polyhydroxy Acid sourced from the glucose in maize.
This PHA has larger molecules that only work on the skin's surface. It sloughs away dead skin cells and unclogs pores for clearer skin without disturbing what's underneath. It's kinder but just as effective.
Published research confirms that gluconolactone is compatible with rosacea, atopic dermatitis, and post-procedure skin. That's the level of gentleness we're talking about.
PREBIOTIC INULIN
Extracted from chicory roots, this protective prebiotic rebalances the skin's microbiota. It forms a natural defensive shield and keeps the skin barrier healthy, no matter what your skin type or condition.
A stronger barrier means happier, less sensitive skin. We only source inulin from suppliers that ensure it's scientifically tested for its prebiotic properties. Your skin reaps the benefit in full.
NMF SUGAR COMPLEX
Sourced from the sugar in harvested kernel corn, this hero hydrator is almost identical to the carbohydrate complex found in the skin's own Natural Moisturising Factor.
It binds to keratin like a magnet, staying behind even once the cleanser is rinsed away. This locks in moisture for visibly smoother, less flaky and deeply hydrated skin.
Clinical studies show this ingredient provides up to 72 hours of hydration from a single application. That's right: a cleanser that actually hydrates your skin.
How to use our face wash for clearer skin
Cleansing is the most important step in any skincare routine. Even more so if you have blemish-prone skin.
Why? Because removing the impurities, dirt and grime that clog up your pores is the key to reducing the formation of blemishes and blackheads.
The right formula is then the key to oil control. Use a cleanser that strips your skin too much, and your sebum production will go into overdrive. That causes even more breakouts. That's where Phaze comes in.
Phaze can be used in both the morning and the evening, or just in the evenings if you prefer. Whatever works for you and your skin. Because it's designed to be applied to wet skin, you can even save time and use it in the shower.
At night, use it alone if you don't tend to wear much make-up. Alternatively, it makes a great second cleanse as part of a double cleanse routine. Try our bestselling Light Work Cleansing Oil to remove make-up (including waterproof mascara) first, then apply Phaze to damp skin to give it a deeper clean.
Build your complete Re-Balance routine
Phaze is part of our Re-Balance range, so if you want a complete routine for blemish-prone skin, here's what we recommend:
Morning routine:
- Cleanse with Phaze
- Tone with Century Flower Tonic to strengthen your barrier
- Apply The Pioneer Mattifying Moisturiser
- Finish with British Summer Time SPF 30
Evening routine:
- Remove makeup with Light Work Cleansing Oil
- Deep cleanse with Phaze
- Apply Carbon Star Overnight Face Oil to decongest your skin as you sleep
The certified organic Carbon Star contains Charcoal and Black Cumin Seed Oil to help clear imperfections. Wake up to clearer, balanced skin.
Shop our foaming face wash for oily skin now and discover our Re-Balance range for more products designed for blemish-prone skin.
For more help and advice, book a free online skin consultation with our in-house skin experts.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes Phaze different from other foaming cleansers for sensitive skin?
Most foaming cleansers rely on sulfate-based detergents like SLS and SLES that strip your skin's natural oils, leaving it tight and dry. Phaze uses plant-derived, sulfate-free surfactants to create that satisfying lather without the barrier damage, combined with exfoliating, hydrating and nourishing actives that leave skin balanced rather than compromised.
What results can I expect from using Phaze PHA Clarifying Face Wash?
In a two-week independent consumer trial with 115 women, 87% said their skin felt less oily, 79% said skin looked clearer, and 72% said it reduced the appearance of blemishes. More than double the number of testers agreed that blackheads were reduced after two weeks compared to initial use, showing the formula gets progressively more effective with continued use.
Why does Phaze use PHA instead of AHAs or BHAs for exfoliation?
Phaze uses gluconolactone, a polyhydroxy acid sourced from maize glucose, because its larger molecules only exfoliate at the skin's surface. AHAs and BHAs have smaller molecules that penetrate deeper, which increases the risk of irritation, stinging and redness. PHA gives you the same pore-unclogging and dead skin cell removal without disturbing what's underneath.
How does the NMF Sugar Complex in Phaze keep skin hydrated after rinsing?
The NMF Sugar Complex, sourced from kernel corn, is structurally near-identical to the carbohydrate complex in your skin's own Natural Moisturising Factor. It binds to keratin so firmly that it stays on your skin even after the cleanser is washed away, locking in moisture for visibly smoother, less flaky skin.
How should I use Phaze as part of a blemish-prone skincare routine?
Use Phaze morning and evening on damp skin, or just in the evenings. If you wear makeup, start with Light Work Cleansing Oil to dissolve it, then follow with Phaze as your second cleanse for a deeper clean. At night, finish with Carbon Star Overnight Face Oil, which uses charcoal and black cumin seed oil to decongest skin while you sleep.
