One of the first skincare things I learned as a baby beauty editor more than a decade ago was the importance of double cleansing. As the name suggests, it involves washing your face in two steps: starting with an oil-based cleanser to dissolve makeup, SPF, and buildup (especially helpful if you wear a full face of glam or heavy-duty sunscreen), followed by a regular face wash—like a milk, gel, or foam—to actually wash your face.
Double cleansing is also a game-changer if you’re prone to acne or congestion, since oil-based cleansers are generally better at breaking down pore-clogging gunk than traditional face washes.
The only real downside to double cleansing? It requires two products and two steps, which means more time and more money. And for me, the time factor is the biggest hurdle. At the end of a long day, I barely have the energy to wash my face once, let alone twice.
So when I got the chance to try Neuraé’s (FYI, Neuraé is one of Team Cosmo’s favorite French skincare brands) new face wash, which promises to melt away makeup and cleanse skin in one go, I had high hopes. Luckily for my bedtime routine, it delivered. Keep reading for all the details, plus my full review below.
Love Cosmo’s beauty content? Subscribe to our Substack for more recs and reviews delivered straight to your inbox.
About Neuraé’s Harmonie The Caring Cleanser:
The gist: A texture-shifting face wash designed to act as a double cleanse in one easy step.
Key ingredients: Sunflower seed oil, macadamia oil, bisabolol, castor oil
Who it’s best for: All skin types (including acne-prone and sensitive)
The price: $115
Where to buy: nordstrom.com; neurae.com
Initial thoughts:
The unique texture and calming fragrance stood out to me most (both hallmarks of Neurae’s products). The formula dispenses as a clear gel, then transforms into a silky oil as you massage it into dry skin. So many oil cleansers can feel drippy, but because this one starts as a gel, it’s incredibly easy to use without making a mess—the product stays exactly where you apply it, without running down your hands or face. Add a bit of water, and it shifts again into a lightweight milk.
As for the fragrance, Neurae uses notes of palo santo and sandalwood—a throughline across the entire Harmonie collection—to create a calming effect. I typically don’t gravitate toward scented skincare, but this one is subtle, earthy, and never overpowering or perfumey. It just makes the cleansing experience feel more relaxing.
How I used it:
Since it’s designed to function as a double cleanse, I used The Caring Cleanser at night only when I needed to remove makeup and the like at the end of the day. I also quickly learned you can’t use it in the shower—your face and fingers need to be completely dry at the start to get the full texture-transforming effect. So, using dry hands at my sink, I massaged a dime-size amount into dry skin, focusing on congestion-prone areas (like the corners of my nose and chin) and around my eyes to break down buildup and remove makeup. Even though it’s not technically an eye makeup remover, I had no issues using it to dissolve mascara at the end of the day.
After about 30 seconds of massaging, I dampened my fingertips to introduce a bit of water and create that milky texture (which mimics the second step of a double cleanse). I kept massaging for another 30 seconds or so, then rinsed and gently patted my skin dry. Unlike some oil cleansers that leave behind a film, The Caring Cleanser rinses clean. My skin felt genuinely fresh, never stripped.
Normally, I’d follow immediately with a vitamin C serum or mandelic acid serum, but Neuraé also just launched The Harmonie Treatment Lotion, which I’ve been experimenting with as my next step. It’s similar to a Korean essence and preps skin for serums and moisturizers by flooding it with hydration. Think of your skin like a sponge—a dry one absorbs nothing, but a damp one soaks everything in.
Read our full Neuraé review here
The bottom line:
$115 is a lot to spend on a cleanser, but using The Caring Cleanser feels more like a ritual than just another end-of-day step, thanks to its one-of-a-kind texture and grounding scent. I love that it functions as a two-in-one that saves time and still effectively cleans my skin while leaving it refreshed and comforted. It’s a solid pick for most skin types—my combo, acne-prone, sensitive skin loves it—and, thanks to its barrier-supporting ingredients, it’s unlikely to cause irritation.
Why trust Cosmopolitan?
Lauren Balsamo is the beauty director at Cosmopolitan with more than 13 years of experience researching, writing, and editing beauty stories that range from the best skincare routine for your 30s to a comprehensive roundup of the best drugstore skincare brands. She regularly tests and analyzes new skincare products and treatments while working with the industry’s top experts to assess new brands, trends, and technologies.
Lauren Balsamo is the beauty director at Cosmopolitan where she writes, edits, and produces all types of beauty content—from product reviews to personal essays and trend reports. She has covered beauty for more than a decade at Cosmopolitan. Follow her on Instagram.
