Cow Brand Cleanser: Japanese Cleanser Guide
Cow Brand (カウブランド) was first established in 1909 and includes a wide range of Japanese soap and beauty products. The Cow Brand cleanser range is designed to be as simple, natural and gentle as possible, and has been developed for sensitive skin. While the brands most iconic product is their Cow Brand Beauty Soap, another popular range is their ‘Additive Free’ (or ‘mutenka’) range of skincare products. These are incredibly popular in Japan and often rank high on beauty websites. The range is identified by the cute pink heart used on the packaging!
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This range is described as ‘Additive Free’ as they do not contain additional coloring, fragrances or preservatives such as parabens, quality stabilizers, mineral oil or alcohol. This gentle formula makes this range suitable for those with sensitive skin and eyes. Due to the lack of added fragrance, they have a very light natural aroma from the raw ingredients used. If you are sensitive to strong fragrances, this also makes them a great choice.
This Cow Brand Additive Free range also contains naturally-occuring ceramide as a moisturizing ingredient. Ceramides help to provide a protective layer to the skin that helps prevent moisture loss and visible damage.
Which Cow Brand cleanser is the best?
The following ratings are based upon the average product ratings across a range of Japanese (and global) beauty and shopping sites.
Which Cow Brand cleanser should I use?
Cow Brand provide the following recommendations for cleansing routines:
- If you’re not wearing makeup, use only a face wash.
- If you have light makeup, double cleanse with a makeup remover and face wash.
- If you have heavy makeup, double cleanse with a makeup remover and face wash.
That said, the makeup removers can still be used even if you’re not wearing makeup (as part of a double cleansing routine) to help remove oil and sunscreen.
Cow Brand Makeup Remover Range
The Cow Brand Makeup Removers are designed for the first step in a double cleansing routine. There are two products in this range that have been developed to effectively remove makeup (such as mascara and lipstick) while remaining gentle on the skin. They contain high-quality raw materials to help cleanse the skin and loved for their affordable price points.
1. Cow Brand Additive Free Makeup Remover with Oil
This first product is also the highest-rated. This cleansing oil effectively removes most makeup without the need for scrubbing, and is gentle on delicate skin. It can also be used with wet hands or face, so can be used in the shower or bath. Take two pumps of the product and massage it all over your face. Add some water to emulsify before rinsing with water.
2. Cow Brand Additive Free Makeup Remover with Milk
This alternative is also incredibly popular. This milk cleanser is a little bit milder and leaves skin feeling a bit more moisturized than the cleansing oil. It is the better choice if you have especially sensitive or dry skin, or prefer not to use oil cleansers.
Cow Brand Face Wash Range
The Cow Brand Face Washes have been developed to be used as a standalone cleanser or for the second step in a double cleansing routine. They come in two formulas.
3. Cow Brand Additive Free Moisturizing Face Wash
This face wash has some pretty great ratings and is especially loved for it’s gentle formula. When used with a foaming net, it creates a rich lather that removes sebum and impurities without disturbing the skin. Like the rest of this range, it contains no additives and is suitable for sensitive skin. To use this face wash, place about 2 cm of the product in your hand and create a lather using your finger tips or a foaming net. Apply the foam all over your face before rinsing off with lukewarm water.
4. Cow Brand Additive Free Moisturizing Foam Wash
This alternative to the face wash (above) is this bubbling foam wash, which is a little bit gentler. To use this product, push the pump until bubbles start to appear. Place about two or three pumps of the product in your hand and apply all over your face with your fingertips. Rinse off thoroughly with lukewarm water.
