Serenity Facial Cleanser: What It Does, Who It Is For and How to Use It

You already know this client. They sit down and immediately tell you what their skin cannot tolerate. Every cleanser they have tried leaves them tight, flushed or stinging, so they have started skipping the step altogether, or just rinsing with water. Serenity Facial Cleanser is the one you hand them when they need a real cleanse that does not punish their skin. This guide covers what's in it, why each ingredient was chosen, who it suits and how to talk about it with a client.

What this cleanser is for

Serenity Facial Cleanser is a hydrating, gentle cleanser made for sensitive, reactive and redness-prone skin. It is the first step of the routine, morning and night, and its job is to lift away impurities and makeup while supporting the skin's moisture barrier.

A few things make it different from a typical gentle cleanser.

• It cleanses without stripping. Sodium cocoyl isethionate is the cleansing agent, a mild surfactant that removes impurities without disrupting the barrier the way sulfates can.
• It hydrates as it cleanses. Organic pumpkin seed oil and sunflower seed oil deliver essential fatty acids during the cleanse itself, so skin feels comfortable rather than tight afterward.
• It is built for reactive skin. The formula is sulfate free, paraben free, free of mineral oils, and there is no parfum, fragrance or essential oils on the ingredient list.

The skin science, in plain language

Imagine the skin's moisture barrier as a raincoat. When it is intact, water stays in and irritants stay out. Most cleansers work by dissolving oil, but if they dissolve too much, they poke holes in the raincoat. For sensitive skin, every cleanse can feel like stepping out in the rain without one. The skin loses moisture, irritants get through, and everything stings or flushes.

This cleanser uses a gentle surfactant that lifts dirt and makeup without tearing at the raincoat. At the same time, sunflower and pumpkin seed oils replenish the fatty acids that keep the barrier flexible and intact. Botanical extracts like carrot root and cucumber add moisture and a calming feel. That is why clients can cleanse twice a day without feeling stripped.

“Think of your skin's moisture barrier like a raincoat. A harsh cleanser pokes holes in it, so moisture escapes and irritants get through. This cleanser lifts away the dirt without damaging the coat.”

Which skin concerns it helps with

Because it supports the barrier and calms the look of the skin, this cleanser fits more than one concern. Here are the five we recommend it for most often.

Sensitive and reactive skin

Formulated for sensitive skin, this cleanser uses botanical extracts that soothe and a gentle formula that cleanses impurities and makeup without the ingredients most reactive skin objects to. It is sulfate free, paraben free and free of mineral oils.

Rosacea-prone and redness-prone skin

Grape skin, carrot root and cucumber extracts help visibly reduce the look of redness, making this a comfortable first step for skin that flushes easily. This is cosmetic support only. Diagnosing rosacea is a job for a physician.

Dry skin

Sunflower and pumpkin seed oils help protect the skin's moisture barrier and support lasting hydration, softness and suppleness, so even dry skin feels comfortable after cleansing.

Dehydrated skin

Carrot root and cucumber extracts replenish moisture and support moisture retention for a hydrated feel, which is especially important for skin that is water-starved even when it produces enough oil.

Dull-looking, tired complexions

Sometimes a complexion just needs a proper cleanse to look alive again. This cleanser lifts away impurities and makeup to reveal a calm, radiant, healthy-looking complexion.

Why these ingredients were chosen

Every key ingredient in this cleanser has a job. Here is what each one is doing and why it earned its place.

Pumpkin seed oil (organic)

Rich in essential fatty acids and antioxidants, pumpkin seed oil absorbs without clogging pores and provides deep hydration. Its vitamin C content helps preserve the look of elasticity, plumpness and firmness. In a cleanser, it replaces some of the lipids the cleansing step removes.

Grape skin extract (organic)

Grape skin extract delivers antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties that help soothe irritation. It helps visibly reduce the look of redness, fine lines and hyperpigmentation for a more even-looking complexion. It was chosen because sensitive skin often deals with redness alongside sensitivity.

Sunflower seed oil (organic)

Sunflower seed oil strengthens the skin's natural moisture barrier and helps prevent water loss, maintaining hydration, softness and suppleness. Rich in protective antioxidants, it gives the barrier a layer of comfort right from the first step of the routine.

Carrot root extract (organic)

Rich in natural moisturizing factors and nourishing oils, carrot root extract enhances moisture retention, calms irritation and helps visibly reduce the look of redness. It leaves skin feeling soft and supple, which is exactly what a sensitive-skin cleanser should do.

Cucumber fruit extract

Cucumber replenishes moisture with a cooling, anti-inflammatory feel that visibly soothes irritation and redness. It can also temporarily minimize the look of puffiness and dark circles, adding a refreshing quality to the cleanse.

The supporting cast

Shea butter (organic) adds richness and emollient comfort. Calendula flower extract (organic) soothes and supports the look of calm skin. Sodium cocoyl isethionate is the gentle cleansing agent that does the actual lifting of dirt and makeup. Beta-carotene and iron oxides round out the formula.

How to use it

In the treatment room

Dampen the skin using sponges and apply a small amount of cleanser. Gently massage in a circular motion, gradually adding water. Thoroughly remove the cleanser with a warm, moist towel or sponges.

At home

Use morning and night as the first step. Massage gently onto damp skin with a little water, then rinse thoroughly. Follow with toner, serum and moisturizer, with SPF in the morning.

What it pairs with

For the full sensitive-skin routine, pair it with the Serenity Facial Toner, Serenity Facial Serum, Serenity Facial Moisturizing Cream and Serenity Facial Mask.

What to check before you recommend it

• Ask about daisy-family sensitivities. Sunflower and calendula both belong to the daisy family, so clients with a known allergy to that family should check with their doctor first.
• Ask about tree nut and seed oil sensitivities. The formula contains pumpkin seed oil, sunflower seed oil and shea butter, so confirm the client is comfortable with seed oils and butters.
• Patch test for very reactive clients. A small amount behind the ear or along the jawline is a simple way to build confidence before a full-face cleanse.
• Do not apply to open, weeping or infected skin. Refer these clients out.
• Know when to refer. Suspected rosacea, eczema or cystic acne belong with a physician or dermatologist.

How to say it to a client

Clients remember what they understand. Here are a few ways to introduce this cleanser in your own words.

“I'm starting with the Serenity Facial Cleanser. It's made for sensitive skin, so it lifts away makeup and impurities while helping protect your moisture barrier.”

“At home, use it morning and night as your first step. Your skin should feel hydrated and calm, and it sets you up well for the rest of your routine.”

“If your current cleanser leaves your skin feeling tight or stingy, this one is designed to do the opposite. It cleanses without stripping, so your skin keeps its moisture.”

Quick questions

Is it suitable for very sensitive or redness-prone skin?

It is formulated for sensitive skin and contains botanicals that help visibly reduce the look of redness. For very reactive clients, patch test first. This is cosmetic support only.

How do I use Serenity Facial Cleanser?

Dampen your skin, apply a small amount, and gently massage in circular motions, gradually adding water. Rinse thoroughly with warm water or a warm, moist towel. Its gentle formula helps cleanse away impurities and makeup while supporting skin's moisture barrier.

Is it vegan and cruelty free?

Yes. It is vegan, cruelty free, sulfate free, paraben free and made in Canada.

Keep learning

You can see the full formula on the Serenity Facial Cleanser product page. If you want to explain skin in a way clients understand and remember, the denéva skincare academy teaches exactly that.

Complete ingredient list

Aqua (Purified Water), *Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, *Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Skin Extract, Palmitic Acid, Cetyl Alcohol, Lauryl Lactate, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, 1,2-Hexanediol (and) Caprylyl Glycol, Arginine, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Dehydroacetic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, *Daucus Carota Sativa (Carrot) Root Extract, *Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Extract, *Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, *Cucurbita Pepo (Pumpkin) Seed Oil, Beta-Carotene, Iron Oxides. *Denotes organic ingredient

This article is for education. Cosmetic products support the look and feel of skin and do not diagnose, treat or cure any condition.