The Refresher AHA Clarifying Cleanser

4.7
Rated 4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7 Stars (979 Reviews)
(Based on 979 reviews)

Rendering loop-subscriptions
Purchase Options
Selling Plans
$22.95
$22.95
each
$22.95
$22.95
each
 1 month

100-day money back guarantee
Free return shipping

A revitalizing face wash that thoroughly cleanses, removes excess sebum, and kills microbes alongside gentle AHA exfoliation to help unclog pores and retain skin’s natural acidity.

Key Benefits

Cleanses without stripping, unclogs pores, gently exfoliates

Key Ingredients

Lactic acid, tartaric acid, malic acid

4.7fl oz / 139 ml

We firmly stand behind the efficacy of our products, which is why we back them with an industry-leading 100-day Money Back Guarantee.

If you're not 100% happy, return the products within 100 days for a full refund. We'll even cover the return shipping. It's our commitment to ensure that you're completely satisfied with your Maelove journey.

Effective Together

 

OBSESSIVELY FORMULATED

The Refresher uses a triple blend of alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) including lactic, malic, and tartaric acids, combined with mild, coconut-derived cleansing agents to provide both exfoliation and cleansing without harming the skin barrier.

This invigorating cleanser contains organic mint for a refreshing finish. Naturally anti-inflammatory, this infusion provides a cooling sensation to help alleviate inflamed skin.

Our gentle formula is non-stripping and can be used by all skin types without disrupting your skin's natural sebum layer. Plus, it is helpful in managing breakouts for those who are acne-prone.

Gentle cleansing combined with AHA exfoliation
  • Features a triple blend of AHAs (lactic, malic, and tartaric acid) to gently exfoliate
  • A blend of mild and gentle coconut-derived cleansing agents that do not harm the skin barrier
  • Acidic cleansing prevents alkaline damage to the skin barrier unlike soap cleansers

For AM and/or PM. Wet face and gently massage onto skin using circular motions. Avoid contact with the eyes. Wash off thoroughly with water.

Key Ingredients

Lactic acid, tartaric acid, malic acid



Supporting Ingredients

Sodium C14-16 olefin sulfonate, sodium cocoamphoacetate, cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine


All Maelove products are safe for sensitive skin, made in the US, vegan, cruelty-free, non-comedogenic, gluten-free, and free of parabens, phthalates, dyes, and artificial fragrances. We don't use ingredients that are banned in the EU or in the USA.


Show all ingredients

Product Reviews

4.7
Rated 4.7 out of 5 stars
Based on 979 reviews
Total 5 star reviews: 846 Total 4 star reviews: 66 Total 3 star reviews: 31 Total 2 star reviews: 20 Total 1 star reviews: 16
Customer-uploaded media carousel. Press left and right arrows to navigate. Press space or enter to open more details.
Slide 1 selected
979 reviews
  • M
    Michelle
    I recommend this product
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    6 days ago
    5 Stars

    Very nice product

  • ST
    Sandra T.
    Verified Buyer
    I recommend this product
    What are your skin concerns? Fine lines and wrinkles, Dark spots
    How old are you? 55+
    What is your skin type? Sensitive
    Product Standouts Dramatic Results, Hydrating
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    2 weeks ago
    Amazing

    First time trying a cleanser from Maelove … love everything about starting with the wonderful smell

  • EM
    Eunkyung M.
    Verified Buyer
    I recommend this product
    What are your skin concerns? Acne and blemishes, Oil control, Dark spots, Fine lines and wrinkles, Sun Damage
    How old are you? 45-54
    What is your skin type? Combination
    Product Standouts Easy To Use, Great texture, Gentle
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    4 weeks ago
    Gentle and effective

    Effective but gentle, too harsh on my skin

  • SL
    Sydney L.
    Verified Buyer
    I recommend this product
    What are your skin concerns? Acne and blemishes, Oil control
    How old are you? 25-34
    What is your skin type? Combination
    Product Standouts Gentle, Healing, Great Ingredients
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    1 month ago
    Feels wonderful

    This is a great cleanser. It keeps my face neutral and I have a mix skin type. I feel clean after and that it really does make a difference!

  • JM
    JoAnne M.
    Verified Buyer
    I recommend this product
    What are your skin concerns? Fine lines and wrinkles
    How old are you? 55+
    What is your skin type? Combination
    Product Standouts Great texture, Gentle, Great Ingredients
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    1 month ago
    Love this product.

    Love the cleanliness feeling and scent.

Reviews LoadedReviews Added

For the Curious

While soaps with their high pH are the worst culprits and should be avoided altogether in skin cleansing, synthetic detergents (syndets) vary widely in their level of disruptiveness to the skin barrier. Syndets such as sulfates sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) also known as sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and sodium lauryl ether sulfate (SLES), are known to be irritating and harsh on the skin with the added downside of being harmful to the environment.

Modern high-quality cleansers rely instead on milder detergents that are better for the environment, as well as detergent blends that combine anionic and amphoteric surfactants which cleanse with minimal interaction with the skin barrier (Ananthapadmanabhan et al. 2004, Ananthapadmanabhan 2019, Coiffard and Couteau 2020, Mijaljica et al. 2022).

The Refresher Clarifying Cleanser employs this modern approach to skin cleansing using a blend of three mild and environmentally friendly, coconut oil derived syndets: Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, and Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine

Skin cleansing is particularly important for those with oily or combination skin that is sensitive and acne-prone. At least one study that looked at the frequency of face washing in patients with acne found that patients who washed their face twice a day had significant improvements while those washing only once a day had worsening acne, and those washing four times a day had no change (Choi et al. 2006). The American Academy of Dermatologists also supports the common advice of washing your face twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening, is ideal for acne prone skin.

Equally important to the frequency of cleansing however, is the choice of cleanser. Indeed, when soaps are compared to synthetic detergents (syndets) as a cleanser in adolescents and young adults with acne-prone skin, inflammatory lesions increased from baseline in those who used soap. However, it decreased in the group who used an acidic syndet bar. In other words, cleansing with alkaline soap could make acne worse but cleansing with an acidic syndet could make acne better (Korting et al. 1995). Further, for those with specialized problem such as acne, acne-specific cleansers with hydroxy acids did a superior job at decreasing inflammatory acne lesions long-term than a regular cleanser (Choi et al. 2010). The Refresher Clarifying Cleanser contains a triple blend of alpha hydroxy acids (lactic, malic, and tartaric acid) as well as gentle coconut-based syndets to safely cleanse skin.

Yes! Glycolic acid and other alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) have been tested in animals and showed no teratogenic effects (Chien et al. 2016, Putra et al. 2022). AHAs are only absorbed through the skin and into the bloodstream in negligible amounts and are considered safe in pregnancy at the levels used in over the counter products (Bozzo et al. 2011, Putra et al. 2022). However, it is always advisable to check with your doctor regarding skincare products and ingredients and follow their protocol.

Ananthapadmanabhan KP, Moore DJ, Subramanyan K, Manoj M, Meyer F (2004). “Cleansing without compromise: the impact of cleansers on the skin barrier and the technology of mild cleansing.” Dermatologic Therapy 17: 16-25.

Ananthapadmanabhan KP (2019). “Amino-Acid Surfactants in Personal Cleansing (Review).” Tenside Surf Det 56(5): 378-386.

Coiffard L, Couteau C (2020). “Soap and syndets: differences and analogies, sources of great confusion.” Eu Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 24: 11432-11439.

Mijaljica D, Spada F, Harrison IP (2022). “Skin Cleansing without or with Compromise: Soaps and Syndets.” Molecules 27: https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27062010.

Choi JM, Lew VK, Kimball AB (2006). “A single-blinded, randomized, controlled clinical trial evaluating the effect of face washing on acne vulgaris.” Pediatr Dermatol 23(5): 421-427.

Choi YS, Suh HS, Yoon MY, Min SU, Kim JS, Jung JY, Lee DH, Suh DH (2010). “A study of the efficacy of cleansers for acne vulgaris.” J Dermatolog Treat 21(3): 201-205.

Korting HC, Ponce-Poschl E, Klovekorn W, Schmotzer G, Arens-Corell M, Braun-Falco O (1995). “The influence of the regular use of a soap or an acidic syndet bar on pre-acne.” Infection 23(2): 89-93.

Bozzo P, Chua-Gocheco A, Einarson A (2011). “Safety of skin care products during pregnancy.” Canadian Family Physician 57: 665-667.

Chien AL, Rainer B, Sachs DL, Helfrich YR (2016). “Treatment of Acne in Pregnancy.” J Am Board Fam Med. 29: 254-262.

Putra IB, Jusuf NK, Dewi NK (2022). “Skin Changes and Safety Profile of Topical Products During Pregnancy.” J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 15(2): 49-57.