AXIS-Y QUINOA GEL CLEANSER + DUO CREAM | REVIEW

There have been so many new skincare brands cropping up in the last couple years and I’m always keen to discover and try new products; not only because I love skincare but to hopefully also introduce my readers to new discoveries that might enhance their skin health and beauty. AXIS-Y reached out awhile ago offering some products for me to try and after 3 months of consistent testing, I’m ready to share my thoughts.

I have been using the following 4 products:

• Quinoa One-Step Balanced Gel Cleanser
• Cera-Heart My Type Duo Cream
• Dark Spot Correcting Glow Serum
• Artichoke Intensive Skin Barrier Ampoule

In this post I will be reviewing the first 2 products but check back or subscribe to my email mailing list to be notified of my next review post, where I will cover the remaining serum and ampoule. (Little hint: I absolutely ADORE the glow serum which is my favourite of the 4 and have had fantastic results with it!)

---

BRAND OVERVIEW

AXIS-Y is a Korean skincare brand founded in 2018. Their brand philosophy revolves around climate inspired skincare solutions, meaning they focus on products and ingredients that help deal with environmental stressors to the skin such as air pollution, free radicals, UV radiation, weather/climate changes. I like this approach because yes, the condition of our skin is greatly impacted by what goes on around us in our external environment. I always hesitate to box myself into one skin type because my skin condition does vary greatly depending on my location (humid, dry etc.), temperature and time of year.

AXIS-Y promises clean, effective ingredients and cruelty free, vegan, paraben free skincare with no artificial fragrance or colour. So far they have their ‘6+1+1 Advanced Formula’ collection which is aimed at people with oily, acne-prone skin living in humid climates.

However I just want to note that this shouldn’t put off anyone from thinking they can’t use any of these products if they don’t fit into that criteria because I live in a dry climate, I don’t have acne issues and I’m only oily in my t-zone with normal/slightly dehydrated skin, yet I still find all these products can work for me and all other skin types. (If you have very dry skin, you could also use these in conjunction with layering other thicker products).

---

QUINOA ONE-STEP BALANCED GEL CLEANSER

WHAT IS IT?

A pH-balanced facial cleanser that removes makeup and impurities. Gentle and hydrating formula made with quinoa also helps calm irritation for healthier, lively skin.

NOTABLE INGREDIENTS:

Chenopodium Quinoa Seed Extract – the star ingredient, this superfood is claimed to stimulate collagen production and is rich in Vitamin B to brighten skin complexion.

Tea Tree Extract – an essential oil with antibacterial and antiseptic properties to help acne-prone skin

Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract – aka green tea and a great antioxidant

Centalla Asiatica Extract – wonderful skin healing properties and helps calm irritations

Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil – rich in Vitamin E to promote skin health and help retain moisture

Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract – speeds up the healing of blemishes and acne scars

PACKAGING:

Fits with the rest of the collection’s aesthetic. Transparent green bottle, with an easy to use pump for dispensing. I love when I can see how much product is remaining so I know when I need to stock up. The packaging doesn’t look or feel cheap despite it being a plastic bottle and the label is stuck firmly on without any peeling even when it gets wet on my bathroom sink (which I can appreciate as not all brands factor this in). The clear cap fits on very tightly with a satisfying click and is secure enough I wouldn’t be worried about packing this in my bag for travelling.

HOW I USE:

I use this every evening (I only wash my face with water in the morning) as the 2nd step in my double cleansing routine. If I’m wearing makeup I will go in first with an oil based cleanser then follow up with 3 pumps of this cleanser. If I have minimal/no makeup I can get away with 2 pumps. I use this mainly with my Foreo and massage on my face for about 30 seconds to a minute.

SCENT/TEXTURE:

There is no artificial fragrance in AXIS-Y skincare so while this does have a scent, it is naturally derived from the quinoa and other ingredients. I find it to be mild and pleasant and a cross between smelling slightly medicinal and spa-like. It reminds me of a mosquito repellant spray I used to have as a kid. The scent completely dissipates once it’s washed off.

A spreadable, lightweight gel texture. It massages easily onto your skin without any drag, while creating a gentle foam with small bubbles. It washes off easily and doesn’t leave any film or residue behind.

THOUGHTS:

Cleansers aren’t usually the most exciting part of a skincare routine and they barely stay on your face long enough to see any substantial benefits from all the great ingredients, but it is still important to find one that is good for your skin and doesn’t strip it of its moisture barrier. It is essential to find a cleanser that is PH balanced otherwise it can irritate the skin causing sensitivity, water loss, dehydration and even breakouts.

Therefore I was very happy to note that AXIS-Y has 2 cleansers that are both PH 5.5 which is the main factor I look for in 2nd step cleansers. Their other one is a foam cleanser with similar benefits from what I could see, so I don’t think you can go wrong with either; it just comes down to whether you prefer the more sensorial experience of a foamy based cleanser that lathers up. This gel cleanser doesn’t provide a thick lather but it can still generate some bubbles as you can see from the picture below.

I would agree with the product claim that its gentle; it has never broken me out, caused irritation or given me the squeaky clean, overly dry feeling on my skin after washing. It is great for removing light dirt and oil buildup and my skin remains soft and hydrated after use.

I would just point out that if you are a heavy makeup wearer, this isn’t very effective at removing all residue and I wouldn’t recommend using it alone; I’ve tried this after a 1st step oil cleanser that wasn’t very good and then went in with this hoping it would remove what was left behind, however when I swiped toner with a cotton pad after, it wasn’t completely clean which is usually how I judge how effective a cleanser can be. I would still highly recommend this as its suitable for all skin types, provides a gentle cleansing experience and you get 180ml for USD18 which lasts a very long time (after 3 months I’ve still got 3/4 of the bottle left) – just make sure you also have an effective oil cleanser to go hand in hand with this.

WHERE TO BUY:

AXIS-Y OFFICIAL

YESSTYLE

STYLEVANA

---

CERA-HEART MY TYPE DUO CREAM

WHAT IS IT?

Features 2 different cream formulations in one. The T-Zone gel cream (30ml) hydrates oily skin while the U-Zone cream (30ml) is a rich, ceramide based cream to nourish and moisturise dry skin.

NOTABLE INGREDIENTS:

T-Zone Cream:

Centalla Asiatica Extract – wonderful skin healing properties and helps calm irritations

Sage Extract – regulates sebum production and soothes irritation

Licorice Root Extract – fades hyperpigmentation and dark spots, helps even skin-tone by inhibiting production of melanin and is anti-inflammatory

Sorghum Bicolor Leaf/Stem Extract – high in Vitamins B2 and C, it increases skin hydration and firmness, reduces signs of ageing and fine lines

Guaiazulene – contains antioxidants to reduce effects of free radicals on skin, reduces redness and inflammation which makes it ideal for sensitive acne prone skin. Nice addition (and what gives the cream its natural blue hue), but as it’s the last ingredients on the list there is probably minimal traces for it to provide much benefit.

U-Zone Cream:

Jojoba Seed Oil – similar to natural sebum, and penetrate and nourish the skin well. Contains vitamins A, E and D and is antibacterial and anti fungal. It is good for all skin types whether you are oily, sensitive or acne prone.

Ceramide NP – this is naturally occurring lipids (fats) in the skin that reduce with age/skin damage. I love when they are found in skincare because they reinforce your skin barrier to help retain moisture, keep it soft, smooth and supple and reduce the signs of ageing.

Centalla Asiatica Extract – wonderful skin healing properties and helps calm irritations

Sorghum Bicolor Leaf/Stem Extract – high in Vitamins B2 and C, it increases skin hydration and firmness, reduces signs of ageing and fine lines

Populace Oleracea Extract – aka Purslane extract. It is a soothing antioxidant that fights against free radicals and stimulates collagen and cell repair.

Allantoin – soothes and calms irritated, itchy skin. Keeps skin moisturised to prevent dryness.

PACKAGING:

The product is housed in a plastic jar with the same minimalist green design as the cleanser. It isn’t too heavy so I would be fine to pack this for travel. There is a separate inner lid that fits the spatula on top perfectly. Inside, the 2 creams are separated by a middle divide. I love this concept and it looks aesthetically pleasing however I do have to point out that it can get messy (especially when the cream is full) as you have to remember to put the lid on a specific way otherwise both creams end up mixing into each other. The lid also gets oily and slippery over time when you open and close constantly so I would have appreciated a bigger pull tab or an easier way of accessing the creams.

HOW I USE:

The concept of this duo cream is great because it’s entirely up to you how you want to use it depending on what you need. I’ve played around with different options but the best way I personally find it works for my skin (morning and evening routine) is to combine a bit of both creams, rub them together between my fingers to mix and then apply on my face and neck. I will explain further why this method suits me the best in my thoughts below.

I think the more common way to apply (and probably how the product was intended for use is that you apply the t-zone gel cream on the more oily areas of your face (forehead and nose) and then the u-zone cream for the rest of your face which is typically more dry (cheeks, chin, neck etc.)

Alternatively you can opt for the t-zone cream in the morning as its lightweight and works well under makeup and then the u-zone cream in the evening which is when you would typically want/need a heavier cream to lock in the moisture overnight.

SCENT/TEXTURE:

Unlike the cleanser, there is zero fragrance with either cream.

The texture for both are very different. The T-Zone cream is very much a lightweight, cooling gel formula. It has a beautiful natural blue colour due to the Guiazulene in the ingredients. It is hydrating which is suitable for oily skin types, but it does leave a sticky finish (which works well as a primer base for your makeup to stick to).

U-zone cream (left) vs T-zone cream (right)

In comparison the U-Zone cream is a richer, more dense cream. It’s thick enough that you need to use the spatula to scoop it out rather than your fingers. It is not as heavy as an occlusive moisturiser; it is more emollient, creamy and has good spreadability. It moisturises well but it needs a bit of time to fully absorb and does leave a moisturising film atop your skin.

THOUGHTS:

I really appreciate this cream for how versatile and functional it is; I think moisturisers are usually the most difficult category of skincare to recommend because its a highly individual, personal preference on what type of consistency, formula and texture that the person’s skin will like and also what results they want to achieve with their moisturiser. Toners, essences, serums etc. are easier because they target specific skin concerns and are similar in consistency to be able to layer on. Creams are usually the last step in your routine and depending on what you’ve applied prior, your cream might not provide enough hydration throughout the day, in which case your skin might overcompensate by producing more oil, or it could be too occlusive and cause breakouts.

That’s where products like AXIS-Y’s Duo Cream come in and it’s such a great idea I wish more brands would come up with this concept. (I do know Neogen has a cream like this although I haven’t yet tried it.) The ability to target different creams for different areas of your face is so helpful because like most people, my skin isn’t the same all over my face. I do have an oilier t-zone than the rest of my face and on the occasion I do have dry patches it’s normally around my mouth area and sides of the nose. While I may love a heavier cream for those drier parts of my face, if I overdo the moisture on my forehead it can cause breakouts and bumps to form. A 2 in 1 cream like this is therefore a dream for combination skin types.

However as I mentioned above, I love using this cream the most when I combine a little of both together and I think this comes down to the fact that my skin type is neither very oily, nor very dry. I would say its leans normal to dehydrated.

I can use the t-zone gel cream alone but then I don’t feel it gives me lasting moisture or locks in my hydration sufficiently throughout the day and can feel myself needing a little extra boost (but note that I do live in the UK which is a dry, cold climate on most days). It does apply very smoothly and absorbs fairly quick but I’m not keen on how shiny it leaves my skin and the fact it leaves a very tacky finish behind. I think this would be great for me on a really hot summer’s day and it would really help my makeup ‘stick’ longer.

The u-zone cream is a nice contrast to the t-zone cream in how much more moisturising it is, but again, not keen on the finish as it can feel slightly heavy. This would suit drier skin types than mine (although if you lean extremely dry and experience cold winters, you would probably need a more occlusive moisturiser), but if you are dehydrated like I am, then packing on lighter layers of hydration is a must before you seal everything with a heavier moisturiser. In my routine I use between 1-3 essences/serums before my cream, so this t-zone cream ends up being too heavy after that.

After trialling both creams individually and on targeted areas of my face, i found that both creams combined give me the perfect solution and is when i really started enjoying and appreciating how good the Duo Cream is. The t-zone gel consistency helps reduce the heaviness of the u-cream, making it quicker to apply and absorb into my skin. The texture becomes much more preferable to me. On the flip side the moisturising qualities of the u-zone cream reduces the sticky finish of the t-zone cream, and I feel like I get the perfect balance of hydration and moisture to keep my skin comfortable and happy during the day. I don’t have a problem with applying makeup over this combo and also, my face doesn’t feel too dry or too oily when i wake up the morning after.

I haven’t seen any notable benefits in my skin condition in terms of brightness or texture. For me it simply keeps my face plump and moisturised which is all I really need in a cream as I rely on serums to target any specific skin concerns.

This is a moisturiser that i would be confident to recommend to any skin type because you can customise it to your skin’s needs whether you have oily, combo or dry skin and is essentially two creams for the price of one. It is basic in a good way; it gets the job done and is gentle and calming for sensitive skin.

WHERE TO BUY:

AXIS-Y OFFICIAL

YESSTYLE

STYLEVANA

---

NEXT: My review of the AXIS-Y Dark Spot Correcting Serum & Artichoke Intensive Skin Barrier Ampoule