What is the one thing you swore never to do, only to find yourself doing that very thing a few months or years later? When I first ventured into the world of beauty, I vowed to never splurge on a cleanser. Since the formula only stayed on my skin for a few seconds, I didn’t see much reason to spend a chunk of money on a luxury cleanser… until last year. Given the lockdown and heartache of 2020, I began finding solace in my skincare routine – especially when it came to the cathartic ritual of cleansing. As a result, I decided to indulge myself and picked up a tube of the Tata Harper Clarifying Cleanser. Here is my review.

Since I opted for the travel-sized version, my cleanser came packaged in a squeezable tube with a screw-on gold cap. If you opt for this size, ensure that the cap is firmly screwed shut as the formula inside is quite runny and will leak. If you opt for the full-size, you will receive a weighted bottle that feels much more luxurious. The green-and-gold theme is in line with the brand’s colours. The ingredients and directions for use are mentioned on the accompanying box.

Although the ingredients are all derived from plants, they are ones that we are familiar with. Most notably, the cleanser contains lactic acid and citric acid, which are alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) that work to exfoliate the skin. It also contains willow bark extract, which has proven to be helpful for acne-prone skin. Other ingredients include honey, lactobacillus ferment, menthol and calendula extract.

In terms of texture, this cleanser has a very runny and liquid-like consistency. Unlike other formulas, this one has to be used on dry skin. After massaging it in for a few seconds, the bright green gel turns white, post which you can rinse it off with warm water. Since the formula is free of any sulfates, it doesn’t lather up as much as traditional foaming cleansers. Thanks to the presence of menthol, it immediately imparts a cooling sensation. While there are no artificial fragrances, the cleanser does have an earthy scent, which I personally enjoy.

I’ve been using this cleanser on-and-off for the past 5 months, especially when I’m dealing with a bout of maskne. The cleanser definitely helps calm down my zits and makes my face feel super clean, without stripping it off its natural oils. The brand also recommends leaving it on as a cooling mask for 2 minutes, which honestly feels heavenly after a long day.

So, let’s get down to the main question – is it worth it? Given the exorbitant price, I would sadly conclude that it isn’t. However, if someone were to gift me a bottle or if I found it on sale, I wouldn’t hesitate at all! Until then, I’ll continue using it sparingly and lovingly.

Price: USD 72.00 (125 ml)/ USD 35.00 (50 ml)

Key Ingredients: Hordeum Vulgare Leaf Juice, Honey, L (+) Lactic Acid, Citric Acid, Salix Alba (Willow) Bark Extract and Menthol

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