Products with small yet thoughtful details make my Virgo placements sing. Easy-to-use packaging? It’ll get me. SPF-infused everything? How could I say no. I would consider myself a somewhat busy person, and between managing work, friendships, workouts, and a boyfriend, I prefer simple yet effective beauty products that are—most importantly—intentional and diligent. (Boring, maybe, but a nice scent doesn’t wow me like clear skin does.) Tower28 is a brand I’ve always looked to for products that do the job without a lot of fuss, and the brand’s newest SOS Daily Balancing Gel Cleanser is just another star in its already impressive lineup.
A cleanser is a straight-to-the-point product, and you’ve likely heard all there is to know: It’s the first important step of any skincare routine, it can affect your skin’s barrier, and it’s the key to healthy, glowing skin. Even non-skincare fanatics know the significance of choosing the right cleanser for their skin type and the role it plays in their skin-health journey. Tower28’s latest launch is an extension of their SOS (Save Our Skin) line, and prioritizes soothing, replenishing, and cleansing the skin in one fell swoop (it also claims to remove makeup in one wash).
Ahead of the launch, there were 1,000 people on the waitlist to get their hands on the cleanser, and after trying it for myself, I understand why. Ahead, Amy Liu, founder and CEO of Tower 28, fills us in on the launch, plus my honest review.
The Inspiration
Tower 28’s SOS Rescue Spray, a hypochlorous acid toner treatment, first put the brand’s SOS collection on the map. The antibacterial and anti-inflammatory spray claims to reduce redness and soothe inflammation in a single spritz, which is why it’s one of its buzziest products. Other SOS products include the Recovery Cream, Rescue Serum, LipSoftie Lip Treatment, and now, the SOS Daily Balancing Gel Cleanser.
“Our goal has always been to create a complete SOS skincare routine that even the most sensitive skin types would feel safe using,” Liu tells Byrdie. “As an eczema sufferer, I was frustrated that gentle cleansers might be gentle—but they didn’t work! This is truly a makeup cleanser for makeup and sunscreen wearers because it really does effectively work, without stripping the skin.”
Almost every skincare and makeup product—from moisturizers to face masks and even foundations—includes some sort of active, be it vitamin C or AHAs. Liu kept this in mind when formulating the SOS line, particularly the cleanser, with a formula that wouldn’t further irritate the skin. Not to mention, each product in the collection has a Seal of Acceptance by the National Eczema Association.
The Formula
Where some gentle formulas can be too gentle, Tower28’s is “intentionally basic” with an emphasis on washing away impurities and leaving the skin at ease. “After numerous iterations, we finally landed on this soap-free, fragrance-free, pH-balanced gel formula that is gentle enough for both day and night use,” Liu says. In case you aren’t familiar, pH balancing formulas bring the skin back to its average pH levels—a 4.7 and 5.75—after wearing makeup all day can throw it off track, affecting the skin barrier. Ingredient call-outs include 100% pure aloe vera and oat extract which help to lock in moisture and soothe the skin. The cleanser is also clinically tested, ophthalmologist-tested (a plus for contact wearers like myself), and dermatologist-approved.
The importance of double-cleansing may be top of mind, but the SOS Daily Balancing Gel Cleanser helps eliminate that step out of your routine by removing makeup while simultaneously cleaning the skin. You can, however, still double-cleanse with the wash if you’d like. “You can absolutely use it to double cleanse (especially if you like to start with an oil or balm),” Liu says, “However it was formulated to gently remove even the most stubborn makeup, SPF, oils, and dirt without needing the extra cleanse.”
“One of our best-selling products is our MakeWaves Mascara and we knew it had to take off our mascara and others without any itching, stinging, or burning (in a consumer test, 94% confirmed it did not cause any eye irritation) Liu said. “In addition to this, we wanted to incorporate essential minerals and electrolytes, including zinc, copper, and magnesium, to replenish your skin and avoid that tightness post-cleanse.”
The SOS skincare lineup added another piece to the puzzle. The brand recommends starting with the cleanser, spritzing the spray, adding the serum, then moisturizer, and finishing with the lip treatment.
My Review
I tend to reach for gentle, no-fuss cleansers, so I was excited to try this one out. The cylinder pump packaging feels unique for a face wash, and the formula itself is very liquid-y. A little goes a long way—it creates a nice lather, and I can confirm it removed all my makeup in one go and left my face feeling brand-new.
