March 30, 2021

E.L.F. Cosmetics Holy Hydration! Daily Cleanser Review & Swatches

I purchased this item and I receive a small commission if you shop using the links in this post.
1 stars out of 5

E.L.F. Holy Hydration! Daily Cleanser ($6) is yet another disappointing offer from the Holy Hydration Skincare Collection. This collection seemed so promising especially for a dry skinned girl like myself but sadly, the products are not as hydrating as one would expect.

Holy Hydration! Daily Cleanser is a gel cleanser that acts to remove makeup and dirt and according to marketing contains hyaluronic acid and ceramides. The “gentle” formula removes makeup and hydrates skin for a fresh feel.

This comes in an acrylic paint-like squeeze bottle that holds 3.71 oz of cleanser for $6. It’s very affordable and sounds promising.

The gel formula does contain fragrance but comes across as being fragrance-free to me! It has this weird detergent-like scent. If you’ve used Glow Recipe’s Blueberry Bounce Gentle Cleanser maybe you might know what I mean. It’s sort of an unpleasant scent to my nose. The cleanser has a very light lather which can make or breath a cleanser. I personally like a heavier lather! It just makes me feel like I’m getting my face clean for some weird reason! Lighter lather seems like it doesn’t nothing. That being said, it really is doing nothing in this case…! I typically test how effective cleansers are at removing makeup by going over my face with a cotton pad saturated in micellar water. Each time I used this and swipe my face after I came away with quite a bit of dirt and makeup this failed to pick up. But that’s not the worst part for me.

It does have a good deal of ceramides and HA as promised but they are lower on the list. Sadly, none of that helped me as after using this my face felt so tight and so dry it! Ugh! It was awful! I swear this sucked every single bit of oil out of my skin. That might be great if you have oily skin but as for someone that already struggles with dry skin that would be a big no. I’m pretty disappointed as the marketing is all about how hydrating the formula when in reality all the products I’ve tried from this line thus far are anything but!

There are some raving reviews out there but I strongly recommend you sort them from lowest to highest as a lot of people experienced the same dryness I did!

All in all, E.L.F. Cosmetics Holy Hydration! Daily Cleanser is being tossed. They can keep this formula. It’s way to stripping!

E.L.F. Cosmetics Holy Hydration! Daily Cleanser is available now.

Tried it?

Do share!

Where to buy

Ulta ELF

E.L.F. Holy Hydration! Daily Cleanser is a new, permanent “hydrating” gel cleanser that’s $6 and 3.71 oz in size. This formula is marketed as have ceramides and HA which it does but sadly, all of the hydrating ingredients are quite low on the list. The gel formula produces a very light lather and didn’t do that great a job removing my makeup as some residue was left behind after cleansing. The worst part of the experience was how crazy dry and tight this left me feeling. Not only did it not remove makeup well but it made me incredibly dry!

Water (Aqua), Decyl Glucoside, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Glycerin, Sodium Chloride, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Sodium Hyaluronate, Fragrance (Parfum), Phenoxyethanol, Propanediol, Xanthan Gum, Acrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Copolymer, Hydroxyacetophenone, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Disodium EDTA, Citric Acid, Tromethamine, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Carbomer, Phytosphingosine, Cholesterol, Polysorbate 20

Pros

  • Affordable.

Cons

  • Leaves behind makeup residue after cleansing.
  • Very, very drying.
  • Has an odd detergent-like scent.
  • Very low lathering.

Who

E.L.F. Holy Hydration! Daily Cleanser might be appealing to oily skin perhaps but it’s ability to remove makeup well makes it a skip!

I purchased this item and I receive a small commission if you shop using the links in this post.

About the Muse

Isabella MuseIsabella is just an average everyday geeky girl who doesn’t blend her eyeshadow correctly, wears too much blush, and hopes she never finds her holy grail products because she likes the thrill of the chase so much. Her mission is to bring you super honest reviews on makeup, skincare, fragrance and all things beauty. She’s in no way an expert on the topic and she sure as hell isn’t a super model. But she’s passionate about makeup and is seeking like-minded individuals that like pina coladas, getting caught in the rain, and ones that enjoy spending hundreds of dollars at Sephora without feeling buyer’s remorse. If you’re that person feel free to reach out and leave a comment or follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Bloglovin‘.

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Comments

  • Kimmwc03

    Interesting. I have been using this for a couple months on my combo/oily skin and I don’t find it the least bit drying. I also found the fragrance light and barely noticeable. I won’t be purchasing again but I like it enough to finish the bottle.

    • Isabella Muse

      Nooo go on my dry skin! I feel so tight after using this! It’s not a strong scent just not a pleasant one. Sort of smells like a fragrance-free detergent, soapy.

  • Maria

    Maybe you just saved my life! I just bought this (or, well, tried to) at CVS and it didn’t end up in my bag. After reading your review I think I’ll skip it!

  • Lou

    If you knew anything much about skin care you would know that you are not supposed to rely on just a cleanser like this to remove all your make up. A double cleanse is required.

    • Isabella Muse

      I do double cleanse daily however, the point of the review is to tell you HOW THIS PRODUCT works without the need for a double cleanse. Not everyone double cleanses, it not “required”, people with oily skin benefit from it most but those with drier skin tend to not do it. It’s a personal choice but not a requirement. Also, people want to hear how this product works on its own. NOT in conjunction with other cleansers. If you KNEW anything about reviews you’d realize it would be silly to review an item and proceed to tell people, “well, you have to double cleanse for this to work!” How pointless is that? Lastly, you are very welcome here but please mind your manners when speaking to me and anyone else on this website. You came across as rude in your comment. Thanks so much!

      • Lou

        I do apologize. Yes that did sound rude and I’m sorry. I had some news that day and it influenced my mood/comment. That’s not an excuse just a reason. I enjoy your reviews and thank you for your hard work. ♥️

        • Isabella Muse

          that’s quite alright thank you for your apology and I offer one in return if I came across as too harsh in my reply. And I’m very sorry you had bad news! If you need someone to talk to I have two ears! My dms are open on IG. I’m slow replying sometimes but I’m always there for anyone who wants to talk beauty or otherwise. Sometimes we just need someone to listen. I do hope though that the bad news has passed now and things are looking up for you. And i’s a perfect excuse for the comment! Sometimes we all have bad days and we snap! Been there 🙂 Thank YOU for being a good person and offering an apology and I hope you’ll accept mine! And I hope you’ll still leave comments!

    • Janet

      Personally I think the double cleanse thing is not a good one. Cleansers should be able to do the job the first time. This is a marketing trend (£££) that everyone has gone along with.

      I will only buy cleansers that are up to the job. If I have to wash my face twice, it’s a poor cleanser.

      • Ann

        I totally disagree. I’ve been doing a “double cleanse “ since I was in my 20’s and that was almost 40 years ago. I would always remove my make up with cold cream and then wash my face. I can’t stand washing my face with a bunch of make up on because all you’re doing is just smearing a face full of dissolved make up around all over your face. I truly enjoy doing a double cleanse. I’m sure some people don’t and just want to get it over with but that is my me time and I find it very relaxing and enjoyable.