Thirty-nine dollars. For a face wash. I know, I know. I can hear you through the screen. My bank account also sent me a very concerned notification the second I hit the checkout button, but after seeing this heavy glass bottle in every cool girl bathroom on my feed for three years, I finally caved. I wanted to know if the Youth To The People Superfood Facial Cleanser was actually the liquid gold everyone claims it is, or if I was just paying a premium for a very chic piece of counter decor.
The Glass Bottle Gamble
The first thing you notice is the weight. This isn't your typical squeaky plastic bottle that you can toss into a gym bag without a second thought. It is heavy, cold, medical-grade glass. It feels expensive, which is great because spoiler alert it is. The scent is exactly what you would expect from something containing kale, spinach, and green tea: it smells like a literal garden in the best, most non-perfumey way possible. It is fresh, herbaceous, and makes me feel like I am a person who actually drinks green juice and wakes up for 5:00 AM Pilates (I am not that person, but I like to pretend for thirty seconds while I lather up).
The Post-Flight Petri Dish Test
I decided to put this through the ultimate ringer: the first wash after a six-hour cross-country flight. You know that specific layer of airplane grime, stale air, and leftover SPF that makes you feel like a human petri dish? That was the target. I used two pumps on damp skin, and the texture is a dream—it is a thick, water-based gel that transforms into a soft, milky foam without getting out of control.
- Makeup Removal: It melted away my skin tint and brow gel effortlessly, though I still needed a separate balm for my waterproof mascara.
- The Squeak Factor: Zero. My skin felt clean but not like a desert. It didn't have that tight, I can't move my face feeling that some gel cleansers leave behind.
- Pore Situation: After a week of consistent use, the tiny congestion bumps on my chin actually started to pack their bags and leave.
- Lather Level: It is rich and creamy rather than bubbly, which feels much more luxe on the skin.
The Final Verdict
Is it a life-changing miracle? No, it is a cleanser. But is it the most reliable, pleasant, and effective part of my morning? Absolutely. There is something to be said for a product that just works without irritating your skin or causing a breakout. It feels like a reset button for your face. While the price tag is steep, a little goes a long way—one bottle has lasted me significantly longer than the drugstore versions I used to burn through. It is an investment in the experience as much as the results.
Who Should Buy This:
- People with combination or oily skin who hate that greasy feeling but don't want to be stripped dry.
- Anyone who values aesthetic, sustainable packaging (it is refillable!).
- The skincare minimalist who wants one high-quality product that handles daily grime and light makeup in one go.
Who Should Skip This:
- True budget-seekers—there are definitely cheaper cleansers that will get you clean, even if they aren't as pretty.
- Extremely dry or eczema-prone skin types might find the kale and green tea combo a bit too clarifying for the winter months.
- Clumsy humans who have a history of breaking glass on bathroom tiles.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Lauren