01
Betaine
Betaine
Supports moisture balance during cleansing, helping skin feel less tight after rinsing.
STEP 1 OF 9 IN THE CLARITY RITUAL
The Clean Slate : Blemish Purifying Face Wash
blemish purifying face wash
A pH-balanced gel cleanser that removes impurities and excess sebum without compromising the moisture layer, leaving skin fresh, soft, and ready for what comes next.
£35
- Vegan and cruelty-free
- Made fresh once you order
- Dispatched within 2 working days
- Free UK shipping over £75
Made fresh for you once you order · dispatched within 2 working days.
On the skin
What this bottle brings
- 01
Lifts impurities without stripping moisture
- 02
Leaves skin fresh, soft, balanced
- 03
Preps a clean canvas for serums
Why this exists
Blemish-prone skin is often over-cleansed in the belief that a harder cleanse will lead to clearer skin. In practice, stripping the surface can leave the moisture barrier unsettled, which is when skin can feel tight, become more reactive, and appear more out of balance. This formula takes a more measured approach: mild, naturally derived surfactants lift away impurities and excess sebum, while pH balancing helps keep the acid mantle where it should be. Sodium PCA and Glycerin support immediate comfort after rinsing, and the botanical complex brings a calm, purifying finish. The result is a cleanser that does its job thoroughly, while still leaving the skin prepared for the next step in the ritual.
Inside the bottle
The key actives
02
Sodium PCA
Sodium PCA
Replenishes a key part of the skin's natural moisturising factor to support post-cleanse comfort.
03
Glycerin
Glycerin
Draws water into the skin to help prevent the dry, uncomfortable finish of an over-cleansed face.
04
Kaolin
Kaolin
Adds a gentle clarifying quality that helps lift away excess oil and surface buildup.
05
Lactic Acid
Lactic Acid
Helps keep the cleanser pH-balanced, supporting the skin's acid mantle.
On the skin
A light gel that works up a soft, manageable lather. It rinses cleanly without a squeaky finish. The skin is left fresh, soft, and comfortable, with a faint green botanical trace that fades quickly.
Where this sits
Your place in The Clarity Ritual
From first cleanse to final seal, this is step 1 of 9 in the full Clarity Ritual : the gentle first cleanse that clears oil without disturbing balance.
- Step 1The Clean Slate Blemish Purifying Face WashYou are here
- Step 2The Purify Salicylic Purifying Toner
- Step 3The Draw Purifying Pore Clay Mask
- Step 4The Balance Oil-Free Hydrating Gel
- Step 5The Clarity Pigment Perfecting Serum
- Step 6The Eraser Targeted Dark Spot Treatment, 1% Kojic
- Step 7The Spot Targeted Blemish Concentrate
- Step 8The Mattifier Zinc Oil-Control Gel
- Step 9The Restore Blemish Care Moisturiser
Build it as a ritual
Build yourClarity Ritual
Add the steps you don't already use. Your bag updates in real time. Rewards apply at checkout, automatically.
The Clean Slate Blemish Purifying Face Wash
£35
The Purify Salicylic Purifying Toner
£28
The Draw Purifying Pore Clay Mask
£41
The Balance Oil-Free Hydrating Gel
£41
The Clarity Pigment Perfecting Serum
£40
The Eraser Targeted Dark Spot Treatment, 1% Kojic
£32
The Spot Targeted Blemish Concentrate
£34
The Mattifier Zinc Oil-Control Gel
£41
The Restore Blemish Care Moisturiser
£35
Complete the ritual. Qualifying orders enjoy Complimentary Shipping, a Complimentary Candle and 10% OVESSI Reward.
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Rewards apply automatically at checkout. Complimentary Shipping over £75. Final price calculated by Shopify at checkout.
The application
How to layer this
-
1
Start on damp skin
Apply a small amount to damp skin morning and evening as the first step in your ritual.
-
2
Massage for 30 seconds
Work gently across the face for around thirty seconds, letting the lather lift impurities and excess sebum without harsh rubbing.
-
3
Rinse thoroughly
Rinse with lukewarm water, then pat dry with a clean cloth. Follow immediately with serums or moisturiser before the skin has fully dried.
What to expect
On the skin, over time
Day 1
Skin feels clean, soft, and balanced straight after rinsing. The tightness that often follows cleansing is noticeably absent.
Week 1
The surface of the skin can start to look calmer and less reactive. Existing blemishes may appear less inflamed.
Week 4
The complexion feels more consistently comfortable, with less day-to-day swinging between dry and oily. Skin is better prepared for the rest of the ritual.
The deeper detail
The formulation, the provenance, the standard
Formulation
Coco-Glucoside and Cocamidopropyl Betaine form the surfactant system. Both are derived from natural sources and are recognised as among the gentler cleansing agents available; they produce a soft, manageable lather without the squeaky-clean sensation that indicates barrier disruption. The pH is balanced with Lactic Acid to remain close to the skin's own slightly acidic surface, which helps preserve the acid mantle that acts as the first line of defence against environmental microbes.
Sodium PCA, a component of the skin's Natural Moisturising Factor, is included to restore what cleansing inevitably removes. Glycerin provides immediate hydration to prevent the tight, uncomfortable sensation that often follows cleansing on blemish-prone skin. The botanical complex of Mate Leaf Extract, Iceland Moss Extract, and Juniper Callus Extract delivers soothing and purifying activity to the surface; Mate and Iceland Moss in particular have traditionally been associated with skin-calming and purifying properties. The certified-organic ingredient sourcing for these botanicals is declared in the INCI footnotes.
The formula incorporates a small amount of Kaolin, a cosmetic-grade clay mineral, to add a mild clarifying quality to the rinse. Silica provides a very slight physical smoothing effect at the surface level. Together, these ensure the cleanser does more than remove: it prepares.
Provenance
A small-batch boutique skincare house, made to order. Every bottle is formulated and filled within two working days of your order, then dispatched from the fulfilment centre closest to you : our European facility for United Kingdom and European Union customers, our United States facility for North American customers. Because every bottle is bottled to order, what arrives at your door is at the peak of its actives : nothing has been sitting against light, heat, or oxygen for months. Two-day production is the price of formulation freshness, and the boutique standard we hold ourselves to.
Cruelty-free. Vegan. Gluten free. Natural certified (Ecocert COSMOS Natural).
From our community
Reviews and reflections
-
Verified
calmer skin
First thing I noticed was how it lifts everything without that harsh drag. After a week my skin looked less reactive and felt soft after rinsing. I use lukewarm water and pat dry before moving on.
-
Verified
fresh finish
Light lather spreads easily, takes off sunscreen and the day's grime well. Leaves skin soft and fresh.
-
Verified
proper clean
Actually respects my skin. Rinses off neatly.
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Verified
steady second tub
Consistency note, this second tub has stayed reliable. It cleans away the day without making skin feel tight or bothered and the finish is comfortable enough for regular use. Price is a little high, but overall it still does the job well.
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Verified
does what it says
Lifts makeup and sebum well, even after a long day. I used it before moisturiser and my skin felt clean but not tight, though the scent is a bit strong for me.
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Verified
everyday workhorse
Takes off grime without fuss. Wish scent lasted longer.
-
Verified
Heat-Friendly Cleanser
At the sink during warm weather, it calmed my heat skin and left my face less red by morning.
-
nice but minor niggle
Removes SPF cleanly, no squeaky finish. Would like more foam.
-
Verified
layers beautifully
Removes makeup and sunscreen efficiently, gel texture is easy to work across damp skin. Finish is clean and comfortable rather than tight, which matters because my cheeks can be temperamental. I'm happy with it though the price is on the high side for 140ml.
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Verified
Sorted for blemish days
Does the job, really. My skin feels comfortable afterwards, not all tight and bothered, though it is a bit plain if you are after something fancy. Still, for a really face wash, it gets on with things and leaves the whole cleanse feeling neat enough.
-
Verified
surprisingly balanced
On my combination skin this hits a good middle ground. Removes impurities without that over-cleansed feeling which is rare for me. Use a small amount on damp skin, works well.
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Verified
pleasing, with one note
Excellent at removing daily grime and sebum, I like the pH-balanced approach. Only reason im not giving the full five is I'd prefer a bit more foam. Otherwise leaves skin fresh, soft, not stripped at all.
-
Verified
keeps the balance
Im blemish-prone and usually feel stripped but this behaves differently. Takes the shine down while skin still feels balanced.
-
Verified
no tightness here
Usually my skin pulls at the edges but this leaves it soft and comfortable. Makes a noticeable difference with lukewarm water.
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Verified
pleasantly understated
I wear plenty of SPF and this clears it off properly at night. Rinse is clean, lather is modest, skin feels genuinely fresh afterwards. Botanical finish is so brief, just gone.
Every OVESSI order is prepared once you place it. Your order is filled, sealed and labelled for you, then dispatched within 2 working days. Nothing waits on a warehouse shelf.
- ✦Made fresh
- ○ 2-day dispatch
- →UK 3 to 7 / EU 5 to 10 / US 2 to 5 days
In case you wondered
Frequently asked
Is this cleanser suitable for blemish-prone skin?
Yes. It is designed for blemish-prone skin and focuses on removing impurities and excess sebum without stripping the moisture layer.
Will it leave my skin feeling tight?
It is formulated to avoid that squeaky-clean feeling. The inclusion of humectants like Sodium PCA and Glycerin helps skin feel comfortable after rinsing.
Can I use it morning and evening?
Yes. It is intended for use both morning and night as the first step in your ritual.
Does it remove excess oil without over-cleansing?
Yes. Mild surfactants and a pH-balanced formula lift away oil and impurities while helping protect the acid mantle.
What does the cleanser feel like on the skin?
It has a light gel texture that creates a soft, manageable lather and rinses cleanly, leaving a fresh finish rather than a stripped one.
When will my order arrive?
We start preparing your bottle once your order is placed and dispatch within 2 business days. From dispatch, delivery is UK 3 to 7 business days, EU 5 to 10 business days, US 2 to 5 business days.
Pair it with
Complete the Clarity Ritual
Small batch. Filled for you. Made in EU and US.
