SENKA PERFECT WHIP CLEANSER - Review

When it comes to Japanese skincare, it’s not about creating a new product every year, it’s about perfecting the product you already made and that’s exactly what Shiseido did with Senka Perfect Whip.  Shiseido has upgraded its formulation four times since it launched (2003, 2005, 2016, and 2018).  Senka Perfect Whip is probably the most popular Japanese skincare product out there and to many, their holy grail.  In Asia, it can be found in just about any drugstore, including convenience stores like 7-Eleven. 

Senka Perfect Whip is known for its rich, dense white foam, that effectively lifts up impurities from the skin while being light and gentle on the skin. It has naturally derived silk essence that protects and softens the skin, double hyaluronic acid that moisturizes the skin, and Shiseido’s unique Aqua-in-Pool formulation that strengthens the skin barriers against day-to-day damage. On top of being an effective cleanser, it also doubles up as a self-care product, designed to soothe and calm you.

HOW TO USE

One reason why we love Senka Perfect Whip is that a pea-sized amount goes a long way (who doesn’t love a long-lasting product).  

• Take an appropriate amount (2 cm) onto your palms (or onto a foaming wash net).
• Add a small amount of water to work up a good lather. 
• Apply onto your face, gently massage and rinse thoroughly. 

RATING

Packaging - 5/5

It comes in a sleek, minimal blue tube that holds true to its Japanese origins.  It’s easy to hold in one hand and is sturdy enough to be safe for travelling with a close/open cap that easily dispenses when you squeeze the bottle.  The design of the tube is meant to soothe and calm you, hence the blue.  For $10, you get 120 ml of cleansing goodness - very economical. 

Ingredients - 4/5

Yes, there’s alcohol and fragrance which can be drying and irritating to the skin, but it really depends on the person using it.  Some have sensitive skin and have no reaction to Senka and others have normal skin and felt it was drying, so always to a patch test first.  I have combination skin type and in the winter my skin can get really dry while in the summer my skin usually gets really oily and I’ve found Senka to work best for my skin in the summer versus in the winter where I opt in for a more hydrating cleanser. 

Now let’s touch on something some of you might be wondering: Senka has a pH of 8 is it going to ruin my skin? Now before you cancel Senka out, I would encourage you to read the following blog post by the Klog: ‘‘Dear Soko: Should I Ever Use a High pH Cleanser?’’, to sum it up, pH is important, especially if you have sensitive/acne-prone skin, but otherwise, your skin will be fine as long as you use a toner after cleansing. (Toners are the most important in balancing your skin's pH.)

Full Ingredients

Water, Stearic Acid (Emollient + Viscosity Control), PEG-8 (Humectant/Moisturizer + Solvent), Myristic Acid (Surfactant/Cleansing + Emulsifying), Potassium Hydroxide (Buffering), Glycerine, Lauric Acid (Surfactant/Cleansing + Emulsifying + Anti-Acne), Alcohol, Butylene Glycol (Humectant/Moisturizer + Solvent), Glyceryl Stearate SE (Emulsifying), Polyquaternium-7, PEG/PPG-14/7 Dimethyl Ether (Skin Conditioning), Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Sericin, Hydrolyzed Silk, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Metabisulfite (Preservative), Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate (Preservative), Sodium Benzoate (Preservative), Fragrance

Texture - 5/5

It’s a creamy, silky thick cream upon touch and when you add a few drops of water and whip it, it foams almost like a mousse texture. The foam is so dense that it won’t drip even when you flip it upside down, so you don’t have to worry about it dripping everywhere.  Senka’s rich texture makes it easier to control how much product to dispense.   

Application - 5/5

It’s easy to use and it sure does make cleansing your skin so much fun!  The foaming part is a little bit of work when you use your hands but add a foaming net to the picture and you have a luscious foam with ease.  The foam itself on your skin feels like you’re hugging your skin clean as the foam contains ultra-fine cleansing particles that penetrate pores easily to clear out impurities while keeping the skin deeply hydrated. (Use a foaming net to help create a large foam.)

 Performance - 4.5/5

We found it to work very well as a foaming cleanser to remove impurities, excess sebum, and dirt without harsh rubbing.  It also did a great job at removing left over makeup as part 2 of the double cleanse process (in a PM routine).  After cleansing, my skin did feel really soft with a slight tightness afterwards which I like.  For those with dry and sensitive skin, it may feel a bit drying after cleansing.  

SUMMARY

If you’re new to J-beauty or looking to add a fun foaming cleanser to your summer skincare routine, Senka is your answer. Should you give Senka Perfect Whip a try? YES! It is called Perfect Whip for good reason: with naturally derived silk essence, double hyaluronic acid, and Shiseido’s unique Aqua-in-Pool formulation, whip your way to clean and clear skin. 

Add Senka Perfect Whip To Your Cart Today use code WHIPIT to get it FREE with every purchase over $20!