Youth to the People vs. Brandefy Superfood Cleanser: Which Face Wash Is Better at Getting Rid of Grime?

Name: Brandefy Superfood Nourish Cleanser Review
Brand: Brandefy
Price: 29 USD

Battle of cleansers

Author image: about face matte fluid eye paint review chelsea candelario

By Chelsea Candelario

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Published Jul 17, 2024

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youth to the people vs brandefy superfood cleanser review a photo of chelsea candelario

Chelsea Candelario/PureWow

Whether you have a pared back or a ten-step skincare routine, a cleanser should always be on your list. For me, I always choose gentle cleansers to wipe away any impurities and look for formulas that won’t dry out my skin. As a beauty editor, I’ve tried tons of cleansers and the Youth to the People Superfood Cleanser ($39) is the one I return to time and time again.

But as I was preparing to pick up another bottle, I came across a brand that’s supposedly very similar to my beloved YTTP: Brandefy Superfood Nourish Cleanser ($29). I decided to put on my investigative hat to see if it holds up to my tried-and-true. After testing both cleansers for about a month, here’s my honest review of Youth to the People vs. Brandefy Superfood Cleanser, including a rundown of their differences to which one works best for my skin.

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youth to the people vs brandefy superfood cleanser review ytt

Chelsea Candelario/PureWow

Youth to the People Superfood Cleanser Review

What We Like

hydrating formula
rich lather
pleasant scent
great for combo, acne-prone and oily skin

What We Don't Like

pricey

Youth to the People

Value: 18/20
Functionality: 20/20
Quality: 20/20
Aesthetics: 19/20
Results: 19/20
Total: 96/100

I’ve tried plenty of face washes that made my skin feel like sandpaper, so I was relieved when that wasn’t the case with this Youth to the People cleanser. It’s formulated with kale, which is rich in vitamin C and E for a glowing complexion, as well as spinach to soothe the skin. The hydrating formula also includes green tea to reduce inflammation and redness, while also improving elasticity and preventing breakouts.

After a couple of weeks of use, my face looks and feels cleaner. The gel formula promises to improve the look of pores over time and I’ve noticed a subtle difference near my cheeks (where I’m prone to excess oil and breakouts). Whether I was wearing a full face of makeup or layers of SPF, the cleanser rinsed it all away with just one pump of product. It has a rich lather and the scent isn’t overpowering. It reminds me of a fresh green smoothie.

The glass bottle is aesthetically pleasing and a nice addition to my beauty cabinet. (I also like being able to see how much product I have left so I know when to reorder.) The pump was simple to twist open and I love that it comes with the option of locking the cap for when I want to take the cleanser on the go. I don’t have many cons to note aside from the price, which is a bit high for a face wash, but overall YTTP does not disappoint.

$39 At Sephora

~~$39~~; $29 At amazon

youth to the people vs brandefy superfood cleanser review brandefy

Amazon

Brandefy Superfood Nourish Cleanser Review

What We Like

hydrating formula
rich lather
lightweight texture

What We Don't Like

strong scent

Brandefy

Value: 18/20
Functionality: 20/20
Quality: 18/20
Aesthetics: 18/20
Results: 19/20
Total: 93/100

The first thing I noticed about the Brandefy Superfood Nourish Cleanser is how hydrating it feels on my skin after I rinse it off. Similar to Youth to the People, the formula includes kale, spinach and green tea, so it has many of the same benefits—namely kale, spinach and green tea. The texture is very lightweight, which is great for my sensitive skin. It also provides a nice lather, however, due to the thinner consistency, I went with two pumps to get the job done.

My skin did feel a bit tight after a few minutes, but not enough to discourage me from using the cleanser again. I prefer using it in the morning rather than at night due to the light formula. It also comes in a glass bottle, so you can see how much you’ve used, but where it really stands out is the label on the back. The bottle features a neat guide that includes the four main steps you absolutely need in your routine—cleanser, serum, moisturizer and SPF. It’s a small detail but one I really appreciate to remind me of the next steps in my morning routine.

As for cons, I’m not particularly fond of the short pump, as it doesn’t provide enough product. I also am not a big fan of the scent. It’s too strong; it’s more like a heavy perfume than the fresh aroma I get from YTTP. Aside from scent and packaging, the formula itself is pretty solid and gentle on my skin.

$29 At Amazon

$29 At Brandefy

What’s the Difference Between Youth to the People vs Brandefy?

On the surface, they share many similarities. They both come in glass bottles, which contain 8 ounces of product and include a pump in the box. Both cleansers cater to oily, acne-prone, combination and sensitive skin. According to Skinsort, they share eight key ingredients: kale, spinach, green tea, water, glycerin, decyl glucoside, sodium chloride, phenoxyethanol, ethylhexylglycerin and parfum. (Brandefy’s website even states that the cleanser is inspired by Youth to the People Superfood Cleanser.)

If you dig a little deeper, there are some notable differences in scent, texture and results. I found the Youth to the People cleanser has a subtle, fresh scent, while Brandefy’s was stronger and more pungent. Although they’re both labeled as having a gel-to-foam formula, the Brandefy cleanser has a thinner, runnier consistency than YTTP. As for the results, they both left my skin clean and soft, but I found the Youth to the People cleanser was a little less drying on my skin.

Youth to the People vs Brandefy: Which One Should You Buy?

Both are great, but Youth to the People Superfood Cleanser remains my all-time favorite cleanser. Both did an excellent job at cleansing my face. However, YTTP didn’t dry out my skin as much and the scent is way more pleasant. I do give points to Brandefy for mirroring the OG perfectly, so if you’re looking to save $10, I understanding wanting to try them out instead.

Chelsea Candelario

Beauty and Cultures Editor

Writes trend stories, product reviews and how-tos across beauty, cultures, fashion and entertainment
Over 5 years of experience as a Beauty Editor
Studied journalism with a minor in creative writing at SUNY New Paltz

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