Youth To The People Cleanser: My Honest Review

If you’re like me, you’ve stood in a Sephora, completely overwhelmed by the “clean beauty” wall. And if you’ve been on social media at all, you’ve seen that green glass bottle: the Youth To The People Superfood Cleanser. It’s a cult favorite, an award-winner, and it looks like a green juice for your face.

My main intent here is to give you the real, unfiltered review on whether it’s worth the hype. If you are tired of cleansers that either strip your skin or do absolutely nothing, you need to pay attention. For anyone who wants a real clean, a fresh feel, and a product that actually works, I’m telling you: this is the one you should buy.

My Experience With Youth To The People Superfood Cleanser

My skin has always been my most frustrating feature. It’s the very definition of “combination.” I have an oily T-zone that could rival a deep-fryer by 3 PM, but my cheeks are dry, sensitive, and prone to tightness. Finding a cleanser has been a 10-year nightmare. Gel cleansers and “foaming” washes would leave my cheeks feeling like parchment paper, tight and screaming for moisture. On the other hand, “gentle” cream or milk cleansers would leave a film on my skin and do absolutely nothing for the congestion and blackheads on my nose.

I’d seen the Youth To The People (or YTTP) cleanser everywhere.

It’s in every “best of” list, and its aesthetic glass bottle is an Instagram staple. I was deeply skeptical.

It’s expensive for a cleanser—a product you literally wash down the drain. The ingredients—kale, spinach, green tea—sounded like a salad, and I was convinced it was just “influencer bait” that couldn’t possibly work.

I finally caved during a Sephora sale, buying the standard 8 oz. bottle. The first thing I noticed was the packaging.

That glass bottle isn’t just for looks; it feels heavy, substantial, and premium. The pump is sturdy and dispenses a perfect, controlled amount.

The first time I used it, I was expecting a lot. I pumped the clear, pale-green gel into my palm. The second I started to lather, the smell hit me. It’s not a perfume. It doesn’t smell like flowers or fruit. It smells green. It’s a sharp, herbal, almost-celery-like scent. It smells exactly like a fresh-pressed, expensive green juice. It’s invigorating and, to me, it smelled healthy.

The lather was the next surprise. This isn’t one of those high-foam, bubbly cleansers. It’s a low-suds, luxurious, almost creamy lather that has a beautiful “slip” on the skin. It feels gentle, not harsh.

The rinse-off, however, is what sold me. It rinses spotless. There is no film, no residue, no second-guessing if it’s all gone. And the “after-feel” was the holy grail I had been searching for. My skin didn’t feel “squeaky clean” (which, by the way, is a bad thing—it means you’re stripped). My oily T-zone felt clean and matte. But my dry, sensitive cheeks felt… normal. They felt soft, balanced, and comfortable. They weren’t tight. This was the first time a cleanser had ever achieved that balance for me.

The real test? Makeup. I wear a full face most days—foundation, concealer, and waterproof mascara. I had heard this could be a makeup remover, but I was doubtful. That night, I followed the advice I’d seen online: I pumped two pumps onto dry hands and massaged it onto my dry face. It felt like an oil cleanse, breaking down the foundation and grime. I rubbed it gently over my eyes. Then, I wet my hands and continued massaging, and it all emulsified. After a 30-second rinse, I looked in the mirror, expecting raccoon eyes. My face was pristine. The foundation was gone. The waterproof mascara was 95% gone. It didn’t sting my eyes at all. One more quick, light wash, and every trace of makeup was gone. This one product replaced my $30 cleansing balm and my $20 gentle cleanser. It became my entire-nighttime routine in one bottle.

I’ve been using it for over six months now. My skin is clearer, my pores look smaller (because they’re no longer congested), and my breakouts have calmed down. It’s the most reliable, hard-working, and genuinely good product on my shelf.

Read More: My Thoughts On Fresh Green Rice Mochi Cleanser

Pros Of Youth To The People Superfood Cleanser

• The Ultimate “One-And-Done” Cleanser: This is its greatest strength. It is a true multi-tasker that streamlines your entire routine. You do not need a separate makeup remover, cleansing balm, or “first cleanse” if you use this. As I mentioned in my experience, applying it to a dry face first allows it to act as an oil-based makeup remover, melting everything. It emulsifies foundation, thick sunscreen, and even stubborn, waterproof eye makeup without stinging or irritating your eyes. Then, when you add water, it transforms into a gentle-yet-effective “second cleanse.” On tired nights, this one bottle is all you need. This saves you time, counter space, and, in the long run, a lot of money. For me, it replaced two separate products.
• A Truly Balanced, Non-Stripping Formula: This is the magic of the product. The term “deep clean” is usually a code word for “stripping your skin of all life.” This cleanser defies that. It gets deep into your pores and effectively removes oil, dirt, and congestion, which is why my blackheads have visibly improved. But it does this without stripping your acid mantle. It uses gentle, coconut-based surfactants, not harsh sulfates (like SLS or SLES). The result is that “holy grail” feeling: your skin is spotlessly clean but still feels soft, hydrated, and comfortable. It doesn’t trigger that “panic” feeling where you need to race for your moisturizer. This makes it the perfect cleanser for combination skin, and it’s gentle enough for most normal and even slightly dry skin types.
• Loaded With Antioxidants (It’s a “Preventative” Cleanse): The “green juice” name isn’t just cute marketing; the ingredient list is genuinely impressive. It’s packed with cold-pressed antioxidants. You’ve got Kale, which is rich in phytonutrients and Vitamin C. You have Spinach, which is a source of Vitamin A and helps soothe the skin. And you have Green Tea, a powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant that helps fight free-radical damage. This means every time you wash your face, you’re not just removing the bad stuff; you’re adding good stuff. It’s a “preventative” step that helps protect your skin from the pollution and environmental stressors you encounter all day.
• The Eco-Friendly and “Clean” Philosophy: I feel good about buying this product. It’s 100% vegan, cruelty-free, and formulated in California. The “clean” promise is real: it’s formulated without parabens, phthalates, sulfates, or silicones. But the best part is the packaging. It comes in a beautiful, sturdy glass bottle with a high-quality pump. This is not only infinitely recyclable (and more so than plastic), but it also just looks and feels premium on your bathroom counter. It’s a sustainable choice that feels like a luxury.
• A Little Goes a Very, Very Long Way: This is the key that makes the price tag sting a lot less. The 8 oz. bottle is expensive, but it’s highly concentrated. I use one single pump in the morning and two pumps at night (to remove makeup). Following this, my first bottle lasted me five full months. When you do the math, it’s a much better value than it first appears. Because the pump is so well-designed, it dispenses the perfect, controlled amount, so you’re not wasting a single drop of this precious green goo. You are not burning through this like a cheap drugstore cleanser.

Cons Of Youth To The People Superfood Cleanser

• The Price Tag is a Significant Hurdle: (Sub-heading: Let’s Just Get This Out of the Way)
  • It’s Expensive for a Cleanser: There is no getting around it. This is a premium-priced product. You are spending a lot of money on something that will be on your skin for less than 60 seconds. This is the single biggest barrier to entry.
  • The “Clean Tax”: You are paying a premium for the “clean” formula, the expensive antioxidant ingredients, the heavy glass packaging, and the brand’s cult status. You can, without a doubt, find a good cleanser at the drugstore for a third of the price. This product is a “want,” not just a “need,” and it requires a budget for high-end skincare.
• Not Ideal for Very Dry or Sensitive Skin: (Sub-heading: The “Balancing” Act Can Be Too Much)
  • It Can Be Stripping for Dry Skin: While I, a combo-skin person, find it “balancing,” my friend with true, water-dry, eczema-prone skin found it to be too much. It did leave her skin feeling tight and parched. It is, at its heart, a “deep-cleaning” gel. If you have no excess oil for it to “balance,” it can easily tip you into “stripped” territory.
  • The “Natural” Fragrance Can Be an Irritant: That “green” smell I love? It’s listed on the ingredients as “Fragrance/Parfum” (a blend of natural essential oils). While it’s not a synthetic perfume, any added fragrance, natural or not, can be a major irritant for highly sensitive or reactive skin. This is not a hypoallergenic product, and some users report a stinging sensation or redness.
• The Glass Bottle is a Bathroom Hazard: (Sub-heading: It’s Beautiful, But It’s Dangerous)
  • It’s Heavy and Breakable: That premium, heavy glass bottle is my biggest source of daily anxiety. My hands are wet. The bottle is wet. It’s a slippery, heavy object. I live in constant fear of dropping it on my tile floor or in my porcelain sink, where it would explode into a very expensive, very dangerous mess.
  • It’s a Travel Nightmare: You cannot, under any circumstances, travel with this bottle. It’s too heavy, it’s bulky, and it’s breakable. You are forced to buy the (terrible value) plastic mini-size or decant it into a travel-safe container, which is an extra, annoying step. It is the least portable product I own.
• The Shorter Shelf Life: (Sub-heading: “Clean” Means You Can’t Hoard It)
  • The PAO Symbol: Because this formula is “clean” and ditches a lot of the heavy-duty, synthetic preservatives like parabens, it has a shorter “Period After Opening” (PAO) date. You need to use it up within 12 months of opening it.
  • No “Back-Stocking”: For a product this size, that’s usually not a problem. But if you’re a “skincare rotator” who likes to have three different cleansers open at once, you can’t be. You can’t buy this during a sale and let it sit in your cabinet for two years. It will go off. The color will darken, the smell will change, and the active ingredients will lose their potency. You have to be committed to using it.

Maintenance Tips For Youth To The People Superfood Cleanser

• Master the “Dry-Hand, Dry-Face” Makeup Removal: (Sub-heading: This is The #1 Trick)
  • This is my most important tip. If you are wearing sunscreen or any makeup, do not wet your face first. This is the mistake everyone makes.
  • Pump It Dry: Pump two full pumps into your dry palms.
  • Massage It Dry: Massage this gel directly onto your dry face for 30-60 seconds. It will feel thick, almost like an oil or balm. Gently rub it over your closed eyes. You will feel your mascara and foundation melt and break down.
  • Emulsify: Then, wet your hands and continue massaging. The water will turn the gel into a light, milky lather, and you’ll see all the makeup emulsify.
  • Rinse: Rinse it all away. This one-step process turns it into a perfect double cleanse and is the most effective way to use it.
• The “One Pump” Morning Rule: (Sub-heading: Don’t Waste Your Money)
  • You Don’t Need Much: In the morning, your face isn’t covered in a day’s worth of grime and makeup. You do not need two pumps.
  • One Pump is Plenty: One single, perfect pump is all you need to remove any nighttime skincare and excess oil.
  • The “Cost-Saving” Benefit: This is the key to making the bottle last. By using one pump in the AM and two at night, my 8 oz. bottle lasts me five months. This makes the $38 price tag feel much more like $7.60 a month, which is an incredible value. Do not be wasteful with this product; it’s too good and too concentrated for that.
• Decant, Decant, Decant (For Travel): (Sub-heading: Protect the Glass Bottle at All Costs)
  • Don’t Even Think About It: I’ve said it before, but it’s a “Maintenance Tip” too. Never, ever, ever travel with the glass bottle. It’s heavy, it will break, and it will be a tragedy.
  • Get a Good Travel Bottle: Go to the store and buy a set of high-quality, silicone travel tubes. The silicone is flexible, so it’s easy to squeeze the thick gel out.
  • Save Your Minis: The best way to do it is to buy one of their “Discovery” kits once. These come with a 1 oz. or 2 oz. plastic version of the cleanser. When that’s empty, keep the bottle and just refill it from your big glass one. This is the perfect, TSA-friendly, non-breakable solution.
• Keep It Out of the “Splash Zone”: (Sub-heading: How to Not Break the Bottle)
  • Be Paranoid: This sounds high-maintenance, but it’s just smart. That glass bottle is slippery when wet.
  • A Safe Home: Do not store it on a narrow shower caddy or the curved edge of your tub. I keep mine on my main bathroom counter.
  • The “Grab and Go” Method: When I’m in the shower, I reach out, grab the bottle, put it on a secure, flat surface in the shower, dispense my pump, and immediately put the bottle back on the counter, safe and sound. A little paranoia will save you $38 and a lot of broken glass.
• The “60-Second Rule” Flash Mask: (Sub-heading: Get More Bang for Your Buck)
  • Don’t Just “Wash and Rinse”: This cleanser is packed with good-for-you antioxidants. Don’t let them go down the drain in 10 seconds.
  • Give It Time: At least once or twice a week, I’ll do this. I’ll massage the cleanser into my skin, and then really work it in for a full 60 seconds.
  • Let It Sit: After massaging, I’ll let it sit on my skin for an extra 2-3 minutes while I brush my teeth. This gives the green tea, kale, and spinach extracts a little more time to do something—to soothe inflammation and fight free radicals. It’s a “flash mask” that leaves my skin feeling exceptionally clean and bright.

Comparison With Other Brands

YTTP isn’t the only green-juice-inspired cleanser on the market. It sits in a very competitive space, but for me, it holds its own by being the best all-arounder.

• Youth To The People vs. Fresh Soy Face Cleanser: This is the other cult-classic, high-end gentle cleanser. The Fresh Soy cleanser is a translucent, jelly-like texture, whereas YTTP is a bouncier, thicker gel. The biggest difference is the cleansing power. Fresh Soy is exceptionally gentle and hydrating (it’s loaded with cucumber and aloe), but it has almost zero makeup-removing power. I’d always have to double cleanse with it, and it often left a slight film. YTTP is just as gentle on my combo skin, but it’s a powerhouse at removing makeup and rinses perfectly clean. Fresh Soy is for a very dry or sensitive skin type who wears no makeup. YTTP is for the combo-to-oily person who needs a true “one-and-done” cleanse.
• Youth To The People vs. CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser: This is the ultimate “Save vs. Splurge” showdown. CeraVe is the dermatologist-loved drugstore darling. It’s also a gel, but it foams up way more than YTTP. The CeraVe cleanser is brilliant for its ingredient list (ceramides, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid) and its rock-bottom price. I’ve used it, and it’s a good cleanser. However, I find it far more stripping than YTTP. CeraVe always leaves my cheeks feeling tight and parched. YTTP cleans just as deeply but leaves my skin feeling balanced and soft. You are paying the premium for that superior, non-stripping after-feel and the antioxidant-rich formula.
• Youth To The People vs. KraveBeauty Matcha Hemp Hydrating Cleanser: This is a very close competitor in the “clean” indie-brand space. Krave’s cleanser is also a bouncy, green-hued gel. It’s also packed with antioxidants (matcha, hemp seed oil) and is famous for being non-stripping. They are very similar in philosophy and feel. The main difference? YTTP is a better all-in-one cleanser. It’s more effective at breaking down makeup and sunscreen. The Krave cleanser can sometimes leave a slight (though hydrating) film from the hemp oil, which some dry skins love, but which I (as a combo-skin person) do not. YTTP just rinses cleaner and feels more “complete.”

Also Read: My Thoughts On Anua Heartleaf Deep Pore Foam Cleanser

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Conclusion

So, after six months, is the Youth To The People Superfood Cleanser worth the hype and the price? For me, it is an emphatic yes. It’s the only cleanser I’ve ever re-purchased. It solved my “combination skin” dilemma, streamlined my routine by eliminating my makeup balm, and makes my skin feel genuinely clean, balanced, and healthy. If you are a “one-and-done” kind of person who is willing to invest in a single, high-quality, eco-conscious product that truly performs, I can’t recommend it enough. This is the one you should buy.