Right this way for the cleanest skin of your life
Everyone has their own opinion on what the most important step of your skincare routine is. But if you don’t wash your face properly with the best cleanser for your skin’s type and needs, then the rest is redundant, because the other products just won’t work properly.
Washing away the day’s grime and removing make-up is essential. Not only does it help maintain healthy skin, but by removing detritus from the skin’s surface the rest of the products will be able to penetrate the top layers and get to work. They need a clean face in order to be effective.
Mimi Luzon, skin wellbeing expert, aesthetician and facialist to Bella & Gigi Hadid, couldn’t agree more. ‘Cleansing is an integral step in your skincare routines, even more so if you wear make-up,’ she explains. ‘Cleansing dissolves away excess dirt, makeup and bacteria on your skin; not cleansing if likely to leave your pores clogged and your skin more at risk of breaking out.’
The really tricky thing is that there are thousands, maybe even hundreds of thousands on the market, so finding the exact one right for you is a minefield. Luckily, we can help.
Different types of cleanser
There are so many type of cleansers – cleansing balms, micellar waters, foaming face washes – and they don’t all do the same thing. So first we should identify the different types and what they’re capable of.
1. Micellar water
What is micellar water? It’s tiny droplets of cleansing oil suspended in a water. It’s a great option for skin that’s sensitive, as it’s extremely gentle and doesn’t make your skin feel tight or dry after application. It’s also perfect for when you can’t be bothered to give your face a full-on deep cleanse. However, don’t become reliant on this as your only cleanser as you won’t be cleaning your skin completely. Simply pour some on to a cotton pad and wipe over the face to clean and cleanse.
2. Oil cleansers
Oil cleansers are really great at removing make-up, particularly stubborn mascara.
‘Cleansing oils are a favourite among many, however I don’t like to use oils or oil cleansers on acne-prone skin,’ warns Consultant Dermatologist Dr Anjali Mahto. ‘They can be highly comedogenic, so I’d avoid it if you’re prone to breakouts and blackheads.’
3. Cleansing cloths
Elevate your standard flanneled wash cloth with one of these cotton options. A sustainable alternative to your go-to cotton pads, look for double sided options that sooth and cleanse skin.
Beauty Pie, Double-sided organic cotton wash cloths, usually £15 | Beauty Pie (member price £6.68)
Designed to work with any cleanser Beauty Pie’s cleansing cloths are double-sided with one side which gently scrubs, and the other with a smooth skin grip for polishing and finishing.
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4. Cleansing balms
These are particularly thick and luxurious cleansers that are great for dry skin in need of deep moisturising. Some can leave a slightly oily residue, so need to be rinsed thoroughly, ideally with a flannel or cloth.
‘Cleansing balms, such as Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm, are great for dry skin types,’ advises Dr Mahto. ‘Once massaged into the skin, they work to dislodge any make-up, pollution or sunscreen that is left on the skin.’
Oil cleansers are very similar to cleansing balms, but come in liquid form. But they do the same job.
5. Foaming cleansers
A foaming cleanser is kind of the entry level cleanser that you get given in your early teens. They get a bad rep, because a fair few of them contain SLS (the foaming agent), which can dry skin out. However, it doesn’t affect everyone and those with an oilier skin type and prone to blemishes should get on well with the formulas. They lather up, getting into every nook and cranny.
6. Gel cleansers
If you have combination skin, then a gel is a perfect middle ground of nourishing for drier skin and slight foaming for those oilier parts. Use on damp skin and work in before rinsing.
7. Cream/milk cleansers
Cream and milk cleansers don’t foam, then tackle dirt and grime best when applied directly onto dry skin. They work well if you have dry or dehydrated skin, because they’re super nourishing but don’t strip.
Best way to cleanse skin
‘I personally like to start my day by cleansing my face with foam or any other delicate product with a suitable PH level,’ says Luzon. ‘I also recommended starting your morning routine at least twice a week with an enzymatic exfoliation to remove dead skin cells and encourage skin glow.’
‘If you are looking for a deep clean then a double-cleanse could be the answer,’ explains Dr Mahto. ‘It involves using a cleansing oil, balm or micellar water to break down make-up, SPF and sebum on the surface of your skin first, then following it with a deeper water-based cleanse. This removes sweat, bacteria and old skin cells. A second round of cleansing will clean much deeper into the pores to remove any impurities.’
The number one rule is to think about your skin concerns and to choose your skin ingredients accordingly. Salicylic acid is a great deep exfoliant for oily skin, while thicker, rich cleansers are suited to dry skins. ‘I believe less is more; there is definitely such a thing as too many active ingredients,’ says Dr Mahto. ‘Applying a large number of active ingredients onto the skin can trigger allergy, sensitivity or irritation.
If you have sensitive, skin invest in a couple of different cleansers. ‘You can use different cleansers on different part of your face,’ explains Luzon. ‘For dryer areas use a nourishing cleansing cream and oiler areas stick with foams.’
So, whether you prefer a cream cleanser, thick balm, lightweight gel or nourishing cleansing oil, there’s one out there to suit your skin’s needs (and those of your bank balance, too).
Remember to increase your treatment plan by arming yourself with the best toner, which you would use after your cleanser.
Cerave Hydrating Cleanser, £9.50 | Lookfantastic
GEL CLEANSER
One of the US's best-loved affordable skincare brands, Cerave's hydrating cleanser, this formula is packed with hydrating hyaluronic acid and ceramides to support skin's moisture levels and minimise dryness. The pump dispenser is super handy too.
LIXIRSKIN Electrogel Cleanser, £25 | Lookfantastic
CREAM CLEANSER
A mask and cleanser in one, Lixirskin's clever cream cleanser removes the day's grime and pollution from your face; the negatively charged formula draws positively charged toxins from the skin, minimising their damaging effects. Massage for a minute, leave on for a minute and your skin will look better after one use.
Garnier SkinActive Micellar Cleansing Water, £5.99 | Lookfantastic
MICELLAR WATER
Of all of the micellar waters out there (and boy, are there a lot of 'em), Garnier's is both exceptional and insanely good value. It's free of alcohol and perfume, making it a great choice for even sensitive skin, and makes light work of lifting away your best mascara and long-wearing eyeliner. Piece of cake. Micellar water is wonderful stuff but please, please, please don't use it as your only cleanser; It's an excellent make-up remover, but should be followed with another proper cleanse to remove things like excess make-up, dirt, pollution and SPF.
Aurelia London Miracle Cleanser, £42 | Cult Beauty
CLEANSING BALM
Aurelia London is a brand known for suing probiotics in its products. That means its live GOOD bacteria that feeds the skin's microbiome and helps it work to its full potential. This cleanser basically ensures healthy skin.
Pro-Collagen Naked Cleansing Balm, £44 | Lookfantastic
CLEANSING BALM
The famous Elemis cleansing balm has had a very exciting update. It now comes fragrance-free. Just like the original, this powerful balm deeply cleanses your skin to dissolve make-up and get rid of daily pollutants, without drying it out. So you end up with noticeably clearer skin that's also seriously moisturised. This one feels like a real treat to use.
Mario Badescu Acne Facial Cleanser, £13.50 | Beauty Bay
GEL CLEANSER
Mario Badescu is loved by many a spot-prone skin sufferer, and this cleanser is suited to anyone with oily skin that’s easily congested. It contains wonder exfoliating ingredient salicylic acid that breaks down those pesky plugs of dead skin and oil, helping to reduce their appearance over time.
Oskia Renaissance Cleansing Gel, from £16 | Cult Beauty
CLEANSING BALM
Without a doubt one of the best cleansers on the beauty market, Oskia's hero formula offers a thorough cleanse without stripping your skin dry. It really does do it all: Buffing away dead skin cells, removing make-up and environmental aggressors, improves skin's firmness and elasticity and supports the lipid barrier for your best skin ever. Just divine.
Skingredients Sally Cleanse, £22 | skingredients.com
GEL/FOAMING CLEANSER
The brain child of beauty genius The Skin Nerd, aka Jennifer Rock, Skingredients is all about feeding, protecting and respecting your skin with a focus on ingredients. It's just launched on UK soil and we couldn't be more excited. Sally Cleanse, featuring pore-declogging ingredient salicylic acid, can be used every three days to tackle excess oil, blackheads and blemishes. It can also be used as a 'micro mask' to zap pesky spots, and on your body to help with keratosis pilaris.
Frances Prescott Tri-Balm, £49 | Liberty
CREAM CLEANSER
We really love this innovative product. It comes in a sort of deodorants-style twist-up tube that you work into your skin directly. It says it can remove make-up, but we prefer to use it as the second part of the cleanse. Once applied, work it in to give skin a proper clean. You can then leave it on as an exfoliating mask. The reason it's called three in one is that it's so moisturising, you could leave it all day as your face oil. Genius.
Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm, £25 | Lookfantastic
CLEANSING BALM
This deliciously thick balm does exactly what it says on the tub, taking the day's make-up, SPF and oil off in a few easy sweeps, turning into an oil upon massaging that then rinses off easily with warm water. It's a reliable cult favourite cleanser for good reason, and won't strip your already dry skin of all its moisture. We love it.
The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser, £5.50 | Cult Beauty
OIL CLEANSER
This is one of the brand's most popular products and you can see why. Warm the product in your hands before applying it to your skin and watch as the day comes off. You can't argue with that, and you certainly can't argue with that price.
Fenty Skin Total Cleans’r Remove-It-All Cleaner, £20 | Harvey Nichols
CLEANSING BALM
Fenty Skin delivers a mighty cleanser. Use it to take off your make-up and seriously cleanse the face. It's handy as it purifies the pores, so if you're prone to shine you'll love it.
La Roche-Posay Effaclar H Hydrating Cleansing Cream, £12.50 | Lookfantastic
CREAM CLEANSER
This particular cleanser is very gentle and soothing on the skin, with clever anti-friction technology so as not to further irritate skin that's already a bit unhappy, which makes it a good starting place for blemish or acne-prone skin. Dr Justine Kluk often recommends this cleanser to acne patients in her clinic, so you know it's a good'un.
Youth To The People Superfood Cleanser, £31 | Cult Beauty
GEL CLEANSER
This is a really, really good everyday cleanser. Works beautifully after a cleansing balm if you want to thoroughly cleanse the skin, especially in the summer when you've been wearing SPF. Or the winter for that matter, as you're more likely to wear richer creams.
Kate Somerville Exfolikate Cleanser, from £16 | Cult Beauty
CREAM CLEANSER
ExfoliKate is particularly effective here as it tackles both characteristics of combination skin – the AHAs, lactic and glycolic acid, break down dead and dry skin cells while also removing excess oil for a softer, more radiant complexion. The brand now stocks in Space NK as well as online retailers, so be sure to pop down and check out the products IRL.
Decree Deep Cleanser, £55 | Cult Beauty
CREAM CLEANSER
For when skin feels particularly congested and in need of a deep clean. What doesn't this formula contain? Clays to unclog pores, salicylic acid to tend to those blemishes, zinc and sulphur to calm inflammation AND lactic acid to gently exfoliate.
Caudalie Instant Foaming Cleanser, £7.50 | Caudalie
FOAMING CLEANSER
You'll be amazed by how rich and luxurious the foam created by this cleanser is. It feels really nourishing. Plus, it's soap-free so non-drying. Ideal as an everyday face cleanser.
![L'Oréal Paris Revitalift Filler [+ Hyaluronic Acid] Gel Face Wash Cleanser - best cleanser](https://img.ti-media.net/wp/uploads/sites/46/2020/10/12753472-1634832174286711-613x920.jpg)
L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Filler [+ Hyaluronic Acid] Gel Face Wash Cleanser, £7.99 | Lookfantastic
GEL CLEANSER
Coming in at under £10, we love this everyday gel cleanser. Packed full of hyaluronic acid it floods the skin with moisture. Perfect for ageing, dry or dehydrated skin.
SkinCeuticals Gentle Cleanser Cream, £35 | Lookfantastic
CREAM CLEANSER
If your skin is in need to a loving hug, then this is a cuddle in a bottle. No harsh chemicals, just nourishment. Simple work a small amount into damp skin it'll eliminate dirt and impurities with the softest of touch.
Medik8 Surface Radiance Cleanse, £18 | Feelunique
GEL CLEANSER
Medik8 is just one of the brands that we trust and this gentle everyday cleanser is a must try. It is both hydrating and exfoliating, so you really are left with your complexion looking and feeling its absolute best.
Sarah Chapman Ultimate Cleanse, £54 | Cult Beauty
OIL CLEANSER
Meghan Markle's favourite London facialist offers up her expertise in her skincare line. This is a really good cleansing oil that gets rid of every last scrap of make-up, dirt and grime. Inside are peptides, vitamin A and antioxidants that work seamlessly to help fight free-radicals, boost collagen and reveal your natural glow.
