Cleansers 101
When it comes to achieving clear, smooth and glowing skin, it is mainly down to a good skincare routine and a cleanser that removes all ya makeup but doesn't dry out your skin. I do have a bit of a cleanser obsession and seemed to have ramped up quite the collection without even realising, (oops) but I have tried and tested many along the way and finally found the ones that work best for my normal sometimes dry, sometimes dehydrated skin. We all know just how wonderful Liz Earle and her cleansers are but turns out there are other pretty good options out there that I use from time to time and season to season to jazz things up a bit.
THE CREAMS: Cream cleansers are the ideal option for drier skin types and removing a full face of makeup. The thick cream formula really breaks down the makeup as you massage it into the skin making it easy to remove with a warm muslin cloth in one go. Most cleansing creams are incredibly hydrating, softening and they are definitely the most moisturising/nourishing option available. Recommendations: Liz Earle Hot Cloth Cleanse & Polish, REN Hot Cloth Cleanser, Super Facialist Rose Hydrate Cleanser, Nip & Fab Deep Cleansing Fix and Aurelia Miracle Cleanser.
THE GELS: Gel cleansers are the just the perfect formula for oily skin types, they can be a little drying so if you are like me and have skin which leans more towards being dry, then I would avoid these and stick with any other option on the board - although the Oskia gel works well with most skin types and is a beautiful cleanser. Like a cleansing lotion, these are pretty easy to use, fuss free and time free, you can just slap some onto your face and give it a good rinse with a warm muslin cloth, make sure all traces of makeup are removed and you are ready for the next steps in your routine. Recommendations: La Roche Posay Effaclar Purifying Gel, Oskia Renaissaince Cleansing Gel, Clarins Pure Melt Cleansing Gel and Estee Lauder Perfectly Clean Gel.
THE LOTIONS: Probably the most old school, traditional kind of cleanser and one that I find the least exciting and effective to use, but they are handy for no makeup or small amount of makeup days and when you just need to give your face a quick cleanse (Ideal for mornings). Cleansing lotions are incredibly light in consistency and usually pretty thin, not thick and rich like your creams, but they do an ace job at removing makeup and creating a clean base to start the day. Or end. Most lotions are suitable for removing eye makeup and so I usually take about one to two pumps, rub it all over my face and eyes then remove it with a cotton pad soaked in a hydrating toner. Recommendations: LUSH 9-5 Cleansing Lotion* No7 Beautiful Skin Cleansing Lotion, Vichy Purete Thermale 3 in 1 One Step Cleanser*, Avene Gentle Cleanser
THE PASTES: This is a recent cleanser discovery for me which I had no idea existed until I was introduced to a LUSH product. The idea of a cleansing paste is that you mix it in with water so it emulsifies into a milk ready to be massaged into the skin. It's a weird one but the results are fab. As many of them contain almonds they are just so so soothing, radiance revealing and they really do work on all skin types, even the most sensitive. To remove my makeup recently all I've been using is a paste and and my skin was 100x better in a matter of days, clearer, brighter and softer. They are typically made out of fresh ingredients, so you can probably guess which brand has stolen this category. Recommendations:LUSH Angels On Bare Skin Cleanser*, LUSH Dark Angels and LUSH Let The Good Times Roll.
THE OILS: One of my favourite ways to remove my makeup is with a cleansing oil. They are the ultimate cleanse option for dry skin but also work fabulously on oily skin as they leave no residue behind nor do they build up a tonne of oil on your face. The silky soft consitency is just heaven for your skin as they give you the most luxurious cleansing experience and they leave your skin literally glowing. Recommendations: The Body Shop Camomile Cleansing Oil, Super Facialist Vitamin C Cleansing Oil, Aesop Parsley Seed Cleansing Facial Oil, Shu Uermera Cleansing Oil and Sanctuary Youth Boosting Cleansing Oil.
THE BALMS: Cleansing balms are slowly taking over the world of cleansers and are becoming more and more popular as different brands are bringing them out. The balm cleansers are made to be intense, deeply nourishing and rich in oils to really break down the makeup and add a tonne of moisture into your skin, working particularly well on dry skin but benefit oily skin types hugely too. A typical balm cleanser comes in solid form which then melts into an oil when massaged into the skin leaving your skin feeling irresistibly soft and like you've been for a pamper at the spa. Recommendations: Eve Lom Cleanser, No7 Beautiful Skin Cleansing Balm, Emma Hardie Amazing Face Cleansing Balm, Clinique Take The Day Off and Balance Me Cleanse & Smooth Face Balm.
Which cleansing types do you prefer?