Even though it's just one part of our extensive beauty routines, cleansing skin is arguably the most important step.
Somewhere along the line of stocking our skincare arsenals with antioxidant serums, moisturisers filled to bursting with hyaluronic acid and eye creams that promise to smooth away crow’s feet in next to no time, we seem to have demoted cleansing to the bottom of the list, often opting for a quick once-over with a face wipe or settling on a dash of micellar water to dissolve all traces of grime.
We tend not to give a second thought to the implications of skipping a proper water-based cleanse but not only will swerving one result in breakouts, dullness and possibly even dehydration, it makes it increasingly difficult for any skincare goodness you feed your skin to work its magic. Yep, that diamond powder-infused serum you blew your last pay packet on may be rendered null and void if you haven't purged the grease, makeup and dead skin cells that accumulate on the surface of your skin every day.
But it's not enough just to step up your cleansing game. When choosing a moisturiser or a serum, you wouldn't just grab any old product off the shelf, would you? You tend to tailor it to your skin's concerns – and that same logic needs to be applied when searching for a suitable cleanser, too. "Cleansing is an essential part of a daily skincare routine and a good cleanser is paramount," says Tanya Zahoor, cofounder of Aesthetics Lab. "However, it is so important to use a cleanser appropriate for your skin type in order to get the best from it."
If you have dry, sensitive skin, it's a good idea to swap foams for creamier textures as they won't strip the surface of natural oils, while acne-prone skin responds well to cleansers containing ingredients like bacteria-zapping niacinamide or oil-dissolving AHAs. So whether your skin is dry, acne-prone, oily, sensitive, combination or simply normal (lucky you), here are the cleansers you should be investing in.
If you suffer with dry skin, swap out the foams and soaps (which tend to suck moisture from cells) for something with a luxuriously creamy or milky texture instead. "The ESPA Hydrating Cleansing Milk feels like silk when applied," says Dr. Jonquille Chantrey, cosmetic surgeon and skin expert. "It removes makeup and daily impurities while comforting and hydrating the skin."
ESPA Hydrating Cleansing Milk, £24, available at ESPA Skincare
This bargain cleanser may look unassuming but it really delivers on hydration. Virgin coconut oil, to name one of a riot of totally natural ingredients, lends a surge of nourishment to each and every skin cell, making those pesky flaky patches history. Massage it in for at least a minute to feel the full benefits.
Yes To Coconut Ultra Hydrating Creme Cleanser, £6.40, available at Beauty Bay
The duo of grapefruit and white willow bark in Tata Harper's luxe cleanser dislodges face grease and makeup while ensuring your skin never feels tight. Any moisturiser you apply afterwards is simply a plus, not an essential.
Tata Harper Regenerating Cleanser, £70, available at Net-A-Porter
"Gel cleansers are ideal for oily types as they keep the skin looking and feeling fresh with ingredients such as lactic acid to maintain sebum production," says Tanya, who recommends the Cosmedix Purity Clean Exfoliating Cleanser. If you're after a satisfying, deep clean, it's brilliant.
Cosmedix Purity Clean Exfoliating Cleanser, £31.50, available at Strawberrynet
Formulated by the world-renowned dermatologist Dr. Zein Obagi, this cleanser works to mop up oil spills instantly and progressively as the day goes on. Added salicylic acid purifies pores that often play host to spots, while jojoba esters gently slough away dead skin cells. The clear radiance it lends skin is totally worth the price – a pea-sized amount is all you need.
ZO Skin Health Oilacleanse, £40, available at ZO Skin Health
Don't let the word 'foaming' put you off. This is a favourite among beauty editors for the way it combines a powerhouse of spot-zapping niacinamide and salicylic acid with antibacterial tea tree oil to banish the oil and bacteria that leads to breakouts, all without parching the skin.
Medik8 Beta Cleanse Exfoliating Foaming Cleanser, £7, available at Medik8
We had this super-soothing cleanser in mind even before Dr. Chantrey sang its praises, and that's because its ability to tone down redness and protect against environmental aggressors is second to none. "This all-natural, fragrance-free cleanser helps combat skin sensitivity caused by free radicals such as pollution and smoking," she says.
Dermalogica Ultra-Calming Cleanser, £32, available at Dermalogica
This insider-approved favourite does exactly what it says on the label. The creamy formula transforms into an air-light whip that dissolves even the most stubborn makeup without stripping the skin of its natural oils.
SkinCeuticals Gentle Cleanser, £30.45, available at SkinCeuticals
Cetaphil's Gentle Skin Cleanser has assumed cult status for good reason – even dermatologists swear by it. Those with easily irritated skin will adore how it removes every single stitch of makeup and oil without rendering your face red, sore and inflamed. It is also non-comedogenic, which means it won't clog pores and break you out.
Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser, £8.99, available at Boots
Combination skin can be tricky to tend to, which is where Alpha-H's Balancing Cleanser comes in. Aloe vera soothes and replenishes lost moisture while vitamin E blocks free radicals; together, they hydrate and keep oiliness at bay. It may not lather up, but that doesn't mean it isn't working a treat.
Alpha-H Balancing Cleanser With Aloe Vera, £25, available at Look Fantastic
If anyone knows their cleansers, it's Clarins. "The wonder ingredient in this product is gypsophila," says Dr. Chantrey, "which really purifies the skin. The added coconut extract is a bonus as it helps to nourish and soften." Stockpile it!
Clarins Gentle Foaming Cleanser With Cottonseed, £20, available at Clarins
REN’s famous Rosa Centifolia Cleansing Gel clings to the T-zone to regulate sebum production and lends skin a matte finish that we can promise doesn't feel uncomfortable. But the amazing part is that it tones and acts like a screen against environmental nasties. Take that, pollution.
REN Skincare Rosa Centifolia Cleansing Gel, £15, available at REN
If you want zero fuss with added skincare benefits, this is perfect. Lactic acid in the foamy formula (which is totally soap-free, FYI) works to softly exfoliate, while a team of prebiotics and probiotics strengthen the skin's barrier. It smells gorgeous, too.
Gallinée La Culture Foaming Facial Cleanser, £13.90, available at Gallinée
The air-light, whipped formula of Caudalie's quick-fix cleanser makes its way to those hard-to-reach areas (like around the nose) to dissolve the most stubborn makeup and grime without stripping the skin of its natural oils and goodness. Expect a squeaky clean, taut feel that isn't uncomfortable.
Caudalie Instant Foaming Cleanser, £15, available at Caudalie
"Those with normal skin have the luxury to choose any cleanser," says Tanya, "but I'd recommend one that gently exfoliates the skin with fruit extracts such as pineapple and papaya. This one is a great choice and it smells heavenly." Their B5 serum gets our vote, too.
Dermaquest Essential Daily Cleanser, £29, available at Dermaquest
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