It can be so easy at the end of the day to just reach for a face wipe to take off your make-up, but lately I've found myself getting really into skincare and making a serious effort to implement a proper skincare routine and sticking to it. Since taking a real interest in skincare, I've become a little obsessed with cleansers as I think it's taking off your make-up and cleaning your skin is the most important step to ensuring your skin is clear and bright.
I used to be guilty of sometimes going to sleep with all of my make-up still on, or using some Tesco baby wipes to take it off and I actually shudder when I look back and wonder how my skin wasn't in much worse condition! Today I want to talk all about cleansers and the different types you can get because I think if you master the cleansing step in your skincare routine, the rest just falls into place.
As I mentioned above, there are a few different types of cleanser available and sometimes it can be confusing which one to use, especially if you have a certain skin type that you want to tackle, so hopefully this post will help you find the perfect one for you.
It goes without saying that you should be careful when trying any new skincare product for the first time because you never know if you skin will have a reaction to it, but I will say that I have quite sensitive skin and all of the cleansers in this post are very gentle on the skin.
Micellar Water
First up is the good old micellar water, it's hard to believe that this product has only been around a few years because it's become such a staple in everyone's beauty routine! I find micellar water is great for removing tough eye make-up like waterproof mascara and if I'm feeling super lazy I don't feel as bad about using micellar water and a cotton pad as I would about using a face wipe.
The science behind micellar water is really quite clever. It contains micelles which are soap molecules that act like magnets and help to lift and break up make-up on the skin so you don't have to rub your skin at all. The micellar water I always find myself repurchasing is the Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water because it's pretty cheap and does the job, but recently I have been using Lancome's Bi-Facil Visage Make-Up Remover which will be available at the end of May. I find it does a much better job of breaking up stubborn mascara but there is a bit of a price different between the two, so if you're looking for a micellar water that's cheap and will do the job, the Garnier one is perfect!
Foaming Cleanser
Next up we have the foaming cleanser, which I find to be one of the most satisfying cleansers to use because your skin feels super clean after using it. One thing I would say about foaming cleansers is that from past experience, they're not the best for removing eye make-up and can actually sting your eyes quite a bit, so if I'm ever using a foaming cleanser, I'll use micellar water first to remove my eye make-up.
A very interesting one I've been using for the last few weeks is the Lancome Miel-en-Mousse which comes out in a honey like texture that's actually quite sticky when you first rub in onto the skin. Once you've worked it into the skin it turns into a kind of creamy texture and then you get a little bit of water and it turns into a very satisfying foam.
Double Cleansing
I guess this isn't really a type of cleanser, since with double cleansing there's usually an oil/serum type cleanser and a balm cleanser, but I love double cleansing so much so I said I'd give it an honourable mention. Double cleansing is fantastic for clearing up your skin, since it ensures that there is no make-up left and while using two products to cleanse in the evening may take a little longer, the results it gives is definitely worth it.
This set from Pestle & Mortar made a huge difference in my skin and really helped with any texture I had. I really enjoyed using the Erase part of the set which is a balm with little granules in it that exfoliate the skin. To wash it off you use the face cloth and warm water and the first time I used it I was amazed at how smooth and clean my skin felt.
Oil Cleanser
Out of all the cleanser types, I think oil cleansing has become my favourite. My skin can tend to be oily so for a long time I avoided oil cleansers like the plague because I thought they would only make my skin even oiler, but that isn't the case. I've been using Kiehl's new Midnight Recovery Cleansing Oil and I am totally hooked on it which isn't surprising since their Midnight Recovery Concentrate is one of my holy grail skincare products.
Using an oil to cleanse is one of the fastest ways to break down any make-up and although you might look a bit scary with mascara and foundation smeared all over your face, it only takes a second to rinse off with warm water. I like to use a face cloth as well to really give my skin a good clean and once you've washed it all off your skin feels so soft and there isn't an oil left over like you might think.
Like I mentioned above, even if you have oily skin, you can still use an oil cleanser and if anything it will actually help you by hydrating your skin so that it doesn't over produce oil. It's also perfect for people with dry skin because the oil isn't harsh and won't leave your skin feeling tight and dry after cleansing.
Cream Cleanser
Finally we have the cream cleanser, which I have to admit isn't one of my favourite ways to cleanse, but I know people that swear by it so I guess it's just personal preference. With a cream cleanser, you can apply it and wipe it off with a cotton pad if you don't have access to a sink (handy if you're camping I suppose) and you can also apply it and rinse it off with warm water.
I think the cream cleanser is perfect for anyone who's skin is especially sensitive and this Toleriane cleanser from La Roche-Posay is one of the best I've tried. The Toleriane range is designed with a minimum list of ingredients to ensure the chance of having a reaction to the products is as minimal as possible.
I hope this post was helpful in some way, and if you have any favourite cleansers then definitely let me know because I am just a little obsessed and love trying new ones! Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed this post.
