- By Lauren Maybank
Taking it back to basics…
So, why use a cleanser? Honestly, it’s not just some marketing beauty fluff, it’s about taking care of your face the same way you’d take care of your car. You wouldn’t leave that covered in mud, dust, and god forbid, bird shit would you? You wouldn't wear the same sweaty pants for a week, right? (No comment!)
Your face goes through a lot in a day: sweat, pollution, even grease from your fingers when you're absentmindedly rubbing your forehead or running your hands back and forth through your greasy locks. All of that builds up.
And if you're not cleansing? That grime is just sat there having a field day on your face, and will essentially lead to break outs, clogged pores (blackheads) redness. If you’re happy with that vs 30 seconds of your time at night - I’ll leave you to contend with inflamed skin and adult breakouts.
A good cleanser isn’t some fancy gimmick. It’s literally a 30-second wash with a very efficacious product that clears out the gunk and grime from your day and helps prevent breakouts, reduces irritation (especially if you shave), and makes your skin look and feel great all round.
You don’t have to dive into a 10-step routine, I sure I won’t see you any time soon with a fluffy hair band, layering products (although we might get there some day soon!) but starting with a basic face wash to cleanse away the grit and grime, you’re already onto a winner… and you might actually enjoy the act of self care!
L'Oréal Men Expert Derma Control Purifying Cleansing Gel, Currently priced at £5.49, www.amazon.co.uk Oily and blemish-prone skin rejoice. A wallet-friendly gel cleanser that tackles shine and breakouts. Powered by Salicylic Acid and Zinc, it deep-cleans pores and controls oil without stripping the skin. Great for daily use, especially for men dealing with excess sebum or spots.
Refy Face Cleanse, £24, refybeauty.com.This non-comedogenic fragrance-free cleanser is suitable for all skin types, making it ideal for low-maintenance routines and delivers great results by providing a double cleanse solution in one.
Simon Ourian M.D. Salicylic Acid Clarifying Cleanser (from £31), simonourianmd.com This high performance cleanser deeply cleanses, refreshes, purifies the skin and helps to clear imperfections. With Salicylic Acid to help eliminate skin impurities and antibacterial Tea Tree Oil.
Evolve Daily Detox Facial Wash, £16, evolvebeauty.com
No fuss and gently foaming, this facial wash uses natural sugars to cleanse away impurities while Organic Aloe Vera softens, leaving skin clean, smooth and supple. Natural Goji Berry extract and Moringa Peptides defend against pollution.
COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser 50ml, £14.70 - available from Boots, Sephora, LookFantastic, CultBeauty This super refreshing gel cleanser is the wakeup call your skin needs to feel fresh and ready for the day. The gentle yet effective formula contains ingredients the refine the skins texture, as well as clarifying and removing impurities from the complexion. The low pH helps to restore the skin’s optimal pH level, protecting it from external aggressors.
Olverum Alpine Revive Cleansing Balm, £55, Alpine Revive Cleansing Balm, Olverum.com / Harvey Nichols
This cleansing balm emulsifies effortlessly, (you smoosh it on and let it melt into skin), lifting away impurities, leaving skin smooth, and refreshed. An ideal cleanser for dull, or stressed skin needing a reset. Alpine Heilmoor Extract and Rice Powder refine texture and support the microbiome, while the calming essential oil blend makes this a very fancy option!
Belif Aqua Bomb Jelly Cleanser – £22, Skin Cupid, Glam Touch, Beauty Bay and Amazon.Co.uk
Great for dehydrated skin, this playful K-beauty (Korean) cleanser that starts as a jelly and lathers into a soft foam. Packed with hydrating heroes like Hyaluronic Acid, Glycerin, and amino acids, it cleans without stripping. Coco-Betaine lifts away dirt while keeping moisture locked in - I’m a huge fan of jelly textures!
