6 Cleansers 1 Face
Excessive? Possibly. But skin is a complicated thing, and with different phases, comes different needs. Over the past year, I've accumulated these 6 cleansers that I've used for different phases, so I thought it might be useful to do some mini-reviews that will hopefully give you ideas for what your skin might need :)
These are by no means my favourites, but ones that I have with me at the moment. There are many more on the market that I'd love to try - but at the moment I'm on Operation Minimize - which means until these babies are empty as my tummy at 5pm, they're staying!
The way I've split it is the first 3 full size products, which are generally for oily/combination skin, and the last 3 smaller sized products that are more for normal/dry/sensitive skins. Yes - I've got all of these properties on ONE FACE. Shoot me now.
1. Clarins Gentle Foaming Cleanser for Combination or Oily Skin* - £17.50
In terms of formula, this is one of my favourites. It's a white cream with blue beads in it, that burst on application, and it smells very soapy. It foams up nicely, it removes make up the best out of all 6, and it washes off really easily. However it took a bit of getting used to, as it REALLY strips your face and you can feel a bit squeaky after washing off. Now I felt this probably because this was the wrong "type" for me - I probably should have used a step down, but I remember at the time that my skin was super oily having just moved to the city. I would highly recommend this for people with oily skin - but probably not for combination skins that lean normal. Would I repurchase? I 100% would, but in the Normal/Combination version, as this is super convenient for holidays as it removes make-up so well. It's just an easy, "does-what-it-says-on-the-tin", efficient cleanser.
2. Sk:n Vitamin-Rich Cleanser for Oily Skin* - £11 (currently on offer for £7.33)
This is a clear, gel formula that smells like melted sugar - I know, YUM! My super disappointment with this was that you can't use it for eyes. I find it such a faff and a waste of cotton pads to have to split the 2 steps. However, this removes other make-up REALLY well. That being said, removing the actual product is quite hard. I used the Body Shop Soft Facial Sponge which did a very good job, but even the residue was quite hard to wash off. However, as a cleanser it does what it says on the tin. Did it control my oils? Slightly - let's just say it's gentle enough for combination skin! It also has glycolic acid which is all the rage recently, and I do think my tiny bumps around my chin and between my brows minimised while I was using this. The effects are great - the process, not so much, so it's really up to personal preference.
3. Origins Checks & Balances - £17
This is very very similar to the Clarins face wash above, but it doesn't remove make-up as well. It foams extremely well, and smells like mint - very nice for the morning. It leaves that same squeaky feeling that might bother some. In terms of balancing oils, I found this much stronger than the Clarins - so it really is for oily skintypes, and I'd hesitate to recommend this to combination skin people unless your oily parts are REALLY oily.
4. Origins A Perfect World - £18
This I was told was the milder version of Checks & Balances. It doesn't foam half as much, it's more liquidy than it is foamy, and it has a very tea-like herbal smell to it. It's much much milder, and works to balance your skin without giving that stripping, squeaky feeling. Definitely not one to be used as a make-up remover. I just absolutely adore how mild yet efficient this is, and it's perfect for normal/combination skin-types. I've been loving it for my very confused, slightly dry, slightly oily, slightly normal skin.
5. The Body Shop Vitamin E Cream Cleanser - £7
This smells potently of NIVEA, so if you're not a fan of that - step away. This is a gorgeous cleanser in my opinion that really retains the moisture in your skin, so perfect for normal and slightly dry skintypes. The make-up removing properties aren't the best, and I prefer to use my oil cleanser before this, but use this to restore the moisture. It's a good product for its price, but if you're looking for an all-in-one, this isn't your guy. I also found that it stung some extremely dry areas on my face, so I'm not sure I'd recommend it for sensitive skins or extremely dry skins.
6. Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser - from £5.50
The legend. I'm sure you've all read reviews on this in one form or another, and I definitely contributed my 2 cents back in the day. However, I did go off it and recently took it back out due to my skin issues. It's a good cleanser - a very thick balm, that wipes and washes away really easily and takes make-up off well. However, I don't use it for the eyes, which again, is not to my liking. Because this works for all skin types, it's a great place to start, but I, along with others, have experienced that its effects decline after some time, while others have sworn by it for years. It's definitely one of those cleanser you HAVE to try, because its potential is massive. I'd especially recommend this for sensitive skins because of its thickness and its ingredients.
So there you have it - an overview of my cleanser arsenal. I think all of these have their different uses, and they are all products that I rotate depending on my skin and lifestyle. I would never call any of these bad cleansers, because I think when used for the right people, they all have massive potential.
Would I repurchase any of these..?
I think if I were to, it would be the Clarins, Origins A Perfect World and the Liz Earle. The first is just so easy to work with and very handy for travel. The second is a perfect mild face wash that will probably work for most people. The latter is something that I want to give a 2nd chance to. Out of all the products I have ever used, this was the one that gave me the best skin I'd had since I first started getting spots at 11. It was a shame that its effects only lasted 2 or 3 months, so I'm hoping this time, it'll be more than a fling ;)
What am I lemming? Loads. But I really struggle to find products that don't contain parabens, SLS or PEGs, but those are the criterias I'm looking for. So if you have any suggestions, send them my way! :)
These are by no means my favourites, but ones that I have with me at the moment. There are many more on the market that I'd love to try - but at the moment I'm on Operation Minimize - which means until these babies are empty as my tummy at 5pm, they're staying!
The way I've split it is the first 3 full size products, which are generally for oily/combination skin, and the last 3 smaller sized products that are more for normal/dry/sensitive skins. Yes - I've got all of these properties on ONE FACE. Shoot me now.
1. Clarins Gentle Foaming Cleanser for Combination or Oily Skin* - £17.50
In terms of formula, this is one of my favourites. It's a white cream with blue beads in it, that burst on application, and it smells very soapy. It foams up nicely, it removes make up the best out of all 6, and it washes off really easily. However it took a bit of getting used to, as it REALLY strips your face and you can feel a bit squeaky after washing off. Now I felt this probably because this was the wrong "type" for me - I probably should have used a step down, but I remember at the time that my skin was super oily having just moved to the city. I would highly recommend this for people with oily skin - but probably not for combination skins that lean normal. Would I repurchase? I 100% would, but in the Normal/Combination version, as this is super convenient for holidays as it removes make-up so well. It's just an easy, "does-what-it-says-on-the-tin", efficient cleanser.
2. Sk:n Vitamin-Rich Cleanser for Oily Skin* - £11 (currently on offer for £7.33)
This is a clear, gel formula that smells like melted sugar - I know, YUM! My super disappointment with this was that you can't use it for eyes. I find it such a faff and a waste of cotton pads to have to split the 2 steps. However, this removes other make-up REALLY well. That being said, removing the actual product is quite hard. I used the Body Shop Soft Facial Sponge which did a very good job, but even the residue was quite hard to wash off. However, as a cleanser it does what it says on the tin. Did it control my oils? Slightly - let's just say it's gentle enough for combination skin! It also has glycolic acid which is all the rage recently, and I do think my tiny bumps around my chin and between my brows minimised while I was using this. The effects are great - the process, not so much, so it's really up to personal preference.
3. Origins Checks & Balances - £17
This is very very similar to the Clarins face wash above, but it doesn't remove make-up as well. It foams extremely well, and smells like mint - very nice for the morning. It leaves that same squeaky feeling that might bother some. In terms of balancing oils, I found this much stronger than the Clarins - so it really is for oily skintypes, and I'd hesitate to recommend this to combination skin people unless your oily parts are REALLY oily.
4. Origins A Perfect World - £18
This I was told was the milder version of Checks & Balances. It doesn't foam half as much, it's more liquidy than it is foamy, and it has a very tea-like herbal smell to it. It's much much milder, and works to balance your skin without giving that stripping, squeaky feeling. Definitely not one to be used as a make-up remover. I just absolutely adore how mild yet efficient this is, and it's perfect for normal/combination skin-types. I've been loving it for my very confused, slightly dry, slightly oily, slightly normal skin.
5. The Body Shop Vitamin E Cream Cleanser - £7
This smells potently of NIVEA, so if you're not a fan of that - step away. This is a gorgeous cleanser in my opinion that really retains the moisture in your skin, so perfect for normal and slightly dry skintypes. The make-up removing properties aren't the best, and I prefer to use my oil cleanser before this, but use this to restore the moisture. It's a good product for its price, but if you're looking for an all-in-one, this isn't your guy. I also found that it stung some extremely dry areas on my face, so I'm not sure I'd recommend it for sensitive skins or extremely dry skins.
6. Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser - from £5.50
The legend. I'm sure you've all read reviews on this in one form or another, and I definitely contributed my 2 cents back in the day. However, I did go off it and recently took it back out due to my skin issues. It's a good cleanser - a very thick balm, that wipes and washes away really easily and takes make-up off well. However, I don't use it for the eyes, which again, is not to my liking. Because this works for all skin types, it's a great place to start, but I, along with others, have experienced that its effects decline after some time, while others have sworn by it for years. It's definitely one of those cleanser you HAVE to try, because its potential is massive. I'd especially recommend this for sensitive skins because of its thickness and its ingredients.
So there you have it - an overview of my cleanser arsenal. I think all of these have their different uses, and they are all products that I rotate depending on my skin and lifestyle. I would never call any of these bad cleansers, because I think when used for the right people, they all have massive potential.
Would I repurchase any of these..?
I think if I were to, it would be the Clarins, Origins A Perfect World and the Liz Earle. The first is just so easy to work with and very handy for travel. The second is a perfect mild face wash that will probably work for most people. The latter is something that I want to give a 2nd chance to. Out of all the products I have ever used, this was the one that gave me the best skin I'd had since I first started getting spots at 11. It was a shame that its effects only lasted 2 or 3 months, so I'm hoping this time, it'll be more than a fling ;)
What am I lemming? Loads. But I really struggle to find products that don't contain parabens, SLS or PEGs, but those are the criterias I'm looking for. So if you have any suggestions, send them my way! :)
What is your favourite cleanser?
Have you tried any of these?
*The Clarins and sk:n products were received for consideration.
*The Origins Checks & Balances was a gift from the lovely Anna.
*The Body Shop and Liz Earle products were gift with purchases.
Great post! I stay faithful to my Liz Earle :) xx
ReplyDeleteAh I wish the effects lasted forever with me! I must give it another shot :)
DeleteGreat post! I really think all cleansers meant for oily skin are evil, though. They strip skin and make it act up! I'd rather wash twice with something mild than use one these days.
ReplyDeleteHaha I kinda know what you mean! They can be stupidly harsh!
DeleteAt the moment my favorite is the Bobbi Brown Soothing Cleansing Oil! It does it all in one go!
ReplyDeleteOhh I love cleansing oils too - I didn't include my Kose one, because I always think of it as a make-up remover! I never knew Bobbi Brown skincare was good, I'll have to look into it :)
DeleteMy favourite cleanser is by a company called Amie, I purchased it from cutecosmetics and I love it. I have sensitive skin and as this is designed for teen skin it is perfect for me!
ReplyDeleteClick here to get your daily buzz!
Sarah xoxo
I've heard of them! That's great to hear good reviews, it's also packed with good ingredients isn't it? :)
Deleteahh! i have the issue of always having too much also. good to minimize sometimes!! i wish you the best of luck with that :) you may actually find you save a BUTT LOAD of $$
ReplyDeletexo
Aww thank you, haha I hope it does!
DeleteGreat reviews :) I am always trying out new cleansers, but I haven't tried the Liz Earle one yet! I really need to though.
ReplyDeleteMy favourite is Paula's Choice Clear Normalizing Cleanser, works great for me!
You should, people seem to really love it! I've heard so much about the Paula's Choice stuff, I really must give them a shot some time, thanks for the rec !:)
Delete