From nourishing oils to balancing milks, discover the perfect start to your skin routine now.
Cleansers are often overlooked (especially in a world full of buzzy retinol serums and resurfacing glycolic acid treatments), but they’re actually one of the most vital steps in looking after your skin. After all, every successful routine begins with a proper, thorough cleanse, leaving the skin perfectly prepped to absorb anything you apply to it afterwards.
The best cleansers and face washes on the shelves should do two things: leave your face free from make-up, excess oil and damaging free radicals (especially in an age of skyrocketing pollution levels), and keep the skin calm and balanced. The latter may sound like a given, but many alcohol and active-laden cleansers will upset the skin barrier, leading to redness, irritation or clogged pores – especially if you're using them in conjunction with potent serums and creams.
Which cleanser texture is best?
Options abound when it comes to texture, and there is no one dominant winner. For sensitive or acne-prone types, a milky lotion or gel will be the least likely to irritate your compromised skin barrier. An oil or balm will make light work of melting away make-up, (including waterproof mascara) while jelly textures are an all-round crowd-pleaser.
If you can't live without a touch of lather, the good news is that not all foaming face washes are banned from your bathroom cabinet. Look for coconut-derived cleansing agents such as sodium cocoyl isethionate, instead of sodium lauryl sulphate (which should largely be avoided in skin products). As such naturally derived surfactants are closer to your skin's natural pH, they won't leave you feeling stripped and tight.
So, which one to choose? Here, the Bazaar beauty team reveal the cleansers they call on day after day, so you can set your skincare routine off on the right track...
