The Importance of Using a Cleanser

Picture your skin as a canvas, constantly exposed to environmental pollutants, make up and excess oils throughout the day. Without proper cleansing, these impurities accumulate, leading to clogged pores, dullness, and even breakouts. This is why a good facial cleanser is so important; it serves as a gentle yet effective means to help purify the skin, remove dirt, oil, and other debris, and lay the foundation for healthier, clearer-looking skin.

But what does a face wash do? Remember, cleansing isn't just about removing surface grime – it also helps prepare the skin to better absorb any subsequent skincare products in your regime, like a serum or moisturiser. Think of it as creating a clean slate, allowing your skincare ingredients to penetrate deeper and work more efficiently (which ultimately maximises their benefits).

How to Cleanse Your Face?

Using a face cleanser may seem straightforward, but there are nuances to ensure you're getting the most out of this crucial step. Begin by dampening your face with lukewarm water, which helps to open up pores and facilitate the cleansing process. Dispense a small amount of cleanser onto your fingertips or a soft cleansing cloth, brush or sponge.

Gently massage the face cleanser onto your skin using circular motions, focusing on areas prone to congestion, such as the forehead, nose and chin. Take your time and be thorough but avoid scrubbing too vigorously as this can damage to the skin barrier and cause irritation. After thoroughly cleansing, rinse your face with warm water, ensuring all traces of the product are removed.

Pat your skin dry with a clean towel (avoid harsh rubbing, which can aggravate sensitive skin). Follow up with your preferred toner, moisturiser or serum to help lock in hydration. If you’re using an oil-based cleanser, you could start a doubling cleansing routine by following your oil-based cleanser with a water-based cleanser.

Cleansers for Different Skin Types

Not all cleansers are created equal, and choosing the right one for your skin type is crucial to achieving the best results.

• Dry Skin: Opt for creamy or oil-based cleansers, like our iconic Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser, exceptionally rich in nourishing, impurity-dissolving cocoa butter, plus soothing, antioxidant-rich chamomile and rosemary. Always used with the gently exfoliating pure cotton cloth. This helps to lift away dulling dead skin for fast-acting, radiant results that last. Follow your oil-based cleanser with a water-based cleanser for a double cleansing routine.
• Oily Skin: Look for gel or foam-based cleansers with ingredients like salicylic acid, tea tree oil, or witch hazel, known for their oil-balancing and astringent properties. These cleansers help to remove excess sebum production and minimise the appearance of pores without stripping the skin.
• Combination Skin: Strike a balance with gentle pH-balanced cleansers that cater to both oily and dry areas. Consider dual-action cleansers that purify congested zones while hydrating drier patches, leaving skin feeling harmoniously balanced. Our deeply cleansing Cleanse & Glow™ Transforming Gel Cleanser transforms from a luxurious gel, enriched with natural micelles, into a lightweight oil to effortlessly remove SPF, dirt, pollutants and make up, before rinsing off as a skin-softening milk to rinse away impurities without undoing skin benefits.
• Sensitive Skin: Choose ultra-gentle, fragrance-free cleansers like our Pro-Biotic Balancing Milk Cleanser for sensitive skin, featuring a unique blend of nutrient-rich pre, pro and postbiotics and ingredients expertly selected for their efficacy, including chicory, lunaria oil, jojoba oil and oat extract. This kind-to-the-skin formula effortlessly melts away impurities, pollution and make up while strengthening skin's moisture barrier for a nourished, soothed, healthy-looking glow. This milky cleanser effectively cleanses without stripping skin’s goodness, leaving even the most dry, sensitive, and reactive-feeling skin looking calmer, clearer and healthier – no cloth needed.
• Men's skin: Looking for a men’s face wash? Our Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser for Men deeply cleanses and gently exfoliates for clean, comfortable, clearer-looking skin. Always used in partnership with the pure cotton cloth, Cleanse & Polish™ gently exfoliates, lifting away dead skin and impurities to leave skin looking smoother, fresher and brighter. This facial cleanser is suitable for all skin types.

Cleansers for Specific Skin Concerns

Beyond skin type, a good facial cleanser can also address specific concerns, such as acne, ageing or even hyperpigmentation. Here are some targeted formulations to consider:

• Acne and blemish-prone skin: Seek out cleansers containing ingredients like salicylic acid or its natural alternatives, which can help to unclog pores, which can cause/lead to the appearance of blemishes/breakouts. Look for non-comedogenic (non-pore-blocking) formulas to help prevent further breakouts.
• Ageing and mature skin: Choose cleansers infused with antioxidants like vitamin C, retinol or peptides, which can help to neutralise free radicals. These ingredients, and their natural alternatives, help to improve the appearance of skin firmness, and support surface cell turnover. These powerhouse ingredients work to help reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and other typical visible signs of ageing.
• Hyperpigmentation: Opt for ‘brightening’ cleansers containing ingredients like niacinamide, vitamin A, liquorice extract and their natural alternatives, which are thought to help visibly reduce dark spots and uneven skin tone and impart a luminous glow. Consistent use can lead to a more visibly radiant complexion over time.

The first step to radiant skin always begins with the humble act of cleansing. By understanding the importance of using a cleanser, mastering the art of application, selecting the right formulation for your skin type, and addressing specific concerns, you can pave the way towards a visibly clearer, healthier-looking complexion.