Beauty: Cleansers
As a makeup artist the most common thing I hear is “this foundation doesn’t suit my skin anymore.” Now whereas yes, our skin changes, and yes we need to update what products we use from time to time, it’s usually your skincare routine that needs changing not the foundation. I am constantly staggered by the number of women who will happily spend £30-£40 on a foundation and even upwards of £60 on serums for their skin, but won’t spend out on cleansers at all. It’s basic! It is the most important part of any kind of routine, whether you never wear makeup or wear it ever day. Effective cleansing of the skin is what allows further skin care products to penetrate the skin efficiently and then allows for smooth application of make up, also allowing it to last all day. In short, you can buy the best foundation in the world, but if your skin is crap underneath, it’s going to look crap!
I don’t think any product in my 29 years has caused me so much anguish than the make up wipe. Firstly, they don’t take off all your make up, and that alone should be reason enough to stop using them. The number one request from ladies is that their foundation lasts all day, and as an industry we’ve made huge waves in ensuring this. Therefore, you need something that is designed to take make up off at the end of the day, not a rag that smells nice. Secondly, the alcohol content in a face wipe is through the roof! So not only is it not doing its main job of taking makeup off, its causing redness and sometimes irritation and then sapping the skin of any moisture. This means users will then slap extra thick moisturiser on top which isn't able to penetrate the skin as there’s still layers of dirt, oil, dead skin cells and make up left behind so it all mingles together resulting in dull looking, patchy skin. At best. And then we wonder why our foundation doesn’t look good!
There are tonnes of great cleansers on the market now to address all skin types and all preferences of how to remove that build up at the end of the day so there’s no reason to keep using face wipes. For me there’s no replacement for a good wash at the end of day as it’s the only thing that makes my oily skin feel clean. This may sound bizarre but I actually use a cleansing oil to take my make up off as the oil is the only thing that cuts through my long wear foundation and eye make up and breaks down the oil in my skin. Most cleansing oils contain jojoba oil which is closest to the oil on our skin, which means it balances rather than overloads the skin. However, if water isn’t your thing (it can further sap moisture from dry skins) then there are plenty of milks out there that do great things in wiping away the day and propping up moisture levels as well. For those that say they don’t have enough time to wash their face twice a day (really?! You don’t have 2 minutes either side of the day but can update facebook 13 times?!) there’s now Micellar water, which to my utter shock does a bloody good job of ridding the days grime whilst leaving the skin comfortable rather than tight. Available on the French market for years, this has just hit the UK with gusto and I’m praying it will mean we see the back of face wipes for good. Just saturate some cotton wool pads with it and sweep over the face and eyes, no need to rinse, then follow up with your usual skin care routine. This won’t replace my cleansing oil by a long shot, but for nights of over excess where you can barely get undressed, it’s perfect for something quick and easy to do whilst sat in bed rather than sleeping with eight layers of foundation and waking up looking like a syphilis riddled clown. And yes I’d rather sleep in my makeup than use a face wipe. That’s how much I hate them.
Here’s a round-up of my faves.
My all time favourite; Bobbi Brown's Cleansing Oil. Gently takes away face and eye make up whilst balancing the skin. For all skin types. £31.
Clarins Pure Melt Cleansing Gel. With Marula Oil for radiance and comfort. For all skin types. £20.
Clinique Foaming Sonic Facial Soap. Perfect for use with a clarisonic. Not for use around the eys. For all skin types. £16.50
Darphin Refreshing Cleansing Milk. Creamy texture leaving the skin smooth and fresh feeling. For Combination to dry skin. £20.
Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water. Great for a quick and easy way to remove the days build up. Available in dry/combination and combination/oily. £3 (usually £4.99). This is for 400ml which gives you 200 goes, and at the same price as face wipes which usually start at around £4 for a pack of 30 so not only is it way better for your skin, it's hugely more economical!
Disclaimer: I am employed by Estee Lauder Companies and as such get some products at a reduced rate, however I have not been paid or remunerated in anyway for this and all opinions are my own.