Cleansers are my favourite skincare product & I’ve tried hundreds – the top 8 washes including £9 bargain
THANKS to my job as a beauty journalist, I can get my hands on just about any beauty product.
And the words out of stock rarely exist when you’re not actually buying the products - I know, I’m very lucky!
When my sister asked for a limited-edition perfume for Christmas that had long since sold out (and was listed for more than double the price on eBay), the brand still had some spares in the office, so they kindly sent one her way.
And after lamenting about the best lip balm I’d ever tried being discontinued over a year after it came off shelves, the company managed to find three tubs to keep me afloat while I continued to campaign for its relaunch (though I’m still waiting for the reluanch to happen!).
But, sometimes, it’s not so easy to get hold of certain products - which is exactly the problem I had when my favourite cleanser - - completely sold out last year.
Monday Muse The Cleanser, £28
Hair and Beauty
It’s been my go-to for at least two years now, and while I’ve tried multiple other products during that time, it’s the one I always return to.
Like a safety blanket for my skin, it wipes away make-up (yes, even mascara) without leaving any residue behind, or irritating my eyes, drying out my skin, causing irritation or breakouts.
And the slimline packaging makes it perfect for travel, too.
I lost the lid of my last tube after one too many spicy Margs, and kept it standing upside down in my bathroom cupboard for almost two months until I had to cut it in half to scrape out every last drop.
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Now, thankfully, it's finally back on shelves (I had to stock up before I told you, as I couldn’t risk missing out!), but while I waited, I tried a new cleanser virtually every night until I found a few more I can rely on just as heavily should I run out of my fave again.
Farmacy Green Clean, £34
Here’s everything I learned…
BEST CLEANSER FOR REMOVING MAKE-UP
, has always been my go-to for removing heavy make-up, like glitter eyeshadow and bright lipstick, because it immediately melts them away.
It’s one of the only balm cleansers I can use that doesn’t cause me to break out, and even has the seal of approval from dermatologist Dr Thivi Marathappu, so if you have acne-prone skin but like the consistency of a balm, it’s a safe choice.
I’ve realised that at this time of year, when my skin is feeling the drying effects of central heating, I can use it every night rather than just on special occasions.
Then I Met You Living Cleansing Balm, £38
BEST CLEANSER FOR DRY SKIN
If you don’t break out in spots just looking at an oily product, it's worth trying, which was my favourite cleanser find of last year.
The bright-yellow balm breaks down make-up on contact, so you don't have to laboriously rub at your face.
A little goes a long way, and if you apply too much it can be hard to rinse off some of the oils.
So if your skin is feeling congested, it’s worth following up with a foaming cleanser such as, to help get rid of any residue.
It’s the best second cleanser I’ve ever tried - it’s not tough enough to remove long-wear foundation or mascara, but it’s one of the only foaming cleansers I’ve used that doesn’t leave my face a tiny bit dry.
It is also a great morning cleanser when I just want to remove last night's skincare - and after accidentally getting it in my eye, I can confirm it’s kind to eyes, too.
Dr Jart+ Dermaclear pH Cleanser Foam Face Wash, £16
Why do women lose hair in winter?
Anabel Kingsley, Consultant Trichologist and Brand President at spoke exclusively to Fabulous.
You can experience increased hair fall in winter for many reasons, such as due to dietary changes, illness, stress levels and compromised scalp health.
We do know that dandruff and a flaky scalp are more common in winter, which in turn can increase hair fall. People also tend to shampoo less often in the winter, which can lead to the illusion you are losing more hair than usual. The more days you leave between cleansing your scalp, the more hairs you will see when you do as they accumulate.
Another thing to note is that winter is flu season, and high fevers usually cause hair shedding. Due to the nature of the hair growth cycle, you don’t notice hair fall straight away – it takes from six to 12 weeks for it to occur.
BEST CLEANSER FOR BREAKOUTS
Less is more when you struggle with spots - less oil, less time scrubbing and less products.
, has a gel-to-foam formula - AKA the best of both worlds - that’s creamy without being oily, and leaves skin comfortably clean.
Likewise, is the younger sister of the brand’s iconic cleansing balm, which has the same one-step, make-up removing properties in a gel-to-milk consistency that’s more suited to congested and combination skin types.
Super Facialist Rosehip Hydrate Cream Cleanser, £9
BEST EVERYDAY CLEANSER
, is the newest cleanser to enter my rotation.
It removes everything I need it to with just two pumps, and leaves my skin feeling soft and hydrated thanks to hyaluronic and amino acids.
Through my trials, I’ve realised gel and cream formulas that lightly foam are my favourite and strike the perfect balance between leaving my skin feeling clean and fresh but not stripped.
, falls firmly into that category.
I discovered it when having a facial last year and can’t believe it dropped off my radar.
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It’s calming and caring - despite the strong rose scent - yet the rich cream has enough cleansing agents to remove make-up in one step.
I think it might just be my new daily go-to, and I can buy it at the supermarket, so there’s no stress about it going out of stock!