Double cleansing, the holy grail skincare step in our routines that is often splashed around but really is the key to a clear complexion.

We all look forward to washing away the day, yet are you doing this thoroughly enough and with the best cleanser for your skin type? Cleansing properly removes stubborn makeup, traces of dirt, sweat, and pollution so your pores will not get clogged, which causes pesky breakouts. It also allows your skin to renew and repair overnight and makes way for a clean surface for your following toners, serums and creams to penetrate and perform more efficiently.

With the right bottle in hand, it is also about application and removal. Firstly, the application. It seems obvious when the label says ‘face wash’ yet this should not be a simple splash, rub and go affair. ‘Ideally you want to work a cleanser in for about three minutes to really help loosen sebum, oil and dirt from the face as well as any makeup residue on your skin’ says Dr Anthony Rossi, world renowned NYC Dermatologist, pioneering researcher and clinician. ‘If you just put a cleanser on the skin and wash it off right away you won’t dissolve or break down the particles that accumulate during the day’ explains Dr Rossi.

Secondly, the removal process. Not cleansing away your cleanser fully can leave residue that will sit on top of your skin. ‘Using something like a muslin cloth that is soft allows you to gently exfoliate and remove the cleanser as well as dead skin cells without overly irritating delicate areas.’ says Dr Rossi.

Therefore, here at PIBE we have curated a check-list of killer cleansers that will have you covered no matter what texture you choose best for your skin….

THE FOAM

Clé De Peau Beauté Softening Cleansing Foam, £50
Foam cleansers start as cream or gel and burst into a rich, foamy lather when pumped from the bottle. They are great for oily and acne-prone skin types as the foam has really effective pore-penetrating capabilities that will extract tough oil and sebum that builds up to cause spots. This Softening Cleansing Foam by Clé De Peau Beauté has a velvety formula that creates a rich lather to lift away impurities without stripping your skin or causing it to dry out. It is formulated with hyaluronic acid and raspberry extract to re-plump, while indulgent diamond, silk and pearl powders soften skin leaving you with a reflesed glow. Do not be fooled by its beautifully light texture as it really does break down tough makeup and SPF.

THE CREAM

Sensai Silky Purifying Cleansing Cream, £41
A cream cleanser is your answer to skin that is crying out for moisture. Gentle yet rich, the cream is best applied to dry skin so it can tackle dirt and grime on the surface without stripping away natural oils. A cream is also a great second-step when double cleansing as the texture effortlessly lifts away remaining makeup and impurities, leaving your skin properly clean and balanced. This Silky Purifying Cleansing Cream from Sensai is completely luxurious and the key to calm and soothe stressed out skin. Packed with koishimaru silk EX and ginseng extract, this rinse-off cream is fast-acting yet kind to sensitive areas. Once washed off with warm water you will be left with a smooth texture and hydrated glow- trust us!

THE GEL

Murad Essential-C Cleanser, £34
Gel cleansers are ideal for combination skin as the cooling gel formula is a great middle ground that will nourish dry areas, while the slight foaming effect will treat oilier parts as well. This Essential-C Cleanser by Murad is rich in antioxidants and the answer to a happy complexion. Use on damp skin and really massage in upwards motions so that the gel can deeply cleanse to remove pollution, impurities and thick SPF. The cleanser is packed with vitamin A to condition, vitamin C to protect against free radicals and vitamin E to soothe dryness. Overall, this tube will give you a thorough cleanse without drying out your skin. Once washed off, you will be left with a bright and healthy looking base that happily awaits your serum and moisturiser.

THE OIL

Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Oil, £25
After a little top line chemistry? While oil and water repel each other, oil and oil attract. Therefore choosing a cleansing oil will help to cut through the thick oils we find in our makeup, sunscreen, and on our skin- all in the most gentle way. This Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Oil has an oil base that easily breaks down dirt, waterproof makeup and pore-clogging debris, without interfering with your skin's natural barrier. The texture of an oil means it glides onto skin like a silky hug and when washed off thoroughly, does not leave residue but a smooth clean surface. If double cleansing with different textures, always start with an oil first as this will do the hard work for the initial removal of dirt and pollution- so you can quite literally wash the day off in your first step.

THE BALM

Naturopathica Manuka Honey Cleansing Balm, £60
Cleansing balms are a brilliant all-rounder but especially good for dehydrated skin and are also key if you want a simple on-the-go skincare routine as they don't require water to apply. Thick in texture, they deliver deep moisturisation as well as melting away dirt and makeup. This luxurious cleansing balm from Naturopathica is a best seller. Not only does it deeply cleanse but contains the golden ticket of natural ingredients; manuka honey, sourced all the way from New Zealand. It carries anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties to calm skin and keep it super supple, while added royal jelly peptides help to even out your complexion. Slather on a generous layer and let the formula melt away even stubborn mascara. It will make you look forward to washing your face, guaranteed.

THE CLAY

Elemis Clarifying Clay Wash, £34
Love a clay mask? Then a clay cleanser if for you. Ideal for oily combination skin, clay cleansers are well known for their absorbing powers. Working hard to draw out excess toxins and oils from your skin. Most clay cleansers are gentle and non-drying enough to use every day, just massage into damp skin, leave for a few minutes and wash away. This clay-based facial wash by Elemis is just that. Specifically formulated with kaolin clay to lift away excess oil and impurities and hawthorn extract to help balance skin’s microbiome, which is the ecosystem of bacteria on the surface of your skin. All magically leaving skin purified and reducing the look of unwanted blackheads, blemishes and post-spot discolouration. Why would you not want a mini spa in your bathroom each night?

THE MICELLAR WATER

Avant Bi-Phase Hyaluronic Acid Rejuvenating Micellar Water, £73
You might be wondering, what is micellar water? It is a cleanser formulated when tiny droplets of cleansing oil are suspended in water. A brilliant option if you have sensitive skin as micellar waters are very gentle and won’t dry out your face. Simply pour onto a reusable cotton pad and wipe over to cleanse, re-balance and tone. The Bi-Phase Hyaluronic Acid Rejuvenating Micellar Water from Avant is special as it works in two clever phases. First up the oil will break down makeup and pollution, then the micellar water will dissolve and capture any remaining impurities from your face, eyes and lips. Packed with hyaluronic acid to hydrate, tonka bean to even skin tone and finally vitamins A, B-6, B-12, C, and D to help skin look brighter and healthier. This is the perfect balance of cleansing and moisturising in one fail-safe bottle.

THE POWDER

De Mamiel Brightening Cleanse and Exfoliate, £50
Powder cleansers are ideal for dry, stubborn skin or those wanting a 2-in1 skincare solution. Most powders are formulated with smooth particles made up of pulverised minerals or plant-based ingredients. The Brightening Cleanse and Exfoliate from De Mamiel is a beautiful and nourishing powder-to-paste exfoliating cleanse that makes you feel like a chemist in your own bathroom. Simply sprinkle a teaspoon of powder into your palm, add a little water and create a soft mousse consistency. This contains fine pearl and gemstone powders to eliminate dull skin cells, while vitamin C and ginseng brighten and provide antioxidant protection. A bonus is that the formula requires no preservatives, it’s completely pure, meaning you can naturally polish away that lacklustre complexion daily, without aggravating your skin. Massage over your face and neck to really break down patches of bumpy texture. Your skin will be put to work but in the most delicate way- leaving you clean and radiant.

This PIBE Beauty exclusive has been produced by:
Photography / Studio PIBE
Words by Beauty Editor / Sarah Barnes

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