For when balms, oils and scrubs are too much faff
How many steps are there in your skincare regime right now? When we posed this question in the office, more than a handful of us was approaching double digits. Clearly, the South-Korean 10-step routine has had a lasting impact.
While we’re all for a thorough skincare session – and when you’re battling issues like acne or pigmentation, it pays to get serious – sometimes you just want to ditch the double cleanse in favour of a fast-working, one-and-done face cleanser that allows you to get back to living your life.
But, having a cheat day on your skincare routine doesn’t have to come at a cost to your complexion, because today, the best face washes out there are a far cry from that alcohol-steeped gel you used when you were 12.
Now, your options are plentiful. There’s a solid soap infused with charcoal to draw out impurities, a hydrating gel rich in hyaluronic acid, and even a sulphate-free foam that won’t f**k up your skin.
This month, we’ve dedicated a frankly impractical amount of time to washing our face, all so we can bring you the very best tried-and-tested face washes that money can buy (and reveal the skin types they suit best). Don’t ever say we’re not good to you.
1 BEST FOR BREAKOUT-PRONE SKIN
Cleansing Bar, £6
Yes, this is that £6 soap bar you’ve seen all over Instagram – and, as it turns out, this is a situation where you should believe the hype.
Charcoal (responsible for the black colour), draws out impurities that can lead to breakouts, while tea-tree oil reduces existing inflammation and shea butter keeps your skin feeling supple. It’s simple but seriously effective.
2 BEST FOR DULL AND OILY SKIN
Glow Tonic Cleansing Gel ASOS PIXI asos.com £18.00
Based on Pixi’s most iconic product, the original Glow Tonic, this hard-working gel contains exfoliating glycolic acid as well as energising ginseng to leave skin looking brighter and smoother.
3 BEST FOR DRY, DEHYDRATED OR SENSITIVE SKIN
Hyaluronic Marine Meltaway Cleanser CULT BEAUTY DR. DENNIS GROSS SKINCARE cultbeauty.co.uk £30.00
If you’ve got a little more cash to spend, this new launch from hero dermatologist Dr. Dennis Gross is a fail-safe choice. Brilliantly formulated, the milky serum-style cleanser calls on hyaluronic acid to quench dry, dehydrated and sensitive skin, meaning it feels clean and deeply nourished straight after cleansing.
4 BEST FOR DRY, NORMAL AND COMBINATION SKIN
Super Jelly Cleansing GelBEAUTY BAY BY BEAUTY BAY beautybay.com US$5.75
Like the Inkey List and The Ordinary before it, Beauty Bay’s new skincare line delivers no-messing skincare with fair pricing and total ingredient transparency.
One of the highlights is this can’t-go-wrong cleanser, which costs just £6.50 for a sizeable bottle. It’s a gentle gel texture with glycerin (a skin-identical humectant) and avocado oil for hydration. It’s ideal for most skin types, but the acne-prone might want to try something a little more tailored instead.
5 BEST FOR SENSITIVE SKIN
Extremely Gentle CleanserLOOK FANTASTIC AVÈNE lookfantastic.com £10.80
Avène is a saviour for those with easily upset complexions, and this milky cleanser is the brand’s gentlest formula yet. The thermal spring water base is enriched with a patented plant-derived extract to reduce reactivity, ensuring you won’t be left red-faced.
6 BEST FOR DEHYDRATED SKIN
Aqualuronic Facial CleanserLOOKFANTASTIC AHC lookfantastic.com£18.00
Many foaming face cleansers are unsuitable for dry skin, as they rely on drying alcohols to create that satisfying lather. Not this clever K-Beauty hero, though: AHC’s pearly gel boasts an impressive ingredient list that would usually set you back significant cash.
It contains non-irritating surfactants alongside hyaluronic acid to hydrate, and ceramides to rebuild an overwrought skin barrier.
7 BEST BUDGET PICK
Daily Face CleanserE.L.F ELF elfcosmetics.co.uk £5.00
Oh, how we love Elf. This vegan and SLS-free cleanser is simple, reliable and affordable, with coconut-derived surfactants to gently clean and condition the skin. It won’t make you look 10 years younger, but nor will any other face wash, so save the pennies for your serums and creams.
8 BEST FOR DRY SKIN
Hydrating Cleanser LOOK FANTASTIC CERAVE lookfantastic.com £9.50
Ok, so this one won’t be making it into your #shelfies any time soon, but (as the saying definitely doesn’t go), you should never judge a skincare product by its bottle. It’s rich in ceramides to strengthen your skin’s defences against pollution and other irritants, as well as hyaluronic acid for hydration.
9 BEST FOR OILY AND BREAKOUT-PRONE SKIN
Purifying Charcoal Cleanser GLOSSYBOX GLOSSYBOX glossybox.co.uk £20.00
From Glossybox’s brill new skincare line, this cleanser contains charcoal to draw out impurities from the skin (meaning less potential for breakouts occurring) as well as glycerin to ensure your complexion isn’t left dry or stripped. It’s a solid choice for anyone prone to congestion.
10 BEST FOR NORMAL TO DRY SKIN
CeraVe Cream to Foam Cleanser 271g LOOKFANTASTIC CERAVE lookfantastic.com £12.50
Yes, it’s another winner from CeraVe…This brand-new launch is the one to go for if you prefer a foaming texture to a rich cream. It contains many of the same beneficial ingredients as the non-foaming original – think ceramides and glycerin – but its tweaked with gentle, coconut-based surfactants to create those satisfying bubbles.
11 BEST FOR ALL SKIN TYPES
Soy Face Cleanser FRESH FRESH fresh.com £11.50
This is one of those products that has people converted from the very first use – it might not shout at you from the shelves, but you’re sure to be quickly enamoured. It’s a gel formula, but is rich enough for the driest of skins (thanks to the borage seed oil) and will make light work of removing heavy make-up. A legendary cult hero.
12 BEST SUSTAINABLE OPTION
Bia Exfoliating Wash JOHN LEWIS CODEX johnlewis.com £43.00
New beauty collective Codex aims to bring little-known, independently made beauty lines to our shelves . The first range to be taken under its wing is the natural and sustainable Bia, which is made in Ireland using locally sourced ingredients.
This gentle creamy face wash contains jojoba beads for a very light physical exfoliation, alongside safflower oil to leave your skin feeling super-smooth.
It’s zero waste, zero plastic, and even the preservatives are plant-based.
