CLEANSER - WASH
Despite the popularity of balm-style and cream cleansers (click on the pink words to find those Award winners) and also nowadays micellar waters, we get continued feedback that many of you love the feeling of splashing water on your face. Mostly they’re loved by the many women with oily and/or combination, often blemish-prone skins. But some formulations today are so sophisticated that there are versions for dry and sensitive skin too.
Some cleansing washes incorporate an exfoliating element, which testers generally love in terms of skin brightening but comment that, as they generally can’t be used near eyes, you will almost certainly need a separate eye make-up remover, which doesn't suit everyone. (NB We ask testers only to use on eyes if brand says it’s suitable and not if they have sensitive eyes. Please do check on the directions yourselves.) On the whole, we’d say this type of cleanser is not the best for heavy make-up although it works well as a second stage in double cleansing, after a balm, and certainly as a stand-alone cleanser in the mornings to prep skin for the day and on fairly bare faces at bedtime.
GOLD AWARD ARgENTUM Apothecary Le Savon Lune Illuminating Hydration Bar
This soap-free, facial cleansing bar from an apothecary brand is antibacterial and anti-inflammatory, formulated with a patented fusion of silver hydrosol & DNA HP (a natural, marine based ingredient, which is super hydrating and antioxidant) to target blemishes while leaving skin ‘clean, cushioned and visibly healthier’, according to London-based founder Joy Isaacs, whose inspiration for her luxury skincare range came from her long experience with colloidal silver. Bentonite clay increases the purifying action but while drawing out impurities, the product doesn’t strip skin of natural oils, so complexions should be left balanced, hydrated and luminous. Ingredients are 87.8% from natural origins with a scent created in Grasse. As you might guess from the lunar name, there’s an extra dimension to each soap bar with an enclosed archetype card, encouraging you to ‘uncover symbolic imagery …with a sense of fun’. Testers were mostly blown away by the results – if a bit pole-axed by the ‘breath-taking’ price!
£82 for 100g - click to buy
OUR TESTERS’ COMMENTS:
‘This is so luxurious and I feel I am really pampering my mature, combination skin. I love the feel of rubbing the lather on my skin and enjoying the relaxing scent. My skin has never felt so clean and fresh. It helped balance my t-zone, which is prone to oiliness through the day and ruins my make-up. I used this to remove all my make-up including eye make-up and I had no issues with it stinging my eyes. It was highly effective in removing all traces. I have had compliments on my skin since I have been using this, even the scent has been noticed’ • ‘My combination skin can be a challenge in finding a good cleanser that works for the dry and oily and sensitive parts of my skin. This cleansing bar is a dream to use. I can stimulate enough product by turning the bar over a few times in my hands, which I then apply to my face. The product does not run or drip and I can readily massage my face and then clean my hands and finish off by using a face flannel to ensure all the product is removed and my face is clean’ • ‘I love using a cleansing bar. It is so environmentally friendly, easy to use and works 100%. It completely removes my make-up, rids my face of any residual grime and cleans my pores to the extent that, all the time I have been using this product, I haven't experienced any blemishes or spots! ’ • ‘I would definitely buy this; I was told my skin look clear and beautiful and I noticed a slight difference myself. The packaging is just stunning, lovely little booklet and a beautifully wrapped bar. The bar has the most gorgeous scent, foams up beautifully and feels like it is instantly moisturising my skin. I was left with very well cleansed skin that felt, looked and smelt divine. I love this product so much’ • ‘This is one of the best ever products I've tested. The packaging is just beautiful and feels like a real treat and the spiritual nod is really fun too. If I win the lottery it would be in my bathroom permanently.’
£82 for 100g - click to buy
SILVER (JOINT) AWARD Kate Somerville Goat Milk Moisturising Cleanser
From a cult ‘clinic-grade’ brand founded by Hollywood facialist Kate Somerville, much loved by A-listers, this gentle facial wash is creamy and non-foaming to cleanse and soothe without irritation. It’s based on protein-rich goat milk – a favourite of Kate’s for its healing action – and nourishing manuka honey with avocado and jojoba oils to moisturise and condition. Kate’s tip is to use it alone as a morning cleanser then double cleanse at night with this and another type of cleanser (maybe a balm first). Most testers loved this and gave it very high marks indeed but a couple didn’t get on with the initial ‘stiff’ consistency.
£38 for 120ml - click to buy
OUR TESTERS’ COMMENTS:
‘10/10. If I could give this 11 out of 10 I would. I adore this product leaves my skin soft, smooth, cleansed and calm - love it! The best cleanser I’ve ever used. It smells divine, good enough to eat and the texture is gorgeous and leaves my skin so soft and smooth’ • ‘I will be gutted when this tube has gone but I will replace it. It is exceptional! I thought it was going to make a great morning cleanser, which would be calming, and softening etc but was truly blown away with how effective it was at removing make-up too. If you don't want to mess about with double cleansing or having a morning and evening cleanser then this is your hero product. Proper Hall of Fame stuff. I diligently used this day and night from the moment I got it. I haven't wavered at all and, more importantly, I haven't wanted to. It is superior. I have nothing more to say except try it for yourself’ • ‘YES, I would absolutely buy this - it’s the best! Gorgeous scent thank goodness it didn’t smell of goats. Consistency is thicker than expected but this was good as a little goes a long way and it’s easy to dispense just the right amount. Takes all make-up off easily and no traces left, left skin moisturised and soft ’ • ‘Really loved this product. I know it has cult status and I can see why. Lovely creamy luxurious consistency and gorgeous fragrance. Really lovely as a morning cleansing product or as a second cleanse at night’ • ‘So calming, comforting and blooming useful that it's a bit of a hero product. It surpassed every expectation. I have never used a cleanser this all-round good.
£38 for 120ml - click to buy
SILVER (JOINT) AWARD Wild Science Lab Happy Days Cleansing Foam
This refreshing daily cleanser comes from the brand’s Root + Fruit range, which did so well last year too. Formulated to remove daily grime and make-up from oily and combination skin that’s prone to breakouts, blemishes and/or congestion, with uneven skin tone and texture, possibly with acne scars. Plant-derived AHA fruit acids and BHA salicylic acid gently exfoliate and cleanse pores, and it promises to cleanse without stripping or drying the skin or irritating the touchy skin barrier. Zinc and aloe vera help sooth inflammation and redness and prevent breakouts. Moringa oil helps strengthen and hydrate skin. There’s an uplifting citrus fragrance. This is vegan, Leaping Bunny cruelty-free, with 93.3% naturally derived ingredients. Some testers found it remove eye make-up perfectly, while others used a separate product.
£20 for 125ml - click to buy
OUR TESTERS’ COMMENTS:
‘10/10. This gentle and soothing cleanser works like a dream: it removes just about every trace of make-up with very little effort from me at all - no rubbing or scrubbing involved. I love the foam texture and the way it makes my combination mature skin feel super clean and fresh, moisturised and comfortable without being stripped or feeling dried out. No need for a separate eye make-up remover as Happy days removes eye make-up gently but firmly without leaving loads of mascara behind etc. It does not sting my eyes at all and it seems fine to use this with contact lenses as well. The light slightly fruity/floral fragrance is very pleasant’ • ‘I enjoyed using this. One pump is the perfect amount for a cleanse. It did remove most of the makeup however, used an eye make-up remover to remove residue. Left my combination skin moisturised and fresh’ • ‘Fragrance was nice and light, fresh and clean and the texture was just right. It took make-up off easily except when I had a heavier “night out” make up when I had to use a separate eye make-up remover. For every day this was fine. It left skin very moisturised and feeling light. I also liked the packaging and the colour of the bottle’ • ‘I really enjoyed using this feathery light foaming face wash to cleanse and rebalance my oily combination skin every morning - it did the job quickly and efficiently, without any fuss. I loved the light citrus scent, which was a nice gentle way to start the day. I also loved that it contains fruit acid, salicylic acid and zinc to keep skin clear, as it meant that I could skip my usual step of a toner afterwards. As I only use one pump with each wash, it seems to have lasted FOREVER, which is great if you're watching your budget. The only minor downside is that I wasn't able to use it as a first cleanse at night as it didn't remove all my make-up, but it was fine for a second cleanse’ • ‘I would definitely buy this product. I have jumped on the band-wagon of double cleansing so I would use this alongside a crème or balm cleanser for a double cleanse and would use it on its own in the morning when I want a quick thorough cleanse. During the period that I used it I had no outbreaks or blemishes and my oily sensitive skin felt balanced.’
£20 for 125ml - click to buy
SILVER (JOINT) AWARD and BEST NATURAL Jane Scrivner Purifying Cleanser
Skin expert Jane Scrivner is passionate about the power of good cleansers, insisting that if you’re using the right product twice a day your skin will be beautiful clean and bright, plus all your follow-on products will work more effectively. Our panel trialled this replenishing wash-off cleanser in its previous incarnation as Hydrating Gel Cleanser. Since then it’s been rebranded and repackaged but the 100% natural formulation is exactly the same. The gel to milk formula is recommended as a morning cleanse on its own and a perfect second cleanse to remove the day’s debris, make-up etc. It’s particularly suitable for sensitive, easily irritated skin or if your complexion tends to react to heat as it can be used entirely with cool water. Jojoba esters – the oil reconfigured, they tell us – mimic skin’s natural oils to keep it clear, conditioned and in balance, glycerin moisturises and softens and a blend of 12 oils, including carrot, orange and turmeric, help nourish and protect skin. Most testers found it was fine to use on their eyes but a couple said they preferred to use a separate eye make-up remover.
£49 for 100ml - click to buy
OUR TESTERS’ COMMENTS:
‘10/10. This lovely lemony cleanser really cleans my mature, combination skin and leaves it feeling fabulous – moisturised and looking brighter. It takes all my make up off quickly and easily, is easy to remove and leaves no traces. The thicker texture is lovely, too’ • ‘Lovely silk soft gel texture, which is really easy to use and not a trace of make-up, including eye make-up, left; skin is left clean, refreshed and glowing; love the gel to milk formula as it’s so hydrating’ • ‘the luxurious hydrating gel texture was perfection, it was a light gel consistency that wasn’t too runny and easy to handle without slipping too much off your hand whilst applying to your face; then it literally melts away into a milk when you add water. No sensitivity to the eye area – so fab multi use product, which is super convenient’ • ‘I used this on heavy, longwear eye make-up and it removed it all with no traces left. No stinging or irritation to the eyes during or after using.’
£49 for 100ml - click to buy
BRONZE (JOINT) AWARD BLUR London Everyday Cleanser
Testers greatly liked the no frills ‘everyday’ philosophy of this gentle, vegan, day&night cleanser formulated for combination to oily skins, which is the brand’s focus. That skin type affects 35% of population in 19 countries and 60% of those have sensitive skin too, according to consumer research. So this cleanser is free from alcohols, oils, sulphates, fragrances and masking agents. The pH-balanced formula includes salicylic and lactic acids, hyperfermented cotton (anti-inflammatory and antibacterial) and super-nourishing dragon fruit to penetrate deep into pores and remove dirt and excess sebum. A proper wash, which you lather up with water and massage in, then rinse with lukewarm water. For PM use, testers mostly preferred to remove with a warm flannel. The brand is committed to sustainability and cruelty-free – they promise their products will never be sold in countries that demand animal testing (something testers feel strongly about, as do we). BLUR LONDON plants a tree for every full-sized cleanser sold.
£19 for 150ml - click to buy
OUR TESTERS’ COMMENTS:
‘My skin is combination/oily and this is an amazing cleanser, which really helps smooth and clear your face. I can see better results than my usual product in terms of smoothness, fewer breakouts, less oily and clearer skin. I have noticed that my face is less red after cleansing. My sister commented that my skin looks clearer now, too’ • ‘This is brilliant at removing ALL types of make up efficiently and fast! Perfect for busy women! This was a dream to remove - no nasty film left over. It made my skin feel supple, smooth and well cared for. Certainly no traces of any cleanser left on my pillow! Even tho it’s targeted at oily/combination skin it left my dry, ageing skin – with an oily patch on my chin – moisturised, even glowing, which for a 52 year old is no mean feat. My mum said I looked noticeably refreshed after week – I never look refreshed as I struggle to sleep so this was a huge bonus’ • ‘Amazing cleanser that really helps smooth and clear your face and can be used as a morning and 2nd evening cleanse. t was very easy to remove this cleanser with water in the morning and with a wet face cloth in the evening. My face felt very clean after not a spec of make up nor a film left on my face’ • ‘I tried it on my eyes and it is totally fantastic to use on eyes. I have light sensitive eyes that often water in bright light and cold weather, but this is so gentle that I had no reaction whatsoever! It just felt beautifully soothing and a pleasure to use! ’ • ‘I love the simple packaging of the product - no frills and felt classy to use, which gives me more incentive to use on a regular basis This cleanser is uber refreshing, soothing and made my skin glow! I love the texture - not to gloopy, but also not too thick and a little goes a long way’ • ‘Being fragrance free makes for a good experience. It is easy to rinse off, removes make-up very well and leaves a clean feel to the skin without feeling drying or tight. Overall a very well functioning product, with the added benefits of regular gentle exfoliation without drying the skin or making it feel oily. I did not notice any pore minimising resultsbut the usually oily areas on my forehead were less oily.’
£19 for 150ml - click to buy
BRONZE (JOINT) AWARD Evolve Detox Facial Wash
Formulated to detoxify and rebalance normal to combination and oily skin, this ‘delicately’ foaming and very gentle facial wash is a real green power shower for the complexion. Natural sugars cleanse impurities and organic aloe vera (one of our favourite ingredients) lends a fresh fragrance and softens skin, leaving it clean, smooth and supple, they promise. Goji berry extract and moringa peptides gang up against pollution. It’s 99.6% natural with 7.22% organic ingredients so romps away with the Best Natural Award in this category. It’s also very good value (though not quite a Beauty Steal).
£16 for 100ml - click to buy
OUR TESTERS’ COMMENTS:
‘10/10. Perfect for balancing my combination, blemish-prone skin, leaving it “tight” in a good clean fresh way. People at work have commented on how calm my skin looks; since I started using it I have had very few breakouts. Which is amazing. And I have also noticed that my skin feels hydrated. Used as a double cleanse in the evening it was incredible, removing all my make-up even waterproof mascara and eye make-up. I will definitely purchase more’ • ‘I would 100% buy this again as I love it. It’s a light lathering gel cleanser that doesn't leave my skin feeling dry or stripped with no trace of make-up left behind. The scent is light and fruity. I usually double cleanse when wearing make-up so I would either use this twice or use it as a second cleanse’ • ‘I loved using this amazing cleanser, which cleaned my skin thoroughly every time and gave me huge confidence knowing that every trace of make-up was removed. There were absolutely no negatives to this excellent cleanser, which comes at a really good price point’ • ‘I liked the pleasant lemony citrus fragrance, which is very refreshing. The pump dispenses just the right amount and is easily controlled. It left my skin squeaky clean and I could get away without moisturising if I was in a hurry’.
£16 for 100ml - click to buy
BRONZE (JOINT) AWARD Faace Dirty Faace
Faace was founded by PR Jasmine Wicks-Stephens to demystify skincare, which has as she says got increasingly complicated. Faace is fuss free and affordable and does what it says on the bottle. Products are all vegan, with organic and naturally derived ingredients, and packaging is recyclable with a high percentage of recycled PCR plastic. This creamy gel cleanser is formulated to dispatch old make-up, SPF, pollution, sweat and yes, dirt, at the same time treating skin with purifying, soothing and moisturising ingredients. Two clever add ons: free hair clips and it tells you how many uses per 100ml tube (40). A bunch of good-for-skin natural ingredients include coconut fatty acids to whip up a moisturising lather, rose water, aloe and glycerin help moisture stay in your skin, benzoic acid rebalances pH levels, natural AHAs gently exfoliate, zinc helps ward off breakouts and grapefruit seed oil helps banish dullness. Phew! Testers were keen on it but those with dry skin hastened to apply moisturiser after use.
£26 for 100ml - click to buy
OUR TESTERS’ COMMENTS:
‘I loved this cleanser which was a pleasure to use and left my skin looking and feeling great - really squeaky clean and fresh but without feeling dry or tight. It looked really healthy and left a lovely glow. I would use it as a morning cleanser and in the evening as a second cleanse. It comes in a lightweight squeezy tube, which is really easy to use and would be great for taking away. It felt really nice to apply, really quick to remove’ • ‘I used this with and without a toner and was pleasantly surprised that there was no residue with the toner. It removes make-up, SPF and dirt effectively – no traces on the pillow - and leaves skin tight. My sensitive dry skin did need a moisturiser immediately’ • ‘Lovely fresh fragrance and the texture was nice – not too runny. The tube made it very easy to dispense the right amount. Removed my make-up easily – but I always use a separate eye make-up remover as I wear waterproof mascara’ • ‘I used the cleanser on damp skin and after massaging in I removed with a facecloth which I always do. I find this is the most effective way of making sure all traces of make-up and cleanser are effectively removed. There were no traces of any make up left over and my skin felt really clean afterwards’ • ‘A hardworking cleanser that is really easy to use, smells lovely and leaves skin feeling clean, moisturised and soft.’
£26 for 100ml - click to buy