What’s the best cleanser? How do I know which cleanser my skin needs? Should I opt for a fragrance free cleanser? Do I need to double cleanse? How many cleansers do I need? So many questions surrounding cleansing! I I think we might have to do a deeper dive on the subject of cleansing soon. But for now, let’s have a quick catch up on all the face cleansers that I can’t get enough of right now and why I love them.
So, just how many cleansers am I using right now…? I feel like I kind of have an acceptable amount? Yes? No? I guess it’s a pretty subjective question. I do appreciate being able to have a number on the go, for different days, different skin conditions and my mood in general.
So let’s talk about cleansing. If you’re not cleansing right, there’s really little point to the rest of a routine. Actives are not going penetrate through all that makeup, SPF, grime and dirt. Your skin will become dull and get clogged. No one wants that?! So get cleansing right and you’re off to a brilliant start.
My skin can be quite reactive so I (usually) opt for a very low/no fragrance routine – with some exceptions – because like, I’m human haha. If I use something with fragrance in one part of my routine I try to keep it clear of the rest. Balance you know?
Oils and balms are my weapon of choice for a first cleanse in the evening. They break down makeup/spf efficiently and do that whole like-for-like thing – oil attracts oil.
HoliFrog Kissimmee Vitamin F Therapy Balmy Wash– Fragrance free balm cleanser infused with beautiful plant seed oils such as Papaya, Grape, Mongongo and Marula – this balm easily spreads and breaks down every scrap of makeup and SPF. It’s pure joy to use, will rinse off easily with water and perfectly preps my skin for a second skin cleanse. I couldn’t be more obsessed with Holifrog’s cleansing approach – keep reading further down to find out more!
Ingredients – Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Wax, Polyglyceryl-3 Caprate, Beeswax, Silica, Jojoba Esters, Moringa Oleifera (Moringa) Seed Oil*, Carica Papaya (Papaya) Seed Oil, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Vaccinium Macrocarpon (Cranberry) Seed Oil, Schinziophyton Rautanenii (Mongongo) Kernel Oil, Sclerocarya Birrea (Marula) Kernel Oil, Oleic Acid, Linolenic Acid, Garcinia Indica (Kokum) Seed Butter, Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid, Brassica Oleracea Acephala Extract, Spinacia Oleracea (Spinach) Leaf Extract, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter*, Olive Oil Polyglyceryl-6 Esters, Tocopherol, Hydroxystearic/Linolenic/Oleic Polyglycerides, Polyglyceryl-6 Pentaoleate, Polyglyceryl-4 Oleate, Toluene Sulfonic Acid
Tatcha Pure One Step Camellia Cleansing Oil – Although named a One Step cleanse, I will always opt for a double when wearing makeup buuuuut you definitely feel you could get away with one cleanse when using this. Tatcha absolutely destroys makeup and daily dirt build up – and is another that completely emulsifies in water and rinses clean.
Ingredients – Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Oil, Polyglyceryl-10 Dioleate, Polyglyceryl-2 Sesquicaprylate, Water, Glyceryl Behenate/Eicosadioate, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Fragrance, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Alcohol, Glycerin, Algae Extract.
Deviant Cleansing Concentrate -I actually use this for either a first or second cleanse – sometimes both- it’s lush! Yep it’ll take your makeup off, but honestly this cleanser is truly more special than just a makeup remover. Read more that I’ve written about Deviant HERE. The sensorial experience I have when I use this cleanser is mind-blowing. It’s true love! Though this cleanser boasts an earthy scent it contains no essential oils nor any added fragrance.
Ingredients – Cannabis Sativa (Hemp) Seed Oil*, Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Seed Oil, Camellia Oleifera (Camellia) Seed Oil*, Polyglyceryl-4 Oleate, Plukenetia Volubilis Linneo (Sacha Inchi) Seed Oil*, Di-PPG-2 Myreth-10 Adipate, Vaccinium Myrtillus (Blueberry) Seed Oil, Polyglycerol-3 Beeswax, Perilla Ocymoides (Perilla) Seed Oil*, Borago Officinalis (Borage) Seed Oil, Brassica Oleracea Italica (Broccoli) Seed Oil*, Tocopherol (Vitamin E).
For a morning or a second cleanse milks or creams really do it for me. In the summer (now) I also like the feeling of a more refreshing hydrating gel.
HoliFrog Tashmoo Water Lily Nourishing Milky Wash – Seed oils, amino acids, antioxidants, skin soothers, this lightweight cream cleanser has it all. Instantly calming and an absolute pleasure to use morning or evening. Holifrog is newer brand and is creating major waves in the cleansing game! With their focus solely on cleansing – situational cleansing to be precise – they have perfected their range of four cleansers – there’s something for everyone and every occasion. Each cleanser is formulated without – fragrance (both natural and synthetic), drying alcohols, dyes, parabens, harsh surfactants, silicones amongst other undesirable ingredients.
Ingredients:Aqua (Water), Glycerin, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Glyceryl Stearate, Stearic Acid, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Juice*, Cetearyl Alcohol, Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot) Kernel Oil, Sodium PCA, Sodium Lactate, Arginine, Serine, Glycine, Valine, Isoleucine, Proline, Alanine, Threonine, Phenylalanine, Histidine, PCA, Sodium Cocoyl Apple Amino Acids, Nymphaea Alba (Water Lily) Root Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera (Lotus) Flower Extract, Panthenol (Vitamin B-5), Arthrospira Platensis (Spirulina) Extract*, Tocopherol, Phenethyl Alcohol, Sodium Chloride*, Xanthan Gum, Aspartic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Gluconate, Hexylene Glycol, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Cipher Cloud Melt Hybrid Cleanser – I’ve written more about the Cipher Cloud Melt HERE but this Australian made fragrance free cleanser is truly a hybrid dream. Part way between a cream and a gel, it’ll break down makeup and SPF if you want her too as well as clean your skin beautifully with zero stripping. In my opinion, every skin can benefit from having a gentle cleanser such as Cipher Cloud Melt. Gorgeous ingredients, beautiful effect on the skin.
Ingredients – aqua, camellia oleifera (tea) seed oil, sodium cocoyl glycinate, sodium lauroamphoacetate, sodium lactate, theobroma grandiflorum (cupuacu) seed butter, betaine, leuconostoc/radish root ferment filtrate, cetyl alcohol, cetearyl olivate, lactic acid, cucumis sativus (cucumber) seed oil, panthenol, lecithin, saccharide isomerate, allantoin, caffeine, hydroxyacetophenone, polyacrylate crosspolymer-6, sorbitan olivate, kaolin
Allies of Skin Molecular Silk Amino Hydrating Cleanser – Allies of Skin are the ultimate in supercharged skincare as far as I am concerned. This is so much more than just a regular cleanser. The softening gel texture is packed with oils, hydrators, antioxidants, lipids and silk amino acids to not only cleanse the skin, but give back to it in a way that’s not often seen. Out of all the cleansers I’ve mentioned today, I really think this (and possibly the Krave below) would suit the widest range of skins. It’s a refreshing clean that will keep oilier types happy, but without the stripping – keeping everyone and their skin barrier happy!
Ingredients – Aqua (Water), Polyacrylate-1 Crosspolymer, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Glycerin, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Seed Oil (Organic), Propanediol, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil (Organic), Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Lactic Acid (L), Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil (Organic), 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Cocodimonium Hydroxypropyl Silk Amino Acids, Hydrolyzed Silk, Camellia Sinensis (White Tea) Leaf Extract, Camellia Oleifera (Green Tea) Leaf Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate (L), Lecithin, Astaxanthin, Xanthan Gum, Citric Acid, Lauryl Glucoside, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Sodium Lauryl Glucose Carboxylate, Caprylyl Glycol, O-cymen-5-OL, Polysorbate 20, Tetrasodium EDTA, Phenethyl Alcohol, Potassium Sorbate.
Krave Beauty Matcha Hemp Hydrating Cleanser (not pictured- she lives in my shower and I totally spaced 😉) Another one I’ve spoken about before – both HERE and HERE. Why Matcha? Because it’s an antioxidant powerhouse and the rest of the inci list is just as wonderful – hemp and other plant oils, glycerin, vitamin b5 and hydrators – all leaving your skin with that fresh clean feel without the dryness. Essential oil and fragrance free – this cleanser is wonderful for everyone from the most sensitive skin to combo/oily skin.
Ingredients – Camellia Sinensis Leaf Water, Water, Glycerin, Coco-Betaine, Methyl Gluceth-10, Ethoxydiglycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Methylpropanediol, Sodium Chloride, Butoxydiglycol, Diglycerin, Glycereth-26, Xanthan Gum, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Powder, Quillaja Saponaria Bark Extract, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil, Cannabis Sativa (Hemp) Seed Oil, Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Extract, Diethoxydiglycol, Coco-Glucoside, Caprylyl Glycol, Glyceryl Caprylate, Decyl Glucoside, Pentylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Butylene Glycol, Octanediol, Panthenol (Vitamin B5), Citric Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sodium PCA, Disodium EDTA
I’ve also just recently started using the HoliFrog Shasta AHA Refining Acid Wash* and I’m into it. I’ve never been huge into acid cleansers so I don’t really have much to compare it to, but it’s gentle on my skin while it’s sloughing off those dead skin cells. Bonus it is yet another brilliant fragrance free cleanser so perfect for those with sensitive skin who want a little bit of acid exfoliation without overwhelming the skin with additional irritating ingredients.
Ingredients: Aqua (Water), Glycerin, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Lactic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Juice*, Sodium Hydroxide, Xanthan Gum, Calophyllum Inophyllum (Tamanu) Oil*, Glyceryl Stearate SE, Mandelic Acid, Microcitrus Australasica Fruit Extract, Rosa Canina (Rosehip) Fruit Oil*, Tartaric Acid, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Bentonite, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Gluconate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Citric Acid, Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate, Quartz, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Dehydroacetate
What’s your cleanser of choice? Do you have a favourite brand or type of cleanser?
