Whether your routine simply involves a moisturiser or includes several products, a good face wash is imperative, and something you cannot do without. With the vast variety of face washes out there, it’s normal to be confused about which one is right for your skin. Fret no more because in this article, we’ve selected the best face washes for every skin type.
Best Cleanser For Oily Skin: Jaxon Lane Shake And Wake Powder Cleanser
Oily skin symptoms:
- Enlarged pores (particularly on the nose).
- Your skin gets shiny and greasy throughout the day, which means your body is overproducing oil.
- You're prone to regular breakouts.
Why it's great for oily skin:
Marvel at Shake and Wake’s ingredient list, which employs an incredible assortment of skin cleansing and caring ingredients - especially beneficial to oily skin types.
Turning from powder to foam with water and a few motions, Shake and Wake contains a number of gentle surfactants that effectively remove excess oil, dirt, and impurities without excessively stripping the skin. Silica and Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate (derived from coconut) enhances the cleanser's ability to deeply cleanse pores, unclogging pores and reducing the likelihood of acne breakouts. Niacinamide (Vitamin B3) also serves to regulate oil production. Papain and Bromelain enzymes, derived from tropical fruits, gently exfoliate dead skin cells, promoting a smoother texture.
To be tough is not the same as being abrasive, and Shake and Wake takes great care to also nourish and balance the skin. Sea Buckthorn Extract, Aloe Leaf Juice, and Prickly Pear Extract soothe and hydrate the skin, ensuring it remains healthy and radiant, overall providing a balanced, clear, and refreshed complexion.
If you're looking for a complete kit to tackle the symptoms of oily skin, check out our Oily Skin Kit.
Best Cleanser for Dry Skin: Anthony Algae Facial Cleanser
Dry skin symptoms:
- Your skin feels tight and sensitive throughout the day. Inflammation and redness is evident.
- Visible flaking, particularly around the corners of your nose and on the edges of your mouth.
- After showering, your skin feels dehydrated, thirsty and sensitive overall.
Why it’s great for dry skin:
Anthony's Algae Facial Cleanser is made specifically with hydration in mind. Dry skin is often the result of excess water loss, which is paramount to keeping skin healthy and supple.
This particular face wash contains algae, a plant ingredient that attracts water and stimulates water retention. Keeping your skin’s water retention in check is key to eliminating visible flaking throughout the day and that uncomfortable dehydrated feeling after showering.
Anthony has also included a vast array of naturally nourishing ingredients. Rosehip oil is a notable one due to its properties of vitamin A (anti-ageing), vitamin E (reparative), and vitamin C (brightening). It even delivers omega fatty acid content that works with the skin’s natural oil barrier for improved plumpness.
In combination with soothing Azulene derived from chamomile, Olive Oil Esters, Glycerin, Lavender, and Aloe Vera, this product packs a hydrating punch. The Anthony Algae Facial Cleanser has a non-foaming lather to it - this is so your skin doesn't dry out when it's applied, which can happen when using face washes that foam.
If dry skin is your skin type, have a look at our Dry Skin Kit.
Best Cleanser for Normal Skin: Triumph & Disaster Ritual Face Cleanser
Normal skin symptoms:
- Skin is balanced overall - oil production and water retention aren’t working overtime. However, due to seasonal changes or new locations, this balance can be disrupted occasionally. No skin is truly perfect after all.
- A natural matte appearance, but doesn’t look dry or cracked.
- An even complexion, with some minor blemishes every now and again.
Why it's great for normal skin:
Triumph & Disaster's Ritual Face Cleanser is ideal for all skin types. When working with normal skin, you don’t want to break the natural balance it already has.
What do we mean by this? Well, if you’re using a face wash designed for very oily skin you might strip too much oil off. But if you use a face wash for dry skin, it might clog pores and create breakouts. For normal skin, using a mix of products with general effectiveness is the way to go. We suggest a versatile cleanser that’s diverse enough to adjust to any location and season, helping your skin holistically rather than catering to a particular area of concern.
This product by Triumph & Disaster is just that. It's been formulated to work without drying or irritating skin while addressing a range of concerns normal skin can have depending on the time. Bentonite Clay draws out impurities and excess oils, while the addition of Tamanu Oil repairs any redness, itchiness and dryness. Meanwhile, natural Salicylic Acid derived from Willow Bark Extract not only exfoliates the surface of your skin but delves deep into the pores to clear out any gunk.
This face wash is fragrance and paraben-free, making it an excellent choice for sensitive skin too. To top it all off, this product was the Winner of the 2017 Beauty Shortlist Awards for Best Cleanser.
If you're someone with normal skin, we recommend having a look at our Normal Skin Kit.
Best Cleanser for Sensitive Skin: Jaxon Lane Boom Cica Wow Gel Cleanser
Sensitive skin symptoms:
- Sensitive skin is reactive skin, with certain products, active ingredients and environmental factors causing the skin to react. This affects the appearance and feel and texture of the skin - with a ‘sensitive’ and delicate feeling.
- Itching and Tightness: Persistent itching and a feeling of tightness or discomfort are common signs of sensitive skin.
- Sensitive skin can often be dry, red, and prone to flaking, which can exacerbate irritation and discomfort.
Why it’s great for sensitive skin:
Jaxon Lane’s Boom Cica Wow is well-suited for sensitive skin, as it includes several soothing and gentle ingredients. It’s all about barrier protection, boosting its functionality and at once washing away the bad stuff while shoring up the good stuff - it helps your skin get to its happy place faster. Formulated with dermatologists, it never strips the skin of its natural oils, is free of nasties, and nourishes while it cleanses.
Centella Asiatica Extract is renowned for its anti-inflammatory and healing properties, which help to calm irritated skin and promote repair. Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract and Green Tea Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract also contribute anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits, further soothing the skin and protecting it from environmental stressors. These botanical extracts work synergistically to reduce redness and irritation, making the cleanser gentle and calming for sensitive skin types.
Its cleansing surfactants are mild, which cleans without drying or irritating. Ceramides and Sodium Hyaluronate are key moisturising ingredients that help to strengthen the skin's barrier and retain moisture, preventing dryness and maintaining hydration. Glycerin and Triglycerides provide further hydration and skin-conditioning benefits, ensuring that the skin remains soft and supple. Together, these ingredients create a balanced, non-irritating cleanser that gently removes impurities while nurturing and protecting sensitive skin. And in case you were wondering, the blue colour of this product is due to Malachite - more than its good looks - its copper content detoxifies the skin and stimulates antioxidant and enzymatic activity.