The 5 best cleansers

A good make up look begins with great skin.  You need a good cleaner to remove dirt, impurities and dead skin and to prepare your face for the day ahead.  A good cleanser will be beneficial to your skin and will remove make up without the need for scrubbing, and without causing irritation to your skin.  Here are my 5 top cleansers (in order) and the verdict and score for each.

1. Philosophy Purity made simple
90ml £8, 240ml £17.50, 480ml £28.50

This cleanser is a 3-in-1 product that cleanses, tones, and removes make up all at the same time.  It's gentle, non-abrasive and leaves skin feeling soft, supple and really clean afterwards. It smells gorgeous! I have never used something so lovely, mild and gentle that has changed the condition of my skin for the better in under 2 weeks.

Value for money : 8/10 - Beautiful products but high price tag!
Effectiveness     : 10/10
Easy to use?       : 8/10 - yes, doesn't lather too much but still does the job
Packaging          : 10/10- Gorgeous! Looks lovely in the bathroom
Overall score     : 10/10 - the good far outweighs the couple of niggles on price, etc

2. Benefit Foamingly clean facial wash (from the b.bright! skincare range).
127.5g £16.50

I love this product! It washes away everything (including stubborn mascara) really easily and it smells amazing. Looks cute in the bathroom too - great packaging as ever. Smells good, leaves my skin soft, glowing and truly clean. The only downside - and something I find with lots of Benefit products - is that is doesn't seem to last very long. For the price, I am sure they could up it by 25 or 30mls. Still, a great product that really works.

Value for money : 7/10 - Expensive but could last longer
Effectiveness     : 9/10
Easy to use?       : 8/10 - yes, and smells good!
Packaging          : 9/10- Great look.
Overall score     : 8/10 -Fantastic product but runs out quickly.  More product please!

3. Clinique Facial Soap
100g £11, 150g £15, 3 mimi travel soap (total 150g) £14

Step 1 of the best-selling 3 step skincare system, you can't beat this old classic.  Soaps come with a soap dish or there is the liquid pump format.  I prefer the bars of soap - a large soap can last up to a year and when used in conjunction with the rest of the skincare system, you are looking at flawless, beautiful skin.

Value for money : 10/10 - £14 to cleanse your skin all year? Yes please!
Effectiveness     : 7/10 - doesn't melt away eye make up and stings if it gets in your eyes!
Easy to use?       : 8/10 -Yes, although when new, the big bars of soap are a bit much!
Packaging          : 8/10- Good but the soap dish can get messy quickly!
Overall score     : 8/10 -Great value but still a higher end brand.

4. Simple refreshing facial wash
50ml £1.32, 150ml £3.25

Budget supermarket brand, markets itself as the UK No.1 cleanser (the face wipes boast the same claim to fame). This facial wash is great for a weekend away in the travel size and a very good option when on a budget.  It removes all make up with zero irritation and no drying out the skin.  You know the drill - not perfumed, not coloured, just kind.  Fantastic low price cleanser.


Value for money : 10/10 - Cheap and cheerful and plenty for the price.
Effectiveness     : 7/10 -Sometimes need a little more gel to get everything off your face.
Easy to use?       : 8/10 -Yes, takes some lathering sometimes though.
Packaging          : 7/10- Nothing fancy.
Overall score     : 7/10 -Great value budget brand.

5. Clean & Clear Deep action cream Wash
150ml £2.99

This is great for when your skin is giving you some problems.  Removes grease, dirt and leaves you with a fresh tingling feeling.  The product surprisingly smells good and leaves you feeling as though you have had a very deep clean, which is great when you have blemishes and want to take action.  The lower end of the budget brand, this product is nevertheless still great value and still beats off high end brands to make my top 5.


Value for money : 10/10 - Great problem solver, cheap as chips.
Effectiveness     : 7/10 -Love the tingly clean feeling.
Easy to use?       : 8/10 -Yes, and smells good too!
Packaging          : 7/10- Okay, could be better!
Overall score     : 7/10 -Another great value budget brand.

Fancy trying some of these first to see it they suit your skin? Opt for travel sizes, often found in Supermarkets.  Sign up to Philosophy to get email alerts and they will send you a FANTASTIC free gift (which I've had!).  These miniatures are great to try before you buy:

Philosophy also offer great value skincare mini-sets so that you can get a taste of their products before ordering full size versions. Great Skin is in is a lovely taster pack and the products last a surprisingly long time.


Benefit also offer a mini-kit so you can try before committing yourself to full price products.  Try their b.bright! 6 piece intro kit (sold out on UK site but available on US site and on eBay).

Whatever you choose and use, always remember the golden rule - no matter what time it is or how tired or drunk you are, always take off your make up!! Great skin begins and ends with your skincare routine and cleansing is the most important part.