How do you pick a face cleanser?

June 19, 2012

Let’s talk cleansing, shall we?

Specifically face cleansing.

Are you regular cleanser? Do you like your cleansers all foamy? Do you like a squeaky clean feel on your skin? Must your cleanser be easy to use in the shower?

I know. BIG questions. HUGE.

You already know my lazy-girl beauty habits when it comes to cleansing at night time but it might surprise you to know that when it comes to cleansing my face in the morning, I’m a bit of a cleanser connoisseur.

This penchant for cleansers has developed concurrently with my ~~post-40~~ not-so-youthful skin.

Cleansing is definitely a shower affair for me. Do not show me a basin and ask me to cleanse. I cannot carry out the tricky manoeuvre of splashing my face with water without said water dripping all the way down my arms … an unfortunate occurrence when one is wearing sleeves. Please tell me this happens to you too?

And I’m more like to reach for a gentle cleanser, mostly a cream cleanser … and always in conjunction with my Clarisonic Mia (Mia, it’s been complete and utter skincare lust since you came into my life).

Anyhoo …

Here’s what’s been hanging out on my bathroom shelf*:

(Yes, I’m well aware that I am a shelf hog. Mr Styling You tells me everyday. I tell him it’s for my work, which not surprisingly gets me nowhere.)

1. Trilogy Cream Cleanser $36.95: This is such a good all-rounder cleanser. It removes makeup and cleanses without drying your skin out – super important for not-so-youthful skin. It includes evening primrose and certified organic rosehip oil to moisturise and kickstart a vitamin drink for your skin each morning or night.

2. Avene Gentle Milk Cleanser $30.95: This also is a great makeup remover as well as a good regular cleanser for dry or not-so-youthful skin. It envelopes your skin going on and leaves it feeling moisturised and not stripped of natural oils. That’s the thing … if you’re still wanting that squeaky clean feeling, you need to stop that right now. Your skin deserves love, attention and cotton wool-like treatment.

3. Anitpodes Juliet Skin-Brightening Gel Cleanser $33: I’m a sucker for anything that is aimed at making my skin look brighter. I know, I know … maybe if I just tucked myself into bed a little earlier each night I wouldn’t be so obsessed by this. Brightening properties aside, I love this cleanser for the way the gel feels on your skin and the fact that it includes Manuka honey for healing antibacterial powers because damm it, why am I still getting zits alongside my wrinkles?

4. Garnier Skin Naturals Clean Sensitive Gentle Cleansing Foam $6.95: Now, I usually shy away from foaming cleansers (that not-so-youthful thing) but I gave this one a go because of its perfume and alcohol-free formulation for sensitive skin. And I was impressed. It’s one of those supermarket buys you need to keep up your budget beauty sleeve. It’s a wet foam and works well to shift makeup. Skin is left soft and clean thanks to aloe vera extract and vitamin E.

Enough from me … over to you. What’s your skincare concern and what go-to cleanser do you use to address that on a daily basis? Got any skincare questions you’d like me to find answers to?

* These products were sent to me for editorial consideration in accordance with my Disclosure Policy.

Mummaducka

I too love to do it all in the shower, with the exception of times with really dry skin and I am using the ella bache floral oil to remove makeup and then tissue off. I use a doctor range cleanser and other Ella bache ones in the shower. I really only use the foaming one in summer time as it can be a bit drying and I only use my clarisonic at night to thoroughly clean off the makeup and also as it can sometimes give me a really rosey glow that I don’t really want in the morning.
- http://www.stylingyou.com.au/ Nikki Parkinson
  
  That Ella Bache Floral Oil is amazing. Love.
Rukmini

Cetaphil + Baking Soda. Found that to be absolutely refreshing and love the effects. I do think I started using it after mrs. Beach cottage did a post on her blog. Still holding on to it
- http://www.stylingyou.com.au/ Nikki Parkinson
  
  I think I’ll avoid the baking soda … a bit harsh for my sensitive skin but Cetaphil a great product.
http://twitter.com/nonoodle Nicky

I’m a Natio kind of gal
- http://www.stylingyou.com.au/ Nikki Parkinson
  
  Good recommendation!
Clare

My sister just bought me a clarisonic mia from Sephora in the US when she was there last week. I haven’t got it yet but I’m dying to try it. Nikki, what sort of cleanser do you recommend for using with it? I am currently using Aesop Fabulous Face Cleanser and have also used Akin Rose & Geranium cream cleanser recently – would either of these be OK? I am in my mid-30s and have combination skin. Thanks!
- http://www.stylingyou.com.au/ Nikki Parkinson
  
  I find any cream cleanser has worked beautifully with the Mia … you’ll love it. Charge it up now!
Makeuptipsblog

Great article Nikki! I love Trilogy & Antipodes I’m always trying different products so there is no way I could ever pick just one!
- http://www.stylingyou.com.au/ Nikki Parkinson
  
  I know! So good.
http://www.jeweldivas.com.au/ Jewel Divas Style

I’ve always had to go for combination skin products and usually a scrub. I’ve just bought an Olay ProX cleaning brush, similar to Clarisonic, and am seriously considering, once everything I have in my cupboards is used and gone, of just using Olay products. I need to get rid of uneven tone and start looking at a bit of lift and peel as I head for 40 so my skin looks clearer and more even.
- SonyaMath
  
  My Nanna was 80 when she died. She only ever used Olay (used to be Oil of Ulan – think). When she was checking into the hospital for the last time, the nurse didn’t believe my Uncle when he wrote down her year of birth. She had amazing skin that, still to this day, makes me envious. A very simple beauty regime with great results.
  I, stupidyly, am a product junkie who has a cupboard full of different products for different skin days and haven’t followed her example at all.
  - http://www.jeweldivas.com.au/ Jewel Divas Style
    
    My mum used Oil of Ulan for years before I even came along. She used it long after too but then seemed to stop somewhere along the line and then they changed their name.
  - http://www.stylingyou.com.au/ Nikki Parkinson
    
    I’m the same Sonya … I think the main thing is to use something – consistently – and protect yourself from too much sun exposure!
    - SonyaMath
      
      Actually, she failed on that front as she died of skin cancer that had moved through her body.
      - http://www.stylingyou.com.au/ Nikki Parkinson
        
        Oh, I’m so sorry Sonya.
- http://www.stylingyou.com.au/ Nikki Parkinson
  
  Olay products are great – and NIVEA Q10.
Lisa Mckenzie

I am like you Nikki I do NOT like cleansing at a basin ,cause yes the water runs up your arms,I actually hate those ads where the sweet young things splash their face after cleansing and it goes in the basin not all over them lol ,So not me,I use the Loreal perfect clean in the gentle and sensitive at night,with the little brush ,it’s good and gentle for my skin and then I remove it with a face wipe ,no wet sleeves for me,and I have been using the Palmers daily gentle cleanser with milk proteins and antioxidants cleanser in the shower in the morning.I don’t like skin squeaking ones only the cream ones ,its better for my not so youthful skin,so I must try the Garnier one if you say it’s good ,that is one thing I don’t spend a lot of money on ,cleanser ,But I think I might need a clarisonic as long as it’s gentle ,do you find it kind to not so youthful skin??
- http://www.stylingyou.com.au/ Nikki Parkinson
  
  I’m so glad I’m not alone! And yes, you just need a cleanser you’re happy with that works well with the Clarisonic … you’re on the right track!
http://www.facebook.com/people/Johanne-Taylor/100000780773879 Johanne Taylor

I currently like a foamy cleanser in the morning shower and use Bobbi Brown cleansing oil at night, which I love for how quickly but gently it removes all make-up.
I’m getting the Clarisonic for my birthday in July, after my husband missed this from the Christmas list, so am thinking that will be he impetus to try new cleanser in the morning shower.

What’s your recommendation for sensitive, oily, 40+ skin, Nikki?
- http://www.stylingyou.com.au/ Nikki Parkinson
  
  I would look at Cetaphil or Trilogy’s Very Gentle Cleansing Cream. With sensitive skin it’s all about keeping the PH levels of the skin in check – often when they’re balanced the oiliness disappears.
Tam

I’ve gone to a creamy cleanser since hitting my thirties, and have recently been using A’kin, but I seem to have a few breakouts that I didn’t have before. I might have to try something different next time to see if it’s the brand or just my skin playing funny buggers! I’ve heard that coconut oil is a great cleanser – I might try that sometime
- http://www.stylingyou.com.au/ Nikki Parkinson
  
  Breakouts can be a reaction to a new product – or just an ingredient in a product. It’s not necessarily the whole range that’s a problem.
Kelly

I use ASAP Daily Facial Cleanser (cream cleanser) followed up with their Daily Exfoliating Facial Scrub (very gentle but effective) – both in the shower. I too can’t do the sink thing with the water down the arms etc. I have been really happy with them especially value for money.
- http://www.stylingyou.com.au/ Nikki Parkinson
  
  I used these products years ago Kelly – and yes, they are very good. My skin is a bit older now and need something more sensitive.
Denny

I have started using Sukin foaming cleanser – works really well and reasonably priced. Nikki I would love you to do a review of primers/skin brighteners to wear under foundation or bb creams. I am of a certain vintage (?)and no nothing about these products so need some guidance to update my makeup and make me glow!.
- http://www.stylingyou.com.au/ Nikki Parkinson
  
  Hi Denny – love this idea – stay tuned!
  - Lisa Mckenzie
    
    Yes me too,Please Nikki ,only primers for me ,I don’t like BB cream though….Sorry maybe I haven’t found the right one for me.
    - http://www.stylingyou.com.au/ Nikki Parkinson
      
      I’ll be trialling a new BB cream very soon and will report back … also primers and face powders.
http://twitter.com/MummaInHeels Melinda

I am soooo lazy with my skin. I splash my face with water in the morning and remove my makeup at night. Until recently, I just used those makeup wipes but was sent a tube of Qsilicia ‘Remove’ and it has changed my cleansing habits! Removes all of my makeup including my mascara
- http://www.stylingyou.com.au/ Nikki Parkinson
  
  Oh, thanks for that tip re the Remove product Melinda!
Imogen

I have oily/sensitive skin with pimples which can easily get dried out from some of the harsher cleansers and I wash my face morning and night (face wipes on the lazy/late nights). I used to have to have a foaming cleanser (foam=working in my head, but then I learned you could just add an ingredient to make it foam) but these days i’m moving towards more gentle cleanser. I like the sound of the trilogy cleanser. I use cetaphil morning (looking for a replacement) and philosophy’s purity cleanser at night (love it, would recommend it to anyone). I have also had the clarisonic mia on my wish list for some time now, I need to bite the bullet soon! Love your beauty posts Nikki!
- http://www.stylingyou.com.au/ Nikki Parkinson
  
  You’re so right about cleansers that are designed to treat oily skin … they can do more harm than good if you have sensitive skin too. My daughter’s using Cetaphil at the moment and it’s helping. And yes, do keep the Mia on your wishlist!
tuffhr

I’m much lazier than you. Morning routine is a goodly amount of water in the face when showering, then home-made moisturiser (sorbolene based with a range of essential oils plus a good splash of almond or jojoba oil). Evening is almond oil followed up by a hot damp facecloth then a mix of rosehip and almond oil.
46, dry and sensitive skin with a long term dislike of chemicals. The skin is starting to lose it’s resilience and shows a few wrinkles and sunspots but is generally holding up well. I’m blessed with good genes and a low exposure to sun (by Australian standards, anyway).
When I make my moisturiser, I have a number of staple oils then dowse for any others. Rose, sandalwood, lavender, vetiver, ylang ylang, jasmine, chamomile. Interestingly, all of these are also used for helping against depression, something I’ve had for years. If nothing else, it smells lovely and that lifts my spirits!
- http://www.stylingyou.com.au/ Nikki Parkinson
  
  Your are a guru – love how you’ve been able to create this yourself.
- Lisa Mckenzie
  
  My lovely friend makes her own skincare,and shampoos and she is 84 I think but looks about 60 she has wonderful skin,and she always has a bath with essential oils at night so maybe keep it up Tuffhr!!
Something Gorgeous

I’m looking for a new cleanser, have been using the ones that came with my Clarisonic. Might try the Trilogy one as I love their Rosehip oil. xT
- http://www.stylingyou.com.au/ Nikki Parkinson
  
  I find the Trilogy cream cleansers (and I’ve tried lots of their range!) suit the Clarisonic really well.