Find the best cleanser for your skin type

Cleanse, tone, moisturise. It's the three-part beauty mantra every woman knows inside out. We may miss out the second step, but rare is the lady who doesn't cleanse and moisturise at least daily. Removing make-up, dead skin cells, oil, dirt and other impurities from the face, cleansing is vital for healthy, radiant skin. ‘It helps unclog pores and keep the skin soft, smooth and luminous,' says Dr Fiona Antony, consultant dermatologist and on the Neutrogena Skin Council.

Yet, whereas few of us would buy a day or night cream not specifically designed to meet our skin's needs, we tend to be more random in our choice of cleanser. A ‘one size fits all' approach to cleaning your skin can be a big mistake, though.

‘Selecting the wrong one may lead to problems,' says Dr Antony. ‘For example, if you have sensitive or eczema-prone skin and choose a cleanser containing perfume, essential oils and/or alcohol, this can potentially cause irritation and even an allergic reaction. If you have dry skin, it makes sense to choose a moisturising cleanser.'

Getting it right doesn't have to break the bank. ‘There are so many cleansers, and the right one for you doesn't have to be expensive - just aimed at a particular skin type, such as normal/combination, dry, oily, acne-prone or sensitive,' she says. Still, even when you focus on skin type, there's a vast range of options - from wipes to wash-off creams, no-rinse lotions to exfoliating pads.

See our favourite top 10 cleansers for every skin type - from mature to blemish-prone to dry, sensitive and more

Polish as you cleanse

If you like to buff as you cleanse, investigate the latest generation of cleansers meetexfoliators.

For a lightweight option that's ideal for travel, try Aapri Dual Cleansing Exfoliating Pillows, £3.99 for 30 (from Boots and Superdrug). With a smooth side to cleanse and remove impurities and a textured side to lift dead skin cells, these handy little pads are formulated with natural apricot extract to leave skin instantly refreshed. Simply wet each pillow with a few drops of water and massage into the skin to activate the cleanser, before turning over and sweeping the exfoliating side of the pad over your face.

Products such as Skin Therapy Age Reverse Gentle Exfoliating Facial Wash, £3.90 for 100ml (from Sainsbury's), is mild enough for daily use, as is Johnson's 3-in-1 Gentle Exfoliating Facial Wash, £2.99 for 150ml (available nationwide).

One to try

A Prima Beauty Award winner, the Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser, £12.50 for 100ml and two cloths (01983 813913), is the stuff of legend - a super-quick two-part system that removes daily grime, make-up and even stubborn mascara, leaving skin soft and radiant. The gentle ingredients, such as cocoa butter, calming camomile and soothing hops, make it suitable for most skin types.

Simply massage two pumps of cleanser into dry skin, rinse the pure muslin cloth in hand-hot water, wring out and gently wipe away the cream, repeating if there's any excess product left. Finish with a few splashes of cool water.

Massage as you go

You can enhance the performance of your cleanser by gently massaging it into your skin using your fingertips, or better still, the Eve Taylor Facial Cleansing Brush, £6.84 (0845 1305868 or email sales@eve-taylor.com).

It massages the skin without stretching or dragging, is more hygienic than a face cloth or sponge and more effective than cotton wool, and it helps improve circulation, leaving skin radiant. Work your cleanser in by rotating the brush gently on your skin with an upward circular motion.

Top tip

‘If you're prone to pimples, don't cleanse more often than morning or night. The rubbing can irritate skin further.'

Dr Jennifer Jones, British Skin Foundation Dermatologist

The wonder of wipes

They've come a long way since they were just for babies' bottoms! ‘Cleansing wipes have developed so much recently that you can usually find one that suits your skin type,' says Mike Bell, Boots skin technical expert.

But while they may have come along in leaps and bounds and are certainly handy, do they do the job as well as other types of cleansers?

‘Wipes currently on the market are generally as effective as cleansers at removing dirt and impurities,' says Mike. ‘For extremely sensitive skin, hypoallergenic wipes with calming ingredients such as aloe vera and allantoin are likely to be more suitable than potentially drying detergent-based cleansers.

‘If using wipes every day, check the skin type specified on the label. Some are suitable only for oily skin and may contain alcohol that could dry other skin types. Also, check the fabric is soft, not abrasive. More abrasive fabrics could damage the skin's barrier, increasing sensitivity and dryness.'

3 of the best face wipes

Korres Milk Proteins Cleansing Wipes, £5.50 for 25 (020 7581 6455) are nourishing and hydrating, with milk proteins, aloe vera, and vitamins E and B5 to soothe the skin from redness and irritation as the wipes gently remove all traces of face and eye make-up.

Simple Daily Radiance Cleansing Wipes, £3.99 (available nationwide) With an SPF of 10, light-reflecting particles, mango extract and added moisturisers, these new wipes leave skin refreshed and supple, and smooth away dead surface cells for a radiant, youthful glow.

L'oréal Revitalift Rejuvenating Cleansing Wipes, £4.99 for 25 (available nationwide) Developed to maximise the effects of any anti-wrinkle skincare programme, these can be used even around the delicate eye area. The biodegradable wipes also contain an exfoliant to help prepare skin for day or night cream.

Do I need a toner?

It's the second step in the skincare regime we've had drummed into us over the years, but is the ‘tone' between ‘cleanse' and ‘moisturise' essential? ‘The importance of a toner depends as much on your skin type as your cleansing regime,' says Mike. ‘For dry and sensitive skin, toners aren't always necessary and the skin can be primed adequately by a good cleanser, before you apply a moisturiser. For oily skin, toners take away stubborn oil and often have astringents such as ethanol that help shrink pores.'

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