Starting this month, a new series on understanding skincare for chaps. We’ll be stripping things right back to basics, covering everything from scrubs to serums, masks to moisturisers, acids to actives.

First up: facial cleansers.

Do I really need to wash my face?

Our face is exposed to the elements on a daily basis, more than any other part of our body.

As such, it accumulates dirt and environmental pollutants and sweat and oil with every passing minute, not to mention the layers of lotions and potions we may choose to slap on every morning.

If we don’t keep it clean, that gunk slowly snowballs and stops our skin from functioning properly.

The simple act of cleansing not only washes away all of that build-up so that our skin looks and feels fresher and healthier, but it also keeps harmful pathogens at bay, helps to regulate the turnover of skin cells and enables better penetration of the active ingredients in our skincare.

Why should I use a specific facial cleanser? Can’t I just use water?

Just like washing the dishes, water alone will remove some but not all of the dirt and oil your skin accumulates during the day.

In the same way a squirt of Fairy Liquid gets those pots and pans squeaky clean, a properly formulated face wash will dissolve stubborn grime quicker and more effectively than the hot tap in isolation.

Can I use bar soap?

If you’re washing your face with the same bar of soap you’re washing your butt and pits with, chances are your skin isn’t too happy about it.

Bar soap has a pH better suited to the neck down (it’s generally too harsh for the more delicate skin of the face) and also leaves a film behind on the skin, both of which can leave your face feeling uncomfortably dry and tight.

Ditto all of the above for anyone washing their face with shower gel or (shudder) shampoo.

Tip: if your skin feels itchy, dry or taut after showering, you’re washing with the wrong product.

Do I need to wash my face twice a day?

Ideally, yes. In the morning to remove any overnight creams and excess skin oils that built up while you slumbered.

Then again at night to clear away grime, pollution, sweat, SPF, moisturisers and makeup, which then properly preps the skin for lapping up your nighttime products.

If you’re not convinced and only have the time or inclination to do it once, do it at night.

What is double-cleansing?

An easy one, this: the clue is in the name.

It’s simply washing your face twice, to remove really ingrained dirt and sweat at the end of those days when your skin feels especially clogged and grubby, e.g. after a day at beach, in the city, after an active bout of exercise, etc.

It goes like this:

1. Use an oil-based cleanser or micellar lotion first, to dissolve stubborn muck, makeup and water-resistant sunscreen.
2. Follow with a foaming wash to leave everything extra-fresh and ready for your nighttime skincare.

You don’t need to do it every day and if you’re not using makeup or sun cream (which we’ll pretend I didn’t hear), you probably won’t need to do it very often, if ever. Save it for those times when your skin feels dirtier than your kitchen bin.

How do I clean my face properly?

First, get your face wet. It doesn’t matter if it’s at the sink or in the shower.

Add a pump of cleanser to your hands, rub them together, then massage it all over your forehead, nose, cheeks, chin and neck. Use your fingertips to really get into all the creases.

Then rinse it all off with plenty of water – a face flannel really helps here and has the added benefit of providing a bit of a gentle roughage, but make sure you throw it in the washing machine every couple of days (a wet cloth left lying around is a magnet for bacteria. If it’s starting to smell, you’ve already left it a day too late).

Tip: keep the water warm, not hot. Too much heat strips the skin of its natural oils and damages its barrier, leading to problems down the line.

Do I need to use a face scrub?

This is a bigger topic for another article, but briefly: not everyone needs a scrub. And if you are using one, it should be once or twice a week, max.

If it’s leaving your face red raw, stop now and tune in next time for the low down on scrubbing up.

What type of cleanser is best for me?

My first rule of thumb when it comes to picking my own face washes: if it leaves my skin dry, tight or itchy, it’s too harsh for me. Skin isn’t meant to feel ‘squeaky’.

My second guiding principle: most of it goes down the drain after less than 60 seconds, along with the money I spent on it. If it’s costing me more than £15 then it had better be a big bottle, it had better be good and I’ll also want it to have a dual benefit for that price (e.g. if it doubles as a mask or chemical exfoliant then I can probably justify the splurge).

Also bear in mind that the condition and needs of our skin change throughout the year depending on the weather, our diet, health and medication, etc. So what worked well in the middle of summer might need a tweak during the depths of winter.

Ready to go shopping? Here are a few suggestions I stock at the salon, all tried, tested and approved by little old me.

My Skin Chemistry Magnet Hyal Cleanser

200ml, £22.60

A consistent bestseller at the salon. This is an all-purpose, foaming face wash with multi-weight hyaluronic acid, aloe vera and a patented sugar extract with fancy moisture-binding properties.

This popular, gel-based cleanser is great for every skin type and will banish daily grime in a flash, leaving your face feeling fresh and comfortable.

Supremelab Refreshing Gel Cleanser

200ml, £13.00

Another great all-rounder. A cooling, everyday face wash with antioxidant black tea, ginseng and dragon fruit extracts. Thoroughly cleans the skin and beard without leaving behind any unpleasant feelings of dryness or tightness.

Good for most folks, especially if you find your face veers towards the slightly oily side by the end of the day.

Supremelab Cleansing Foam

150ml, £14.59

A lighter texture than a gel, so it takes a bit of getting used to, but this mild cleansing mousse is enriched with moisturising and soothing ingredients, making it an ideal option for more sensitive and irritable skins.

Supremelab Soothing Face Wash Emulsion

175ml, £9.89

This is my go-to recommendation for anyone whose skin needs a little extra TLC.

A creamy lotion perfect for dry/dehydrated skin, ultra sensitive complexions, sunburnt faces and for use immediately after microneedling or peels when things feel a bit delicate.

Circadia Amandola Milk Cleanser

200ml, £42.00

My top choice for dry and mature skins, especially those with sun damage or hyperpigmentation. This is a luxe, rinse-off milk with almond oil, lactic acid and mandelic acid.

For double bubble, a couple of times a week it can be applied in a thicker layer and left on for 10 minutes to act as a skin-softening and brightening mask.

Supremelab White Clay Cleanser

150ml, £14.59

A kaolin gel-paste that thoroughly cleans and refreshes the skin without leaving it feeling tight or dry. Excellent for oily and combination skins that are sensitised or easily irritated.

Bonus points for the fact you can leave it on the face for up to 10 minutes to get a really deep clean, on those days when your skin feels extra-greasy or congested.

Supremelab Antibacterial Facial Cleansing Gel

200ml, £10.79

Contrary to popular belief, acneic skins need to be treated gently, not stripped bare with harsh detergents that then leave the face prone to further imbalance.

This mild foaming gel ticks all the right boxes with tea tree, salicylic acid and niacinamide to help normalise oily and spot-prone complexions, along with gentle cleansing agents that support the skin’s natural barrier function.

Supremelab Oil Cleansing Balm

150g, £19.58

Sun cream, pollution and waterproof make-up are no match for this rich balm. Featuring a nourishing blend of vitamin E, plant butters and rice oil, the formula literally melts away impurities and then emulsifies when mixed with water, for easy rinsing.

This is a great ‘first cleanse’ for those times when extra oomph is required.

Special offer

Clean up your act – mention this blog to get 10% off any of the above face washes until the end of November 2023!

Details and prices are correct at the time of publication but may change without notice.