Exfoliating cleansers don’t have to leave your skin tight and dry – there are great options for all skin types
T
he ritual of facial cleansing is sacrosanct in my home, but only for me. While beauty buffs use melting balms, silky oils and rich creams to remove daily makeup, dirt and SPF, and separate exfoliants to remove dull skin, the vast majority of consumers – including my own family – will always prefer a foaming face wash that does it all.
I get it. Exfoliating cleansers are fast to use (and easily stored in the shower), and give that fully refreshed feeling only wet cleansing can. The drawback is that they can leave your face feeling tight, dry and begging for moisturiser, and frequently fail what I call “the towel test” – that is, they leave behind enough makeup for it to lightly stain a white towel during post-cleanse drying. So which exfoliating cleansers do a decent job and leave skin clean, without too much squeak?
For oily and spotty skin, I frequently recommend CeraVe’s SA Smoothing Cleanser with salicylic acid (£14.50), since the beta hydroxy acids cut through oiliness without leaving skin parched, thanks to comforting ceramides.
