It does still have a strong skincare element thanks to the addition of squalane and 2% niacinamide but it can be used to provide buildable light-to-medium coverage all over your face, or as a spot concealer.

It’s available in 40 shdes and is due to launch soon, to coincide with “My Skin, My Power” campaign.

Original Keys Soulcare UK article continues below 

Multiple Grammy-award-winning singer Alicia Keys recently teamed up with e.l.f Cosmetics to launch a new vegan, cruelty-free beauty line dubbed Keys Soulcare – and it’s finally on sale in the UK.

Keys Soulcare is branded around Keys’ philosophy of beauty, “encompassing harmony between mind, body, spirit, and connection.”

The collection includes:

• Comforting Balm
• Skin Transformation Cream (fragrance, and fragrance-free)
• Sage + Oat Milk Candle
• Obsidian Facial Roller
• Promise Serum –
• Keys Soulcare Protect Your Light Daily Moisturizer SPF 30
• Nourishing Cleansing Balm
• Rich Nourishing Body Cream
• Radiant Eye Cream
• Melting Body Balm
• Body Polish

Keys Soulcare

All of the products in the Keys Soulcare range have been developed by dermatologists and are clean, and cruelty-free. Alicia Keys has also made sure none of them contain more than 1,680 substances restricted by the FDA and European Union Cosmetics Regulation Guidelines.

These offerings are free of parabens, phthalates, sulfates, formaldehyde, among many other ingredients. You can read more in our guide to clean beauty.

Until now, the range has only been available in the US but we’ve now had the nod that you can buy it exclusively from Cult Beauty in the UK. Here is everything you need to know about the different products in the Keys Soulcare UK range.

Alicia Keys isn’t the only singer to get in on the skincare craze. Rihanna famously has her Fenty Skin range, while Jennifer Lopez recently launched her JLO Beauty collection.

Buy now from Harrods

︎ Keys Soulcare UK Golden Cleanser

£20 | Buy now Cult Beauty

The Golden Cleanser from Keys Soulcare has been formulated to purify your skin, and clear impurities, dirt, and makeup from within your pores, to leave your skin looking clear.

It contains Manuka honey from New Zealand, charcoal to draw out impurities, turmeric to soothe the skin, and calming chamomile.

Buy now from Cult Beauty

︎ Comforting Balm

£10 | Buy now Cult Beauty

Keys Soulcare describes this product as “lightweight yet deeply hydrating.” It’s been formulated to relieve dry skin anywhere on your body – face, elbows, knees, chapped lips, brows, nails, and more – but it can also be used as a highlighter.

Buy now from Cult Beauty

︎ Skin Transformation Cream 

£30 | Buy now Cult Beauty

The Skin Transformation Cream is available in both a fragranced, and fragrance-free formula for sensitive skin.

It contains bakuchiol – a plant-based alternative to retinol – ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and malachite which helps to purify your skin.

Buy now from Cult Beauty

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Victoria Woollaston-Webber

Victoria is founder and editor-in-chief of mamabella, freelance journalist and Mum. She has a passion for empowering people to feel beautiful whatever their age, size, skin type and budget

The post Keys Soulcare UK: Alicia Key’s skincare range is finally on sale in the UK, here’s everything you need to know appeared first on mamabella.

JLO Beauty – the skincare range from singer Jennifer Lopez – made headlines when it launched at the start of 2021 and it has seemingly gone from strength to strength since.

For those of us in the UK, the JLO Beauty site still doesn’t ship internationally however it’s still possible to get hold of the range via Amazon. You do have to pay shipping fees, but you don’t have to worry about import costs (at the time of writing).

Below we’ve detailed more about the individual products in the range, as well as how to buy JLO Beauty UK.

JLO Beauty UK

The entire JLO Beauty range promises to give you a “golden glow.” This is said to be thanks to the use of what the company calls the JLo Beauty Olive Complex. This complex is a four-part olive blend of squalane, fermented oil, extra virgin oil, and leaf extract.

This formula is said to be full of antioxidants that can tackle the two key causes of ageing – oxidative stress and dehydration. In JLO Beauty products, the antioxidants promise to deliver “visibly smoother, plumper skin, all-day hydration, and an instant lasting glow.”

Where to buy JLO Beauty in the UK

All the JLO Beauty products listed below are available directly from the JLO Beauty website in the US and Canada. Or you can buy them via Amazon to have them shipped to the UK and other international locations.

Shipping to the UK costs $9.11 (£6.70) for regular shipping (at the time of writing). This is said to take around 10 days. You can alternatively pay $13.11 (£9.65) for Priority shipping. This means it will take three days to arrive. Amazon assures us there are no import fee deposits to pay.

Clicking each link below will take you to the relevant Amazon page and Amazon will automatically convert these prices to GBP based on the current conversion rate. This is likely to change and fluctuate. Alternatively, shop the entire range and see which products are available, or out of stock at a glance here.

Shop the full range

JLO Beauty products

JLo Beauty

You can currently buy bundles of JLo products relatively cheap via Amazon

At the time of writing, the best way to get hold of JLO Beauty products in the UK on Amazon is via bundles however we’ve listed the individual products first, with the bundles and kits below.

• That Beauty Star Filter in an Instant Complexion Booster: ~£30
• Inner Love supplements: ~£28
• That Overnight Hustle AHA + BHA Resurfacer ~ £47
• That Glow Serum: ~£89
• That Big Screen Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Moisturiser: ~£40
• That Fresh Take Eye Cream: ~£36
• That Limitless Glow Multitasking Mask: £13 for one mask of ~£36 for a pack of three

JLO Beauty UK Bundles and Kits

• That JLo Insta-Filter Complexion Booster Kits: ~£66: These kits come in four colour options including Pink champagne, Rich Bronze, Rose Gold and Warm Bronze
• That JLo Essentials Kit (Gel Cleanser, Serum, Hydrating Cream, and Broad Spectrum SPF): ~£63
• That JLo Starter Kit (serum, cleanser, and cream): ~£51
• JLO Beauty That Two-Step Glow Holiday Duo (serum and cream): ~£92

JLO Body

The JLO Body collection is largely only available from the JLO Beauty site but you can currently buy the following JLO Body products on Amazon:

• Firm + Flaunt Targeted Booty Balm: ~£50
• Tighten + Tease Ulitmate Body Serum: ~£48

Shop the full range

That Fresh Take Eye Cream

£36 | Buy now from Amazon

JLO Beauty

The That Fresh Take eye cream promises to “provides a visible reduction in fine lines and wrinkles while supporting elasticity and helps mask the appearance of dark circles and discolouration.”

Note the use of the words “mask the appearance.” This eye cream won’t specifically get rid of dark circles and discolouration. Instead, it contains what JLO Beauty calls a blurring complex to hide them. A skincare version of a concealer, or sorts.

It’s also free from parabens, phthalates, mineral oil, dyes, and fragrance, and is Leaping Bunny certified. You can read more about what this means in our Vegan vs cruelty-free: What’s the difference? guide.

FURTHER READING: Best eye cream for dark circles, wrinkles, fine lines and bags

Buy from Amazon

That Limitless Glow Two-Piece Face Mask

From £13.50 | Buy now from Amazon

JLO Beauty

The That Limitless Glow two-piece face mask is infused with an ounce of the brand’s serum to “deliver deep hydration, luminous brightness, and supernova-level glow.”

This means it has the same Japanese rice sake ferment to brighten and condition the skin; a sugar-derived matrix tightens and lifts, while JLO’s Beauty Olive Complex contains a blend of squalane, fermented oil, extra virgin oil, and leaf extract provides all-day moisture.

This product wasn’t available initially on Amazon but recently launched and a pack of three is on sale for the equivalent of £36. For this, albeit high price, you get three single-use masks – which works out at £12 a mask. While this is pricey, it’s not completely beyond the average price of face masks. And few contain such concentrated ingredients.

Alternatively, you can spend £13.57 (plus postage) to just buy a single JLO Beauty Sheet Mask.

What we also love about these masks is that they come in two pieces. This means they fit much more comfortably and tightly than usual one-piece masks, which require a lot of pulling into position.

FURTHER READING: Best face mask: The best face masques for acne, oily skin, dry patches and wrinkles

Buy from Amazon

JLO Beauty UK That Big Screen SPF 30 moisturiser 

£41 | Buy now from Amazon

JLO Beauty

The That Big Screen SPF 30 moisturiser is one of the highest SPF moisturisers on the market, but you are paying a premium for the privilege!

It’s described by the brand as a “luxurious, ultra-light, whipped age-shielding SPF 30 sunscreen that protects while active ingredients keep your skin looking radiant all day long.”

These ingredients include a blend of hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and natural sugars. There is also licorice root to soothe and brighten the skin, and marine bamboo to protect the skin from high-energy blue light from phones and gadgets.

It has a broad-spectrum barrier protective from UVA and UVB and fights free radicals and pollution.

FURTHER READING: What is SPF and why is it so important? and Could your phone be prematurely ageing you? Blue light can make wrinkles and fine lines worse

Buy from Amazon

JLO Beauty UK That JLO Glow Serum

£89 | Buy now from Amazon

JLO Beauty

That JLO Glow serum is said to include two “ferments and a sugar-derived matrix” which smoothes and brightens your skin.

In particular, Japanese rice sake ferment brightens and conditions the skin.

While the sugar-derived matrix tightens and lifts, and JLO’s Beauty Olive Complex contains a blend of squalane, fermented oil, extra virgin oil, and leaf extract provides all-day moisturisation.

Buy now from Amazon

JLO Beauty That Star Filter Complexion Booster

£28 | Buy now from Amazon

JLO Beauty

Meanwhile, the That Star Filter complexion booster is akin to a tinted moisturiser/primer in four shades:

• Pink champagne
• Rich Bronze
• Rose Gold
• Warm Bronze

You can either mix this booster with your existing moisturiser, or foundation, or you can apply it on its own.

Buy now from JLO Beauty

That Hit Single Cleanser

£43 | Buy now from Amazon

JLO Beauty

The That Hit Single Cleanser is said to “remove all your makeup in one go without leaving your skin feeling stripped due to a nourishing lipid-rich formulation,” and has been designed to suit all skin types thanks to its gel-creme formula.

It contains extracts of rice bran, coconut fruit, and Japanese knotweed root that help boost antioxidant protection, while Glycolipid removes excess oil and makeup.

It’s free from parabens, sulfates SLS + SLES, phthalates, and dyes. Plus it’s cruelty-free and Leaping Bunny certified.

That Hit Single Cleanser review: This is one of the JLO Beauty UK products we’ve tried. Firstly, despite the high price, the tube is huge – you get 150ml which is three times the standard amount from rival brands that cost the same.

The cleanser emulsifies nicely and you don’t need much at all. Due to the design of the packaging, it’s easy to squeeze out too much so go easy. It has a gentle, fresh fragrance and rinses off well, and we like to use a small amount of this on dry skin to grip the grime and makeup – similar to how a cleansing balm would – before adding water to emulsify on our face.

This isn’t the recommended method but we find it creates a better overall result and means a little goes a very long way.

Buy now from Amazon

JLO Beauty Blockbuster Wonder Cream

£43 | Buy now from Amazon

JLO Beauty

The That Blockbuster Wonder cream is infused with hyaluronic acid to deliver “plump, dewy looking skin”, plus it includes the JLo Beauty Olive Complex which is full of antioxidants and contains a blend of squalane, fermented oil, extra virgin oil and leaf extract.

Other ingredients that JLO Beauty will be hoping will help justify its high price include potent peptides that combine the antioxidant power of tea, calming honey, and yeast-derived ferment, known for its antioxidant and smoothing properties.

The plus side is that, because of the addition of various oils, this cream could double up as a moisturiser and a facial oil and save you money in the long run.

All of these ingredients are said to combine to give you a youthful-looking complexion.

FURTHER READING: What is hyaluronic acid and what does it do to your skin? 

Buy from Amazon

That Overnight Hustle AHA + BHA Resurfacer

£47 | Buy now from JLO Beauty

JLO Beauty

The That Overnight Hustle AHA + BHA Resurfacer is the newest release from JLO Beauty that promises to restore your skin as your sleep.

AHAs are also known as alpha-hydroxy acids, while BHAs are beta-hydroxy acids. Both offer chemical exfoliation benefits but while AHAs work on the upper layers of the skin, BHAs can penetrate deeper to more effectively tackle the cause of breakouts, wrinkles, dark spots, and texture.  You can read more about AHAs and BHAs in our guide to the acids in your skincare. 

There are two BHAs found in the Resurfacer – glycolic acid and lactic acid. Other ingredients include Willow Bark Extract to help clear pores and soothe skin, Grapeseed Oil to support the natural collagen production of your skin. This ingredient also helps even out skin tone and reduces the look of fine lines and wrinkles.

Then there is hyaluronic acid to lock in moisture and keep skin looking plumped-up and youthful, and a fruit extract blend of lemon and orange to brighten skin over time.

Buy from JLO Beauty

JLO Beauty That Inner Love supplements

£43 | Buy now

JLO Beauty

Having previously only been available directly from JLO Beauty, you can now buy JLO Beauty’s dietary supplements called That Inner Love. It comes in bottles of 30, or 90 capsules and each one contains 12 essential vitamins and minerals (at 100% daily recommended levels).

This includes antioxidants Vitamins C, E, and A, four B vitamins, collagen-building copper and manganese, and olive fruit extract. You can read more about the impact of these ingredients in our skin food guide. 

The supplement went on sale on 26 April and costs $36 for 30 capsules or $72 for 90 capsules.

You can also buy them on the JLO Beauty Subscribe and Save scheme, which drops the respective prices by 15%.

FURTHER READING: The truth about beauty supplements

Buy from Amazon

JLO Body UK

The JLO Beauty UK range recently got even bigger with the official launch of JLO Body. We knew it was coming because JLo initially filed a trademark patent for “Body by JLO” in February of 2023.

It was filed under the wider JLO Beauty and Lifestyle LLC and the application identification was listed as: “oils, tanning, creams, balms, treatments, serums, lotions, bronzers, sunscreen, polishes/scrubs.” She also filed for the trademark JLO Body, and now we know which one she opted for.

The first product to launch in the JLO Body line was the Firm + Flaunt Booty Balm and this was recently joined by the JLO Beauty Tighten + Tease Ulitmate Body Serum.

The Booty Balm contains “an advanced (and scientifically backed) formula that’s boosted with powerful ingredients like guarana seed extract and pink pepperslim to specifically target and refine the booty.”

Instagram/Jennifer Lopez

It makes sense that a cream for your bum is the first product in the JLO Body collection, seeing as the singer is renowned for her curvy derriere. The website continues that the balm fades the appearance of stretch marks and helps improve skin elasticity, while visibly firming the area.

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Victoria Woollaston-Webber

Victoria is founder and editor-in-chief of mamabella, freelance journalist and Mum. She has a passion for empowering people to feel beautiful whatever their age, size, skin type and budget

The post JLO Beauty UK: Everything you need to know about JLO Beauty and JLO Body appeared first on mamabella.

As a result, selecting the best eye cream for your own needs is more difficult than it should be. Is cream or gel better for eyes? Do you need retinol or nicacinamide? Is there any point to eye cream at all?

In the hunt for the Holy Grail of eye creams, experts, consumers, makeup artists and influencers alike all swear by one product – the CeraVe Repair Eye Cream. So we wanted to put this iconic product to the test, to see if it really lives up to this hype.

Buy now from Amazon

CeraVe Repair Eye Cream Review

CeraVe

A 14ml tube of CeraVe Repair Eye Cream costs £12.50

The skin around your eyes is drier than anywhere else on the face. A lack of oil glands also makes the skin around the eye considerably thinner and delicate which can become easily damaged or irritated by regular face creams.

In fact, no matter what your skin type is elsewhere on your face, the skin around your eyes will eventually become dry if it hasn’t already. And the key to reducing and even preventing common eye area concerns, including dark circles, fine lines, and puffiness, or eye bags, is keeping the area hydrated and fresh in as light and as effective way as possible. 

This is where the CeraVe Repair Eye Cream comes in! Developed for normal to dry skin, the CeraVe Repair Eye Cream works to hydrate the skin around the eyes in a way that a standard moisturiser typically can’t.

FURTHER READING: The best CeraVe products for all your skincare concerns

How we tested the CeraVe Repair Eye Cream

For our CeraVe Repair Eye Cream review, we used it as our only eye product for a month. You can read more about why it’s so important to test skincare for longer than a week or two in our guide: How we test skincare to see if it lives up to its claims.

For the first two weeks, we applied the CeraVe Repair Eye Cream morning and night before our moisturiser using our fingers. Namely, our ring finger which is the weakest finger of the lot and helps prevent you from dragging or pulling on the skin and damaging it.

For the second two weeks, we applied the CeraVe eye cream using an eye massaging tool called the FOREO Iris. We’ve previously reviewed the FOREO Luna 3 electric cleanser and will post our FOREO Iris review very soon! 

Note: Eye creams are different from eye serums and eye gels. You can read more about this in our best eye cream guide.

FURTHER READING: Best eye cream for dark circles, fine lines, and more

Buy now from Amazon

CeraVe Repair Eye Cream Formula

Jenny Tai/mamabella

The CeraVe Repair Eye Cream has a lightweight texture and a little goes a long way

Most eye creams have a medium-to-thick consistency and while the CeraVe Repair Eye Cream isn’t as lightweight as a serum, it is definitely lighter than other eye creams we’ve used. Notably, Charlotte Tilbury’s Magic Eye Rescue Cream. 

Instead of having to fish around in a pot of cream, the CeraVe Repair Eye Cream comes in a 14ml tube which will set you back £12.50.

It is easy to control how much of this eye cream you squeeze out, thanks to its small nozzle, and because it’s so lightweight, a little goes a surprisingly long way. 

During our CeraVe Repair Eye Cream review, we used a small pea size amount for both eyes. 

Application

CeraVe

You really only need a small amount of this eye cream, not only because a little goes a long way but because it absorbs easily without excessive rubbing

You really only need a small amount of this eye cream, not only because a little goes a long way but because it absorbs easily without excessive rubbing.

This means it can be used morning and night, and it can be used under makeup without running the risk of skin pilling or similar. 

We liked the feel of this CeraVe eye cream when we used our ring finger to massage it in; the cream slid on smoothly and we could feel instant hydration, even using the patting motion around the eye area to awaken the eye area in the morning.

Although it absorbs well, it doesn’t create an instant drying effect.

This explains why it keeps the area so hydrated for so long, but also allows you to massage it in for longer without pulling the skin.

This formula also lends itself well to use with an eye massager.

During these weeks, we applied the eye cream under the eye before using the FOREO Iris to work it around the eye.

The beauty of using an eye massager is that none of the product is absorbed into your finger, meaning all of it goes into the skin under your eye.

Not to mention the vibration benefits of the massaging tool.

Buy now from Amazon

Performance

Getty Images/iStockphoto

The CeraVe Repair Eye Cream is a great treatment for fine lines and dark circles. Stock image pictured

With the help of the eye massage, we felt that our eye area looked tighter and smoother, and it felt fresher.  Largely due to the fact there wasn’t any pulling or tugging.

Being a lightweight formula, it really does maintain high hydration levels for hours, all while improving the appearance over time with the addition of marine and botanical extracts.

What’s more, as with all the best CeraVe products, this eye cream contains ceramides. These are fatty acids and lipids found naturally in skin cells and are important for retaining your skin’s moisture by protecting the skin’s natural barrier.

Although our skin generates ceramides naturally, their levels drop with age. CeraVe products, including the Repair Eye Cream, use ceramides to both stop moisture from escaping while increasing hydration, and restoring your protective skin barrier.

Buy now from Amazon

CeraVe Repair Eye Cream Review: Verdict

We love this eye cream. It really does keep the area around our eyes hydrated, even when makeup and powder are applied over the top. And even later in the day. 

After using this cream for four weeks, the skin around our eyes is much smoother. Our fine lines look less noticeable and it’s given us a more fresh, awakened appearance. 

This is impressive on its own, but it’s even more so when you consider the price of this eye cream. It performs like creams that are three times as much, if not more. It’s no wonder, then, why this eye cream is so well revered. 

The only real downside is that there aren’t any frills with the packaging so it may not look as elegant or premium but we’ll take that hit!  

Buy now from Amazon

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Jenny Tai

Jenny has always had a strong passion for beauty, health, skincare and wellbeing. After working in marketing in the corporate world she has stepped out to fulfil her passion for content writing and blogging. You can discover more on her Instagram page

The post CeraVe Repair Eye Cream review: Is this really the Holy Grail of eye creams for fine lines? appeared first on mamabella.

Available in three formulas, each one suited to a specific skin type, the range is said to be perfect for balancing oils where needed without stripping the skin of moisture and hydration.

Each of the CeraVe hydrating cleansers contains three essential ceramides, which are at the heart of CeraVe’s success and performance. These ceramides – ceramides 1, 3, and 6-II – alongside fatty acids and other lipids are the key ingredients in every CeraVe product.

They help repair and strengthen your skin’s natural barrier. In fact, ceramides are so important for a healthy complexion, they make up 50% of our skin. When we don’t care for our skin it can start to feel dry and when it starts to feel dry the skin can easily crack. A sure-fire sign that the barrier has been damaged.

Over the past month, we’ve been putting the cream-to-foam version of the cleanser to the test to see if it lives up to the hype. Here’s our honest CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser review.

Buy now from Boots

CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser Review

Jenny Tai/mamabella

Each of the CeraVe hydrating cleansers contains three essential ceramides, which are at the heart of CeraVe’s success and performance. These ceramides – ceramides 1, 3, and 6-II – alongside fatty acids and other lipids are the key ingredients in every CeraVe product

Due to the fact we have oily patches in our T-Zone and dry areas around the sides of our face, we sit squarely in the combination skin type category. As such, the cream-to-foam CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser seemed to be the best hydrating CeraVe cleanser for our needs.

CeraVe also sells a standard Foaming Cleanser marketed for combination skin but we wanted the extra hydration for our dry and sensitive areas, so opted for the Hydrating Cleanser version. Our skin is feeling a little dull as we exit the winter months. It looks dehydrated and it needs a little love to make it look plump.

The other options in the CeraVe UK cleanser range are the standard CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser, for dry to normal skin, and the CeraVe Foaming Oil Cleanser for very dry skin. Separately, CeraVe sells a Salicylic Acid cleanser for rough, bumpy skin.

Foaming cleansers, generally, are best for oily skin and acne as the foam consistency gets deep into the pores and clears out excess sebum, yet it’s actually hard to find a cream-to-foam version. The majority tend to be gel- or liquid-to-foam and, in our experience, these have a tendency to leave our skin dry.

By comparison, cream-to-foam cleansers contain emulsifiers and natural oils to make sure they lock in moisture while cleansing.

FURTHER READING: The best CeraVe products for all your skincare concerns – from acne, wrinkles, bumpy skin and eczema

Buy now from Boots

How we tested

For this CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser review, we bought the standard 236ml bottle for £12.50. It was not gifted.

For the first two weeks of our CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser review, we massaged the product into our skin using our hands. For the second two weeks, we used the FOREO Luna 3 silicone face cleanser.

We used it morning and night as our only cleansing product, but we did double cleanse. This means cleansing, rinsing, and then repeating the process again to make sure all dirt, makeup, and impurities are removed.

FURTHER READING: Best cleanser for acne: Which acne cleanser actually gets rid of, or reduces spots?

CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser Formula

Jenny Tai/mamabella

The formula of the CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser is creamy with a light-to-medium consistency but once you add water it starts foaming

As its name suggests, the formula of the CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser is creamy with a light-to-medium consistency but once you add water it starts foaming.

It’s so easy to create a foam, we quickly realised you don’t need a lot of this cleanser and a little goes a very long way. In fact, half a pump, or about the same size as a 20p piece, of the product should cleanse your entire face and neck.

There isn’t any smell to the cleanser at all – CeraVe tends not to add fragrances to its products to make them better suited to sensitive skin types.

Application

We began by pumping the CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser into our hands before adding water to create foam and applying this foam to our face. However, we got the best cleansing and hydration results when we rubbed the cream directly into wet skin.

Doing the latter, we were grateful for the pump dispenser because looking around for a cleanser with a lid is notoriously tricky with a dripping face!

We began by massaging this cleanser into the areas where we have the most dryness before moving in circles around our nose, chin, and forehead. The cleanser is gentle with no harsh feel to the skin. We rinsed with lukewarm water and patted dry with a towel.

We loved that this cleanser didn’t leave the skin feeling dry or tight, and the addition of hyaluronic acid – which helps lock in moisture – is clear because our face felt super hydrated.

Cleansing performance

Jenny Tai/mamabella

If you have sensitive skin and are always worried about buying new products, we can vouch for this cleanser

The biggest test for us was to see if the CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser really can remove waterproof mascara as well as the brand claims. And it largely did.

Even when the foam was massaged into the area around our eyes in an attempt to shift the mascara, it didn’t sting or feel uncomfortable. The foam texture helped lift the mascara, as well as the rest of our makeup, quickly as well as gently. We didn’t have to scrub too hard.

If you have sensitive skin and are always worried about buying new products, we can vouch for this cleanser.

After the first cleanse, a quick swipe with a reusable cotton pad revealed very little residue. Just a small amount of mascara sat beneath our eyes.

After repeating the cleanse again, however, the cotton pad came back clean and our toner didn’t have to do much work to remove any leftover product.

FURTHER READING: How to make cheap homemade cleanser with everyday items

CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser Review: Verdict

We’re in love with this CeraVe cleanser. You don’t have to use a lot to get the foaming action going. It is super gentle on the skin, yet effective enough to remove makeup whether you choose to do a single, or a double cleanse.

After a month of using it, we don’t want to go back. Our skin is plump, looks dewy, clear and balanced. We’ve noticed fewer oil slicks by the end of the day and the redness on our sensitive areas has all but gone.

At £12.50, the CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser isn’t super cheap, but it is affordable. Plus, because you need to little each time, it’s great value for money no matter what your skin type.

Buy now from Boots

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• Perfect your skincare routine with these must-have facial products

Jenny Tai

Jenny has always had a strong passion for beauty, health, skincare and wellbeing. After working in marketing in the corporate world she has stepped out to fulfil her passion for content writing and blogging. You can discover more on her Instagram page

The post CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser review: A superb cleanser that fixes the skin as it cleans appeared first on mamabella.

That’s not to say that if you’ve already got fine lines, wrinkles or have noticed the first signs of age spots that it’s too late; you’re never too old to invest in your skin, but if you’ve put skincare at the bottom of your beauty regime, it’s time to make it a priority.

This is because no matter how much you spend on buying the best makeup, if you’ve not created a balanced and healthy base to place it on, you’ll never get the best results. Decent skincare doesn’t need to cost the Earth, nor does it need to take up too much time. Plus, the more attention you pay to your skin, the less money and time you’ll need to spend on trying to cover up the areas you’d rather hide.

Our mission at mamabella is to help you find the best products that suit you; products that have been tried and tested by people of varying ages, skin tones and types. As part of this mission, we’ve handpicked what we consider to be must-have skincare products for 2020 and within each of these Best Buys lists, we highlight a Budget Buy, a Luxury Buy as well our absolute favourite – what we call the Editor’s Pick.

To help you navigate the many, many, many slogans, scientific claims, and marketing BS involved in skincare, we’ve put all of these leading products, from BB creams and moisturisers to cleansers, toners, and tinted creams, below. Here are the best skincare products we recommend you buy in 2022. Oh, and drink more water!

FURTHER READING: What skin type do I have? Discover how to know your skin type with our skin types guide

Best Skincare 2022

• Primer: IT Cosmetics CC Cream
• BB cream: Olay Complete BB cream
• Cleanser: La Roche Posay Cleanser
• Toner: Carbon Theory’s Facial Purifying Tonic
• Moisturiser: Wishful Jelly Balm
• Serum: Clarins Double Serum
• Face oil: Wishful Skin Get Even Rose Oil
• Face mask: Origins GinZing 
• Anti-ageing cream: Olay Regenerist Whip
• Tinted moisturiser: Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturiser
• Eye cream: CeraVe Eye Repair Cream
• Firming lotion: Clarins Body Fit

WANT TO KNOW MORE? Best BB cream | Best moisturiser | Best tinted moisturiser  | Best toner | Best primer | Best cleanser| Best eye cream| Best anti-ageing cream | Best hand cream| Best foot cream | Best face mask  | Best face exfoliator | Best face oil| Best serum| Best night cream | Best SPF | Best Vitamin C serum | Men’s skincare routine

︎ Primer: IT Cosmetics CC+ Cream

£32 | Buy now

IT Cosmetics

Why we love it: If you can only afford one product for your makeup bag, make it this fantastic wonder cream from IT Cosmetics.

Firstly, it’s a CC cream, which stands for colour-correcting, meaning it helps reduce redness, brightens dark circles.

It even balances your skin tone better than some foundations we’ve tried.

Secondly, because of this coverage, this CC cream also doubles up as a foundation.

Thirdly, both its moisturising properties – it features on our best foundation for dry skin list – and its finish means it can be used as a primer, too.

What’s more, it carries SPF50 and anti-ageing ingredients to complete the set. This isn’t a cheap product but considering it could feasibly replace three or more other makeup items, it’s actually an absolute bargain and is one of our fave multi-tasking makeup staples.  

See more options in our best primer list. 

FURTHER READING: What SPF do I need? 

Buy now from IT Cosmetics

︎ BB cream: Olay Complete BB Cream SPF15

£11.99 | Buy now

Olay

Why we love it: This BB cream from the anti-ageing experts at Olay provides glowing skin, alongside vitamins B3, E and Pro-V B5.

This BB cream evens out your skin tone and with a touch of foundation, it gives a smooth finish while hiding blemishes and dark circles among other imperfections.

We love how lightweight it feels on our skin.

Plus, with SPF 15 its a multi-purpose product. All for just £12.

FURTHER READING: What even is a BB cream anyway? and Best BB cream for oily skin

Buy now from Boots

︎ Cleanser: La Roche Posay Effaclar Purifying Cleansing Gel

£19 | Buy now

La Roche Posay

Why we love it: La Roche Posay’s Effaclar Cleanser – as with all of the products in the Effaclar skincare range – is great for all skin types but excels at tackling the causes of blemishes, spots, acne and oily skin.

As its name suggests, this gel gently purifies the skin, getting rid of impurities and removing excess sebum without stripping necessary oils from the skin.

The formula also contains La Roche-Posay Thermal Spring Water which helps soothe the skin, reducing redness and irritation, while balancing even the most sensitive skin.

Buy now from Feelunique

︎ Toner: Carbon Theory’s Facial Purifying Tonic

£14 | Buy now

Carbon Theory

Why we love it: Carbon Theory‘s Facial Purifying Tonic gently cleanses and refines pores while reducing redness and inflammation.

As with the entire Carbon Theory range, its ingredients lend themselves well to people with blemishes or who are prone to breakouts.

This is because it contains Citric Acid, which works by removing dead skin cells; tea tree oil to treat mild acne and prevent future breakouts, and grapefruit extract to minimise shine.

FURTHER READING: What does toner actually do? | Best toner

Buy now from Beauty Bay

︎ Moisturiser: Wishful Skin Honey Balm Jelly Moisturiser

£37 | Buy now

Wishful

Why we love it: The first thing you’ll notice about the Wishful Skin Honey Balm Jelly Moisturiser is that it smells incredible.

This is because it contains honey and lavender.

Yet instead of being purely for fragrance purposes, the honey nourishes and softens the skin while the lavender pearls help to colour correct your skin tone.

This super moisturiser also contains niacinamide and turmeric root extract to shrink pores, reduce puffiness and irritation, and for getting rid of dark spots.

FURTHER READING: Best moisturisers | The science of moisturiser | Wishful Skin UK

Buy now from Cult Beauty

︎ Serum: Clarins Double Serum 

£58 | Buy now

Clarins

Why we love it: Clarins’ Double Serum plumps skin, leaving it feeling softer and tighter after the first use.

The anti-ageing treatment uses plant extracts stimulate five vital functions for your skin: hydration, nutrition, oxygenation, regeneration, and protection.

It’s designed for all skin types, and ages, and while it’s expensive, you can control how much you use thanks to the rotating push button which delivers a made-to-measure dosage of serum.

Read our full Clarins Double serum review 

FURTHER READING: The science of serums | Best face serum

Buy now from Clarins

︎ Face oil: Wishful Skin Get Even Rose Oil

£55 | Buy now

Wishful Skin

Why we love it: With a blend of Rosehip and Damascus Rose oils, combined with 13 other oils, Huda Kattan’s Wishful Skin thought very long and hard about what it wanted from what we consider to be the best face oil on the market.

As its name suggests, the Get Even Rose Oil leaves the skin looking brighter and smoother and evens out the skin tone.

Rosehip Oil is renowned for reducing dark spots and fine lines, for instance, while the other oils leave your skin feeling supple and balanced.

FURTHER READING: Best face oil | Where to buy Wishful in the UK

Buy now from Boots

︎ Face mask: Origins GinZing Face Mask

£24.50 | Buy now

Origins

Why we love it: This Origins GinZing peel-off mask is great at lifting away dead and dull skin to give you with a clear and radiant complexion.

It’s made with coffee beans and PanaxGinseng, which revitalise skin and tighten pores and a little goes a long way.

FURTHER READING: Best face mask

Buy now from Feelunique

︎ Anti-ageing cream: Olay Regenerist Whip SPF30

£34.99 | Buy now

Olay

Why we love it: Olay (or Oil of Ulay if you’re over a certain age) is an OG when it comes to anti-ageing skincare. 

And our favourite pick of the Olay bunch is Regenerist Whip.

It’s lightweight and smells incredible, using niacinamide and peptides to smooth and reduce the appearance of fine lines and increase the skin’s elasticity.

We often use this anti-ageing cream as a primer because it leaves skin smooth and matte. 

FURTHER READING: Best anti-ageing cream | How to prevent wrinkles

Buy now from Boots

︎ Tinted moisturiser: Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturiser

£35 | Buy now

Laura Mercier

Why we love it: Absolutely packed with antioxidants and Vitamin E, this tinted moisturiser from Laura Mercier controls oil and shine while leaving your skin soft, supple and hydrated.

It’s not cheap but you’re paying for this great combination of ingredients as well as the fact this tinted moisturiser comes in 15 shades covering a range of cool and warm tones.

If you’re not sure which undertone you need, read our explainer on how to find your perfect foundation match or check out our full list of best tinted moisturiser brands designed for a range of skin types and budgets.

FURTHER READING: Best tinted moisturiser | Laura Mercier is the latest brand to launch at Boots 

Buy now from Cult Beauty

︎ Eye cream: CeraVe Eye Repair Cream 

£12.50 | Buy now

CeraVe

Why we love it: CeraVe Eye Repair Cream is packed full of hyaluronic acid – an ingredient with the ability to hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water, making this budget-friendly cream extremely moisturising.

It repairs dry and damaged skin, while simultaneously protecting the delicate skin and helping to reduce puffiness and eye bags. You can read more about this, and alternatives, in our best eye cream guide.

WANT TO KNOW MORE? The truth about the acids in your skincare

Buy now from Lookfantastic

︎ Firming lotion: Clarins Body Fit

 £40 | Buy now

Clarins

Why we love it: Clarins New Body Fit targets Adipocytes cells which are responsible for storing energy as fat.

Its formula helps firm and tone the skin and reduces the appearance of cellulite within a week.

It also contains Quince Leaf which is said to reduce fat storage for what Clarins called a “corrective Anti-Cellulite action”.

As a side note, this Body Fit is also great as a general body moisturiser because it leaves the skin soft and smooth.

See more options in our list of the best body firming lotions that actually work.

FURTHER READING: The best body firming creams, lotions and oils  | What causes cellulite and how to get rid of it

Buy now from Feelunique

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Victoria Woollaston-Webber

Victoria is founder and editor-in-chief of mamabella, freelance journalist and Mum. She has a passion for empowering people to feel beautiful whatever their age, size, skin type and budget

The post Perfect your skincare routine with our pick of must-have facial products in 2022 appeared first on mamabella.

If your skin is to the extreme in terms of dryness, or oiliness, then it’s an easy-ish task. But if you have a mixture of dry patches, redness, and oily zones then things can get a little tricky.

In this guide, we help you discover how to know your skin type, give you a simple skin type test you can do at home, and recommend products designed to suit all skin types, and (hopefully) budgets.

Skin types

Your skin type is largely determined by your genetics. If your parents suffered from breakouts as teenagers, chances are you will as well. If they struggle with dry skin in the winter, you will too. The best place to start is by asking them, if possible, what their skin types are.

This obviously isn’t a fool-proof method, but it may help narrow things down.

In simple terms, there are six common skin types and three major skin types. Click on each one to jump to the relevant section below:

• Dry
• Combination
• Oily
• Sensitive
• Normal
• Acne-prone

These are the main skin types you’ll see written on the side of skincare bottles, serums, and even makeup. As you can read in our What’s really in your foundation? guide, if you have oily or dry skin, it’s better to look for certain ingredients that will work best with both the primer you use and your skin type.

Some skincare will cover a number of these types – so they might be labelled as dry/normal, or oily/combination. Sensitive skincare is typically fragrance-free, or at least free of harsh chemicals so if it doesn’t expressly say it’s for sensitive skin, these are things to look out for.

What skin type do I have? The skin type test

Getty Images/iStockphoto

Now you know the different skin types, how well do you think you know your skin type? It can be slightly daunting when faced with a number of skincare products and not knowing what to buy that will meet your exact needs.

How to know your skin type

There is a simple method that can be done at home. All you need is a gentle face cleanser and 30 minutes of your time. Below is the step-by-step guide on how to know your skin type.

1. Wash your face with a gentle cleanser and pat dry
2. Don’t use toner, serum, moisturiser, or SPF
3. Wait 30 minutes

After the 30 minutes are up, check for the following:

• Is your skin feeling tight and flaky all over? Then you have dry skin
• Is your skin looking red, tight, itchy, or is stinging? You have sensitive skin
• Has your skin remained how it was before you cleansed, without any noticeable changes? You have normal skin
• Is your skin shiny on your T-zone (your forehead, nose and chin) but do your cheeks feel tight or feel comfortable? You have combination skin
• Is all of your skin looking shiny and feeling greasy? You have oily skin 

Many of us can suffer from sensitive skin from time to time if we have disturbed our natural skin barrier through exposure to the sun, chemical exfoliants, pollution, and so on.

Combination skin is often mistaken for oily skin, due to the presence of oily and shine in T-zone but it can be important you don’t buy products for oily skin if you have combination skin. This is because oily skin products are designed to dry out your skin and remove excess sebum.

If you have combination skin, your cheeks will be normal (or dry) which means that drying them out further could leave them red, irritated, flaky or itchy.

Always look out for any skin changes, it could mean you need to give your skin the extra TLC it needs. This is particularly key as the seasons change, for example.

What skin type do I have? The skin type quiz

The Body Shop

Alternatively, you can take the skin type quiz put together by The Body Shop.

It starts off by asking you about your skincare routine, how sensitive it is to the sun, and what skincare products you use.

In then finds out a bit more about whether you suffer from spots, if you ever suffer from redness, the size of your pores, and how shiny your skin is before revealing your skin type.

Skincare for different skin types

We regularly test skincare for a range of different skin types and needs and have included many more in our Best Buy guides.

Below we’ve broken each skin type down and given you options for the best cleanser, best toner, serum, and best moisturiser for each one. Scroll down to your particular skin type to see our recommendations.

Dry Skin

The golden rule for any cleanser is that it shouldn’t leave your skin feeling dry. This is regardless of what skin type you have because even if you’re skin is oily, using a harsh cleanser that dries and tightens can actually make things worse. It’s better to treat oily skin more effectively with serums and moisturisers.

With dry skin the best type of cleansers are:

• Milk cleansers: These won’t irritate dry skin and won’t leave your skin feeling greasy, just soft.

• Oil cleansers: Great for removing makeup. Many oil-based cleansers turn a little milky when you add water to it. Due to the fact oil and water don’t mix, removing all traces of oily cleansers can be tricky so we recommend using a reusable face cloth with warm (not hot) water. The face cloth will remove the cleanser, and with it any dirt and makeup. You can then go back and rinse the cloth, and repeat.

︎ CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser

£7.10 | Buy now from Lookfantastic

CeraVe

This Hydrating Cleanser from CeraVe is very gentle for dry skin. It refreshes dry skin while gently removing dirt and grime along with traces of makeup.

It’s a non-foaming gel and has a milk-like texture when wet, which won’t leave your skin feeling dry or tight.

This is largely because it contains hyaluronic acid which helps replenish hydration levels.

Just massage into wet skin and rinse with warm water. Pat dry.

If you’re interested in learning more about this cleanser, and the wider CeraVe range, head on over to our best CeraVe products guide. 

FURTHER READING: How to make cheap homemade cleanser with everyday items

Buy now from Lookfantastic

︎ The Body Shop Camomile Sumptuous Cleansing Butter

£11 | Buy one from The Body Shop

The Body Shop

We love this buttery cleanser because it’s both rich and incredibly soothing.

It’s gentle enough to be suitable for all skin types but is particularly great for dry skin when you don’t want to pull the skin and irate it.

This butter melts into the skin to dissolve makeup.

To use, rub a small amount of the balm in your hands so that it melts to an oily consistency.

Apply this to dry skin and work around the face. Then, either rinse with warm water or use a wet face cloth and wipe off the cleanser.

FURTHER READING: Best cleansing balm: From Elemis to The Body Shop

︎ The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5

£5.90 | Buy now from Boots

The Ordinary

Maintaining high levels of hydration is key for dry skin.

The Ordinary has created an amazing serum that is oil-free yet still delivers long-lasting hydration to the skin thanks to the inclusion of 2% hyaluronic acid.

With the help of Vitamin B5, this serum also helps moisture retention and leaves the skin look plump and smooth. All for a little over a fiver!

If you’re not familiar with The Ordinary, it’s a super affordable brand that punches well about its weight in terms of ingredients and results.

We’ve put together a guide on how to choose the best The Ordinary products for different skin concerns, from redness to enlarged pores, acne, and more. You can read that guide here.

FURTHER READING: What is hyaluronic acid and what does it do to your skin? 

Buy now

︎ CeraVe Moisturising Cream

£6.75 | Buy now from Lookfantastic

CeraVe

A great hydrating moisturiser that doesn’t cost the Earth is a sweet find. But that’s exactly what we’ve found with this CeraVe Moisturising Cream.

If your skin feels uncomfortable, CeraVe Moisturising Cream is a rich and nurturing cream that gives dry skin a much-needed boost.

It has a non-greasy feel which is rare for a moisturiser that’s as thick as this.

What else is rare is getting such a nourishing cream for under a tenner. It’s also great for soothing eczema.

What’s more, this cream is a great alternative for Charlotte Tilbury’s Magic Rescue cream and costs a whole lot less.

FURTHER READING: How to layer your skincare: Knowing the best skincare order will help make the most of your products

Buy now from Lookfantastic

Sensitive Skin

Sensitive skin can be reactive so keeping the skin calm and less irritated is key. Milk cleansers will do wonders for you, or a very gentle face wash will do just as good a job.

Avoid fragrances or any harsh chemicals. Also, be careful about introducing any new product to your regime – try using it once a week before upping the frequency so you can make sure it doesn’t cause you any problems.

︎ Dermalogica Ultracalming Cleanser

£27.20 | Buy now from Lookfantastic

Dermalogica

This soothing cleanser has a gel/cream consistency.

It cleanses and calms skin instantly and also helps alleviate redness. This is a good cleanser for people with rosacea, in particular.

It contains ingredients like cucumber and lavender, which both provide a cooling and calming effect.

It also helps balance pH to maintain the skin’s protective barrier – the most important thing about keeping sensitive skin safe from the elements.

FURTHER READING: How to clean beauty blenders

Buy now from Lookfantastic

︎ Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser

£6.26 | Buy now from Superdrug

Cetaphil

Cetaphil is renowned for producing mild, non-irritating products and this cleanser is no exception.

We love it because it leaves skin feeling soft and smooth.

It removes dirt and makeup easily but it doesn’t strip your skin because it’s soap-free and fragrance-free, which is great for sensitive skin.

This cleanser doesn’t block pores and it matches the pH value of the skin which is great for daily use.

FURTHER READING: Clean beauty: What are clean beauty products and how can I shop more consciously?

Buy now from Lookfantastic

︎ La Roche-Posay Toleriane Ultra Fluid

£13.85 | Buy now from Lookfantastic

La Roche-Posay

We love how this fluid doesn’t irritate sensitive skin.

It is specially formulated for reactive skin prone to dryness, tightness, redness, itchiness, or burning.

It helps instantly soothe and relieve your skin and it’s clinically proven to make skin less sensitive day after day.

FURTHER READING: Best toner: Discover which toner best suits your skin type and budget

Buy now from Lookfantastic

Normal skin

If you have a normal skin type, not much will irritate your skin and you don’t need specific ingredients to tackle specific woes. However, it’s always good to keep your skin hydrated and cared for and avoid messing with the perfect balance through the use of extreme chemicals.

︎ Fresh Soy Face Cleanser

£11.50 | Buy now from Cult Beauty

Fresh

Fresh is all about mixing good skin ingredients and centuries-old cultural beauty rituals.

Its Soy Face Cleanser is packed with healthy proteins to help maintain overall healthy skin.

This is a great daily cleanser that removes dirt and makeup from your complexion.

FURTHER READING: Skin food: The best foods for clear, healthy skin – and why they work

Buy now from Cult Beauty

︎ Kiehl’s Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate

£52 | Buy now from Feelunique

Kiehl's

Normal skin types don’t escape the ticking of time and you’ll still want to maintain the firmness of your skin, as well as get a natural glow.

Serums are an important part of your skincare routine because they penetrate the lower layers to provide that extra little boost you may need.

Kiehl’s Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate contains 12.5% Vitamin C along with hyaluronic acid to keep the skin radiant while reducing the appearance of lines and wrinkles.

We’re such fans of this concentrate that it features in our list of best Vitamin C serums.

FURTHER READING: Vitamin C: What does Vitamin C do and which is the best Vitamin C serum for skin?

Buy now from Feelunique

︎ Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream

£26 | Buy now from Feelunique

Kiehl's

Even with normal skin types, keeping your skin hydrated and protected is important.

Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream is a fast-absorbing moisturiser that replenishes throughout the day by absorbing moisture from the air.

This may sound like science-fiction but we can’t fault how well this moisturiser works, creating soft but never greasy or oily skin.

FURTHER READING: The science of moisturiser: Which ingredients actually work and which are marketing BS?

Buy now from Feelunique

Combination skin

Combination skin is one of the most common, but it’s also one of the most tricky to tackle because you’re looking for a product that’s capable of tackling two different skin types in one. It’s so tricky that some skincare experts don’t actually believe combination skin exists.

“Your ‘skin type’ is determined by your genetics – your skin will either under or overproduce oil, which means your skin type will be either dry or oily – nothing in between. A ‘combination’ skin type doesn’t exist,” said Katherine Daniels co-founder and skincare expert, Kirsti Shuba said.

“If you experience signs of ‘combination’ skin – an oily t-zone, ‘shine’ developing throughout the day, congestion and/or open pores, this is most likely down to dehydration, a skin condition, which varies depending on your lifestyle, environment, and climate.”

Dehydrated skin tends to overproduce oil to compensate for the lack of moisture, which is why you might experience oily skin in certain areas, Shuba continued. You may also have open pores and experience congestion on your chin, jawline, and cheeks, caused by dehydrated cells that don’t contain enough fluid to efficiently flush out toxins.

“If this sounds familiar step away from harsh, oil stripping products, which can damage your natural skin barrier allowing the healthy oils and moisture escape, exacerbating the issue. Instead, implement a simple cleansing and hydrating skincare regime to restore moisture levels, protect the skin’s barrier and improve overall skin function for a hydrated, healthy, clear, glowing complexion.”

︎ Glossier Milky Jelly Cleanser

£15 | Buy now from Glossier

Glossier

Glossier can be a little pricey but we love the fact that this cleanser is a multitasking, 2-in-1 product.

You can use it on dry skin to remove makeup or use it with water to give the skin a refreshing feel.

The texture is a creamy gel and it’s great for combination skin types.

It won’t leave the skin irritated or feeling tight, while also tackling areas of oiliness. We love how gentle this is because it has the same gentle cleansing agent found in contact lens solution.

This also means it’s safe for effectively removing mascara and other eye makeup.

FURTHER READING: Glossier UK: The best Glossier products from across its makeup and skincare range

Buy now from Glossier

︎ Q+A Peppermint Daily Cleanser

£7.50 | Buy now from Feelunique

Q+A

This refreshing daily peppermint cleanser is a gentle cleanser that won’t upset the natural oil balance of your skin.

The peppermint oil has antibacterial properties which are great at fighting acne and blemishes from oily skin.

It also contains coco-sulfate which won’t cause dryness and irritation. The coconut oil leaves the skin feeling soft and clean.

FURTHER READING: Spotlight on…Q+A Skin’s affordable, natural and highly effective skincare bundles

Buy now from Feelunique

︎ The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%

£5 | Buy now from Beauty Bay

The Ordinary

A fantastic serum that seems even more impressive because of its low price tag, The Ordinary’s Niacinamide serum helps combat blemishes, congestions, and sebum overproduction.

This is a light serum that helps reduce breakouts as well as the appearance of existing blemishes.

Pores remain clear and decongested and it also calms the skin. Perfect for tackling various skincare woes caused by combination skin.

Niacinamide also boosts the skin’s immunity and improves moisture retention by strengthening the natural barrier, while Zinc supports skin structure by healing damaged skin and encourages the production of collagen and elastin.

So it’s a great anti-ageing product as well. For a fiver!

FURTHER READING: The best The Ordinary products for all your skincare concerns – from large pores to redness, wrinkles and acne

Buy now from Beauty Bay

︎ The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA

£4.90 | Buy now from Boots

The Ordinary

This moisturiser from The Ordinary is packed full of skin-protecting skincare ingredients.

It’s oil-free, which is great for both combination and oily skin types.

The ingredients are packed with amino acids, fatty acids, and hyaluronic acid, many of which are actually found naturally in our own skin.

We love this formula because it’s non-greasy and keeps skin hydrated without looking shiny.

FURTHER READING: Spotlight on…The Ordinary: The beauty brand proving premium skincare doesn’t have to cost a fortune

Buy now from Lookfantastic

Oily skin

Oily skin can cause a whole host of knock-on effects including blemishes, acne, and enlarged pores. Not to mention it can cause makeup to slide off the skin.

Tackling the overproduction of sebum without stripping the skin of other essential oils can be difficult so you need to look for products without harsh chemicals. Foaming products are a good place to start because they’re light enough to not cause clogged pores.

︎ La Roche-Posay Effaclar Purifying Cleansing Gel

£9.35 | Buy now from Lookfantastic

La Roche-Posay

This is one of our absolute faves here at mamabella and it’s ideal for oily/combination skin types.

Oily skin at times can be sensitive and the best thing about this cleanser is that La Roche-Posay tests all its skincare products on sensitive skin types.

This gentle cleanser helps eliminate impurities and excess sebum and leaves the skin feeling clean and fresh.

This gel cleanser works into a lather it only takes a small amount of gel to work up that lovely foam.

FURTHER READING: La Roche-Posay Effaclar Cleanser review: Simply the best cleanser we’ve ever used

Buy now from Lookfantastic

︎ Glossier Priming Moisturizer Balance

£23 | Buy now from Glossier

Glossier

This wonderful gel-cream moisturiser is a cult favourite.

It helps control shine and refines the look of pores and because it’s a lightweight product, it balances oil without drying skin out.

It doesn’t leave skin looking flat, which a lot of mattifying creams can do.

Elsewhere, it contains niacinamide to help improve the look of pores, and balance uneven skin tone.

FURTHER READING: Best foundation for oily skin, acne, spots and blemishes

Buy now from Lookfantastic

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Jenny Tai

Jenny has always had a strong passion for beauty, health, skincare and wellbeing. After working in marketing in the corporate world she has stepped out to fulfil her passion for content writing and blogging. You can discover more on her Instagram page

The post What skin type do I have? Discover how to know your skin type with our skin types guide appeared first on mamabella.

What is cleansing balm? 

The majority of us are probably used to using cleansing milks or other liquids, but a balm, sometimes referred to as a butter, seems to resemble a moisturiser more than a cleanser. So what’s the deal?

A cleansing balm is quickly becoming the number one choice for a lot of women due to a number of skin benefits,” Dr. Lucy Glancey, founder of Dr Glancey Clinics, told mamabella. “Cleansing balm is easy to use and most skin types can use it.”

She continued that cleansing balms get rid of all remnants of pollution on the skin, which lead to congestion and premature ageing.

“After using a balm, skin will look dewy and well-moisturised, which makes it a better canvas for other skin products such as moisturiser and SPF to penetrate into the skin,” she said.

Although most cleansing balms are suitable for all skin types, there are some products that help specifically with sensitive or dry/damaged skin.

How to use cleansing balm?

Different brands seem to have different schools of thought on this but Cydney Beasley, makeup artist and an advanced skincare specialist, believes that a cleansing balm works best in a “double cleanse” routine.

You should always use a two-step cleansing routine as this suits all skin types,” she told us. “Start with an oil or balm-based cleanser as a first step as this takes makeup off by dissolving the product on the face.”

She then advises to use a water or gel-based cleanser second, once the skin is clean and free of makeup. Without the balm, the product won’t actually cleanse the skin. Beasley also said to not use makeup wipes: “This can be the equivalent to putting sandpaper on your skin.”

Best Cleansing Balms

1. Editor’s Pick: The Body Shop Camomile Sumptuous Cleansing Butter – £11
2. Bargain Buy: M&S Ultimate Cleanse Rose Cleansing Balm – £12
3. Luxury Buy: Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm – £44
4. Best Vegan Buy: Upcircle Cleansing Face Balm –£18.99
5. Best Multi-Use Buy: Phoenix and Providence Soothe Hand and Body Balm – £12
6. Best For Sensitive Skin: Clinique Take the Day Off – £25
7. Best For Combination Skin: The Inkey List Oat Cleansing Balm – £10
8. Best For All Skin Types: e.l.f Holy Hydration! Makeup Melting Cleansing Balm – £10
9. Best For Glowing Skin: Lumene Nordic C Pure Glow Cleansing Balm – £15.90

WANT TO KNOW MORE? Best BB cream | Best moisturiser | Best tinted moisturiser  | Best toner | Best primer | Best cleanser| Best eye cream| Best anti-ageing cream | Best hand cream| Best foot cream | Best face mask  | Best face exfoliator | Best face oil| Best serum| Best night cream

1. Editor’s Pick: The Body Shop Camomile Sumptuous Cleansing Butter

£11 | Buy from The Body Shop

The Body Shop

Why we love it: One of our favourite cleansing balms, this butter from The Body Shop is so easy to use. It’s suitable for sensitive skin and contact lens wearers, but this doesn’t impact its effectiveness. It removes all types of make-up and leaves skin feeling clean and silky-soft.

This balm includes ingredients such as chamomile, which is highly effective for soothing sensitive skin due to its anti-irritant properties. It also smells amazing.

Buy now from The Body Shop

2. Bargain Buy: M&S Ultimate Cleanse Rose Cleansing Balm

£12 | Buy from M&S

M&S

Why we love it: Natural, vegan and effective. Its tagline says it all. The natural rose balm from the brand’s Pure range offers a deep cleanse with a rose scent. The paraben-free cleanser leaves skin nourished, moisturised and radiant without the bank balance taking a big hit.

For the best results, wipe away the product with the cloth, which is provided. M&S recommends that this product be used every morning and evening.

And if you’re worried about your eye makeup, don’t be. It effectively removes that too — though you will have to wipe away the remains.

READ NEXT: Marks & Spencer adds 15 new vegan skincare products to its affordable Pure collection

Buy now from M&S

3. Luxury Buy: Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm

£44 | Buy from Amazon

Elemis

Why we love it: There were many luxury cleansing balms to choose from but we couldn’t pick any of them over Elemis. This powerful cleanser will dissolve makeup, daily grime and pollutants, while making your skin smell of elderberry and rose.

It’s also great for anti-ageing. The Pro-Collagen formulation works to smooth and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, with skin looking plumped and younger. According to Elemis, this formula is supposed to improve skin firmness, tone and hydration in just 15 days.

To get the best from this product, apply a pea-sized amount onto hands and warm together.

Then gently smooth over the face, neck and décolleté, using upward stroking sweeping motions when applying to the face. Use every morning.

FURTHER READING: Best neck cream: Stop sagging necks, décolletage and cleavage with firming creams from Prai, IMIM and more

Buy now from Amazon

4. Upcircle Cleansing Face Balm

£18.99 | Buy from Upcircle

Upcircle

Why we love it:This everyday balm is gentle and perfect for daily use.

The ingredients have been reused, repurposed and reloved made with finely-ground apricot stones powder, which is a by-product of the apricot oil industry (yes, that’s a thing apparently).

It’s rich in Vitamin E, leaving skin deeply cleansed, soothed and hydrated and is combined with blackcurrant seed, blue tansy and sea buckthorn oils.

The product is best used as the first cleanse, as it breaks down makeup, SPF and any oils such as sebum and sweat.

FURTHER READING: What is SPF and why is it so important?

Buy now from Amazon

5. Phoenix and Providence Soothe Hand and Body Balm

£12 | Buy from Phoenix and Providence

Phoenix and Providence

Why we love it: A new beauty brand from the tiny island of t. Martin’s, Isles of Scilly, you’d be forgiven if you haven’t heard of Phoenix and Providence. This hidden gem is a rich balm made from organic, plant-based ingredients and is made in small batches — so you know it’s made with care.

It can be used to soothe and protect dry and eczema-prone skin. Ingredients include seaweed — which has been foraged from the island’s shores, dried in the Scillonian sunshine and infused with organic jojoba oil (for a full lunar cycle) — organic shea butter and coconut oil, sea buckthorn oil and beeswax.

It’s also free from essential oils and fragrances and it can be used on the face, hands and body.

Buy now from Phoenix and Providence

6. Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm

£25 | Buy from Lookfantastic

Clinique

Why we love it: Sensitive skin can be very reactive but this has been tested and voted on by many sensitive skin types when removing makeup, SPF or general day to day it is a favourite for many sensitive skin types. It is a lightweight balm that melts into a silky oily texture in your hands. It contains Safflower oil that helps break up natural oils that form in makeup and SPF. Not only that it helps calm the skin without it feeling stressed. We also find that a little goes a long way too, simply use your finger tips to massage over dry skin and rinse off with warm water, this can also be used with a muslin cloth to remove too.

Buy now from Lookfantastic

7. The Inkey List Oat Cleansing Balm

£10 | Buy now from Boots

The Inkey List

Why we love it: Besides the fact this cleansing balm is at a decent price, it feels luxurious and it keeps any redness at bay. The oatmeal and ceramides that are contained in this helps strengthen skin’s natural barrier, this is suitable for combinations of skin types to even sensitive skin types. It gently melts makeup and any excess oil without stripping that natural skin barrier. With oat kernel oil a natural antioxidant it helps fight any environmental stress, massage a small raspberry size on damp face then simply rinse with warm water.

It leaves skin looking dewy and it has been said that it can even out skin but with continued use. It gives just that healthy skin.

Buy now from Boots

8. e.l.f Holy Hydration! Makeup Melting Cleansing Balm

£10 | Buy now from E.L.F

e.l.f

Why we love it: Yes, we may have given you a vegan option but this cleansing balm is a 2-in-1. It is a makeup remover and a face cleanser, this is a solid balm that melts into an oil that turns into a milky texture that makes it easy to rinse off. The title suggests hydration because it contains hyaluronic acid which will help keep the skin hydrated. It also contains ceramides and peptides which protects the skin’s barrier. It comes with a very handy spatula to scoop out the balm, this is great to keep the balm hygienically clean. You can remove the balm from your face with warm water or use a damp cleansing cloth.

Buy now from e.l.f

9. Lumene Nordic C Pure Glow Cleansing Balm

£15.90 | Buy now from Feelunique

Lumene

Why we love it: We love a balm that will remove makeup, dirt, excess oil but at the same time leaving our skin looking glowing.

With the help of Vitamin C, this cleansing balm will give the skin a zing and keep it looking brighter. It’s formulated with wild arctic cloudberry seed oil that keeps the skin hydrated and clear and the balm rinses off with ease without leaving any greasy film behind.

Simply massage onto wet skin and rinse well with lukewarm water or a damp cloth.

The Nordic-C range is all about glowing skin and this certainly does the trick!

Buy now from Feelunique

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Phee Waterfield

Sophia is an international journalist covering technology, healthcare, culture and lifestyle. Her words appear in outlets such as Newsweek, Forbes, Metro UK, New Scientist and more

mamabella.uk

The post Best cleansing balm: From Elemis to The Body Shop, here are our fave cleansing balms for taking off the day appeared first on mamabella.

Whether you’ve been coping with acne for years or are new to it, the truth is that getting rid of pimples can be a challenge. Mainly because there are so many different products on the market.

When it comes to choosing a facial cleansing product, it’s important to look for products that have been developed especially with acne-prone skin in mind. We’ve put eight of the best cleansers – including balms, foaming formulas, gels, and solid products – to the test. And there should be something to suit all budgets and skin types.

If you’re after a whole host of products for acne, go to our Acne hub, which includes the best concealer for acne, the science of salicylic acid, which foundation you should choose if you have acne-prone skin, and more.

Best cleanser for acne

1. Editor’s Pick: Lush Fresh Farmacy – £9
2. Budget Buy: Carbon Theory Charcoal and Tea Tree Oil Cleansing Bar – £6 
3. Luxury Buy: Upcircle Beauty Cleansing Face Balm – £18.99 
4. Best deep pore cleanser: Sebamed Clear Face Antibacterial Cleansing Foam – £7.99
5. Best for bumpy skin: Lush Tea Totaller – £8.50 
6. Best cleanser for oily skin: Nip + Fab Teen Skin Fix Pore Blaster Wash – £6.99 

WANT TO KNOW MORE? Best BB cream | Best moisturiser | Best tinted moisturiser  | Best toner | Best primer | Best cleanser| Best eye cream| Best anti-ageing cream | Best hand cream| Best foot cream | Best face mask  | Best face exfoliator | Best face oil| Best serum| Best night cream

1. Editor’s Pick: Lush Fresh Farmacy / Coal Face

£9 | Buy it now from Lush

Lush

Why we love it: For anyone with acne-prone skin that is also sensitive and prone to drying out, Fresh Farmacy facial soap from Lush offers the ideal cleansing solution. Made up of tea tree oil, chamomile, and calamine powder, the cleansing bar is designed to help soothe and calm irritated skin, while fighting inflammation and breakouts. All without leaving the skin feeling dehydrated.

This subtly scented wedge of facial soap dissolves into a calming, milky cleanser when combined with warm water. Due to its clay base, it doesn’t foam, instead it creates a cleansing liquid that coats the skin and gently cleanses. What’s more, Fresh Farmacy is one of Lush’s naked products, making it an environmentally-conscious option.

FURTHER READING: Clean beauty: What are clean beauty products and how can I shop more consciously?

Buy now from Lush

2. Carbon Theory Charcoal and Tea Tree Oil Break-Out Control Facial Cleansing Bar

£6 | Buy from Carbon Theory

Carbon Theory

Why we love it: Made to keep skin balanced and hydrated, this little bar has been dermatologically proven to prevent breakouts.

The organic activated charcoal is able to gently draw bacteria, toxins, and excess oil out of the skin. While the tea tree oil infusion reduces areas of inflammation and acts as a natural antiseptic. The shea butter used to enrich the bar helps to ensure that skin remains nourished and properly hydrated without leaving the pores clogged.

FURTHER READING: A spotlight on…Carbon Theory: The absolute must-have skincare brand if you have spots

Buy now from Lush

3. Luxury Buy: UpCircle Beauty Cleansing Face Balm

£18.99 | Buy now from Upcircle Beauty

Upcircle Beauty

Why we love it: Designed to meet the needs of all skin types, the UpCircle Beauty Cleansing Face Balm gently removes makeup, pollution, and impurities from skin. It’s so gentle that it’s even safe for use on eye makeup.

Made from ground, discarded apricot stones – a by-product from the apricot oil industry – combined with blue tansy, blackcurrant seed, and sea buckthorn oils, the balm offers a deep cleanse for the skin while also soothing and hydrating.

It’s not cheap, but it is ideal for breaking down makeup, dirt, and oils like sebum and sweat that sit on the surface of the skin. This balm deserves its place on our best cleanser for acne list because of the way it looks after blemish-prone skin that’s also prone to sensitivity or inflammation.

FURTHER READING: Best cleansing balm: From Elemis to The Body Shop, here are our fave cleansing balms for taking off the day

Buy now from Upcircle Beauty

4. Sebamed Clear Face Antibacterial Cleansing Foam

£7.99 | Buy now from Sebamed

Sebamed

Why we love it: Designed to gently penetrate through the pores to offer deep pore cleansing, Sebamed Sebamed Clear Face Antibacterial Cleansing Foam works to combat pimples and blackheads quickly and effectively, killing all bacteria within five minutes of use.

After cleansing, the skin is left feeling soft, smooth, and well hydrated. With a pH of 5.5, the foam – which can be used on wet or dry skin – promotes the barrier function of the skin’s acid mantle.

The panthenol within the foam helps to make regeneration of damaged skin faster, while also helping to ensure that skin remains soft and smooth.

FURTHER READING: Blackheads: What causes them and how to get rid of blackheads without damaging your skin

Buy now from Sebamed

5. Lush Tea Totaller

£8.50 | Buy now from Lush

Lush

Why we love it: For a solid alternative to a liquid facial cleanser, Lush Tea Totaller is a fantastic option. Packed full of purifying and antibacterial ingredients, Tea Totaller is ideal for blemish-prone skin.

It’s made from illipe butter; known for its moisturising and restorative properties, castor oil; that helps to remove bacteria from pores thanks to its antibacterial properties, and a range of other ingredients. These include safflower oil, lemongrass, rosemary, thyme, sage, and witch hazel oil, all of which have antibacterial and cleansing properties.

The sunflower wax that the bar is enriched with is able to create a protective layer across the skin. For anyone with skin that is also prone to bumpiness, the tea tree oil is a fantastic ingredient for helping to combat uneven texture.

This is an out of the shower product; melt a small amount of the balm onto your fingers and massage onto dry skin, and then wipe away the remaining residue with a damp face cloth.

FURTHER READING: Skincare ingredient checker: Get to grips with what’s in your skincare with our ingredients guide

Buy now from Lush

6. Nip + Fab Teen Skin Fix Pore Blaster Wash

£6.99 | Buy now from Nip + Fab

Nip+Fab

Why we love it: Enriched with antibacterial extracts designed to help keep skin clear from breakouts and blemishes, Nip + Fab Teen Skin Fix Pore Blaster Night Wash isn’t only suitable for teen skin. It’s ideal for anyone with skin that’s prone to breakouts.

This gel-to-foam formula gently removes impurities, bacteria, and excess oil. It unclogs pores and leaves skin feeling smoother, clearer, and wonderfully fresh.

The wasabi extract acts as a powerful antioxidant and antimicrobial agent, while the salicylic acid prevents blemishes by unclogging pores, and the tea tree oil offers potent purifying properties.

FURTHER READING: The truth about the acids lurking in your skincare – from hyaluronic, to glycolic, lactic and salicylic

Buy now from Lush

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The post Best cleanser for acne: Which acne cleanser actually gets rid of, or reduces spots? appeared first on mamabella.

It’s also great for when you want to clean your makeup brushes and beauty blenders.

dThe problem is that not only do you need to choose a face cleanser for your skin type, but there are also various different types of cleanser to choose from including gels to foams, oils, balms, creams, and more.

To help guide your decision, you can discover which face cleanser best suits your skin and budget in our list of best cleansers below. You can also check out our best cleansing balm page for more options.

READ NEXT: How to layer your skincare: Knowing the best skincare order will help make the most of your products

Best cleanser

1. Editor’s Pick: La Roche Posay Effaclar Purifying Cleansing Gel – £12.50
2. Budget Buy: Garnier Micellar Water – £8
3. Luxury Buy: La Mer The Cleansing Foam – £72
4. Best cleanser for dry/combination skin: Clinique Liquid Facial Soap – From £16.50
5. Best antibacterial cleanser: Q+A Peppermint Cleanser – £7.50
6. Best for sensitive skin: Clarins Gentle Foaming Cleanser – £20
7. Best cleanser for acne-prone skin: Carbon Theory Cleansing Bar – £6
8. Best gentle cleanser: Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel – £12
9. Best cleansing balm: The Body Shop Camomile Sumptuous Cleansing Butter – £11

WANT TO KNOW MORE? Best BB cream | Best moisturiser | Best tinted moisturiser  | Best toner | Best primer | Best cleanser| Best eye cream| Best anti-ageing cream | Best hand cream| Best foot cream | Best face mask  | Best face exfoliator | Best face oil| Best serum

1. Editor’s Pick: La Roche Posay Effaclar Purifying Cleansing Gel

£12.50 | Buy now from Feelunique

La Roche-Posay

Why we love it: A must-have for acne-prone, oily skin, this gentle foaming gel has a lightweight consistency that builds up as you lather it in, drawing out toxins, impurities, and excess oil. It leaves your skin feeling clear and clean without drying it out and a little goes a long way.

The entire La Roche-Posay skincare range is incredible value for money. You can read more about why this is hands-down the best cleanser we’ve ever used in our La Roche-Posay Effaclar Purifying Cleanser review.

FURTHER READING: La Roche-Posay Effaclar Cleanser review: Simply the best cleanser we’ve ever used

Buy now from Feel Unique

2. Bargain Buy: Garnier Micellar Water

£8 | Buy now from Amazon

Garnier

Why we love it: The ultimate holy grail cleanser, one bottle of Garnier’s Micellar Water lasts ages and it removes all traces of makeup without feeling too harsh on the skin.

It nourishes and hydrates all in one step, without a complex routine of rinsing needed. However, it does work incredibly well as part of a two-step cleanse, as micellar water is the perfect way to get rid of stubborn makeup – waterproof mascara we’re looking at you – without having to irritate the skin by rubbing.

FURTHER READING: 

• The best cheap makeup alternatives to Charlotte Tilbury, NARS, Huda Beauty, and more
• Cheap skincare alternatives for La Mer, Skinceuticals and more

Buy now from Amazon

 3. Luxury Buy: La Mer The Cleansing Foam

£72 | Buy now from Amazon

La Mer

Why we love it: An expensive choice but nothing removes impurities like La Mer.

A silky smooth texture with divine scent, a little goes a long way in protecting the skin against redness, breakouts, and pollution while minimising pores and leaving skin feeling soft and hydrated.

READ NEXT: Which moisturiser best suits your skin?

Buy now from Amazon

4. Clinique Liquid Facial Soap

From £16.50 | Buy now from Clinique

Clinique

Why we love it: Perfect for all skin types, but with amazing benefits for dry to combination skin, this liquid soap has a gentle formula that doesn’t dry out the skin.

Used morning and night, this cleanser removes dirt and dead skin and gives you a perfect base for exfoliating and toning, leaving your face feeling clean and fresh.

It is fragrance-free, meaning it’s suitable for sensitive skin, and it foams really nicely. You only need a very small amount and the bottle is quite big so this should last you a long time!

We’ve pictured, and described the mild version but there are three versions to choose from:

• Extra-Mild for Very Dry to Dry Skin
• Mild for Dry Combination Skin
• Oily Skin Formula for Combination Oily or Oily Skin

Buy now from Clinique

5. Q+A Peppermint Cleanser

£7.50 | Buy now from Holland & Barrett

Q+A

We’re big fans here at mamabella of Q+A Skin‘s no-nonsense approach to skincare. We’ve used a range of its products but hadn’t experienced its Peppermint cleanser until we got it in a beauty advent calendar.

As you’d imagine, it contains peppermint leaf oil which gives a gentle tingle to the skin. Peppermint Oil has natural cleansing properties that leave skin feeling fresh and revitalised. It’s also antibacterial, meaning this is a great, not overly harsh cleanser that fights spots and blemishes.

It also contains coco-sulfate, which is an alternative to the drying and harsh chemical Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, or SLS. SLS can cause dryness and irritation, especially for sensitive skin. Coco-Sulfate, instead, is made from the fatty acids of coconut oil so you still get all the lathering you’d expect from a cleanser, but it leaves your skin feeling soft and clean, naturally.

This cleanser is great for all skin types because it’s also oil-free and fragrance-free.

A word of warning though, because of the use of peppermint leaf oil, try not to get this in your eyes. It doesn’t do a lot of harm but it does tingle and can be uncomfortable.

FURTHER READING: Spotlight on…Q+A Skin’s affordable, natural, and highly effective skincare bundles

Buy now from Clinique

6. Clarins Gentle Foaming Cleanser

£21 | Buy now from Clarins Clarins

Why we love it: A lightweight, mousse-like formula, Clarins’s Gentle Foaming Cleanser is a godsend for combination skin.

It contains coconut extracts, which leave your skin feeling soft and nourished and doesn’t irritate or leave your skin feeling dry or taut. Plus it smells so fresh.

We’ve pictured the bestselling Clarins Gentle Foaming Cleanser with cottonseed above but there are actually three options to choose from:

• Gentle Foaming Cleanser with Cottonseed for Normal/Combination Skin
• Gentle Foaming Cleanser with Tamarind for Combination/Oily Skin
• Gentle Foaming Cleanser with Shea Butter for Dry/Sensitive Skin

Buy now from Clarins

 7. Carbon Theory Cleansing Bar

£6 | Buy now from Beauty Bay

Carbon Theory

Why we love it: Perfect for those who suffer from breakouts, as this charcoal cleansing bar keeps skin looking balanced, clear, and hydrated.

It draws out bacteria, toxins and excess oil while reducing redness and ensuring your skin feels soft and hydrated. The only downside is that it doesn’t come with a container and the charcoal ingredients can leave marks, so a soap dish/container is a must.

It’s also vegan and cruelty-free. You can read more about which cleansers you need if you’re prone to spots and breakouts in our best cleanser for acne list.

FURTHER READING: A spotlight on…Carbon Theory: The absolute must-have skincare brand if you have spots

Buy now from Beauty Bay

7. Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel

£12 | Buy now from Feelunique

Dermalogica

Why we love it: This iconic cleanser, which contains naturally-foaming Quillaja Saponaria soapbark extracts, gently rinses away toxins and debris to leave skin feeling smooth and clean.

Designed to restore the skin’s natural moisture balance, it isn’t too harsh and leaves skin feeling naturally soft rather than dry and taut.

It also contains Balm Mint to calm the skin, and Lavender extracts to soothe your complexion.

What’s more, it’s fragrance-free, gluten-free, cruelty-free, and vegan. Dermalogica is a PETA certified cruelty-free brand; it does not test any of its products on animals.

Buy now from Feelunique

8. The Body Shop Camomile Sumptuous Cleansing Butter

£11 | Buy from The Body Shop

The Body Shop

Why we love it: This cleansing butter is our Editor’s Pick in our best cleansing balm article.

It’s suitable for sensitive skin, due to the use of camomile, and this also makes it suitable for contact lens wearers. It removes all types of makeup, including waterproof mascara, and leaves skin feeling clean and soft.

As you can read in our best cleansing balm article, this balm is better used on dry skin as it grabs hold of the makeup and almost melts it away. We recommend you then use a reusable cleansing cloth and warm water to remove the traces of the balm – water alone might slide off – and then follow with a foaming cleanser. See above for options.

Buy now from The Body Shop

Don’t miss out! Sign up for the mamabella newsletter today

MORE LIKE THIS

• Best moisturisers for oily, dry and mature skin
• The truth about the acids in your skincare
• Best cleansing balm: From Elemis to The Body Shop, here are our fave cleansing balms for taking off the day
• Best cleanser for acne: Which acne cleanser actually gets rid of, or reduces spots?
• Best eye cream
• Skincare ingredient checker: Get to grips with what’s in your skincare with our ingredients guide
• The science of moisturiser
• How to layer skincare: Knowing the best skincare order will help make the most of your products
• How to make cheap homemade cleanser with everyday items
• How to get rid of dark circles
• What does toner actually do?
• Perfect your skincare routine with these must-have facial products

Elly Rewcastle

Elly is a production journalist and sub-editor for a number of national newspapers and magazines including The Daily and Sunday Telegraph, and Woman and Woman’s Own magazine. A beauty-enthusiast, she loves travelling – especially to the States – reading and calligraphy

The post Best cleanser: Discover which face cleanser best suits your skin from oily to dry and acne-prone appeared first on mamabella.

The range contains ten different products, including exfoliators, cleansers, moisturisers, hydrating mists, eye creams and night serums, and each are designed to be “simple, affordable, and effective”.

Buy now from Glossybox

Glossybox Skincare

Each of the products in the Glossybox Skincare range has also been tailored to solve specific skin concerns or for certain skin types – redness, oily, ageing, acne etc – but you can also mix and match them to create a truly personalised routine.

“We’ve spent the last nine years listening to your feedback about what you want from your skincare to introduce you to the best brands out there through our subscription service,” said Glossybox.

“Now, we’re taking it one step further and have developed our own skincare range with you in mind.

Not only do all the formulations contain just a mixture of three ingredients, which makes them less likely to cause irritation and comedones, they’re also vegan, cruelty-free.

At least 87% of these formulations are natural, and they come in packaging made of sugarcane (where possible) that is 100% recyclable.

“We even used 100% renewable electricity and created zero landfill waste in our manufacturing sites. Plus, all of the products are made in the UK,” added the company.

Buy now from Glossybox

What’s in the range?

Costing between £12 and £18 for Glossybox subscribers, or £15 to £22.50 if you don’t subscribe to the boxes. If you want to subscribe, you can do so here.

Plus, a few of the products in the range are multifunctional which Glossybox claims allows you to “make your skincare routine as efficient and effective as possible” to save you time and money.

FURTHER READING: mamabella’s miracles: Save time and money with these multi-purpose makeup, skincare and hair products

︎ Deep Cleansing Cream

£12/£15 | Buy now from Glossybox

Glossybox

This cleansing cream contains inca inchi, babassu and tsubaki oils designed to “melt” and wash away impurities making it capable of removing “even the most stubborn of makeup in just one use.” Glossybox claims it’s so effective, you’ll never have to double cleanse again.

FURTHER READING: Best cleanser: Discover which face cleanser best suits your skin from oily to dry and acne-prone

The post Glossybox Skincare: We take a look at the full range of 10 exfoliators, cleansers, moisturisers and serums appeared first on mamabella.