To combat the troublesome effects of having a questionable skin care regime and cycling to work every day (pollution hell for pores!), Ella Walker puts a range of revitalising cleansers to the test.
Nutriganics Softening Cleansing Gel, The Body Shop, £9
Unlike the others, you apply this to dry skin, rub it in and then wash it off. It smells incredible – like rainforests and flowers all moulded into a gel – but once I’d rinsed it off, my skin felt quite dried out. Full marks for cleansing, but a little disappointed with the lack of moisturisation.
3/5
Angels on Bare Skin, LUSH, £5.95
This is perfect for all eco-goddesses and those with sensitive skin. Strangely spongey to start with, you add water to make a cleansing ‘milk’ that smells gorgeous (it’s packed with almonds and lavender) and rinses off to leave – in my case – über smooth skin. It’s a bit odd to handle but the results are great; it even exfoliates.
4/5
Triple oxygen instant energizing cleansing foam, Bliss, £24, blissworld.co.uk
A bit pricey, especially when Bliss recommends three pumps of the foam with every use, but it smells great and left my face super silky, not to mention brighter – it was almost like a mini home facial. A very good option if you’re feeling indulgent.
4.5/5
Immortelle Brightening Cleansing Foam, L’Occitane en Provence, £17.50
To quibble, it’s more mousse than foam, but the good thing is you only need a little bit to have your face drowning in light, fragrant bubbles. After use, my skin felt plumper, softer and had definitely begun to glow.
4/5
Kind To Skin Pore Minimising Toning Cleanser, Simple, £4.99, Boots
Super cold (leave it on the bathroom windowsill for added refreshing-ness!) and heavily loaded on to a cotton wool pad, it’s thick, creamy and leaves your skin scrubbed and glowing. On the downside, if you smudge it in your eyes by accident it does feel like you’ve grown a film over your irises...
3/5
