The Cleansers You Need Right Now

I am very much guilty of being a skincare nazi, but it's because I've had shitty skin before and that can really shake up someone's self esteem. Cleaning your skin should be the most simple step in your beauty routine, but you'd be surprised how many men and women forget this one simple step. I'm here to give you my favorite cleansers, many that can be found in drugstores too, so don't use your depleted bank account as an excuse. You know who I'm talking to!

Cleansing oils are truly the best thing to use to get off the most stubborn of makeup. One of my Holy Grail foundations is Estée Lauders Double Wear. Talk about long wearing! When I worked at Lauder, Double Wear stock was always labeled as "Project Velcro" on both the box and invoices. Anyway, it's a bitch to get off. There was a girl that we are snickered at for using the oil based eye makeup remover to take her Double Wear off. Looking back, she was almost on to something!

I don't see the biggest difference between the Sephora Cleansing Oil and the MAC Cleansing oil, other than the price. I like them both pretty equally. They both take makeup off in seconds and they don't leave you feeling like you stuck your head in a bucket of KFC (no judgement). 

When my skin is a tad more dry, after using either of these cleansing oils, I usually follow with a damp warm wash cloth rather than a toner. This is mainly to get off any residue that didn't get removed after cleansing, but also locks in your skins natural moisture.

I recommend both of these for all skin types, especially if you are wearing waterproof or other long wearing formulas.

In the world of foaming cleansers, all are not created equal. There is a fine balance that must be reached as to not over cleanse the skin and leave it looking like hamburger meat. Neutrogena, I have my eye on you! 

These are 3 that I can heartily recommend.

I am a massive fan of Shiseido. Their skincare line is absolutely legendary and really, they can do no wrong in my book. Their Pureness line is made for normal to oily skin types but unless you have über dry or dry and crepey skin, the foaming cleanser in the tube can really be used by all skin types. You really only need the tiniest amount to clean your face and neck. Sometimes when I'm reviewing new cleansers and go back to Pureness, I forget and end up having enough for my face, neck and body. Fine with me because it smells like heaven in a tube. It's a very light clean scent, not overly perfumey at all, so even the fragrance haters might be on board with it.

Lancôme has a great creamy foaming cleanser for dry skin. Mousse Comfort is the best for normal to dry and dry skin types that are really on the crepey side. It removes dirt and makeup and leaves it feeling really clean without sapping the skin like a prune. It does have a fragrance so again, if you're anti, this may not be it. It is more of a floral fragrance, but it's not overbearing like some Lancôme skincare can be for some.

These are the only gel or cream formulas really worth any mention. Most companies have crappy stuff for or gel and Creme sista's, but these are the only that I feel raise the bar.

Estée Lauders Take It Away is marketed towards women wanting the gel consistency to remove makeup and lightly cleanse. If you are truly oily or just feel better having a second step, this would be the time I world recommend following with another cleanser or specifically, a toner. It's just smarts people. Don't over clean your skin!

Liz Earles Hot Cloth Cleanse and Polish cleanser is truly, hands down, the bomb. I loved every second of my cleanser. It has bright fragrances of essential oils like eucalyptus that wake up the skin and coddle it. It gets off all the makeup, even waterproof and other long wear formulas. If you are dry or just want the best cream cleanser hands down, hit up my girl Liz Earle. She's got the hookup!

Which cleansers do you swear by? Got one you want me to try, drop a line mo9191976@aol.com