Pick Of The Bunch: Cleansers...

I do enjoy using a cleanser and properly cleansing my face rather than using baby wipes/make-up wipes. Don't get me wrong I do use them occasionally, just for convenience really and there are some really nice ones out there with aloe or camomile in them that seem to be lovely for my skin, but overall I do prefer and enjoy to use a proper cleanser.

As far as I can remember, before I started blogging I just used to use wipes. Obviously I washed with water, but in terms of getting make-up off, I am sure I just used wipes. I can't remember using any proper facial cleansing products before I started blogging :/. Naughty girl I know some of you will say! Ha. Anyway, after reading recommendations and trying out cleansers, using vouchers to lower the cost of a cleanser or receiving cleansers to try out, you can imagine I've tried a fair few now!

I wanted to do this post just to put out there some of the cleansers I have tried and the good points aswell as any bad points I've found with them! I am going to be including cleansers that I have continuously been using, i.e have finished the bottle, maybe re-purchased and have had enough time to see if it works for me.

FaceB4 Daily Cleansing Foam

Some of you might have heard of FaceB4 but if not it might be because it's quite a new brand. Their cleansing foam is a 2 in 1 which consists of a cleanser and a toner. They come out as one product but you can see the two separate bottles when you look underneath the bottle (see picture below). The formula of the cleanser has been dermatologically tested and kills bacteria, tackles blocked pores, reduces excess oil and helps prevent spot and blemish breakouts. Following extensive independent tests, results show that this cleanser is proven to be the UK's most effective anti-bacterial wash. It is said to expertly kill the spot causing bacteria 'propionibacterium acnes' and beats, hands down, all other leading anti-bacterial face washes currently sold in the UK (these results are based on a tester group of 250 males and females and compared/tested against 17 well-known leading skincare brands for problem skin).

Initially when I received this the first thing I thought was how cool to have a cleanser and toner in one, which could potentially save money but of course time. I always feel with problem skin products that I can't really review them to their full potential because I don't have really bad, problem skin. I know there are people out there that have skin that affects their confidence and finding something like this that could really work for them is a god-send. I have redness and the occasional breakout, which is usually hormonal, so luckily I don't have to deal with spots on a daily basis. I'd love to hear from anyone who unfortunately does and has used this product! Anyway, the product is designed to help 'prevent' spots and blemishes, so I still thought I would trial it and see what I thought. I feel for a good enough amount to cleanse your face, a couple of pumps are needed. One pump I didn't think was enough and not only this the formula isn't thick and it doesn't have a lot of consistency to it, so it does literally feel like you're putting nothing on your face. So a couple of pumps is ideal and the foam is light, airy and doesn't have any weight or heaviness to it when you put it on your skin. I wasn't sure about this aspect as I like something with a bit of texture and feel to it normally when it comes to cleansers. I guess I like the luxurious feel of a cleanser without the price tag!

During my time using this cleanser, I did still break out but like I said it was always hormonal. I don't know the ins and outs but I feel rather than bacteria, these are triggered by something else. However, I may be wrong! There's a lot going on at the moment aswell with moving into our own place and organising our wedding abroad for next year, so stress may have been on the cards a little. However, I will say that these breakouts didn't seem to 'stick around' for as long as they might have done, which is always a bonus as putting make-up on when having a breakout is a mare and one doesn't like it, ha ha! It's fragrance free and it doesn't dry your skin out, especially when used in combination with its second stage to the cleansing process product, which is the FaceB4 After Cleansing Serum.

The soothing, rejuvenating serum contains vitamins A, B, B5 and E to help maintain spot free skin. I must admit I did really LOVE this product, so much so that I would re-purchase it (I haven't run out yet as a little goes a long way). It's hard to explain but at £14.95 each from Boots, I wouldn't necessarily re-purchase the cleanser, simply because I don't really have 'problem' skin to the point where I need anti-bacterial products that much. Also when looking for or re-purchasing a cleanser, I tend to go for the price point of £10 or under. However, the serum is almost like a moisturiser and I really noticed a difference when using it!

The serum still helps to prevent blemishes but I think more so when using it with the FaceB4 Daily Cleansing Foam. I used it in the morning after cleansing with their cleanser and last thing at night after cleansing with their cleanser and it kept my skin smooth and soft all day. When I woke up in the morning, I almost felt like I didn't have to put any more product on, my skin was that soft. It also feels quite cooling in a way, it feels like your skin is taking a deep breath of air, it's a really nice feeling! Although both products are fragrance free, I did feel the serum had a slight smell to it which is hard to describe :/ but once on the skin no smell was noticeable. I loved how the serum made my skin look radiant and bright and enhanced my features. When putting this on in the morning before my make-up it seemed like it acted as a highlighter on my cheekbones, it added a nice glow. It's not greasy at all, I really did like this product. The cleanser is 100 ml and the serum is 30 ml and both are £14.95 from Boots, they are also suitable for all skin types. You can see more information about both products on their website. FaceB4 products aren't tested on animals.

Pro Formula Radiance Hot Cloth Cleanser (Tesco)

I am a fan of hot cloth cleansers and one of my faves has always been the Boots No.7 Hot Cloth Cleanser. I have re-purchased this several times, it works great for my skin and I really enjoy using it. I have written a review previously on this, which you can see here. The Tesco Pro Formula Radiance Hot Cloth Cleanser didn't fail to meet my expectations, it was thick and luxurious, smelled great and had added green tea and vitamins for skin benefits.

The Tesco Pro Formula range has products to suit all skin types and the radiance range is for normal/combination skin with added green tea which prevents premature ageing (bonus!). It is designed to cleanse and purify the skin, whilst providing gentle exfoliation when used with the muslin cloth, removing the last traces of everyday dirt and make-up. The cleanser is hypo-allergenic and contains Vitamin E to protect and repair the skin. Boots No.7 Hot Cloth Cleanser is usually about £9.95, where as this Tesco version is just £5 and honestly it feels just as good. It does come with a muslin cloth aswell, so you aren't missing out there. It didn't break my skin out (which I always worry about with trying out new products so often), didn't dry it out and left it feeling clean, make-up free and baby soft :). I love the smell of it, it's probably because of the green tea, which I like to drink anyway, but it smells almost herbally.

I always feel with hot cloth cleansers that it's like you're in a spa, getting a facial. I love it! I've also been using their Radiance Tired Eyes Roll On, which is just £3 (15 ml)! It's lovely when kept in the fridge to perk you up a little and refresh around the eyes. It also has added green tea, so will help with any early fine lines you might have around the eye area and keep you looking young. It's lovely and cooling!

The cleanser is 150 ml and like I said is just £5 from Tesco in-store or online (I can't seem to find it online atm). These products haven't been tested on animals.

Biore Blemish Fighting Ice Cleanser and Biore Warming Anti Blackhead Cleanser

I had to include both of these Biore cleansers because I couldn't pick a favourite, but in this nice weather we are having in the UK at the moment, the ice cleanser is AMAZING! As you are using it, it cools your skin so when you wash it off you get an instant oomph of freshness! It's like when you have a strong mouthwash and you spit it out and you're like 'wow!' Don't get me wrong I like the above cleansers but when it comes to feeling extra clean, this is a fab product. Although you feel clean with the above cleansers you don't feel cool and vibrant clean if you get my drift. It feels like you're having a deep cleanse from within! You'll have to experience it to understand what I mean but at £3.74 (200 ml) from Boots I think it's a steal for how it makes your skin feel. It removes over 99% of dirt and oil that can cause blemishes and contains the blemish fighting formula, salicylic acid. It is also oil free, which I personally love in any beauty product! When using this I really noticed a radiance within my skin, which just encouraged me to use it more and repurchase it!

Image courtesy of Biore.

The Warming Anti Blackhead Cleanser on the other hand is just as good but the total opposite of what I've described above. This cleanser has a self heating formula that warms as you massage it into your skin to open pores and cleanse away any pore clogging dirt or oil. It's lush and when washed away you feel so fresh and like you've had a real DEEP clean. Again, when using this I can see a difference, I love that with products but then again who doesn't?! For there and then noticeable results, these two products are bang on in my opinion. This cleanser is also £3.74 (100 ml) from Boots, what a bargain!

Image courtesy of Biore.

I feel the ice cleanser has more in it than the anti blackhead cleanser because it is more for everyday use, where as the anti blackhead cleanser could be used once a week or so to deep cleanse and open and clean your pores. It works to remove over 90% of dirt and oil from the skin's surface and helps to reduce skin flakiness in just a single use, it is also oil free! I love these Biore products and I feel that for the price you are getting a really good product and treatment every time you use it. These cleansers are also ones I have re-purchased because I like them so much. They have a whole product range that you can read more about on their website. These products aren't tested on animals.

So, for now those are the cleansers (and some accompanying products) that I've been using recently!

* What are your thoughts on any of the above if you've used them?

* Otherwise, what is your go-to cleanser that you love to re-purchase?

Thanks for reading lovelies!
Gem XxOo
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