4 days ago
Why you need to switch up your cleanser for summmer — and the 10 you should know about now
We all cleanse twice a day — or at least we should — and while cleansers that remove dirt, grime and makeup are an abundant and hardworking breed, finding options that work for your specific skin needs and leave your complexion looking and feeling fresh, vital and nourished, rather than tight, stripped, sensitive or dry, is more of a challenge.
Moreover, call me hard to please, but I am also partial to those cleansers that not only deliver the goods for the complexion, but also bolster my mind by adding some sensorial elegance and joy to ones day, especially when it comes to my evening routine.
In skincare terms, the summer months tend to signal that it's time to switch up your cleansing routine, as we spend more time outdoors and are inevitably more exposed to the elements, including dust and pollution. At this time of year we are likely to apply sunscreen more often and to sweat more excessively too.
First and foremost, while you may want to reconsider rethinking your cleanser as the weather warms, so that it works harder for you, do remember that the basic cleansing theory remains the same, ensuring that you continue to double cleanse at night.
'In the summer you might want to switch from a more thick, unctuous balm such as Skin Rocks Cleansing Balm, (£55 or Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm, (£49 to something lighter like Tatcha Camellia Cleansing oil, (£48 says skincare expert and KMP Skin Clinic founder Katharine MacKenzie Paterson.
'That said, my go-to for a weeknight cleanse in hot weather - so removing make up, SPF, and 'the day'- would be Medik8 Lipid Balance Cleansing Oil (£29 and then a gentle foaming cleanser like Kate Somerville Goat Milk Cleanser, (£39 or Epionce Purifying Wash, (£41 as I find that I can get oilier and be more prone to breakouts with the heat, so using a foaming cleanser feels more purifying'
Consultant dermatologist Alexis Granite agrees. 'Foaming or gel cleansers tend to be the ideal texture for summer, as they are best equipped to clear away the extra perspiration, grime and residue that is typical of warmer months, as well as makeup and sunscreen. In addition, I recommend looking out for ingredients within cleansers that can help reduce congestion, such as Benzoyl Peroxide, Glycolic and Salicylic Acid too.'
Dr Granite's personal picks? 'CeraVe's new Balancing Air Foam Cleanser, (£14.49 is formulated with Glycosyline to control oil while also providing hydration, great for summer. I also like Natura Bissé Oxygen Mousse Foaming Cleanser, (£52 and Youth to the People Superfood Cleanser, (£29
My own skin tends to go haywire as summer arrives, but I find that CeraVe SA Smoothing Cleanser with Salicylic Acid, (£14.50 ) Dermalogica Magnetic[+] Afterglow Cleanser, (£49 which features positively charged Hyaluronic Acid to help retain moisture and boost glow, and Allies of Skin Molecular Silk Hydrating Cleanser, (£38 manage to keep my complexion on the straight and narrow.
Finally, those feeling the urge to cleanse their skin more in the heat, should ensure that they are not overdoing it, or stripping their skin. 'Choose a cleanser well suited to your skin type, and look for options that are pH-balanced and sulfate-free,' says 'Ingredients such as ceramides, Centella Asiatica, Hyaluronic Acid, Glycerin and Allantoin can also ensure the barrier is supported, while also allowing the product to thoroughly cleanse.
