As an acne-prone beauty editor, these are the 7 best cleansers for spotty skin and one is just £6
HAVING battled hormonal breakouts for over 15 years, I've tried just about every over the counter remedy out there, and many prescription options too.
That includes hundreds- yes hundreds - of face washes, so I'm confident these are the best for anyone who suffers with breakouts.
You might think that the cleanser you use doesn’t matter, given that it’s probably on your face for less than a minute before getting washed straight down the drain, but I’m here to tell you once and for all, that’s wrong.
Even though face washes don’t sit on the skin for long, using the wrong type of cleanser for your skin can cause breakouts, dryness, excess oil and sensitivity.
Plus, if you don't wash your face properly, any skincare you apply afterwards won't work effectively.
What is acne and what causes it?
“Acne, the medical term for spots, affects about 80% of the population at some time in their lives,” explains consultant dermatologist Dr Anjali Mahto, who has seen an increase in patients, especially women, in their 30s and 40s suffering with acne.
“It is quite common to see acne persist into adulthood" explains GP Dr Sonia Khorana. "Adult acne has many similarities to acne in adolescent years with regard to both causes and treatments, but can have its own distinctive symptoms and signs too. Adult acne can present with more inflammatory, red papules and sometimes fewer blackheads or whiteheads compared to adolescent acne. It usually affects the lower face, particularly the jawline/chin, the area below the jawline, the neck, and sometimes the chest."
Dr Sonia’s list of triggers to consider with adult acne:
- Menstrual cycle and hormones and influence oil/sebum production
- Products that you may use on your hair – hair pomades, oils and products that go on your skin that could clog pores (heavy oils).
- Medications such as corticosteroids and lithium
- Gym supplements like anabolic steroids
- Diet can play a role for some people (high glycaemic index foods)
- Stress
- Genetics
- Medical conditions like PCOS
Whether you wear make-up or not, a good cleanser needs to effectively break down dirt and oil and leave your skin feeling clean but not tight or dry, which is harder than it sounds.
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If you’re double cleansing, don’t be tempted to use a cleansing oil.
Yes, they're great at breaking down heavy make-up, but they're just as talented at blocking pores, so it's a fast track way to make breakouts worse.
Instead, use a micellar water like Bioderma Sensibio Cleansing Micellar, £12, on a reusable cotton pad as your first step to remove the surface make-up.
Then, follow up with one of the below wash-off cleansers with warm water and a clean face cloth!
THE BEST CLEANSERS FOR SPOT-PRONE SKIN, ACCORDING TO A BEAUTY EDITOR
Garnier Gentle Hydrating Deep Face Cleanser, £6.99
This is the newest, and more importantly the cheapest, cleanser that's wowed me in recent months.
The ingredients list names the likes of hyaluronic acid, ceramides and clay, which absorbs excess oil and leaves my skin instantly soft and smooth.
A single pump is plenty for my whole face, and it creates a nice rich later, but doesn't manage to remove my mascara so I use it as a second cleanse or on a morning when I'm not wearing make-up to get the most out of it.
One thing worth noting is that out of all of my goto face washes, this leaves my skin feeling the most dry, so it's one to swerve if your skin isn't oily or you might find the results uncomfortable.
Farmacy Green Clean Makeup Meltaway Cleansing Balm, £24
Every rule has it's exceptions, and this is the one oil based cleanser I can vouch for.
It's made using sunflower oil, which doesn't block pores, so it's safe for spot prone skin.
It breaks down even the most stubborn waterproof mascara with ease, doesn't irritate my sensitive eyes or leave a greasy residue on my skin.
I was recommended it by leading dermatologist Dr Thivi Maruthappu, so you don't just need to take my word for it, it's approved by a true skin expert too!
SkinCeuticals Simply Clean, £45
When my acne was at it's worst, this is the cleanser I swore by.
It contains exfoliating acids, which helps to unblock clogged pores and remove dead skin cells without causing irritation and sensitivity thanks to the aloe vera and chamomile ingredients, and also helped balance my skin so I wasn't a constant oil slick.
Plus, unlike most foaming cleansers, it even takes off waterproof mascara, and it has the richest, creamiest lather of any oil-free cleanser I've tried.
It's pricey, but one pump is enough to cleanse my face and neck, which means each bottle lasts at least three months, and it has the most sophisticated formula out of all my favourites so if your acne is particularly bad, I highly recommend saving up.
I discovered this cleanser last summer, and have used it just about every day since.
Monday Muse found Lune Martens also suffers from acne, and developed a whole skincare brand to help reduce spots and care for skin.
I never expected a cream cleanser to effectively clean my skin, but this has become the backbone of my routine and I often use it alone as a single step cleanse when I'm feeling lazy.
I immediately noticed my skin was less red after cleansing that usual from the first time I used it, and it's gentle enough that I can use it both morning and night.
I'm already on my third tube, and have a back up in the cupboard so that I'm never caught short.
Tatcha The Matcha Cleanse, £42
I'm a huge lover of Tatcha skincare, and while many of their products cost over £100, the brands cleansers cost considerably less.
Plus, I only use around a 5p size blob each time I wash my face, so I can see the tube lasting a good few months at that rate, and the streamlined packaging is great for travelling.
It's the least creamy of my regular rotation, which I thought would make it drying but that's not the case at all.
The packaging also stresses twice to avoid the eye area, but after throwing caution to the wind I find that it does a good job at removing mascara without causing any discomfort at all - and I have sensitive eyes!
You really get what you pay for with this one, so if you feel like splurging, it's well worth the extra cash.
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Softening Foaming Gel Wash, £15.50
While this isn't technically geared towards spot-prone skin, it's the cleanser every dermatologist I know recommends for anyone with any kind problem skin.
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The rich lather doesn't dry out skin or strip it of it's natural oils, so it's a rare foaming cleanser that's suitable for even dry skin types.
I find a little goes a long way, so you only need half a teaspoons worth to wash away a whole face worth of grime.