Cleanser

The test is simple: after rinsing and patting dry, your skin should feel comfortable. If it feels tight, squeaky or in urgent need of moisturiser, the cleanser is too harsh — regardless of what it says on the tube.

Double cleansing
An oil or balm first, a foam or gel second. The oil dissolves sunscreen, makeup and the sebum sitting in pores; the foam removes what the oil leaves behind.

This matters if you wear sunscreen daily, which you should. Modern sunscreens are designed to resist water and sweat, which means a water-based cleanser alone will not fully remove them. A lot of the irritation people blame on sunscreen actually comes from removing it badly.

Double cleanse in the evening only. In the morning, a gentle foam or just water is enough.

Choosing a cleanser
Oil or balm — for the first step. Balms are less messy; oils spread more easily. Both should emulsify fully with water and rinse clean, leaving no film.

Foam or gel — for the second step. Look for low pH, close to skin's own. This is what separates a cleanser that leaves skin comfortable from one that leaves it tight.

With BHA — if your skin gets congested around the nose and chin. The acid works during the massage rather than only rinsing the surface.

Powder or enzyme — a gentler route to exfoliation than acids or scrubs. Enzymes only act on what is already loose.

Frequently asked
Should I cleanse in the morning?
If your skin is oily, yes. If it is dry or sensitive, water alone is often enough — you cleansed eight hours ago and nothing happened since.

Is double cleansing necessary every day?
Only on days you wore sunscreen or makeup, which for most people is every day.

Why does my skin feel tight after washing?
Your cleanser is too strong or the water is too hot. Both strip the lipids that hold moisture in. Use lukewarm water and a lower-pH cleanser.

Can I use a face cleanser to remove eye makeup?
A cleansing oil or balm, yes. A foam, not effectively.