This article is the sequel to my tirade on cleansers: this time I will introduce you to my all time favorite cleansers. I reserve the right to change my mind, though, as I already have a list of cleansers I’m dying to try out. However, these cleansers have earned their place both in my heart and in my bathroom.
I love applying a rich cleansing balm, cream or oil on dry skin, while simultaneously giving my face a light massage and breathing in the scent of the cleanser. Before rinsing my face, I love covering it with a muslin cloth dipped in warm water, pressing it on the skin for a while to remove make up and to breathe in the aromatherapeutic scents of the products. I do all this with no hurry, as if in a slow-motion film, and every time I wish I could do the routine more than once!
In my tirade on cleansers I introduced you to the miracle that is muslin cloth. I can no longer exist without one. Apparently I’m not alone, as the muslin cloths by Neal’s Yard Remedies have been sold out for quite a while. In addition to Neal’s, my other favorite is by The Organic Pharmacy. I recommend you read my last article on this subject, for tips on different types of cloths and how to use them.
A couple of weeks ago, I noticed that my blackheads have started to disappear en masse, and my pores have gotten even smaller than before. Once I went from skin tiring cleansers to skin nurturing cleansers, my skin has gotten even better. This should be the first step in skincare for all skin types, as well as all kinds of skin problems. The wrong kind of cleanser can enable all sorts of problems, especially skin that is dry on the surface and prone to clogging.
But onto the cleansers!
The Organic Pharmacy Carrot Butter: this carrot cleansing balm has reached the status of a cult product, and no wonder why. This balm has a perfect, buttery consistency that removes even the heaviest waterproof makeup with the help of the muslin cloth included. The scent is a refreshing (but not strong) combination of carrot extract and St. Johns wort, lavender and rosemary oils. The balm is suitable for all skin types, as well as eye makeup removal. This carrot balm is a good companion to oily skin with enlargened pores, as the pores will be thoroughly cleansed off dirt with the combination of the balm and the muslin cloth, while sebum production is balanced instead of increased – which can happen with gel and foam cleansers.
Neal’s Yard Remedies Wild Rose Beauty Balm: while we’re on the subject of cult products, Neal’s Yard Remedies Wild Rose Balm has won hearts all over the world. The first ingredient on the list is wild rose seed oil, which is excellent for treating scars, and my personal favorite for evening out the fine lines on the decollete. It also makes for an excellent cleansing balm. This cleanser comes with a muslin cloth, and together they are a great combination to cleanse and nurture skin. The essential oils of geranium, rosemary, frankincense and palmarosa balance out sebum production and brighten the skin. The balm is suitable for all skin types and the aforementioned essential oils are excellent for oily skin. I live in symbiosis with this product – meaning, I can’t live without it!
Tata Harper Nourishing Oil Cleanser: Tata’s cleansing oil is the most divine oil cleanser I have ever tried! Its perfectly silky consistency is pure bliss, and it will remove even the last trace of waterproof mascara and foundation. The oil emulgates with water, rinsing off the skin perfectly. The cleanser is based on rosehip oil, which contains plenty of vitamins A and C as well as beta carotene. It also contains a plethora of other helpful ingredients with omega fatty acids, antioxidants and minerals, such as argan oil, apricot kernel oil, sacha inchi oil and camellia oil. The extracts of arnica, meadowsweet, comfrey, borage, calendula and alfalfa moisturize, soothe and brighten the skin.
The cleanser is a combination of luxury, beauty and effectiveness packed in Tata’s timeless green and gold glass bottle. The oil is suitable for all skin types. You can boost its efficiency with a muslin cloth, or use it as the first step in a two step cleansing routine, along with Tata’s Regenerating Cleanser, as Tata herself demonstrated during her visit to Finland last month.
Tata Harper Regenerating Cleanser: the best of all cleansing creams, this cleanser comes with a fresh and fruity scent. The cream contains tiny, gentle beads made of apricot seed powder. Grapefruit and willow bark extracts contain enzymes to purify, especially blackheads and clogged pores, and revitalize dry skin. French pink clay makes the cleanser even more effective, while also adding to the consistency (lately I’ve been really into clay cleansing). The cream is suitable for normal, oily and combination skin as a daily cleanser (I have also used it for eye makeup removal). You can use it alone or with Tata’s cleansing oil as a two-step cleansing routine. For sensitive or dry skin, you could use this once or twice a week, as an exfoliator.
I must say that all Tata’s cleansers are divine, perhaps the best ones I know. The Refreshing Cleanser is a great daily cleanser for sensitive, dry and aging skin, and at the moment I’m impatiently waiting for the Purifying Cleanser to be added to the selection. A month ago, I got to test it on the back of my hand, and the consistency almost swept me off my feet! But let’s not get ahead of ourselves – we must test this wonder on the face first.
May Lindstrom Skin The Honey Mud Cleansing Silk: last but not least – in fact, the sweetest – is the honey caramel cleanser by cosmetics gourmand May Lindstrom. This mind blowing cleanser is based on raw honey and clay. Colloidal silver soothes infections, hamamelis water shrinks pores, raw honey brightens, moisturizes soothes and nourishes and the divine aroma therapy cocktail of cacao absolute, vanilla, ylan ylang, sweet orange, frankincense and myrrh make you never want to wash this cleanser off. Luckily it also works as a mask! Honey Mud requires the help of a muslin cloth, because it won’t emulgate off the skin with just water. It’s suitable for all skin types as well as eye makeup removal.
So there, my list of divine goddess cleansers that don’t just cleanse and nurture your skin, but provide enjoyment for all senses. This is what beauty rituals should be all about!
The list is missing products that complement cleansers. I currently have one clear favorite: The Clean Dirt by May Lindstrom, a gently exfoliating clay powder. Oh, also missing are homemade cleansing potions. Hmm, I guess you’ll have to wait for a certain book by yours truly…
Have you already ditched cleansing gels and foams to make room for cleansers that actually care for your skin? Let me know your top 3 all time favorite cleansers in the comments!
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Pictures Katja Kokko
