27/04/2026
No one asked, but here it is anyway 😂
Well, I have actually had more people considering the first step in their routine, and looking at alternatives, so thought I would give my two penneth!
So, when it comes to building a solid skincare routine, it is easy to get swept away by flashy marketing and "miracle" ingredients. However, it is important to remember that a cleanser is ultimately a wash off product 🤷♂️. While ingredients like peptides and collagen sound impressive on a label, they generally offer minimal benefits in a cleanser because they simply don't stay on the skin long enough to work their magic, and in a formula act more as humectants than what we usually know them for (collagen for example). If you are looking to invest in actives, save those for your serums and moisturisers where they have the time to truly absorb.
That being said, not all active ingredients in a cleanser are created equal. Formulations containing chemical exfoliants or targeted treatments can be incredibly effective, even in a short window of time. For instance;
Salicylic Acid: Penetrates pores to dissolve excess oil, aids in exfoliation as it is keratolytic, and some studies suggest it can, long term, reduce oil production. Be mindful though when looking at ingredients as sometimes this can be used as a preservative, so while listed may not be at a strength to actually do any exfoliation
Glycolic Acid: Helps to exfoliate away dead skin cells for a brighter complexion. While using glycolic acid though you might experience sensitivity initially as it has a smaller molecule size and low pH level. While using it SPF use is a complete must, as it increases photosensitivity.
Benzoyl Peroxide: Acts as a powerful antibacterial agent for those prone to breakouts. You can find it in products like Acnecide. It is also fab, especially at this time of the year, for underarms and the like as it kills off bacteria that causes unpleasant smells too. Word of warning though, it can be irritating to sensitive skins, can cause peeling, and can also bleach your towels, so be careful 👀.
Because these ingredients work on the surface or within the immediate layers of the pore, those sixty seconds of massaging them into your skin can make a genuine difference to your skins clarity, texture, and preparation of the skin for the pe*******on of actives.
Beyond the chemistry though, skincare is deeply personal and tactile. The sensory experience of a routine is often what keeps us consistent. You might love the rich, buttery texture of a cleansing balm that melts away the day, or perhaps you prefer a refreshing lightweight foam. This is where premium skincare truly shines.
While a higher price tag doesn't always mean "better" results, it often buys a superior texture, slip, smell, and more importantly higher percentage levels of active ingredients. These products can transform a "oh no, I have to go and cleanse" into a moment of intentional self care, adding a sense of ceremony to your morning and evening.
As visitors to me know, I really advocate for the practice of walking into the house when you get back from work, going to switch the oven on to preheat for your tea, then going straight away to do your cleansing and moisturising. You can then relax and know you don't have to faff about when you are tired and want to go to bed.
Currently I use in the treatment room and recommend the following...
Roaura®
Face and Body Cleansing Bar 80g £5
Moon Cleansing Balm 100ml £19 (NEW Balm to milk cleanser)
(Plug my own first why not 🤣)
Eve Taylor®
Ultra Soothing Cleanser 200ml £19.50
Soothing Cleanser 200ml £16.00
Balancing Cleanser 200ml £16.00
Purifying Wash 200ml £16.00
Dynamic Resurfacing Cleanser 180ml £26.50 (Lactic acid exfoliant)
Clear Cleanse (Pre Cleanser) 150ml £20.00
Clarifying Skin Wash 200ml £31.00 (Glycolic and Salicylic acid exfoliation)
Karin Herzog®
Cleansing Milk 100ml £22.50
Cleansing Milk 200ml £35.00
Professional Cleansing 50ml £39.00 (Coconut scent, reminds me of holidays, really lovely! All of the Professional Cleansing products are a balm/gel consistency and are amazing to mix in with a physical scrub as they will give great glide and remove everything easily)
Professional Cleansing Chocolate 50ml £39.00
Professional Cleansing Watermelon 50ml £39.00
Professional Cleansing Winter 50ml £39.00
CLINICCARE®
Lip & Eye Make-Up Remover 100ml £21.00
Cleansing Lotion 100ml £21.95 (This is the one you have in treatment, the creamy one, where you say "oh that smells nice")
Concentrated Cleansing Foam 100ml £19.95 (Story time, I bought this just to use myself at home because I had a Clé de Peau cleanser sent to me to try, and although I absolutely *loved* it, that one was £55 for 125ml. I personally refuse to pay over £40 for a cleanser that has no exfoliant in, we all have our limits 😂, so when I found this I was ecstatic as it has the same rich foamy feeling too it. I use it mainly when i want a really deep second cleanse, squeeky clean! As a result I use a lot of their products in the treatment room now too)
Nimue®
Cleansing Gel 140ml - £42 (Lactic, Glycolic and Citric acid exfoliant)
Cleansing Gel 140ml - Refill - £33
Cleansing Gel Lite 140ml - £42 (PHA (polyhydroxy acid) exfoliation (referred to as 'next generation' AHA's, they are lager in molecule size so stay on the surface to exfoliate without irritating the skin)
Cleansing Gel Lite 140ml - Refill - £33
(FYI currently I have limited stock of a set including Cleansing Gel, along with Conditioner (exfoliating toner), and Exfoliating Enzyme for £95 instead of the full RRP of £137)
On that note, the above are RRP, which according to brand agreements I have to display, but as always I will price match any genuine product you can find online.
Final thoughts... promise...
Cost wise, salon brand cleansers can be confusing if you buy something from a supermarket usually ("HOW BLOODY MUCH" you might be thinking at these prices😂), but generally they can be more concentrated than their high street counterparts, contain co-surfactants that increase cleansing power, have actives like the exfoliants mentioned, and require less product to do the job.
What you see with salon brands are ingredient costs without massive marketing budgets. Which is why you rarely hear of some brands before you encounter them on a shelf at a salon. There is absolutely nothing wrong with using a cheaper cleanser, it will still cleanse your skin, just like a cheaper moisturiser will still moisturise!
The difference is, our goal that we have set for your skin will be achieved by using some products and treatments, and not by continuing to use what is not working for your skin. 90% of your results will come from what you are doing at home, I'm a small (but important 😉) part of your journey to maintaining healthy skin, but part of my job, and what you pay me for, is to say yes or no to your homecare choices.
To declare financial interest, my business is based on treatment sales and, yes of course, I will make a small profit from product sales. But my main revenue source is treatments. I choose to keep a stock of products I have direct experience with, and trust the formulations enough to use them in my business, so I can give you what you are asking for and know their quality will not let me or you down. Based on this, you can appreciate I genuinely can't answer the question "What do you recommend I buy from Superdrug/Boots/Amazon?", because I have chosen what I want to use and trust, and have also made my choices across multiple brands, not just settling on one so I have a great range of choices to offer you, because one size does not fit all.
I offer 100% money back guarantee on every product I recommend to you, don't like it? Bring it back and we can swap it or you can have your money back. I will add a caveat that there has only been reasonable use, not a week later returning with a completely empty tube, that would be cheeky 😂.
If you want to revisit your cleanser choice, let's have a chat about it at your next appointment. Book that in now on bookroaura.com
See you soon
Andrew
