BAZAAR Beauty Awards 2020: The Best Cleansers and Exfoliators For A Fresh Complexion
Something for everyone
Refine, clarify and clean—here, a shortlist of the best cleansers and exfoliators that can help you achieve your best skin ever
Be on your way to clearer skin with this antibacterial gel cleanser, which has both alpha- and beta-hydroxy acids as well as coconut extract to help clear clogged pores, resurface skin and tackle the acne-causing bacteria P.acnes. Working in tandem to soothe inflammation and irritation are extracts of camomile, cucumber, aloe vera and bladderwrack, which also promotes healing.
Formulated to be compatible with the skin’s natural pH level, this gel cleanser comes supercharged with antioxidants, phospholipids and hydrators such as silk amino acids, hyaluronic acid, and safflower and moringa oils to condition and moisturise skin as it cleanses.
Keep skin moist and clean with this creamy foam cleanser fortified with prickly pear seed oil, which has moisturising, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties; calming blue lotus extract; tangerine extract to improve both tone and texture; and blue agave and moringa extracts, known for their anti-ageing and moisturising benefits
Rebalance skin with this detoxifying gel wash that not just works on regulating sebum production, but also refines texture and improves overall tone, thanks to fruit enzymes that gently exfoliate, nourishing kelp extract, and a mineral complex that counters inflammation while boosting clarity and suppleness.
Free of irritants such as parabens, alcohol and fragrances, this cream cleanser has a hypoallergenic formula enriched with six Oriental herbs that work on strengthening the skin barrier while retaining moisture. Foaming easily, it provides a friction-free cleanse, gently ridding skin of dirt, excess oil and surface dead skin cells to leave it supple, silky and purified.
Give skin a gentle, deep cleanse without drying it out with a blend of olive fruit and corn oils, which are also high in vitamin E, an antioxidant that fights free-radical damage to prevent premature skin ageing. Artichoke leaf extract and retinol further combat photoageing (caused by prolonged sun exposure) to help you maintain your youthful looks.
Infused with eight mourishing oils, this goes beyond melting away stubborn makeup, dirt and other impurities to soften and smoothen skin while supporting skin hydration and minimising the look of pores.
A global cult favourite, this cleansing water uses micelles (basically tiny balls of oil) to sweep away grime and makeup with little to no skin friction, thereby maintaining skin barrier integrity and keeping irritation to a minimum. Formulated with highly purified water, it leaves skin feeling instantly comforted and refreshed.
This gentle, pH-balanced cleanser is formulated with natural skin-loving ingredients such as rice bran oil, rice extracts and rice ferments to cleanse skin while preserving its hydrolipid balance, helping to maintain hydration, and improve overall tone and texture.
Glowing skin is but a grasp away with this two-step peel, which has five alpha- and beta-hydroxy acids to slough away surface dead skin cells, refine pores and smooth skin; anti-ageing retinol to not only accelerate skin cell renewal, but also stimulate collagen and elastin production; antioxidant-rich green tea extract to counter damage from free radicals that can cause dullness; and soothing camomile to lighten pigmentation and even out overall tone.
Running contrary to the myth that gentle equates to weak, this scrub removes accumulated dead skin and dirt, and de-clogs pores without ever feeling harsh or dry on skin, thanks to a double dose of jojoba beads—an extremely mild yet effective exfoliant. Vitamin C, niacinamide, fucogel and panthenol work in tandem to help minimise the look of enlarged pores, brighten skin and keep it moist.
BEST NATURAL EXFOLIATOR Nature in a Jar Gentle Warming Exfoliator with Jojoba, $51, Philosophy
Chock-full of some of the best nature has to offer, this exfoliator has a self-warming formula infused with extracts from desert plants such as agave, jojoba and prickly pear, known for their ability to help restore moisture to skin and boost its natural ability to defend itself. Post-wash reveals smoother, more radiant skin with less-obvious pores.
If it’s good enough for an empress, it’s good enough for us. Formulated with an imperial blend of six Oriental herbs that balances skin and improves circulation, this mask-and-scrub combo clears pores of dirt, excess oil, dead skin cells and fine particulate matter for a brighter, more clarified complexion.
Bothered by enlarged pores? These handy biodegradable pads infused with alpha- and beta-hydroxy acids as well as polyhydroxy acids give pores a deep cleanse, clearing them of the gunk that makes them look engorged, while refining skin texture. The pads also slough away the build-up of surface debris that causes dullness