Words: Jonathan Wells
Remember when your morning routine was a rush? Those long-gone days when you’d roll out of bed, rush to the shower and then head out the door — coffee clutched in one hand and electric toothbrush still whirring away in the other?
We do. But these days, mornings can be long and languorous. We spend most of ours in our pyjamas, before showering and shaving at our leisure around lunchtime. But that’s not good for us. Instead, we should be injecting a little urgency back into our pre-work routine. And that’s where cleansers come in.
Essentially a face wash without the washing, a cleanser is a quick, easy way to wash your face if you’re in a hurry. Most need to be simply wiped off, while others evaporate or melt away of their own accord. And, with most major brands jumping on this low-foaming, gently-nourishing, hypoallergenic bandwagon, there’s a bathroom cabinet’s worth to choose from. Here are the best…
Invest in a purifying, pump-action cleanser
An efficient cleanser is all about speed and ease — and a pump-action bottle will take your timings to a whole new, considerably quicker level. Stand one of these handsome bottles on the side of your sink and your morning will become streamlined in seconds. You just might be tempted to cleanse every time you head to the bathroom during the day…
But that wouldn’t be a bad thing. Especially with cleansers of this calibre. Despite the eyebrow-raising ingredients, this ‘Bladderwrack and Buckthorn’ cleanser from Haeckels can be used to scrub your entire body. Dr Barbara Sturm’s paraben-free formula promises to moisturise as it cleanses and Perricone MD’s sensitive cleanser removes grime without stripping away natural oils.
Work up a luxurious lather with a cream cleanser
But, as we said, speed isn’t necessarily of the essence anymore. With self-isolation and a secondary lockdown, we’re all easing into our working days with a second cup of coffee and an extra half hour in bed. Or, if you’re really doing things right, a more decadent, luxurious morning grooming routine.
And what could be more opulent than a rich, cream cleanser? The softest way to start your day, products like Aesop’s Purifying Facial Cream Cleanser are chocked with fatty acids and exfoliating clays to keep your skin supple. Grown Alchemist’s offering has the added benefit of pore-minimising Vitamin B for a healthy complexion — and Peter Thomas Roth’s ‘Water Drench’ cleanser is as moisturising as it is purifying.
Enrich your grooming routine with a nourishing cleanser
The main benefit of a cleanser may be speed — and the ability to streamline your morning grooming routine — but why should its advantages end there? Among the pump-action formulas and low-foaming options, there are products infused and imbued with enriching nutrients and extra, invigorating ingredients.
Products like Anthony’s Algae Facial Cleanser; powered by natural compounds that nutrify as they clean. Or Malin + Goetz’s fruity offering, that employs gentle amino acids to hydrate the skin without leaving any residue. Even Dr. Dennis Gross’ ‘meltaway’ cleanser is formulated with marine algae, kiwi and aloe to prevent tightness and ensure deep hydration.
Prefer a good old fashioned face wash? We round up the best to buy here…
Become a Gentleman’s Journal member. Find out more here.
Become a Gentleman’s Journal Member?
Like the Gentleman’s Journal? Why not join the Clubhouse, a special kind of private club where members receive offers and experiences from hand-picked, premium brands. You will also receive invites to exclusive events, the quarterly print magazine delivered directly to your door and your own membership card.
