Best Face Forward

Everyone wants flawless, blemish-free skin. But let’s face it — with so many facial products available in the market, the search for the right one can be daunting. Tan Yang Er makes the decision-making process a little easier. She picks out five facial cleansers that cater to different skin types.

By Tan Yang Er

The Body Shop’s Tea Tree Cool & Creamy Wash is the newest addition to the Tea Tree range. | Photo: The Body Shop

#1: Tea Tree Cool & Creamy Wash by The Body Shop

For: Blemished Skin

Packed in a nifty tube, The Body Shop’s Tea Tree Cool & Creamy Wash is one of the latest offerings in the cosmetic giant’s range of tea tree products.  This facial wash removes blemishes caused by the buildup of dirt with a blend of tea tree, lemon tea tree and tamanu oils by keeping skin bacteria-free. After each wash, the cleanser leaves the skin supple, without being overly drying — there is no dreaded tightness of the skin. Moreover, the Tea Tree Cool & Creamy Wash does reduce the redness of blemishes within three days and gives a refreshing menthol cool after each wash.

Pears’ transparent soap bar is said to be the world’s oldest facial soap brand. | Photo: Pears

#2 : Transparent Soap by Pears

For: Normal Skin

Before liquid facial cleansers came about, soap bars were the only option. Created in 1789, Pears’ Transparent Soap is the grand dame of all soap bars. The mildly-scented Pears Transparent Soap lathers up into a thick foam, which cleanses and freshens the skin, leaving the face squeaky clean. This transparent soap bar boasts the fragrance of herbs that include rosemary and thyme and pears fragrance essence. But the downside to this affordable facial cleanser is the messiness when it comes to storage and the risk of leaving it exposed after use, which may accumulate bacteria. Moreover, as with all facial soap bars, it tends to be over-drying, which might require the application of an oil-free moisturiser after washing. Then again, there must be a reason why Pears soap has attained a cult status among its faithful followers — its thorough cleansing effect is worth more than the price of $1.40.

Made from natural ingredients, the cleanser includes ingredients like ground almonds and lavender oil. | Photo: Lush

#3 : Angels on Bare Skin Cleanser by Lush

For: Combination Skin

This cleanser comes in a solid form with chunky almond bits, and mixing a pinch of the crumbly substance with water will turn it into a cleansing milk. The almond grains make for a good scrub that gets rid of dead skin cells to reveal smooth, soft skin. This handmade cleanser is mild enough for daily use, but may be too harsh on sensitive skin. Despite helping to get rid of dead skin cells and greasiness, this facial cleanser is not potent enough to treat blemishes, so you may use Clinque’s anti-blemish gel alongside it. In addition, its distinct floral scent — typical of Lush products — might be pleasing at first, but can be “too sweet” to some after awhile.

Thursday Plantation’s Tea Tree Face Wash Foam contains chamomile, which helps soothe the skin. | Photo: Thursday Plantation

#4 : Tea Tree Face Wash Foam by Thursday Plantation

For: Acne-prone Skin

Dispensing airy foam instead of the usual liquid, this cleanser saves you the hassle of lathering up soap suds. For one, it produces more suds than Body Shop’s Tea Tree Cool & Creamy Wash. A point to note though: Contrary to popular belief, facial foam cleansers are not any more (or less) effective than those that in liquid form. Infused with tea tree extracts known for their antibacterial properties, Thursday Plantation’s Tea Tree Face Wash Foam is suitable for acne-prone and sensitive skin. The product also contains chamomile extracts, which has soothing properties to calm red and inflamed skin.

The bamboo extract in the facial cleanser, which has water-retaining properties, keeps the face smooth and supple. | Photo: Neutrogena

#5 : Deep Clean Hydrating Bamboo Gel Cleanser by Neutrogena

For: Dry Skin

Bamboo extracts have water-retaining properties, which help to lock in moisture to give a well-hydrated complexion. That’s why Neutrogena’s Deep Clean Hydrating Bamboo Gel Cleanser leaves the skin feeling supple after each use as it cleans while maintaining our skin’s moisture. Oil-free and alcohol-free, this facial cleanser is suitable for sensitive skin types, as you will not experience any taut or stinging sensation after use.