For years I never really had a proper skincare regime. I’d take off my makeup with a wipe and eye makeup remover, wash my face and apply moisturiser. It wasn’t until I had my first proper facial that I discovered I was missing out vital steps, with the most important being cleansing. I use The Body Shop Camomile Sumptuous Cleansing Butter as the first step of my double-cleansing routine at night.

The state of my skin has been a real annoyance over the last few years—sometimes it would be plagued with spots, while a few weeks later, it would switch in a second and become insufferably dry. With some products only worsening the issue, this situation has made the process of selecting skincare a little difficult to say the least. It comes in a medium-sized tin, which is made from aluminium so it’s fully recyclable (or reusable if you’re in need of a handy tin). The product is soft and nourishing, and a little goes a long way. I bought my current bottle three months ago, and although I use it every morning and night, I've still got nearly half of the bottle left. The cleanser doesn't have much of a smell which I like, as products with an overpowering smell make me think they're not made from natural ingredients. Olea europaea fruit oil (olive oil): contains essential fatty acids dry skin needs, including oleic, palmitic, and linoleic acids. Functions as an emollient and has antioxidant benefits I use the cleanser first thing in the morning to wash my face and in the evening. I wet my face with warm water and massage a small amount of the cleanser into my skin. I then rinse it all off, and when cleansing in the evening, I repeat the process - as I learnt from my beautician, double cleansing is really important at the end of the day to ensure your skin is completely free from makeup and dirt.As with all of The Body Shop’s products, this cleansing butter is cruelty-free but it’s also vegan. Key ingredients: When it comes to the actual products themselves, you might want to look out for those that contain hydrating ingredients such as fatty acids, aloe vera, squalane and hyaluronic acid, as well as enzymes and antioxidants to help wash away any traces of makeup while also strengthening your skin's natural barrier. How to use a cleansing balm It’s important to make sure you remove all your makeup before you go to bed and ensure it’s nice and clean in the morning before you start your day. With so many cleansers available from different brands, it can be somewhat overwhelming. Thanks to their silky-smooth consistency, cleansing balms also feel incredibly delicate on the skin, making them the perfect choice for both dry and sensitive skin types. And unlike cleansing oils, they doesn't feel too liquid-y either (not until you rub them into your skin, that is). They start off as a balm (hence the name) and emulsify into an oil as you massage them in, at which stage you should see all your stubborn makeup melt away before your eyes. It’s hard to say no to a product that is such high-quality and still budget-friendly. Caroline Hirons also loves the Camomile Cleansing Butter. Conclusion

In this blog post, I review The Body Shop Camomile Sumptuous Cleansing Butter – one of the brand’s most popular products.A balm cleanser should be the first step in your skincare routine – think of it as a makeup remover with benefits. Most cleansing balms work best when applied to dry skin: simply take a small dollop, massage it into your face, and add water to loosen. Once you’re done, a balm is best removed using a damp flannel or muslin cloth, before following up with your favourite water-based cleanser and creams. Can I use a cleansing balm every day? First of all, much like the Cleansing Balm, the Cleansing Butter smells absolutely divine and makes you feel like you're in a spa. The idea is to massage a coin sized amount onto dry skin, then rinse off with warm water. You really don't need a lot at all and I found it completely melted away my make up, even my mascara which can be stubborn to get off. I’ve suffered with breakouts since I was a teenager, and while they’ve definitely calmed down over the years, they’re always inconvenient - and crop up at the worst of times. I’ve tried everything from high end brands and drugstore options to prescriptions from a doctor, but none of them have ever given me the help I’m looking for. Cleansing balms are also great for indulging in a spot of facial massage, which in itself delivers a wealth of skin-boosting benefits. By sculpting your cheeks and jawline and stimulating lymphatic drainage – in turn, boosting blood flow – facial massage encourages relaxation and skin rejuvenation, helping to combat ageing, acne, sinus pressure and much more.

Key details – Key ingredients: Marula seed oil, camellia seed oil, sunflower seed oil, squalane; Scented: YesThe same philosophy applies to cleansing oils but the choice of formula comes down to your preferences. Most cleansing balms emulsify into an oil as you massage them into your skin and add water. Cleansing balms are "a great first step for removing makeup [and sunscreen] before using a traditional cleanser to clean the pores out effectively," explains board-certified dermatologist Arash Akhavan, MD, of the Dermatology and Laser Group in New York City. "Sometimes, for extremely dry skin such as with people suffering from eczema, a balm cleanser used alone may help prevent excessive drying for the patient." It has a really nice smell and my skin just feels so refreshed, soft and calm after using it. If perfumed products trigger issues for your skin type, this might not be the cleanser for you. Butyrospermum parkii (shea) butter: an emollient that has smoothing and nourishing properties for dry skin. It’s also a rich source of antioxidants and skin-replenishing fatty acids The 200ml bottle has a pump dispenser, making it easy to get the right amount of product each time leading to no waste. Within a week of using the cleanser (alongside other La Roche-Posay products), I noticed a huge difference in my skin. I hope La Roche-Posay never discontinues the cleanser or the other Effacular H products, as they’re the best skincare products I’ve ever used.

Popular brand It Cosmetics was developed with plastic surgeons, with an extensive product range designed to provide real and visible results. It Cosmetics Confidence in a Cleanser is a lovely, gentle cleanser that effectively removes makeup and the day-to-day dirt and grime. No, it doesn’t look like much, and no, it doesn’t smell like a spa and no it absolutely does not promise to totally fix your every skin concern overnight. However, it does remove every last trace of dirt and makeup from your face with zero fuss. It also smells somewhat comforting and promises to totally change the way you approach your evening skincare routine due to how remarkably easy and fuss-free it is to use. After using this product for three days, I’d noticed my skin was looking generally brighter and refreshed. It also felt a lot softer and silky, which is especially rare during the inconsistent weather at the moment. If you follow a double-cleanse routine, then where do you start? Makeup wipes? Micellar water? Well, hear us out, because you might want to consider introducing a cleansing balm into your skincare routine.Filled to the brim with soothing and calming ingredients (think: shea butter, jojoba oil, coconut oil or kernel oil), cleansing balms are so much more than just a form of cleansers. Depending on the formulation of choice, they can also feature brightening or even exfoliating properties – especially when paired with a soft face wash cloth or muslin to gently polish the skin. Not to mention, applying a cleansing balm also feels therapeutic, making your night-time skincare routine that much more enjoyable. Best cleansing balms at a glance: