Forget that bar of soap – there’s a bevy of creams, oils, powders and one-step cleansers to help you achieve complexion perfection

By Jill Dunn

Wouldn’t it be great if your sink-side routine didn’t feel like a chore? Because of advancements in textures (from skin-smoothing powders to convenient wipes and nourishing balms), there are many ways to customize your cleanse – and no excuse to go to bed with a face full of makeup.

No matter what cleanser you choose, the ritual should be the same. Never speed-race through your cleanse. “Wet your face first and massage a nickel-sized drop of cleanser onto skin for at least 90 seconds to two minutes,” says Dr. Lisa Kellett, a Toronto-based dermatologist. “The water should be tepid, never too hot, as that can strip the skin of its natural moisture. Pat it dry with a towel; never rub.”

ONE-STEP
CLAIM TO FAME
Micellar cleansers were first made popular in France, where Parisian women found the hard water too harsh for their skin so adopted one-step cleansing waters. These no-fuss cleansers are a secret of models, who rely on them backstage during Fashion Week to make quick work of makeup and gently cleanse between shows.

HOW THEY WORK
These cleanser use micelle molecules that trap oil and dirt on the skin, cleansing it gently without rubbing. The appeal is simple: douse a cotton pad with one of these liquids and watch makeup vanish – no water, no suds, no rinsing required.

TRY THEM IF
You like a one-step cleanse or if your skin is super sensitive.

BUFF AND GO
CLAIM TO FAME
Exfoliating cleansers are championed by those who like to micro-exfoliate daily – rather than go for a weekly scrub – and work to slough away dead skin cells that can otherwise cause breakouts or dullness.

HOW THEY WORK
With soft, round beads or gentle exfoliating ingredients such as rice powder, these cleansers are gentle enough to use daily. Remember to massage, not scrub. “Being too aggressive on the skin can unnecessarily add redness and irritation,” says Charmaine Cooper, education manager for Dermalogica Canada. “In fact, when you use the appropriate formula, it’s not how much pressure you give to the skin that counts. It’s how effectively you’ve distributed the formula on the skin.”

TRY THEM IF
Your skin is dull, you have clogged pores or tend to have break-outs. These cleansers can also be added to your skin-care routine as seasons change to normalize skin and even tone. Remember to be gentle with the cleansing technique.

ONE-STEP
CLAIM TO FAME
It doesn’t get any easier than premoistened cleansing wipes – before the gym, for travel or for those nights when you just can’t muster a full lather and rinse routine.

HOW THEY WORK
Moist towelettes contain ingredients such as coconut oil or tea tree oil to cleanse skin. Look for quilted varieties as those are extra gentle. “Cleansing wipes are great in a pinch to remove makeup, but necessarily for every day,” says Dr. Kellett. “They are convenient, but aren’t always the most thorough.”

TRY THEM IF
You’re on the run or don’t need a heavy-duty cleanse – many people use them in the morning when they just want to freshen up after a night’s rest.

OIL-BOOM
CLAIM TO FAME
Cleansing oils erase dirt without stripping the skin of its natural oils.

HOW THEY WORK
Massage oil onto skin and then wet palms with water, continuing to massage to create a milky lather. “Nothing removes oil and debris better than an oil – like attracts like,” says Charmaine. She’s also a proponent of the double-cleanse – cleanse first with an oil followed by a cream or gel cleanser.

TRY THEM IF
You have really dry skin or you wear a lot of makeup – oil-based cleansers melt away even long-wearing or waterproof formulas.

BALM SQUAD
CLAIM TO FAME
A dry-skin savior in wintertime because of their luxurious texture.

HOW THEY WORK
Balm cleansers are solid at room temperature, but once they’re scooped into your hand and massaged onto damp skin, they melt into a milky, creamy – and super luxe – lather. It’s as close as you’ll get to a spa experience at home.

TRY THEM IF
You have a drier skin type or skin that feels itchy or tight, especially in the wintertime.