Cleansing 101 | a basic guide to cleansing

Cleansing is probably my most favourite way to efficiently cleanse my face and over the pat two years, I've discovered a vast amount of different cleansers and different methods of cleansing also. From facial brushes to solid balms, liquid cleansers and hot cloth rituals, cleansing is MASSIVE within the world of beauty and I for one can't praise it enough. Continue reading to discover how to cleanse effectively with my super easy-to-follow cleansing guide 101!

I adore cleansing so much! Overtime, it has really improved both the appearance and texture of my skin, which has done brilliant things for my confidence, the way I apply my makeup and of course my overall complexion. In this post I shall be talking you through my top cleansing methods, cleansers and cleansing tools...

The Magnitone two-step cleanse

Step one: Magnitone Wipeout! cleansing cloths

RRP: £15

I was very dubious of the Magnitone Wipeout! Cleansing Cloths at first but honestly - they're incredible! I am so obsessed with ensuring that my makeup is removed properly and effectively, which is why I wasn't too keen on using just water and a cloth to remove my makeup.. it sounds bazaar, right!? But wait... the Magnitone Wipeout! cleansing cloth is something of a miracle, something of a godsend and well, just something I love to bits. I can't always be bothered to sit there scrubbing my face for hours (slight exaggeration there) but this cloth saves me from all of that. I simply soak the cloth in warm water, ensure it's all soaked in and then I just rub my makeup off in three swipes - done! I was astonished the very first time I use it, and still, I feel this way every single time I use this cloth - it's amazing! Once you're done, throw it in the wash and then it scrubs up as good as new. These cloths last for around 1000 washes, yes.. you did read that right. As soon as I had used this cloth, my mum actually said "Mollie, your eyes have never looked so clean and bright!"

Step two: Magnitone Barefaced!

RRP: £70

Magnitone is one of my most favourite brands. I was first introduced to their fabulous brand around two years ago when I saw multiple bloggers and youtubers raving about their incredible cleansing tool and then last autumn I finally got a facial brush by Magnitone for myself. I got their incredible Barefaced! cleansing brush which uses Vibrasonic technology which is a combination of sonic oscillations and pulsed vibrations - this cleanses deep down in your pores to clean out any impurities, dirt and makeup, therefore ensuring your skin is cleansed efficiently and effectively. Not only doe the Magnitone Barefaced! cleanse your skin and work 6x more effectively than cleansing by hand, but the Magnitone Barefaced! also works and acts as a mini workout for your face, in turn ensuring it's toned and glowing! The Magnitone Barefaced! is definitely a must-have product for me.. I don't know how I lived without it before it really is a complete game changer!! But this isn't all, Magnitone have a wide variety of brush heads to suit your every skin need.. from Pore Perfection to Silk Bliss and Soft and Sensitive to Active Clean - there's a brush head for everybody with every skin type.

Clinique #TakeTheDayOff Cleansing Balm

RRP: £23
I had always been dubious about using cleansing balms - I thought that they'd make my skin feel greasy, oily and cause me to get blemishes (my skin is pretty sensitive), but I've been using this gorgeous Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm for a few months now and I really am in love! It's so light, non-greasy and incredibly effective. The balm itself doesn't leave any residue and although you'd perceive it to feel like oil, therefore leaving your skin feeling oily, this is definitely not the case! I apply this balm all over my face, eyes and all, rub it in for a couple of minutes and then I grab a muslin cloth, hold it beneath running warm water and then I go ahead and remove all of my makeup. All traces are removed and my skin feels fresh, cleansed and squeaky clean. All impurities get wiped away in an instant - I just adore this balm. Check out my full review here.

Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish

RRP: £16

For years I had heard YouTubers and Bloggers rave about this cult beauty product but I just never got around to trying it until a few months ago. Liz Earle's Cleanse and Polish is a well-loved beauty product, that reveals beautiful skin in an instant. Cleansing with Liz Earle's Cleanse and Polish is as simple as massaging the gorgeous cream formula all over dry skin, rinsing out the muslin cloth with warm water and then polishing the cream into your skin with the cloth before splashing your face with cool water to close up your pores and lock in all of the nutrients from this gorgeous products. Enriched with Cocoa Butter to soften skin, and Rosemary, Camomile and Eucalypys to tone, sooth and purify. Best used alongside the Liz Earle pure cotton muslin cloths so that you get the most beautifully polished skin, that literally GLOWS. I really love Liz Earle's Cleanse and Polish and I so wish I had discovered (well, took the leap to get a bottle) sooner. It smells amazing, makeups my skin feel and look amazing, and makes cleansing such a breeze. If you're new to cleansing, then I definitely think that this cleanser is for you, especially if you have spot-prone skin like me, as it has honestly helped me beat blackheads and angry spots!

Perircone MD Pre:Empt Series Daily Foaming Cleanser

RRP: £29
Gentle cleansers are the only cleansers I tend to use - I don't like anything too harsh, it just doesn't agree with my skin. The Perricone MD Foaming Cleanser, which is from their Pre:Empt Series, is a gentle cleanser that has amazing effects. Removing makeup, clearing away impurities and ensuring your skin is in tip-top condition, this cleanser works hard without stripping your skin of its natural oils. The formulation is of a gel-like consistency, which is incredibly lightweight and doesn't feel heavy at all. I've been using this cleanser on and off for around two months, and I can honestly say that I have noticed such a positive difference in both my skins texture and appearance. My skin feels smoother, softer and so much more supple. To use this fabulous cleanser, you just apply it to damp skin, lather up and then rinse - it really is as simple as that to get amazing skin!

Caudalie Instant Foaming Cleanser

RRP: £15
Perfect for sensitive skin, the Caudalie Instant Foaming Cleanser works gently to remove any oil and impurities. The first and only foam cleanser within this cleansing guide, the Caudalie foam cleanser is enriched with grape and camomile to sooth and calm any redness, perfect for anybody who may suffer from redness or rosacea. I find this foaming cleanser perfect for when my skin feels irritated - when I've been in the sun for too long, when I have a terrible break out or when after I've using an exfoliator or deep cleansing face mask. Although gentle, this cleanser still effectively removes makeup, dirt and any impurities to leave your skin feeling both deeply cleansed and incredibly comforted.

I really hope that this Cleansing 101 has guided you in the right direction when it comes to cleansing. Let me know in the comments below if you've found it at all helpful, or if you have any questions, pop them below and I will get back to you as soon as I can.

Cleansing doesn't have to be a daunting area of skincare, there's something for everybody, no matter what your budget, skin type and problematic issue may be. From Balms to Creams to foams and Oscillating brushes to Muslin cloths - there's something for everybody.. but which one is for you!?

Which from the above featured cleansers sounds like it would suit you the most? Let me know below!