Face up
“Cleansing is the foundation of any good skincare regimen,” says facialist and official skincare expert for Chanel US and Australia, Melanie Grant, who recommends changing cleansers seasonally, depending on your skin’s needs. “In warmer weather, a cleansing water, mildly foaming cleanser or gel cleanser is ideal,” explains Grant. “For winter, lipid-rich formulations are preferred – those that are oil- or milk-based are my preference.”
Typically, we’re told cleansing is to sweep away make-up and impurities, and while that still rings true, the newest formulas do more than simply strip the skin. Chanel has launched Sublimage The Cleansing Collection, a personalised wardrobe of four cleansers for every skin type, which work double-duty to cleanse and nourish. There’s an exfoliating gel, a foaming soap, a gentle water and an oil emulsion, which simultaneously sweep away make-up and prep skin for serums and moisturisers.
Just don’t expect that ultra-tight feeling you might have experienced with less innovative formulas. That squeaky-clean sensation might be addictive, but it’s likely the result of either a harsh formula or overzealous application. “No-one needs to cleanse more than twice per day – it’s a common mistake among those of us with oily or congested skin,” cautions Grant. “Stripping the skin of oils and lipids can lead to excess oil production, dryness and congestion.”
