I put three cleansers that also remove your make-up to the test
With the right formula, you can remove your make-up and clean your face in just one step.
It's faster and saves space and money. This week, I test out three.
Budget
Curél Hydrating Make-up Cleanser, £16.50, 200ml, Boots:
4
I never thought I'd like a cleanser you didn't have to use in tandem with a flannel and warm water – but this clever product has changed that completely.
Thanks to the hydrating formula, you can go rinse-free and your skin won't end up dry or rough, which is a revelation.
I've been using it for a couple of weeks, and the convenience of being able to sit in bed while removing my make-up with a cotton pad is unrivalled.
It also means any excuses of being too tired/drunk/lazy to cleanse my face are redundant.
Mid-range
Designed to be truly universal, it's suitable for dry, oily, combination, acne-prone and sensitive skin – which is no mean feat.
It's the only cleanser I've been loyal to for the last few years, going back to it frequently as I know my skin will appreciate it.
True to its name, it has a milky consistency that lightly foams but doesn't dry skin out, removing every last scrap of make-up and grime in less than a minute.
With every day use, a tube lasts me a good few months, so I don't mind paying slightly more as I know it works and will last. It's a pair of safe hands.
We tried six lipsticks we'd never normally go for - here's what worked & what didn't
Luxury
4
This was the only cleanser I used for five years when I had severe cystic acne, so I needed a face wash that would clean my skin without too much rubbing – as touching my skin caused more inflammation.
I recently rediscovered the thick-gel formula, and it's just as good as I remember.
On contact with skin, it quickly turns into a rich foam that dissolves grime and sloughs away dead skin cells thanks to the exfoliating acid ingredient.
It's best for oily skin or when you're wearing lots of make-up.
Pick of the week
RoC Lip Volumizer, £29.99, 10ml, boots.com:
I keep a wide berth from any lip products labelled as 'plumping'.
I have chronically dry lips and a very low spice tolerance, so they're usually more hassle than they're worth – but I've just found one that works, and doesn't cause me pain.
This product contains peptides and hyaluronic acid to hydrate, and a plumping complex that delivers a noticeable difference in three minutes.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE From pancreatitis to hair loss and premature ageing... top doctors reveal all the startling health risks of Mounjaro and other weight loss jabs - and the precautions you must take
More than 1.5 million people in the UK now use the new weight-loss jabs, according to latest estimates – with benefits for their physical and mental wellbeing. Indeed, people with diabetes who took the drugs (known as GLP-1 agonists) had a lower risk of developing 42 diseases including a 22 per cent lower risk of a cardiac arrest, according a recent study in Nature Medicine.
The Guardian
an hour ago
- The Guardian
‘They're holding me up and helping me get through': why campus welfare is there whenever you need it
University can be a fun and exciting experience, but it can also be challenging in different ways. When Becca Tenney began her occupational therapy degree at the University of Salford in 2024, she wasn't sure she'd make it through the year. A history of hospital admissions for an eating disorder and depression had left her apprehensive. 'Things had got really bad,' she says. 'But I approached Salford, and they were amazing from the get-go. They put me in touch with my head of year, I've got extra time and extensions in place if I need them and if I'm having a bad day my lecturers check in on me.' Now, at the end of her first year at Salford, she is feeling optimistic. She loves her course and has made lots of friends in her cohort. 'It's like I've got a whole team behind me. They're holding me up and helping me get through.' Looking after the wellbeing of students has never been more important. Today, student welfare is no longer treated as an add-on, it is baked into the university experience. From managing mental health to coping with disability, flatmate fallouts or financial pressures, dedicated support is increasingly accessible and visible. 'Universities take the welfare of students very seriously,' says Nick Hillman, director of the Higher Education Policy Institute. There is growing demand for these services among young people and the sector is adapting. 'It is no longer a taboo subject,' he says. Manuel Souto-Otero, a professor at the University of Bristol's school of education, says: 'This is not an easy time to be a student.' Pressures are stacking up – part-time jobs, the cost-of-living crisis, long commutes and caring responsibilities. 'There are a lot of demands on young people in higher education.' Support often starts before freshers even set foot on campus. Prospective students can flag existing needs on their Ucas application or disclose them ahead of enrolment. Once on campus, personal tutors are often the first port of call. University websites typically offer plenty of guidance, and campuses are dotted with posters and social media campaigns signposting students towards help. At Northumbria University, a 24/7 team is in place to triage and respond to wellbeing queries. 'We've got a physical help desk, students can raise concerns via the portal or just pick up the phone,' says Vashti Hutton, director of student life and wellbeing. The University of Derby has a similar setup. 'Whether students are after a quick chat or in-depth support, we direct students to the help they need,' says Sarah Richardson, head of student services. These include drop-ins, workshops, apps, digital tools and one-to-one appointments. At Falmouth University, all staff are trained and expected to help students spot when they might be in need of support and to guide them to the right place. Group workshops are common on campuses and cover everything from study skills and time-management to dealing with low moods or digital burnout. Many of the workshops are recorded, so students can access them online. One-to-one counselling is widely available, as are group therapy sessions. 'Students are not alone. We want everyone to have a good time, and we're here to support that,' says Northumbria's Hutton. At Sheffield Hallam University, sessions are themed around common challenges such as managing emotions, low self-esteem and feeling overwhelmed. They're run in six groups of about 10 students, led by a psychotherapist or counsellor. It helps normalise experiences and enables students to realise they are not alone. Supportive WhatsApp groups often form out of these sessions, offering informal peer support that lasts beyond the final meeting. For those less inclined to talk, there are other options – art therapy, yoga for wellbeing, and more. Student-led initiatives are playing a growing role, too. Cameron Swann, a final-year building surveying student and member of the students' union at Sheffield Hallam, says one-to-one peer support can be a powerful first step. 'A lot of students feel their problems aren't serious enough for formal help. This gives you a chance to talk with someone who is on the same wavelength and it gets you out of the house. It can be a stepping stone to talking to a professional at a later stage.' At Northumbria, peer-to-peer services are backed by university infrastructure but run by students. 'We've got bookable rooms and drop-ins,' says Hutton. 'Peer advisers are trained to help refer you on if they have concerns.' The message from professionals is clear: don't wait for a crisis. Support services can get busy, and reaching out early can make all the difference. John Rimington Wilson, 18, has Duchenne muscular dystrophy and was anxious about starting his graphic design degree at Sheffield Hallam last year. But early conversations with staff were reassuring. 'Before I started, I met with my lecturer, and they talked me through everything,' he says. 'They made me feel really comfortable. The university is clued-up and I feel like I'm in good hands.' You can contact the mental health charity Mind by calling 0300 123 3393 or visiting For more guidance on the right course for you, check out the Guardian university league tables for 2025. The Guardian league tables for 2026 will be out on 13 September in print and online
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
How you can prolong your life and protect yourself from dementia with these very simple steps - as bombshell new study makes stunning discovery: ROB GALLOWAY
We've all heard it many times before – to get healthier, you need to do 30 minutes of strenuous exercise at least five times a week. I know, maddening if you feel this is beyond you: I see patients' frustration with this advice all the time in A&E.
