Blemish Busting Face Washes & Exfoliators

Last week I wrote a little post about the problems I'm having with my skin at the moment and shared some the face masks I'm currently using to combat blemishes. I thought I'd write a similar post this week on a few of the washes I'm currently using, which are helping in my fight against spots, too.

First up is Avene's Cleanance gel. I discovered this fairly recently through another beauty blogger who has similar skin to my own and I really do love the stuff. It's a soapless gel cleanser which is aimed at oily skin types and it promises to purify, reduce excess oil and leave skin soothed and refreshed. A lot of washes which are aimed at oily and acne prone skins seem to be quite harsh and drying. but Cleanance feels incredibly gentle. My face feels really clean after washing with the cleanser, but doesn't feel dry, tight or uncomfortable. I've definitely noticed an improvement in the amount of oil my skin produces since I started using it, which in turn has helped with blocked pores and spots. It's reasonably priced too at £8.75 for a 200ml bottle (Boots).

Dermalogica Special Cleansing gel is another soapless cleanser. I received quite a generous sample size of it with a recent order and my skin really seems to like it. Like Cleanace, it's aimed at oily/acne prone skin and it promises to thoroughly clean without upsetting the skin's natural moisture balance. This one doesn't feel quite as gentle as the Avene, but it's certainly not harsh or drying and it does a fantastic job at cleaning and removing any last traces of make up. I've only been using it for the past week or so, so I can't really comment on it's spot fighting abilities yet, but I have noticed that my skin looks calmer, less red and feels smooth and clean. It costs around £18.00 for 250ml bottle.

REN Mayblossom Balancing cleansing gel is described as a balancing, antibacterial facial cleansing gel for skin that is prone to oiliness and breakouts, particularly in the T-zone. It's definitely the most gentle out of the three cleansers I'm using and the most pleasant to use, as it smells lovely. I've been using it on and off for the past couple of months and I really have noticed an improvement, particularly in problem areas where I have issues with blocked pores. It does a great job at cleaning and my skin feels really hydrated and fresh after washing with it. It's also helping to reduce the redness in a few really angry looking spots I'm battling with at the moment. It costs £19.00 for a 150ml bottle (Beauty Expert).

Peter Thomas Roth Botanical Buffing Beads. I first tried these a couple of years ago after purchasing the acne clearing gel from the range, and I've used them ever since.  The scrub contains ultra-fine jojoba beads, which do a fantastic job at exfoliating without irritating. The jojoba beads partially dissolve as they come in contact with wet skin, so they don't scratch or damage as you're scrubbing. I use them twice a week at the moment and my skin feels really smooth and soft after, but doesn't look red or angry. Any treatments I use after the Buffing Beads seem to sink in more quickly and my skin generally seems to be in much better condition when I'm using them. The product is quite expensive at £27.00 a bottle, but providing it's used sparingly, it lasts forever.

Dermalogica Skin Prep Scrub. I received a generous sample size of this recently too and have really been enjoying it. It's described as a skin-polishing scrub exfoliant with natural grains that leaves the skin with a smooth, healthy finish. It contains Corn Cob Meal, Botanical extracts of Mallow, Ivy and Aloe Vera and extracts of Arnica and Cucumber. It's not as gentle as the Botanical Buffing Beads, but the smaller grains/scrubby bits allow me to get in to all the nooks and crannys and really give my face a good clean. It is a tiny bit drying, but does an excellent job at getting rid of impurities and oil and I really feel as though it's helping with clogged pores. It costs around £18.00 for 75ml tube and I'll definitely be buying a full size bottle when my samples run out.

What are your favourite Blemish Busting Face Washes & Exfoliators?