HibiScrub.

I had finished my Korres facial soaps a few weeks ago, and was a little bit stuck with what facial wash/cleanser to go for next. I didn't particularly want to go for something too high-end and expensive, since I double-cleanse every night and every morning because of my acne, and therefore go through facial washes/cleansers like nobody's business. I didn't want to get something I'd had before, because I wanted to try something different. Forever on the search for the HG of facial cleansers, y'know!

Then my sister, who is under a consultant dermatologist for her acne (another similarity between us!), was recommended something called HibiScrub to cleanse her skin in place of her normal facial wash. Then someone my mum works with said that she had used it and it was amazing at getting her skin squeaky clean, and really helped to clear up her acne.
Basically, it is a surgical wash that surgeons prepare the skin with before the operate on it. Because it is a surgical product which needs to be used for an aseptic activity, by nature it has to kill every little bacteria/germ on the surface of the skin, and this is why it got recommended to my sister for her acne. I think, especially if you have acne like I do, it's important to find a product that cleans the skin well. Although we all know that having acne doesn't mean you don't wash, the lack of a decent cleanser and regime will exacerbate the current problem, so this is why when my mum and sister mentioned it to me I had to go out the following day and buy it.

Because it is quite a strong solution, you have to dilute it down before you use it as a facial wash. As you can see from the photos, I decanted half into an old tube of cream (I made sure the bottle and pump were clean beforehand of course!), and filled the rest with water.

It is recommended if you have quite sensitive skin or you find it dries your skin out after using it, use it every other night or every two nights.
But since my skin produces oil like mice produce baby mice and my skin is as resilient as a soldier right now, I use it every morning and every night. I don't find it dries my skin out, even when using my Retin-A and my skin peels off, there is no irritation whatsoever. Although when I've maybe scratched and the skin has broken through completely, it does definitely sting. So if you were thinking of using it on broken skin or suffer with a condition which means your skin is weepy and really sore, I wouldn't use it, or consider diluting it right down and using it once every two days.
I also would say try not to get it in your eyes, because it will sting like crazy. Plus, it doesn't taste too nice either. Complete blegh.

It was about £9 (I can't remember how much exactly, sorry!) from the our local chemist, but all chemists/pharmacies seem to stock the product, so it's a product you can get hold of quite easily, in normal circumstances. There seems to be a little bit of manufacturing difficulty at the moment, so you will struggle to find a bottle of HibiScrub at this present time. But hopefully the manufacturers sort out whatever the problem is and make sure all the chemists/pharmacies are stocked up with it!

The most important bit: it does the job of completely ridding my face of all the impurities accumulated throughout my commute, my hospital duties, and the commute home, and leaves my skin feeling and looking amazingly clean. My skin was literally glowing with cleanliness, which was lovely!
This stuff actually works, and my skin has cleared up no end. Although I still have the odd spot, I can definitely tell a definate difference.

I know it's not organic, and it's not made from natural ingredients, and it's not by some really fancy French company and it's name is a bit boring, but it works. And because of that, I am going to use it forever and ever.

La Roche Posay Effaclar 'Purifying Foaming Gel'.

I have always had a soft spot for La Roche Posay. They just seem so professional and I like the fact they seem to do a lot of research and have such a connection to dermatologists worldwide(click and see what I mean).
I bought a sun-cream from their 'Anthelios' range before and found it wonderful, but I've really wanting to try stuff from their other ranges, such as Effaclar, Lipikar, Hydraphase, Hydreane, Iso-Urea, Nutritic, Redermic, Rosaliac and Toleriane. This brand does cater for everyone!

This is a product from the Effaclar range, which is specifically designed for oily skin like mine.
I got inspired to look for better facial washes, since my sister has been prescribe Roaccutane, a really intense acne medication that can have some awful effects on the skin. I was after something that would clean skin, wouldn't irritate and wouldn't dry.

(sorry for the awful photos, cringe).


Now this product seems to cut the mustard.
The specific claims are 'EFFACLAR Gel can gently purifies the skin thanks to cleansing agents selected to respect sensitive skin. It may eliminate impurities and excess sebum while leaving the skin clean and fresh. With soothing, anti-irritant La Roche-Posay thermal spring water - pH 5.5'.
It does come out as a clear gel, which lathers up so quickly. The lather is incredibly soft and rich and it's almost like massaging little clouds into your skin, it just feels like an absolute dream on my face.
It is incredibly gentle and doesn't sting or cause any irritation, so I'd definitely agree with the claims the product states. Despite being so gentle and kind to skin, it does an amazing job of removing all the oil, dirt and makeup off of my skin, leaving it clean.
You only need a pea-sized amount for your whole face, and a little really does go far.

It's a little disheartening when products either are for oily skin or for irritated and sensitive skin. This is the only facial wash I've seen to combine the two together, so well done La Roche Posay!

It contains no parabens, colorants or alcohol, and it's soap-free, which are all good qualities to boast, and makes me feel a little bit happier when slapping it onto my face!

Now I bought this from Boots for £10.21, and I've had a wee nosey around and that's what price most places sell it.
It is practically double the price I've paid for brands such as 'Simple' and 'Garnier' and does seem a little bit expensive, but you get quite a big tube (200ml), and the product does seem to be a little bit nicer to my skin than the cheaper facial washes. Maybe it's a bit psychological and I've become a little bit of a beauty snob, but that's just my view on the matter.
However, it isn't the most expensive product out there, and in terms of price it's seems to be fairly middle of the road for my sort of budget. For the quality of the product, I'd say it's definitely worth the money, and it should last you a long time since you don't need to apply that much!

I definitely would buy this product again and after using Simple facial washes for very many months now, I think this product is my new staple!
I would certainly recommend it to people who, like me, have oily yet sensitive and irritated skin.

I'm very much looking forward to purchasing more from this brand and I hope that you give them a try too!