Hero Product - Micellar Lotion

Ok, so we all know we should be properly cleansing twice a day, yes? Not with cleansing wipes, but a decent cleanser and hot water. Not with wipes and definitely not with baby wipes. (Though I have, in absolute extremis, made a not terrible job of it with some Neal's Yard Baby Oil and a load of hot water, and this product is lovely for softening the scaly skin and cradle cap of newborns, by the way).

Anyhow, that's the ideal. I like a balm cleanser, Eve Lom is lovely and has that deliciously medicinal smell that makes you feel as though it must be really Doing You Good, but it's very expensive. Emma Hardie is similar, a bit cheaper and I much prefer the cloths that come with hers - they're soft flannel on one side and muslin on the other - and also smells lovely. I've recently been given one by Temple Spa, who make some great products and whose spas are fab, which I'm enjoying, and it's good value as you really don't need very much - it's their In The Beginning cleansing melt.

If you're on a budget and want to try a cleansing balm with little risk, then I'd recommend Soap and Glory's Ultimelt Hot Cloth Cleanser. It's eight quid, you get a good sized tube and I really like the packaging, which helps - you want something that looks nice by your sink, whether you're spending a fiver or fifty quid.

So, that's the routine. But one thing we all know about routines is that sometimes, they just go to shit. Babies won't sleep, deadlines don't get made, gin gets drunk... and we find ourselves standing in front on the bathroom mirror with the clock ticking till you have to get up and do it all again, and the last thing you want to spend those precious minutes on is a thorough cleanse. 

This is where micellar lotion comes in. Big bottle, pack of cotton wool pads, drench one, wipe all over the face. Repeat. Collapse. It removes eye make up without rubbing and scratching, it gets all the crap off, and, crucially, it does it quickly.

My favourite is Bioderma's (it comes in various incarnations, for dehydrated and senstive skins) but I'm currently using one by Garnier, which is also good. I have a big bottle at home, and then a small plastic bottle (the ones from Muji are brilliant, you can also get them in Boots for a few quid) which I decant some into for travelling, or days in town where I might want to do a make up change on the go. Other recommendations to suit differing budgets from Sali Hughes in her Guardian column, here. Do let me know how you get on, or if you have other top cleansing tips!