WHY ARE THERE NOT MORE AFFORDABLE, GOOD-FOR-YOU & GROWN-UP FACE WASHES?

Hands up how many of you are still using the same face wash you were ten years ago? Hands up if you're still reaching for the Clean & Clear, Clearasil or Witch products you relied on so heavily as a teenager? Although these won't do any damage to your skin as a fully fledged 'grown up', many of them have been developed with harsh and potentially irritating ingredients that specifically target the issues we have in adolescence. As we age our needs evolve; we should be more interested in removing build-up, gently cleansing, hydrating and caring for our complexions. I'm as guilty as the next person for reaching for a brightly coloured and sickly sweet bottle of foaming nonsense that's going to as much good for my skin as a three day old muslin cloth, however, I am making a concerted effort to opt for genuinely beneficial (or at least non-irritating or stripping) products that I don't have to worry about in the morning. Although I have a huge portfolio of cleansing balms and oils that I turn to of an evening, it's my morning shower routine that needs a little more attention. Over the last few months I've been having a bit of a love affair with Amie, a gentle but effective skincare brand that's bursting with goodness while being free from harsh chemicals. It's one of those brands that slips into my routine with very little noise, but it made me wonder what on earth I was using before it. When I started to think about face washes in general it became apparent that there's a real lack of affordable, grown-up and 'good for you' face washes in the UK - but why, when they're such a fundamental part of any routine?

Bursting with natural plant and botanical extracts and free from harsh chemicals, Amie products are ideal for every skin type while ensuring your complexion is kept clear, soft and radiant. Free from parabens, sulphates, mineral oils, petrochemicals and animal extracts, Amie proves that you can offer a simple but effective face wash for women over the age of 15 without costing a small fortune. Sure, there are loads of super posh and extravagant face washes, but do we really want to spend upwards of £20.00 on something that gets washed away within milliseconds? If you've effectively removed the day's build-up the night before, then your morning face wash should just be a little pick-me-up to cleanse away the sweat that occurs as we sleep - there's no need to spend huge amounts of cash when the short amount of time it sits on your skin doesn't really provide a huge opportunity for it to do much at all. That's why I love Amie: their face wash (and lightweight face scrub for that matter) is totally affordable at less than a fiver, targeted at adult concerns like brightness and radiance, plus it's free from a lot of ingredients we're collectively trying to avoid more and more. It's a real challenge to find 'grown up' face washes from brands you can trust, but thanks to Amie there's always somewhere to turn. So put down that bottle of bright orange acne control wash and go shopping for something a little more age appropriate...

The Amie skincare products are available online and via John Lewis stores. The 'Clear Purifying Face Wash' is priced £4.95. Find out more on the Amie website.