Move over sheet masks the latest Korean beauty trend has arrived...

Just as COVID has made us completely reevaluate how we dress, it has also changed our beauty habits too and perhaps for good.

As we made leisurewear our lockdown uniform, we also ditched our makeup bags. A desire for comfort and simplicity saw cosmetic sales plummet but, as retailer John Lewis revealed at the end of last year, sales of skincare, body and hair products soared - by a staggering 234% in 2020 - as we opted to spend time caring for our skin rather than applying makeup. 

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So, are you one of the army of women who has gotten experimental with her cleansing regime this lockdown and if so have you tried the latest Korean beauty trend to sweep the world? While water, liquid, gel, oil and balm-based cleansers are all common place there is a new formula on the block that we think you’ll love: enter the powder cleanser.

This latest skincare obsession not only has great cleansing properties it also provides gentle exfoliation too, making it perfect for brightening dull, mask-affected winter complexions. 

Having long been used in Japan and Korea (those of a certain age may remember the Body Shop Japanese Washing Grains from the 90s) the finely milled powders are typically made of rice bran, oat, beans, bamboo or other mostly natural ingredients making them a gentle option for most skin types. It is also a method of cleansing that is completely customisable - you are in control of the consistency by adding as much or as little little water as you wish. Sensitive skins add more water for a softer, smoother lather while oilier skins that need deeper exfoliation, add less water to create a thicker, paste-like cleanser to remove dirt, excess oil, and other impurities from the skin to hydrate, brighten, and smoothen it. 

Fancy seeing what all the fuss is about? Here are a few powder cleansers for all budgets.