My love of the Alpha-H Balancing Cleanser is well documented. Watch any of my skincare videos and you’re almost guaranteed to see it mentioned; it’s one of my staple beauty products and a very effective, gentle face cleanser. You can read more of my reviews and mentions by trawling through these posts, but if you want to buy it, you can get worldwide free delivery with Beauty Expert or Beauty Bay.

Recently, though, in this sticky weather, I have been hankering after something a little lighter and fresher than the creamy balancing cleanser. You may have read my review on the 111 Skin Face Wash which has a nice, fluid texture and is easy to wash off; the Alpha-H Triple Action Cleanser is of a similar ilk. It’s a non-foaming gel that can be used all over the face, including the eye area, that lifts up makeup and dirt to leave the skin thoroughly cleansed. I give this a couple of goes when I’m doing a proper cleanse; it doesn’t feel quite so robust as the Balancing version. What this is amazing for, though, is skin that’s a bit oily, congested and prone to nasty breakouts. It contains the ingredient Triclosan which is a highly effective antibacterial agent*, helping to prevent the spread of bacteria – key in a product aimed at oily/combination skin. It’s very gentle, non-stripping and re-balancing, so a good option for anyone with temperamental skin who’d just like a good, no-frills, everyday cleanser.

I would say that I still prefer the Balancing Cleanser because it feels slightly better at makeup removal, but the Triple Action is an excellent choice for a morning cleanser and for a “that time of the month” kind of cleanser. I’m still waiting for an Alpha-H product that I don’t love, so this review was probably a bit of a foregone conclusion, but I’m glad that I’ve given it a good test over the last month. Those with dry skin will want to stick with the Balancing version, those with dehydrated skin (but oily underneath) will probably be delighted with the Triple Action! Those with acne, severely oily skin or problematic teen skin might like to give the Clear Skin range a try. There’s a trial kit here.

Triple Action Cleanser is on Beauty Expert, £23 for a massive 200ml. Free worldwide delivery here

*(Those asking about Triclosan controversy on twitter can see FDA safety approval here: http://www.fda.gov/forconsumers/consumerupdates/ucm205999.htm.)