Beauty buying guides

The four washes split into oil control products from Cetaphil and Himalaya, an acne wash from Neutrogena, and a Plum wash that claims both. The NHS advises a gentle cleanser twice a day and no scrubbing, so the choice depends on whether spots are the problem.

L'Oreal Professionnel states an anti humidity figure of up to 80% from instrumental tests, Moxie states frizz reduction of up to 43%, Plum states 72 hours of humidity proof control, and Bare Anatomy makes no humidity claim. All four are brand statements resting on different tests.

Only Denver Mystic Ocean gives an hour range for scent wear. The Man Company says its Aqua Noir is designed to last for hours, Ustraa and Wild Stone give no duration, and the Nivea 48 hour claim is about odour protection from a deodorant, not how long a scent is noticed.

A sulphate free badge is a brand claim, so the ingredient list is the better check. Plum, Bare Anatomy, Mamaearth and Arata are compared by hair concern, and the Arata page calls its system sulphate free while its list names sulfonate surfactants.

The label needs more than an SPF number. AAD and NHS both advise reapplying about every 2 hours and after sweating, and AAD says no sunscreen is sweatproof. The four SPF 50 products here differ on finish, filters and reapply wording, and every skin claim is the brand's own.