Connect with us

Entertainment

20 Best Face Washes for Combination Skin in 2024 on November 22, 2023 at 5:00 am Us Weekly

Published

on

Branded content. Us Weekly has affiliate partnerships so we may receive compensation for some links to products and services.

Finding a face wash that can treat multiple skin conditions in one cleanse is tough. Especially when the market is saturated with face washes that are only made to help with one skin type at a time. It’s a costly process that takes multiple timely trials with different costly products. To save you some time, we’ve built a list of the 20 best face washes for combination skin.

1. Blu Atlas Volcanic Ash Face Cleanser

We might as well kick this list off with the best of all face washes for combination skin. The Blu Atlas Volcanic Ash Face Cleanser is the key to rebalancing the pH levels of your skin and achieving a balanced skin biome. For a thorough yet gentle cleanse, it can be used daily for combination skin, oily skin, dry skin, or any skin in need of a decent clean.

Advertisement

You’ll experience refined results from a face wash that utilizes premium ingredients derived from natural origins such as plants, fruits, and minerals. It’s vegan-friendly, synthetic dye-free, fragrance-free, preservative-free, phthalate-free, paraben-free, artificial, and cruelty-free. You can purchase the cleanser in coconut-apricot, classic, or fragrance-free.

Pomegranate seed oil is used to boost the skin with a potent blend of protein, essential omega fatty acids, fiber, and Vitamins A, C, and K. This blend gives off an anti-inflammatory effect while encouraging regeneration and anti-aging.

Volcanic Ash (also known as Bentonite) removes impurities and removes excess oil from the skin. It’s easily absorbed because of its fine particles that reduce the appearance of pores and increase a tighter-feeling skin surface. Lactobacillus ferment filtrate supports the microbiome of the skin and strengthens it from everyday nasties like pollution. It can also soothe the skin.

The dermatologists at Blue Atlas are so confident you’ll love this cleanser that they offer a money-back guarantee in case the product doesn’t work for you. How good’s that?

Advertisement

2. Kiehl’s Calendula Deep Cleansing Foaming Face Wash

Return all areas of your face to some balanced normality with a formula that won’t make your face feel stripped of any moisture. A soothing experience, Kiehl’s Calendula Deep Cleansing Foaming Face Wash is ideal for combination skin. It’s super gentle and is free of any sulfates, alcohol, parabens, dyes, or silicones.

The powerful ingredient list works together to calm the appearance of redness, riddance excess oils, and dirt, deeply cleanse pores, revitalize, and refresh the skin. The formula is foamy once mixed with water and is perfect to be used both in the mornings and evenings. This face wash can be used to remove makeup and other pollutants on the face.

Calendula is popular amongst products made specifically for oily skin as it has an incredible ability to soothe irritation, boost hydration, and create a healthy skin barrier. Plus, it also has glycerin in it to soften the feel of the skin and to maintain healthy moisture retention, making this product a worthy contender.

Advertisement

3. Paula’s Choice Perfectly Balanced Foaming Cleanser

This lightweight cleaning option is a fantastic addition to your combination skincare routine, especially if you’re looking for some anti-aging additives. This cleanser is designed to help retain the skin’s natural protective barrier while getting rid of any sunscreen, makeup, and over-produced oil. On top of this goodness, expect an improvement in the appearance of redness and visible pores.

Get some healthy balance back to your skin with the help of key Paula’s Choice ingredients like ceramides, aloe, and hyaluronic acid. The ceramides boost the skin’s moisture barrier and fortify the surface. Aloe reduces inflammation and calms irritation. Meanwhile, hyaluronic acid locks moisture in and plumps the appearance of the skin.

To use this cleanser, dampen your face and apply one or two pumps of the creamy formula to your face. By calmly rubbing it into your skin, the formula will transform into a foamy texture. For the finest results, rinse the cleanser off with a warm cloth, and be sure to use it twice daily at the start of your skincare routine.

Advertisement

4. The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser

If you’re seeking a cleanser that’s not only good for your combination skin but also to share with others in your bathroom, don’t look past this cleanser. There was a lot of hype around this product when it first came out, and it’s understandable as to why.

Firstly, it is a great face wash for skin of all ages (sans children) because of its sensitive skin-friendly ingredients. Secondly, it acts as a makeup remover on top of being a decent serving of nutrition for your skin. Lastly, it comes in a great 50ml travel size for those that are constantly on the move, as well as a 150ml size for a cost-effective option at home. You can use this cleanser both morning and night.

With Squalane being the key ingredient of this face wash, expect your skin to feel deeply moisturized while appearing youthful and feeling less irritated. Best of all, this cleanser is oil-free, gluten-free, alcohol-free, cruelty-free, and vegan-friendly.

Advertisement

To use this product, rub a small amount in your palms for around 15 seconds. Once the consistency feels more like an oil, apply it to a dry face. Massage into the face and then rinse the product thoroughly.

5. Mecca Max FOAM-O Gentle Gel Cleanser

For a cleanser that’s perfect for combination skin and won’t break the bank, try out the FOAM-O Gentle Gel Cleanser by Mecca Max. It starts as a clear gel in your hands, then once rubbed onto your skin, it transforms into a soft, creamy, lightweight texture. It’s great for removing makeup as well as dead skin cells, excess oil, and other impurities. Most effective when used in the mornings and the evenings, it can also be used during the day for a quick freshen-up.

This one’s full of great ingredients for combination skin. The niacinamide hydrates the skin and evens out the tone with its strong anti-inflammatory properties. Citric acid is used to smoothen the texture of your face while exfoliating and evening out the skin tone. Aloe vera (known for its calming properties) is used to reduce redness and hydrate. Lastly, glycerin enhances hydration by locking water into the skin. Mecca Max has created their formula without sodium lauryl sulfate, cruelty, parabens, fragrances, essential oils, and synthetic dyes, so you know you’re avoiding all those nasties!

Advertisement

6. La Roche-Posay Toleriane Foaming Gel Cleanser

The dermatologists at La Roche-Posay have created a gentle gel that washes the face well and removes makeup. It’s so gentle that it’s reportedly safe to use on babies. The cleanser has a soft and creamy texture upon application, however, once you splash your face with water and lather, it becomes a foamy texture. Combination skin is the most compatible with this face wash, but it is also suitable for those with sensitive skin that is easily irritated. This formula is fragrance-free, soap-free, and preservative-free.

The ingredients include glycerin, coco-betaine, and thermal spring water. Glycerin is effective when it comes to hydration as it helps absorb as much water as it weighs in just a few days. Coco-betaine gets rid of dirt and makeup on the face without leaving your skin dried out. Finally, thermal spring water soothes and improves the microbiome on your face.

7. Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel

Advertisement

Regain balanced skin with Dermalogica’s soap-free cleansing gel. It foams up upon being lathered into the skin and gets rid of pollutants without removing too much of the skin’s natural hydrations. This lovely lightweight product is gentle enough to use on the face twice a day.

The cleanser features quillaja saponaria, which naturally gives the gel a foaming effect when it’s being lathered. Meanwhile, lavender extracts and balm mint are also used to work their soothing magic to calm the skin.

A bonus feature of this face wash is that you can return the empty bottle to Dermalogica, and they will repurpose it through their recycling program. That’s pretty great, and what makes it one of the 20 best face washes for combination skin.

8. Aēsop Amazing Face Cleanser

Advertisement

If you’re looking to maintain a skincare routine that focuses on natural ingredients, check out the Aēsop Amazing Face Cleanser. This product has been made with combination skin in mind and can be used a couple of times daily without disrupting your skin’s microbiome.

It is recommended to use half a teaspoon on your face both morning and evening. It is a liquid formula, so pour the product into clean palms before massaging it into your face. Don’t forget to massage it into your neck. Finally, rise the citrus-smelling formula with warm water.

This face wash features mandarin rind to give your skin an effective cleanse without drying it out. It comes in a 200ml bottle and a 100ml bottle—the latter being a perfect size to travel with. You’ve got all bases covered!

9. CeraVe Foaming Cleanser

Advertisement

Formulated by the dermatologists at CeraVe, the Foaming Cleanser is a medicinal face wash for those struggling with combination skin, neutral skin, or oily skin. You can use it on your face and body knowing that it will remove dirt, excess oil, makeup, and other grime. After using this cleanser consistently, expect an improvement in the feel of your skin, as well as a balanced-appearing skin tone. It is a suitable face wash for teenagers and adults.

CeraVe’s hardworking ingredients will boost your skin’s natural protective barrier and hydration levels. Three essential ceramides are used to reduce the early development of fine lines with their natural ability to retain hydration and protect against everyday pollutants. It can also regulate the skin’s barrier, strengthen it, and hold onto elasticity. Moisture isn’t a problem, since hyaluronic acid is on the ingredient list. Plus, niacinamide helps to reduce redness and swelling of the skin to even out tones and textures.

Best of all, this cleanser is free of sulfates, parabens, artificial fragrances, and alcohol.

10. Cetaphil Gentle Foaming Cleanser

Advertisement

Renowned for their products’ compatibility with sensitive skin, Cetaphil’s Gentle Foaming Cleanser is a great addition to your routine to look after your combination skin. Cetaphil pride themselves on their ability to defend the skin from irritation, tightness, dryness, weakness, and roughness.

This cleanser contains pro-vitamin B5 to shield the skin’s defense barrier, protect the skin from being irritated, and improve hydration levels. Essential Vitamin E is used for its natural anti-inflammatory properties. Glycerin acts to gain and retain moisture in the skin. These ingredients combine to banish impurities like dirt, excess oil, and makeup to keep your skin clean and hydrated. Plus, it’s soap-free, oil-free, paraben-free, and fragrance-free.

For optimal skin, wash your face with the cleanser then apply an SPF 50+ to your face in the mornings. In the evenings, use the cleanser then follow with a Cetaphil moisturizer, and you’re all set!

 

Advertisement

11. Aveeno Positively Radiant Cleanser

Upgrade your skin texture to a neutralized look and feel with the Positively Radiant Cleanser by Aveeno. This cleanser is part of Aveeno’s positively radiant collection that was designed to take care of your skin’s texture, tone, brown spots, blotchiness, and dullness.

The formula is hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic, making it ideal for combination skin that requires a calming cleanse. You can remove dirt particles, oil build-up, and makeup, without your skin feeling completely stripped.

The key ingredient of this face wash is soybean seed extract, which is renowned for its hydrating abilities. The bean is full of proteins, lipids, and vitamins, which all contribute to radiant-looking skin. The soybeans used in Aveeno’s products are 100% non-GMO and every bean is sourced in the most environmentally-friendly way possible.

Advertisement

Before using this face wash, be sure to shake the bottle well. For the ultimate results, massage one pump of the product onto damp skin, rinse it off your face, then pat your face dry.

 

12. ELEMIS Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Wash

For a luxurious cleanse that’ll give your combination a decent amount of TLC, Elemis brings your their premium face wash. Unlike other face washes, this one has ingredients to stimulate the skin’s natural cell renewal cycle. This helps smoothen out the texture by gently shedding off dead skin cells.

Advertisement

Elemis’s formula includes their tri-enzyme technology that is one-of-a-kind when it comes to resurfacing within the top layers of the skin. You’ll also experience hydrated skin from the Brazilian babassu oil (found in the famous Amazon forest in Brazil) and exfoliated pores from the galactoarabinan.

This cleanser helps protect your skin from everyday damage with the antioxidants found in moringa. Meanwhile, the exotic ingredient of white truffle poria cocos calms the skin and stabilizes the microbiome on your face.

The Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Wash is cruelty-free and vegan-friendly. While using this product, it is recommended that you avoid unnecessary sun exposure and always wear an SPF during the day. The recyclable packaging comes in three handy sizes: 50mls, 200mls, and 400mls.

 

Advertisement

13. Clinique All About Clean Liquid Facial Soap Mild

The dermatologists at Clinique have designed a three-step skincare routine made for combination skin types, and it all starts with their All About Clean Liquid Facial Soap. Their very mild formula is a soapy-liquid texture that is easily lathered over the entire face with a bit of dampness to the skin.

Remove dirt, dead skin cells, and other pollutants with a face wash that helps balance the skin’s natural ability to stabilize hydration. It features a quick-rinsing ability so that you’re not stuck at the sink for too long ensuring the product is off your face.

To ensure this face wash gives you optimal results, Clinique recommends you follow their face wash with their Clarifying Lotion and then their Dramatically Different Hydrating Jelly. Use the cleanser in the morning and the evening prior to the rest of your skincare routine. The custom three-step routine takes just up to three minutes: one minute for the wash, one minute for the lotion, and one minute for the jelly. Efficient!

Advertisement

 

14. Avène Gentle Cleansing Foam

Sensitive combination skin that is easy to irritate can seem impossible to care for adequately. If this sounds like your skin, try Avène’s Gentle Cleansing Foam for a stress-free face-washing experience. The ingredient list is limited to make less room for potential irritants. It is a soap-free and fragrance-free formula that’s rich in Avène’s Thermal Spring Water to soothe potential irritation.

Remove your makeup and expect a silky, smooth, and mattified finish. It is gentle on sensitive eyes which makes it the perfect product to remove the heaviest of eye makeup. This refined product was thoroughly tested by 184 people that have sensitive skin. Of those, 8/10 testers said it was gentle enough for their skin, and 7.9/10 said that it was gentle enough for their eyes.

Advertisement

For the ultimate cosmetic results, Avène recommends following the cleanse up with a spritz of their Thermal Spring Water, and then lathering the face in their Mattifying Fluid.

 

15. Tatcha The Rice Wash

Made in a nation full of zeal for skincare, The Rice Wash by Tatcha is a face wash that encompasses the use of rice for beauty as the Japanese have for centuries. It is a soft, smooth, and creamy cleanser rich in hydration with moistening ingredients.

Advertisement

This product is a great face wash for combination skin because it cleanses impurities of your skin without leaving it feeling stripped and it hydrates deeply. It is made without the use of any nasty sulfates, urea, parabens, mineral oil, TEA, DEA, phthalates, and synthetic fragrances.

The Rice Wash’s key ingredients include Hadasei-3, rice powder, Japanese algae, and hyaluronic acid. Hadasei-3 is a fermented Japanese superfood that’s full of moisture and antioxidants to boost the skin’s hydration levels, give off a radiant complexion, and support a healthy skin barrier. Rice powder gives the skin a glossy, glassy, and glowing finish. Blended together, Japanese algae and hyaluronic acid fortify the skin barrier to secure the skin’s moisture retention.

To use this face wash, foam a small amount in the palm of your hands by rubbing them together, apply the product to your whole face and neck, then wash it off with warm water.

 

Advertisement

16. Antipodes Juliet Daily Balancing Gel Cleanser

Rebalance your visage with a gel cleanser that has both you and the planet in mind. This face wash reduces excess oil, nourishes dryness, and hydrates. It is certified vegetarian and packaged in cardboard that’s made from trees grown in sustainable forests. Smell the lovely natural cardamom and green apple fragrance that’s purely from plants.

Antipodes uses a deluxe range of ingredients to help improve combination skin. Refine your skin’s elasticity and reduce your fine lines thanks to the Omega 3, Vitamin E, and Vitamin C found in the cleanser’s use of kiwi seed oil. The blackcurrant oil is used to make the skin soft and supple. Kiwifruit enzymes remove dead skin cells and promote glossy-looking skin. Potent antioxidants found in Vinanza Grape & Kiwi are used to reduce redness and unwanted pigmentation.

The Vinanza Grape & Kiwi is the product’s super ingredient. Clinical tests in New Zealand have proved this component enhances skin cell membrane integrity, improves skin elasticity, and reduces redness.

Advertisement

 

17. Frank Body Charcoal Face Cleanser

Purify your skin with a creamy cleanser that works hard to stabilize your combination skin. Despite its unusual gray color, you can anticipate a pleasant experience for your skin with this wash. It is a deep cleaning formula that will be sure to leave your skin feeling silky, bright, and fresh. Made without any parabens, PEGs, or animal products, the Frank Body Charcoal Face Cleanser is sure to give you guilt-free pampering.

The combination of marshmallow root and coffee seed extract might sound bizarre, but it reduces inflammation and redness while boosting firmness. Almond oils, coconut, and grapeseed work together to remove makeup and other impurities on the face to cleanse and nourish the skin. Meanwhile, activated charcoal removes dirt, toxins, and surplus sebum from pores.

Advertisement

To apply the product, dampen your skin, then lather the product on your face and neck for about 15 to 30 seconds. Wash the product off and pat your face dry with a clean towel. If you’re wanting to stick with Frank Body’s products in your skincare routine, follow up the cleanser with their Caffeinated Face Moisturizer.

 

18. MyClarins Re-Move Purifying Cleansing Gel

Get rid of unwanted impurities and stubborn makeup with the Re-Move Purifying Cleansing Gel by MyClarins. It is made for combination skin in need of some desperate rebalancing care. The vegan-friendly formula comes out of the bottle looking blue and then turns into a creamy foam once applied to the skin.

Advertisement

Count on skin that will be left feeling fresh, clean, equalized, and for smaller presenting pores. Use the gel in the mornings and evenings before completing your full beauty regimen. After two weeks of consumer testing, 112 women said it increased the radiance of their skin by 38%. Wow!

The Clarins We Care range of products like this cleansing gel is designed and made in France, formulated with mostly plant-based ingredients, and packaged in sustainable bottles. This is why it’s listed here as one of the 20 best face washes for combination skin in 2023.

 

19. Chantecaille Rice and Geranium Foaming Cleanser

Advertisement

Another face wash that incorporates rice’s beneficial compounds is Chantecaille’s Rice and Geranium Foaming Cleanser. Produced with the finest botanicals in France, this cleanser draws out impurities and makeup reminisce from the skin, while leaving the face feeling silky and deeply hydrated. Give your skin a gentle exfoliation with this cleanser’s use of rice bran. Plus, the aromatherapeutic scents of geranium and rose infused into the formula will no doubt lift your spirits.

The ingredients list contains 79.7% of ingredients from natural origins such as licorice extract, olive leaves, and rice bran. The licorice extract gives the skin a soothing effect for combination skin that suffers from patchy inflammation. This ingredient is also used to treat conditions like atopic eczema and dermatitis. Olive leaves are notable for their ability to slow down aging signs and for quenching skin, leaving it nourished. Olive leaves can also limit redness, soothe irritation, encourage cell renewal, and boost blood circulation.

The Chantecaille Rice and Geranium Foaming Cleanser is free of cruelty, animal products, mineral oil, palm oil, GMOs, sulfate detergents, petroleum, synthetic fragrances, parabens, and synthetic colors.

 

Advertisement

20. Drunk Elephant Beste No. 9 Jelly Cleanser

A soothing cleanser that will nicely balance your combination skin with its neutral pH level of 5.5, the Drunk Elephant Beste No. 9 Jelly Cleanser is here to calm your skin down and level its microbiome out. Simply drench your face in a hydrating face wash that softly eliminates unneeded oil buildup, microscopic pollution, and makeup.

This cleanser is safe for those with sensitive skin and can be used in a double-cleansing face-washing routine. The jelly-textured formula is vegan-friendly, and free of gluten, animal products, silicone, drying alcohols, SLS, fragrance, and essential oils.

The ingredients include virgin marula oil, the extract of cantaloupe fruit, and glycerin. The virgin marula oil is a makeup-removing miracle with its high content of omega 6 and 9. Cantaloupe fruit extract quenches and settles skin. Finally, glycerin reinstalls hydration and keeps it in the skin. Give it a go today!

Advertisement

This post is brought to you by Us Weekly’s Shop With Us team. The Shop With Us team aims to highlight products and services our readers might find interesting and useful, such as wedding-guest outfits, purses, plus-size swimsuits, women’s sneakers, bridal shapewear, and perfect gift ideas for everyone in your life. Product and service selection, however, is in no way intended to constitute an endorsement by either Us Weekly or of any celebrity mentioned in the post.

The Shop With Us team may receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. In addition, Us Weekly receives compensation from the manufacturer of the products we write about when you click on a link and then purchase the product featured in an article. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product or service is featured or recommended. Shop With Us operates independently from the advertising sales team. We welcome your feedback at ShopWithUs@usmagazine.com. Happy shopping!

Branded content. Us Weekly has affiliate partnerships so we may receive compensation for some links to products and services. Finding a face wash that can treat multiple skin conditions in one cleanse is tough. Especially when the market is saturated with face washes that are only made to help with one skin type at a 

Advertisement

​   Us Weekly Read More 

Continue Reading
Advertisement
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Entertainment

This scene almost broke him. And changed his career.

Published

on


As Sinners surges into the cultural conversation, it’s impossible to ignore the force of Christian Robinson’s performance. His “let me in” door scene has become one of the film’s defining moments—raw, desperate, and unforgettable. But the power of that scene makes the most sense when you understand the journey that brought him there.

From church play to breakout roles

Christian’s path didn’t begin on a Hollywood set. It started in a Brooklyn church, when a woman named Miss Val kept asking him to be in a play.

“I told her no countless times,” he remembers. “Every time she saw me, she asked me and she wouldn’t stop asking me.”

Advertisement

He finally said yes—and everything changed.

“I did it once and I fell in love,” he says. That one performance pushed him into deep research on the craft, a move to Atlanta, and years of unglamorous work: training, auditioning, stacking small wins until he booked his first roles and then Netflix’s Burning Sands, where many met him as Big Country.

By the time Sinners came along, he wasn’t a newcomer hoping to get lucky. He was an actor who had quietly built the muscles to carry something bigger.

The door scene: life or death

On The Roselyn Omaka Show, Christian shared the directing note Ryan Coogler gave him before filming the door scene:

“He explained to me, ‘I need you to bang on this door as if your life depended on it. Like it’s a matter of life and death.’”

Christian didn’t just turn up the volume; he reached deeper.

Advertisement

“This film speaks a lot about our ancestors,” he told Roselyn Omaka. “So I tried to give a glimpse of what our ancestors would’ve experienced if someone or something that could bring ultimate destruction was after them. How hard would they bang? How loud would they scream to try to get into a place safely? That’s what I intended to convey in that moment.”

That inner picture—life or death, ancestors, ultimate destruction—is why the scene hits like more than a plot beat. It feels like generational memory breaking through a single frame.

Living through a “history” moment in real time

When Roselyn asks what he’s processing as Sinners takes off, Christian admits he’s still inside the wave.

“I’ve never experienced a project with this level of reception and energy and momentum,” he says. “People having their theories and breaking it down and doing reenactments… it’s never been a time like this in my career.”

He’s careful not to over‑define something that’s still unfolding: “There’s no way to give an accurate description of what I’m experiencing while I’m still experiencing it.” He knows he’ll need distance to name it fully.

But he can name one thing: “If I could gather any adjective to describe it, it would be gratefulness. I’m grateful.”

Advertisement

He also feels the weight of what this film might mean long-term:

“To know that I was there for a large amount of the time it was being brought to life, and a part of what the internet is saying will be history… this is something that I’m inspired by—to shoot for the stars in whatever passion rooted in creativity that you possess.”

Music, joy, and the man behind the moment

Christian talks about the music of Sinners as another force that shaped him. The score wasn’t playing nonstop; it showed up in key moments.

HCFF
HCFF

“The music was played when it was necessary to be played. But when it was played, it resonated,” he says. Hearing Miles Caton’s songs early, before the world did, he remembers thinking, “This is going to be magical… This is one of the ones right here.”

For all the heaviness of the story, he also brought levity. He laughs about being the jokester on set—singing Juvenile and Lil Wayne in the New Orleans hair and makeup trailer, trying to make everyone smile during Essence Fest weekend. “I’m a fun guy,” he says. “I love to see people laugh and have a good time.”

PATHS for us and opening doors

What might be most revealing is how seriously Christian takes his responsibility off screen. In 2015, sitting in his apartment outside Atlanta, he felt God tell him to start a nonprofit called PATHS.

Advertisement

“I heard from God and he told me to start a nonprofit called PATHS,” he recalls. At first, he and his peers went into schools and inner‑city communities to teach young people “the many different paths to entering the entertainment industry”—not just the craft, but “the practical steps and establishing yourself, like the business of an actor… a stunt person, hair and makeup, etc.”

When the pandemic hit and school visits stopped, he pivoted to a podcast and digital platform: “Fine, I’ll do it,” he laughs. Now PATHS for us lets “anyone anywhere that desires to be in entertainment hear from credible entertainment industry professionals on how they got to where they are and how you can do the same.”

Working on Sinners confirmed that he should go all in: “It just gave me exactly what I needed to know that I should pour my all into it.”

Honoring a history-making moment

As Sinners takes off, Christian keeps coming back to one word: gratefulness—for the film, for the collaborators, for the chance to be part of something people are calling historic.

At Bolanle Media, we see more than a viral scene. We see an artist whose craft is rooted in faith, ancestors, and hard-earned discipline; whose joy lifts the rooms he works in; and whose platform is opening real paths for others.

Advertisement

This scene almost broke him. And changed his career.
Now, as the world catches up, Christian Robinson is using that breakthrough not just to walk through new doors—but to help the next generation find theirs.

Continue Reading

Entertainment

7 Filmmaking Lessons From Michael B. Jordan’s Oscar Moment

Published

on


Michael B. Jordan’s first Oscar win for Sinners isn’t just a milestone for his career — it’s a masterclass for filmmakers watching from the edit bay, the writing desk, or the no‑budget set.

For years, Jordan has been building toward this moment: from early TV roles to his breakout in Fruitvale Station, the cultural shockwave of Black Panther, and his evolution into a producer and director. His Sinners performance and awards run crystallize a set of habits, choices, and values that rising filmmakers can actually use.


1. “Find Your Coogler”: The Power of Long-Term Collaboration

Jordan’s professional story is inseparable from his collaboration with Ryan Coogler. They’ve moved together from intimate indie drama to franchise-level spectacle, and now to awards-season dominance with Sinners.


“Find your people and grow with them, not just next to them.”

For filmmakers, the takeaway is simple:

Advertisement
  • Stop thinking in “one‑off” crews.
  • Start identifying the producers, DPs, editors, writers, and actors you want to build years of work with.

That kind of trust lets you move faster, go deeper, and take bigger risks together.


HCFF
HCFF

2. Preparation That Lets You Jump Off the Cliff

Jordan has talked in interviews about preparing so thoroughly that he can “let go” when the cameras roll. The homework — script work, character study, physical training, emotional research — is what makes the risk possible.

You can translate that directly into a filmmaking workflow:

  • Do the table read.
  • Break down the script scene by scene.
  • Build visual references and emotional maps.

The more you handle before you’re on set, the more you can afford to explore, improvise, and discover in real time.


“Preparation buys you freedom on set.”


3. Take the “Bad Idea” Swing

A key pattern in Jordan’s choices is betting on material that doesn’t always look safe or obvious on paper. Roles and projects that feel intense, specific, or risky are often the ones that end up resonating the most.

For filmmakers, that means:

  • Stop sandpapering your scripts into something generic.
  • Start protecting the sharp edges — the personal details, the uncomfortable moments, the cultural specifics.

The project that scares you a little might be the one that actually breaks you out.


“If it feels too safe, it’s probably not big enough.”


4. One Hat at a Time (On Purpose)

Jordan is a modern multi-hyphenate — actor, producer, director — but he’s also strategic about when he wears which hat. On some projects, he leans fully into performance and trusts his team with everything else; on others, like Creed III, he steps behind the camera and takes on the entire vision.

Advertisement

Filmmakers can learn from that restraint:

  • It’s okay to not direct, shoot, edit, and produce every single project.
  • Choosing one primary role per project can sharpen the overall result.

Ask yourself on each film: “What’s the one role where I add the most value here?” Then structure the team accordingly.

“You don’t have to do everything on every film.”


This image released by Warner Bros Pictures shows Michael B. Jordan portraying two characters in a scene from “Sinners.” (Warner Bros. Pictures via AP)

5. Build an Ecosystem, Not Just a Résumé

Through his company and slate, Jordan is doing more than collecting credits. He’s building an ecosystem where the stories he cares about have a home — a pipeline for voices, genres, and perspectives that might not get space elsewhere.

That’s a roadmap for independent filmmakers and media founders:

  • Create recurring spaces (a series, a channel, a festival, a label) where your sensibility is the default.
  • Think beyond the single film; think in seasons, slates, and communities.

Your “ecosystem” might start as a simple recurring short-film series on your site, or a curated block at a festival. Over time, it becomes infrastructure.

“Don’t just book jobs. Build a world.”


6. Honor the Lineage You Stand On

When he accepted his Oscar, Jordan made a point to acknowledge the Black artists and legends who paved the way before him. That posture matters. It keeps ego in check and places today’s wins inside a longer lineage of struggle and progress.

Filmmakers can mirror that by:

  • Citing their influences openly.
  • Educating themselves on the history of the craft, especially in their own communities.
  • Using their platforms to shine a light on peers and predecessors.

This isn’t just about being gracious; it’s about knowing you’re part of a story bigger than one awards season.


“Your win is a chapter, not the whole book.”


7. Let the Win Raise Your Standards

The most powerful thing about this moment is that it doesn’t feel like a finish line. Jordan’s energy reads as: this is motivation, not retirement. The recognition becomes pressure to work smarter, deeper, and more intentionally.

Filmmakers can turn every “win” — whether it’s an Oscar, a festival laurel, a viral clip, or a private email from someone impacted by your work — into fuel for the next draft and the next shoot.

Advertisement

Ask:

  • What did I do well here that I can codify into my process?
  • Where did I get lucky, and how can I replace luck with craft next time?


“Treat every win as a new baseline, not a peak.”


Why This Matters for Our Community

At Bolane Media, we see Michael B. Jordan’s Oscar moment not just as a celebrity headline, but as a roadmap for emerging storytellers — especially those building from underrepresented communities and independent spaces.

If you’re a filmmaker reading this:

  • Identify one of these seven lessons.
  • Apply it to your next project, not the hypothetical big one five years from now.

Then share your work with us. We want to see what you build.


Continue Reading

Advice

How to Find Your Voice as a Filmmaker

Published

on

Every filmmaker aspires to create projects that are not only memorable but also uniquely their own. Finding your creative voice is a journey that requires self-reflection, bold choices, and an unwavering commitment to your vision. Here’s how to uncover your style, take risks, and craft original work that stands out.

1. Discovering Your Voice: Understanding Your Influences

Your unique voice begins with recognizing what inspires you.

  • Step 1: Reflect on the themes, genres, or emotions that consistently draw your interest. Are you inspired by human resilience, surreal worlds, or untold histories?
  • Step 2: Study the work of filmmakers you admire. Analyze what resonates with you—their use of color, pacing, or narrative techniques.

Tip: Combine what you love with your personal experiences to create a lens that only you can offer.

Example: Wes Anderson’s whimsical, symmetrical worlds stem from his love of classic storytelling and his unique visual style.

HCFF

Takeaway: Start with what moves you, then add your personal touch.

2. Taking Creative Risks: Experiment and Evolve

To stand out, you must be willing to challenge conventions and explore new territory.

Example: Jordan Peele blended horror with social commentary in Get Out, creating a genre-defying film that captivated audiences.

Takeaway: Risks are an opportunity for growth, even if they don’t always succeed.

Advertisement

3. Telling Original Stories: Start with Authenticity

Original projects resonate when they stem from a place of truth.

  • Draw from Experience: Incorporate elements of your own life, culture, or worldview into your stories.
  • Explore the “Why”: Ask yourself why this story matters to you and how it connects with your audience.
  • Avoid Trends: Focus on timeless narratives rather than chasing current fads.

Example: Greta Gerwig’s Lady Bird was deeply personal, based on her experiences growing up in Sacramento. The film’s authenticity made it universally relatable.

Takeaway: The more personal the story, the more it resonates.

4. Developing Your Style: Consistency Meets Creativity

Style is not just about visuals—it’s how you tell a story across all elements of filmmaking.

  • Visual Language: Experiment with colors, lighting, and framing to create a distinct aesthetic.
  • Narrative Voice: Develop consistent themes or motifs across your projects.
  • Sound Design: Use music, sound effects, and silence to evoke specific emotions.

Example: Quentin Tarantino’s use of dialogue, pop culture references, and bold music choices makes his work instantly recognizable.

Takeaway: Your style should be intentional, evolving as you grow but always recognizable as yours.

5. Staying True to Yourself: Building Confidence in Your Vision

The filmmaking process is full of challenges, but staying true to your voice is essential.

Advertisement
  • Stay Authentic: Trust your instincts, even if your ideas seem unconventional.
  • Adapt Without Compromise: Be open to feedback but maintain your core vision.
  • Celebrate Your Growth: View every project, successful or not, as a stepping stone in your creative journey.

Example: Ava DuVernay shifted from public relations to filmmaking, staying true to her voice in films like Selma and 13th, which focus on social justice.

Takeaway: Your voice evolves with every project, so embrace the process.

Conclusion: From Idea to Screen, Your Voice is Your Superpower

Finding your voice as a filmmaker takes time, courage, and commitment. By exploring your influences, taking risks, and staying true to your perspective, you’ll craft stories that not only stand out but also resonate deeply with your audience.

Bolanle Media is excited to announce our partnership with The Newbie Film Academy to offer comprehensive courses designed specifically for aspiring screenwriters. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to enhance your skills, our resources will provide you with the tools and knowledge needed to succeed in the competitive world of screenwriting. Join us today to unlock your creative potential and take your first steps toward crafting compelling stories that resonate with audiences. Let’s turn your ideas into impactful scripts together!

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Trending