The Best Facial Cleanser Guide For Every Skin Type
The perfect facial cleanser is the first step to clean and clear skin.
Skin Care |Â February 20, 2021
I think it is always best to come back to the basics, and a facial cleanser is just that when it comes to having clear skin. The facial cleanser you chose to use in your skin routine can set the tone for how all the other products you use will work and how well your skin appears on a day-to-day basis. A cleanser is the first product you put on your skin so the product must work well with your skin. Also, after finding the right cleanser you can continue looking for other skincare products based on your cleanser and your skin.Â
Here is your chance to make your skin clean, clear, and healthy.Â
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What is a Face Wash?
Well, you probably already know what a face wash is because it’s in the name, but do you know what the specific job of a face wash is? A great face wash is used to get rid of dirt, sweat, sebum, bacteria, dead cells, and makeup from the skin’s surface. The kind of facial cleansers you want to avoid are the ones that can clog your pores even more or irritate your skin. Also, you should avoid washing your face with your average body wash or hand soap. These soaps tend to be harsher as they are trying to remove odor, dirt, and germs.Â
Why Is It Important to Wash Your Face?
When we choose to do the things that are second nature, we sometimes don’t stop and think, why do we do these things? As in, what are the benefits? What is the purpose of me doing this? Well, if you are wondering, then here are the answers to some of those questions.Â
What you need to know is that a good face wash can make a difference to the health of your skin and healthier skin means clear skin. Having the benefit of having healthier skin is not temporary when you continue to wash your face. In fact, over the years your skin will give back by retaining that health for later in life.Â
Since you know the benefits of washing your face, you should also know why you should wash your face. So, as you go on with your daily life bacteria, dead skin, dirt, and oil will find a way to attack your face. Also, if you are someone with oiler skin, wear makeup or sweat a lot then you have more reasons why you should wash your face. So, say you don’t wash your face eventually all of these can clog your pores, and soon you will be dealing with acne and other skin issues.Â
So, always wash your face! Your skin will love you for it.Â
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The Science Behind Your Skin
To have a better understanding of your skin you should learn about the science behind how your skin works. So, let’s focus on the layer underneath your skin. In this layer, there are sebaceous glands and these glands excrete sebum. Sebum is our body’s natural oil and for some people, our bodies produce this oil more than others and vice versa. Sebum can bind to dead skin cells and travel out through your pores. This is a way your body protects the surface of your skin and delivers antioxidants (ex: Vitamin E).Â
When you don’t wash your face the chance of your pores being clogged by sebum and other harmful environmental factors is increased. The issue with clogged pores is that the process of the sebum traveling out your pores become backed up and it builds up. When your pores have a buildup of sebum, bacteria, and dirt you should expect to see blemishes, whiteheads, blackheads, and cysts.Â
So, to avoid these skin issues you must try to find the face wash that fits your needs and solves your problems.
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Dry Skin
If you are someone that has dry skin then you should go towards facial cleansers that are gentle and more oil-based. With dry skin, you are more on the sensitive side when it comes to skincare.Â
So, you should make sure your cleanser is completely free of chemicals, fragrances, alcohols, exfoliators (ex: glycolic or salicylic acid), and you shouldn’t use any antibacterial soaps. Overall, one of your missions is to avoid drying out your skin. To do just that you want cleansers that are oil, milk, or cream-based. Also, your cleanser should be hypoallergenic with a non-foaming formula.Â
As for the second mission, you want to add moisture to your skin. So, some great cleansers for this skin type should have some amazing moisturizing ingredients and fatty acids that are in the form of oil (ex: almond oil).Â
Oily Skin
As for oily skin, you need a cleanser that can control your skin’s overproduction of oil and keep your skin clear. So, ingredients such as aloe vera and tea tree oil are great at doing both. While keeping that in mind you should avoid cleaners that will make your oily skin worse. Facial cleansers that contain oil or alcohol and leaves your skin feeling dry and tight should be avoided at all costs.Â
In most cases, oily skin tends to be more acne-prone, and unfortunately, I deal with this issue. If you deal with this issue too then a facial cleanser that contains salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide can help. Acne-prone skin is just clogged pores, so you need ingredients that will unclog your pores and remove excess oil from your skin.Â
Combination Skin
Unfortunately, you have two opposing skin types, so it is best to find a cleanser that can work for any skin type. Gentle mild cleansers are best for this skin type because it is not too harsh and it doesn’t remove too much of your natural oils.Â
As for ingredients, to look for micellar waters is one. Other than that, you can lean towards the skin type you see is causing any current issues. For example, parts of your skin are very-dry, so you would try looking for a facial cleanser that contains ingredients great for dry skin.Â
Another tip would be to use two different cleansers. One cleanser can be oil-based, and the other can be a regular gentle facial cleanser.Â
Sensitive Skin
With sensitive skin, your main goal is to avoid any products that will irritate your skin. So, you want your facial cleanser to contain calming ingredients, and it should be paraben-free, fragrance-free, and hypoallergenic.Â
Ingredients such as chamomile, aloe, and green tea polyphenols are great for sensitive skin. Another tip when looking for a cleanser for this skin type is to go towards cleaners that have fewer ingredients. Fewer ingredients would be better for your skin considering there would be fewer ingredients that could irritate your skin.Â
As for what your facial cleanser should not include that would be any fragrances or alcohols. Also, would be best to avoid any active ingredients (ex: glycolic acid) because they are known as skin irritants.Â
Normal Skin
If this is your skin type consider yourself lucky. Your skin knows how to produce enough oil and is not easily irritated. When it comes to looking for the right cleanser for this skin type it is best to keep it simple.Â
As always avoid facial cleansers that have chemicals, fragrances, and alcohols because they are not great for any skin type. Great cleaners for normal skin are mild or general cleansers. You only need a cleanser to remove dirt and grease and still preserve your natural oils.Â
Face Washing Tips
- It is always best to wash your face with clean hands
- Always use lukewarm water
- Side notes: your pores don’t open or close depending on the temperature of the waterÂ
- Hot water irritates and dries out your skin and cold water is not great for loosening dirtÂ
- Don’t wash your face in the shower unless you use lukewarm waterÂ
- Dedicate 30 seconds to a minute to washing your face
- The best tool to wash your face is your fingersÂ
- Side note: using facial brushes, washcloths, and any other facial cleansing tool all the time can irritate your skinÂ
- Circular motions are best when washing your faceÂ
- Side note: focus on your T-zone since it can be oilyÂ
- Your skin should never feel tight or dry after washingÂ
- Always pat your face dry don’t rub
If you want to know how often you should wash your face, then use your skin type as a reference.Â
- For oily skin: you should wash your face twice a day
- For normal, combination, sensitive, or dry skin: once a day is fine, but at night would be best. You can just start with a toner in the morning and continue your morning routine from there.Â
- Overall pay attention to how your skin responds to washing your face once or twice a dayÂ
TakeawaysÂ
Your cleanser should always suit your skin type, and to make sure it does always refer to the ingredients. It is best to read what’s in a product to make sure it has everything you need and nothing you don’t. If this helped you find an amazing facial cleanser then definitely share it with us and your skin type.Â
