A facial cleanser is the foundation of your skincare routine. Cleansing is charged with creating a clean slate to absorb other skincare products or get rid of toxins, pollutants, sweat, and grime after a long day. Once you know your skin type, it’s easy to select the right cleanser that effectively removes dirt, oil, and sweat without leaving the skin feeling stripped.
Read also: How To Do Face Cleansing The Right Way.
The primary goal of cleansing is to remove makeup, dirt, and excess oil from the skin. Still, this initial skincare step also provides an opportunity to get additional benefits from specific ingredients that can enhance your overall skin health and appearance.
The ideal facial cleanser formula depends on your skin type, which can change from season to season and fluctuate based on hormonal or environmental factors (such as traveling to a climate your skin is unaccustomed to).
The five main skin types are normal, dry, oily, combination, and sensitive. There is no blanket cleanser for all these skin types; therefore, you must choose one that suits your skin type.
You might be interested in: 2 Easy Ways To Determine Your Skin Type.
An effective face cleanser must be gentle on the skin, meaning it won’t leave the skin stripped of its natural oils. Some cleansers come with additional beneficial ingredients, such as ceramides. These skincare actives ensure effective skin cleansing without disrupting your skin barrier.
How To Choose Face Cleanser Based On Skin Type
Cleansing is an important skincare step that can help address your skin’s unique needs. Consider these skin type basics:
Normal skin
This type doesn’t experience excess dryness or oiliness and is generally free of visible pores, acne, and sensitivity. We recommend La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser, which is easy on your skin for normal skin types.
Dry skin
Skin is dry when it lacks water and natural oils. This skin type may have a rough texture, visible lines and wrinkles, dullness, and loss of elasticity, as well as increased sensitivity and a tight, uncomfortable feel.
Those with dry skin need to preserve and enhance skin moisture levels. Non-foaming or gentle lotion-like face cleansers can effectively remove excess oil and dirt without leaving the skin feeling stripped. We recommend dry skin cleanser options that are non-comedogenic and fragrance-free, for example, CeraVe Hydrating Face Cleanser.
Oily skin
Oily skin produces too much sebum and is likely to experience enlarged pores, blackheads, pimples, and unwanted shine.
Cleansing daily with a gentle foaming cleanser for oily skin can help keep your skin feeling fresh and looking healthy while minimizing the appearance of unwanted shine, enlarged pores, blackheads, or acne breakouts. If you have oily skin, the ideal facial cleanser for your skin’s needs should gently and effectively remove dirt and excess oil without clogging pores or stripping your skin of its natural oils.
CeraVe’s non-comedogenic facial cleansers for oily skin are formulated with three essential ceramides to help lock in skin moisture and restore your skin’s protective barrier. They feature a range of beneficial ingredients, such as hyaluronic acid to help retain your skin’s natural moisture, kaolin clay to help absorb excess oil, and exfoliating ingredients like salicylic acid.
Combination skin
This skin type has areas of dryness and oiliness. It’s common to have dullness and rough texture in some spots and enlarged pores, blackheads, and shine in others (especially around the nose, chin, and forehead).
Your best bet is a foaming gel formula, such as CeraVe Hydrating Cream-to-Foam Cleanser.
Sensitive skin
Sensitive skin types react to external factors, including skincare regimens. Signs of sensitive skin can include stinging, burning, and redness.
A non-foaming hydrating face cleanser for sensitive skin such as Cetaphil’s Gentle Skin Cleanser or gentle micellar water containing essential ceramides is your best choice if you have sensitive skin.
Key Takeaways
The initial step in your skincare regimen should involve thoroughly cleansing your face. Ineffective cleansing can strip the skin of its natural oils and make it dry or fail to unclog pores, increasing the risk of breakouts.
Here are six cleansing tips to help you thoroughly cleanse your face and reap maximum benefits of your skincare routine;
1. Choose the best cleanser for your skin type.
2. Timing. Avoid over-cleansing or under-cleansing. Spend roughly 30 to 60 seconds.
3. Do it gently. You have delicate skin. Avoid excessive pulling or tugging at your skin.
4. Avoid using hot water. The hot water might disrupt your natural barrier and strip the skin of its natural oils. Use lukewarm water instead.
5. Cleansing wipes cannot replace a face cleanser in terms of effectiveness. As a quick initial step, cleansing wipes are useful, but they shouldn’t take the place of a thorough face cleanse before moving on to the next phase of your regimen.
6. Limit washing to morning, evening, and after sweating