There is no point in using expensive serums and face creams if we don’t have a good base for them. They would only sit on top of improperly cleansed skin and couldn’t do their job. That’s why it’s essential to establish a good cleansing routine and pick a facial cleanser that suits our skin types and concerns.
But, with so many products on the market, it is so hard to choose one that will suit us. So, what should you be looking out for? And how to clean your skin properly?
Types of cleansers
Firstly, we’ll start with the types of facial cleansers you can get. Hopefully, this should give you a slight idea of which direction you should go when picking a facial cleanser.
So, the list is as follows:
- gel
- cream
- foam
- oil
- balm
- clay
- micellar
- powder
- bar
- cloths/mitts
Now, let’s go a little bit more in-depth.
Gel cleanser
Usually, without colour, a gel is intended to deeply cleanse our pores and remove dirt and bacteria from our skin. It rinses off completely and leaves the skin feeling squeaky clean. Sometimes it can have beta-hydroxy acid (salicylic acid) in the ingredient list and can help with reducing breakouts.
Perfect for: normal to combination skin, oily and acne-prone skin
Cream facial cleanser
Cleansing creams are probably the second most popular cleaners out there, especially for people with dry skin. They are perfect as a first step in your double cleansing game, as they perfectly melt all the makeup, dirt and SPF from your skin. Or they can be a perfect thing for the gentle morning cleanse. They are usually full of glycerin, oils or other emollients to nourish dry skin.
Perfect for: normal to dry skin, sensitive skin, skin prone to redness, mature skin
Foam facial cleansers
Unlike cream cleansers, foam cleansers are light in texture. But they usually start as a cream or gel, and the pump disperses them into a foam. Another type of facial cleanser that removes all the dirt and makeup, perfect for the second cleanse. Unfortunately, as they contain SLS (sodium lauryl sulphate), an ingredient that can often cause skin irritation, it’s not suitable for sensitive skin. Hopefully, we all know that we don’t need a foaming agent to thoroughly cleanse our face, but I know that people prefer this way of cleansing.
Perfect for: combination to oily skin, acne-prone skin
Oil facial cleanser
Another great cleanser for dry skin and perfect for the first cleanse. People with oily skin used to think that using an oily facial cleanser would make their skin even more oily. But this is far from the truth. Using an oil cleanser can only help with removing dirt and makeup from the skin without drying the skin further. If we dry our skin too much, it will only produce more oil to fight the dryness.
Perfect for: all skin types
Balm
Thick, hard-looking balm that melts in contact with our skin, melting all the makeup and dirt. It’s perfect for people with very dry or eczema-prone skin as it is full of nourishing oils and is still a gentle product. Again, perfect for a first cleanse in your double cleansing routine or for a gentle morning cleanse – only make sure you rinse it properly or even use a wet washcloth to remove it.
Perfect for: normal to dry and very dry skin, eczema-prone skin
Clay facial cleansers
Clay cleanser works the same as any clay mask. It draws the dirt and oil out of our pores, and it is a deep cleansing product perfect for those with very oily skin. It can be a fantastic alternative for skins that can’t tolerate acids like AHA’s or BHA’s. Just be careful not to overdo it and choose carefully which clay is in the cleaner as some can be very intense and over-drying. Also, I wouldn’t recommend using this sort of cleanser all the time or long term because it can lead to dehydrated skin.
Perfect for: very oily skin, acne-prone skin
Micellar water
A couple of years ago, micellar water got very popular and was everywhere and used by everyone. They have tiny oil bubbles that are emulsified in the water. That makes them great for removing makeup and dirt. And they can be used with cotton pads and usually don’t require rinsing. But I would still recommend rinsing it as we don’t want any of those cleansing agents sitting on our faces. And even use another cleaner to be sure all the nasties are gone. I love to start my makeup removal by using a dual-phase eye makeup remover (the one you have to shake before using) to gently remove my mascara and eyeshadow.
Perfect for: all skin types
Powder facial cleanser
Powder cleansers are great for exfoliating our skin. They usually have some enzyme to gently eat away any dead skin we might have. You can adjust the ‘strength’ of it by adjusting the amount of water you add to it. If you add a tiny bit of water, you will have a thick paste that will provide harder exfoliation. And if you add more water, you will get a more gentle exfoliation. Again, I would be careful with this type of cleanser not to overdo the whole exfoliation thing. I probably wouldn’t do it every day, but there are great formulations on the market that are safe for daily use.
Perfect for: combination to oily skin, and sensitive skin (a few times a week)
Bars
With the rise of eco-friendly products, bar cleansers for the face are getting more popular. They are usually made similarly to regular soap bars but have better ingredients that are more suitable for the face. Even though they are usually full of glycerin and essential oils, they still have surfactants that are quite harsh on the skin. Although this provides that feeling of squeaky clean skin, I would say it’s too clean. It’s completely rid of any moisture on the skin and only causes drying of the skin.
Perfect for: none (even though I love any eco-friendly option, I still think that soap bars have a long way to go to be skin-friendly)
Cloths or mitts
These can be a beneficial addition to your cleansing routine, but only if they are always clean. You can use a little facecloth to remove the oily cleanser from your first cleanse in the evenings or your balm or cream cleanser in the morning. Make sure you’re not scrubbing your face with these things but gently wiping the cleansers off. Some products don’t require any cleanser, as they can remove makeup just on their own. I would still recommend doing a second cleanse after that. But it is an eco-friendly alternative that can also save you a bit of money.
Perfect for: normal, combination or oily skins
Types of skin
Above, under every type of facial cleanser, I put what skin type it is for. But what if you don’t know your skin type? I will write about this more in-depth in another post, but I’ll also give you a few tips here.
There are four main skin types, and there are also many skin concerns.
Skin types can be:
- oily
- combination
- normal
- dry
Probably the easiest way to determine your skin type is to wash your face and don’t apply anything to it for a while. If, after an hour, your skin feels tight and itchy, you probably have dry skin. If it feels good and comfortable, it’s normal. And if it’s shiny all over, it is oily, and if it’s shiny only in some places (usually the forehead, nose and chin – T-zone), you have combination skin.
Those are just basic guidelines for determining your skin type, and I’m not saying they work 100% of the time. As I said above, there are also many skin concerns people have, but I won’t be getting into that now.
So how to pick a facial cleanser
Firstly, start with your skin type. After you’ve determined which skin type you have, you are already halfway there.
For oily skin and combination skin, you can use:
- gel
- foam
- oil
- micellar cleanser
- clay
- powder
Cleansers that are good for normal skin are:
- gel
- cream
- oil
- balm
- micellar cleanser
For dry skin:
- cream
- oil
- balm
- gel (only gentle gel to use as a second cleanse in the evenings)
Secondly, look at the needs of your skin. Maybe you have acne, or your skin is acne-prone. Or maybe it’s dry and also sensitive. At the same time, you might be concerned with enlarged pores or fine lines. These are all skin concerns people might have. And they help you determine what kind of cleansing gel you should look for. Or what kind of cleansing cream would be best for you.
Example
I know my skin type is normal. But after a lot of drying, and anti-acne products, it became sensitive and dehydrated. So, now I use an oil cleanser in my first cleanse to remove my makeup. Usually, I make my own with a blend of almond and castor oil. Or if I buy one, I will look at oils with minimal ingredients and none of the essential oils or perfumes. Then, for the second cleanse, I’m looking at something to help me remove that oil. That is usually some gel cleanser. Mostly because I like the texture. Again, I’m looking for a product without a long list of ingredients, without perfumes and alcohol. Lastly, for a morning cleanse, I’m using a gentle cream cleanser to gently cleanse, and remove sweat and excess products from my night routine.
I hope that doesn’t sound too complicated and that it will help you choose a facial cleanser.
Few last tips for picking a facial cleanser
If in doubt, go gentle.
If you are not sure what skin type you have or what product to choose, always opt for a mild cleanser. That will make sure you’re not doing any extra damage (like I did) with harsh products that will dry out your skin. Instead, it will provide a gentle cleanse a keep your skin’s barrier intact.
Listen to your skin.
Some days your skin can feel extra oily, and you might need a stronger cleanse. And some days, it may feel extra sensitive or irritated, and it needs a more gentle approach. Because of that, it’s often recommended to have at least three types of cleansers to suit your skin’s individual needs.
Active ingredients are your friend.
But pay attention to them. Read the ingredients list and be sure you know what you’re using and are not mixing ingredients that shouldn’t get mixed. Or that you’re not doubling up on active ingredients that can lead to dry skin. In case you already have an active ingredient in a serum, maybe look for a cleanser without it.
Don’t be too lazy.
I know how easy it can be to only pass out in your bed after a long day but invest those ten minutes and properly cleanse your skin. It will thank you later. And by properly, I mean double cleanse. I wrote more about it here. It’s not that hard, and it has a great range of benefits for your skin.
Don’t worry too much.
The cleanser is a product that is on our skin on average for 30 seconds to 1 minute. That is not enough time to do any great damage. So don’t be too scared to pick the wrong cleanser. As long as you rinse it off entirely, you’ll be fine.
What is your favourite cleanser?
