If you’re starting your cleanser journey it’s worth analysing your own skin to work out which facial wash will benefit your complexion type. Having blemish-free and smooth skin is a dream but most people don’t have glowing or radiant skin, no matter how much they try.
A facial cleanser is a strong base for any skincare routine, but it can be tough to find the perfect one. So here’s a guide on skin type breakdowns and the ingredients and cleansers you should be looking out for.
What face cleanser works the best for individual skin types?
A facial cleanser or wash helps to remove dirt, sebum, bacteria, sweat and dead skin cells from the surface. If your skin type is dry, you may find a cleanser irritates your skin, while a rich wash may clog pores for those with oily type. Also use cleansers specifically curated for the face, as body and hand soap may not be suitable or too harsh.
How do I know which skin type I am?
There seems to be a handful of generic terms when we talk about skincare: oily, dry, sensitive, combination and normal. In certain cases, oily and acne-prone skin can come hand-in-hand but it doesn’t mean different areas of your skin or body have various types of skin types. It’s also not a one-size-fits-all scenario either.
Just because you have one or more certain skin types, it doesn’t mean concerns end there either, as you may find you have to combat difficulties you face with each one at different intervals.
Ask yourself how your skin feels throughout the day - is it oily in certain areas like the T-zone or the cheeks? Does it feel tight and dry? Try washing your face with a gentle cleanser to remove any skincare products and wait 30 minutes and again note how it feels. It can be easy to misdiagnose your own skin type if you have products on top giving a false verdict.
Normal skin type typically refers to people who do not have an abundance of oil, redness, dryness, flakiness or soreness on their skin. For these people, protect the layers of skin and replenish moisturiser. However, stick to light moisturisers that still offer hydration and a gentle cleanser to maintain radiance - remember, skin can change.
Whereas oily skin may appear shiny and feel oily to touch, or product oil in certain areas throughout the day. Does your skin appear shiny and greasy around the nose and mouth by the afternoon or hours after you apply your makeup? Sometimes it also means you are prone to breakouts and blemishes or have acne.
Dry skin may feel dehydrated or tight and can lead to flakiness in particular sections, like the forehead or cheeks. Deep hydrating products work wonders injecting the moisture back into the face, and try masks and moisturisers with hyloraunic acid and glycerin - the amazing ingredient that keeps on working even after you’ve finished. Serums and overnight masks can also help contain moisture locked in.
Whereas, combination skin is a juggling act where you’re trying to balance more than one skin type. It’s common for the T-zone area - forehead, nose and mouth, to appear more shiny and oily whereas the rest of the face is either normal or dry. If this is you, try light moisturisers which are not rich or deep and won’t clog pores and a balancing toner. Light creams at night will work best as they won’t irritate oil production while you sleep.
What type of cleanser is best for combination skin?
Using a Micellar water will help combination skin as you’ll be combatting both dry and sensitive or oily skin. Try out hypoallergenic and paraben-free cleansers that are extra gentle and mild. You may need to adapt your routine for different areas of the face or day-by-day depending on how your skin reacts.
Or try natural soap made for facial cleansers, as they're usually mild and free from stripping ingredients as well.
Which facial cleanser is best for dry skin?
But, what type of cleanser is best for dry skin? First, look for gentle washes that have lots of beneficial moisturising ingredients. Try to avoid cleansers with alcohol and exfoliators, like glycolic and salicylic acid, which can strip away the skin too much. Facial cleansers with added shea butter, glycerin and hyaluronic acid will help add extra moisture and nourish the skin.
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Which cleanser is best for oily skin?
The perfect wash for a person who has oily-prone skin may include mild ingredients that help prevent or balance oil production. Tea Tree essential oil and aloe vera are known to help clarify the skin’s surface and shouldn’t leave it feeling dry after. Cleansers with oil or alcohol may irritate oily skin and make it worse. Try purifying masks once a week and avoid squeezing and aggravating blemishes when they appear.
What is the best cleanser for acne-prone skin?
This also goes hand-in-hand with what is the best acne face cleanser for oily skin? Acne-prone skin will benefit from using cleansers with salicylic acids as it works to unclog pores and remove excess oil without your skin feeling dry or tight.
If you have sensitive skin, you can still use acne cleansers but try to avoid parabens, fragrances and be on the lookout for hypoallergenic cleansers. Try not to squeeze spots or acne as it could be extremely painful, irritate the area and lead to scarring.
What is the best facial cleanser for sensitive skin?
Micellar waters are great for sensitive skin, they’re usually paraben and soap-free and don’t irritate the face.
But, what skin type is foaming cleanser best for?
Oily and acne-prone skin are best for foaming agents and facial cleansers as they help to eliminate excess sebum, oil, and dirt. They can be quite stripping on the skin of natural oils, so ensure you replenish what you’re taking away with light moisturisers and serums afterwards. Also, try not to use foaming cleansers on dry or sensitive skin.
What is the best organic facial cleanser?
Some of the best ingredients to look out for in organic cleansers include aloe vera, honey, rose water, jasmine and pink clay.
Face washes with vitamin C and flower extracts are also an added benefits. However, depending on your skin type, read up on which clays work for your skin type, as Bentonite Clay, as an example, helps to remove dirt and sebum and is better suited for combination, oily and normal skin and those with the dry type should go for Kaolin Clay which is milder.
What is the best cleanser for mature skin or rosacea?
Dry and mature skin sometimes benefit from using the same products, adding hydration and moisture back into the skin. Try deeply hydrating formulas and rich moisturisers overnight.
Which cleanser is best for blackheads?
You want to look for clarifying and purifying cleansers that remove dirt, sebum and unclog pores. Activated charcoal, clays, and salicylic acid will help. But, skin care is only one step to help reduce the appearance of blackheads, ensure you moisturise, exfoliate and clean makeup brushes and skincare applicators regularly.
Avoid trying to squeeze blackheads out as this can irritate the skin and burst the pore, damaging it.
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