The Right Cleanser For You
Washing your face with a cleanser is the foundation of your skincare; it’s the most important, and an essential key to your routine. Cleansing removes dirt, oil, makeup and other impurities (like sebum, dead skin cells and bacteria) from the skin’s surface. It’s important to pick the right cleanser that’s appropriate for your skin type to prevent any skin irritation- cleansing can also help address your skin’s concerns and needs.
Image from Pexels, Karolina Grabowska
If you think that the feeling of tight skin after cleansing means that your face is thoroughly cleansed, think again! The tight feeling on your skin after washing usually means that the cleanser you’re using is too drying, or too harsh for your skin.
Know Your Skin Type
Knowing your skin type will help to narrow down what your skin needs, and this quick guide will share more about different types of cleansers, as well as which cleanser is best for your skin type.
Normal Skin
You may have an even skin tone, with occasional breakouts. Your skin doesn’t feel tight, dry or it doesn’t look and feel oily.
What to look out for: As you can usually tolerate most ingredients, such as acids, clays, and oils, you can go ahead and try any type of cleanser.
Dry Skin
You may find that your skin is tight, flaky or itchy. Wrinkles, fine lines, or rough, cracked skin is commonly seen on the skin surface.
Look out for these ingredients as they help to hydrate your skin: jojoba oil, avocado oil, coconut oil, glycerin, and hyaluronic acid
Oily Skin / Acne-Prone Skin
You may see large pores or a greasy shine on your skin after washing your skin. You may have acne-prone, pimples, congested skin with black/whiteheads.
Look out for these ingredients to control sebum production: salicylic acid, glycolic acid and clay
Combination Skin
If you have combi skin, some areas of your face will feel dry, while others will be oily. Common oily areas would be the T-zone, where your forehead, nose and chin will have a shine, while the dry areas could be your cheeks. You may see dullness or rough textures in some areas as well.
Sensitive Skin
Those with sensitive skin may experience reactive, redness, irritated, itchy, stinging or a burning sensation on the skin. You may also be prone to breakouts, or develop rashes, or skin textures such as bumps on the skin.
Types of Facial Cleansers
1. Gel Facial Cleanser
Suitable for oily, acne-prone, and normal skin that is sensitive to redness and acne.
Gel cleansers are usually clear, lightweight, with a jelly-like consistency and deeply cleanses pores.
Great option for those who are prone to breakouts; it clears clogged pores, removes excess oil and is mostly hydrating.
Leaves your skin feeling fresh and can remove light make-up.
2. Foaming Face Wash
Suitable for oily, combination, and normal skin.
They can be drying if left on the skin too long, as the ingredient sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) that causes the 'foaming', can be irritating or overly drying to sensitive skin types.
Produces a lot of lather, they’re light and very effective at cleaning makeup off.
Cleanses the skin thoroughly and softens your skin.
3. Oil Cleanser
Suitable for all skin types, especially oily & acne-prone skin.
Removes long-wear, dirt and heavy / waterproof makeup very well.
Great to use for double cleansing.
Oil cleansers can be used without water; it helps attract oil and debris on dry skin that can be massaged off and then rinsed away afterwards.
Gentle and hydrating on skin, leaving it supple and soft.
4. Milk Cleanser
Great for any skin types, especially sensitive skin or those who have active inflammation—e.g., eczema or rosacea, - great to use for double cleansing.
Super gentle and uses fats (animal, synthetic, or plant-based) to clean your skin, it’s free of ingredients that could cause irritation.
It doesn’t contain actual milk, it got its name due to its milky look and consistency.
It mostly nourishes and hydrates the skin.
5. Cream / Lotion Facial Cleanser
Suitable for dry, sensitive, mature skin.
Has a thicker consistency, it softens & moisturises skin.
Cream and lotion cleansers have a silky texture and remove most types of makeup but if you use waterproof products you may need a separate makeup remover.
Can be used without water, on dry skin, to cleanse dry and sensitive skin.
Note: it may be difficult to rinse off or may leave residue.
6. Cleansing Bars
These are a sustainable alternative, as they're made similar to soap bars, but there’s no soap in them! They don’t come in bottles, and are easier to travel with.
They can be drying, so they’re more suitable for oily or combination skin types.
7. Clay Cleansers
Suitable for oily and acne-prone skin.
Clay cleansers work like clay masks, they soak up excess oil like a sponge and clear away impurities. They can be exfoliating and may improve skin texture.
If your skin can’t tolerate AHAs and BHAs, clay cleansers are a better alternative.
Note: It can be drying for some as they're quite powerful.
Final Tips
It’s best to cleanse 1-2 times a day, and nothing more than that, to prevent your skin from drying out. Most cleansers nowadays can be hydrating or moisturising, so pick one that’s best for your skin type. If you’re still unsure, go for cleansers that are suitable for all skin types, based on product reviews!
Our Cleansers
Recovery Cleanser
+ Formulated with sebum regulating botanical actives such as Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria), Flower Extract, Arctium Lappa Root Extract and Peppermint, all of which gently cleanses and refreshes your skin.
+ Thoroughly cleanse pores and removes impurities.
Suitable for all skin types.
Oil Cleanser
+ Contains many natural plant oil extracts such as Calophyllum Inophyllum Seed Oil, Avocado Oil, Jojoba Seed Oil, Sunflower Seed Oil
+ Leaves skin feeling moisturised and hydrated
+ Helps combat ageing skin with Pore Minimising & Collagen Boosting ingredients that results to youthful and flawless skin
Suitable for all skin types.
That’s all this week!
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