If you’ve ever fallen asleep in your makeup and woken up to a new unwelcome pimple or two then you probably know how important it is to not skip out on cleansing your skin. While it may seem like a pretty basic (and sometimes maybe skippable) step, your facial cleanser plays a pretty important role in removing excess oil, dead skin, and dirt, and preps the skin for the rest of your routine.
But finding the right cleanser for your skin type is also just as important. Even though a facial cleanser is a wash off product, you unfortunately can’t use just any cleanser for your skin type. You have to be especially mindful if you have sensitive skin.
And on top of all that there are a bunch of different types of cleansers. From foaming cleansers, to creamy cleansers and oil cleansers, there is a huge variety you can choose from depending on what you want to achieve.
So, if you’re not sure which cleanser fits your needs and skin type, check out our quick guide:
Cleansers for oily skin
Oily skin is characterized by an excess production of sebum that can lead to clogged pores and breakouts.
For this skin type you’ll want to use a gel cleanser. Gel cleansers help gently remove built up dirt, oil, and other pore-clogging ingredients sitting on the skin. They also help deliver a thorough deep cleanse that oilier skin types need.
Some gel cleansers will also include exfoliating ingredients like Salicylic Acid to better reach deep in pores to break up gunk that clogs up pores. Look out for AHAs, like Glycolic Acid, as well to help exfoliate the surface of the skin.
Our Pore Cleanser is made with Niacinamide and Salicylic Acid to improve the look of clogged pores and gently exfoliate. The gel-to-bubbly foam texture of our Pore Cleanser helps lift dirt and oil sitting on the skin and doubles as a face mask for an even deeper clean.
Cleansers for combination skin
Similar to oily skin, combination skin tends to lean on the oilier side, specifically on the t-zone area, while some spots like the cheeks may have some dryness.
In this case, you can still use a gel cleanser to help target the oilier areas of the skin without drying out any dry or flaky patches. Or, you can also opt for a lightweight foaming cleanser to better avoid irritating any dry patches of skin.
While you can still look out for some exfoliating ingredients in your cleanser, also try to avoid any cleanser that may be too harsh for your skin. Some gel cleansers are also made with hydrating and reparative ingredients like Hyaluronic Acid or Ceramides to avoid stripping the skin.
Cleansers for dry skin
Dry skin is characterized by a tight, dry feeling and maybe even some flaky patches. This skin type may also deal with even more visible fine lines and texture because of the lack of moisture in the skin.
For dry skin types cream and oil cleansers are going to be your best bet. These types of cleansers have a lightweight texture and don’t typically foam up like gel or foam cleansers to avoid drying out the skin. Cream and oil cleansers also are best at helping to effectively remove makeup, so they can also make a great addition to a double-cleansing routine.
Cream and oil cleansers typically include hydrating ingredients like Hyaluronic Acid, Ceramides, and Jojoba Oil to restore moisture to the skin. These ingredients can help soothe dryness and irritation associated with dry skin.
Cleansers for sensitive skin
Sensitive skin types have one of the toughest skin types to deal with. For one you have to be super vigilant of what ‘s in your skin care products to avoid triggering any skin reactions. These reactions can include redness, irritation, and a stinging sensation on the skin.
For sensitive skin you’ll want to stick to mild cleansers, ideally free of alcohol or fragrance. Similar to dry skin types, you would also be able to use cream cleansers since they are gentle on the skin and tend to include reparative, nourishing ingredients. Some mild cleansers that are great for sensitive skin include cream or milky cleansers.
Ingredients best suited to sensitive skin are usually soothing, moisturizing, and reparative in nature. Look for cleansers with ingredients like Ceramides, Glycerin, and calming ingredients like Oat. You may want to avoid cleansers with exfoliating acids if you have very sensitive skin. Although if you would like some type of exfoliating action in your cleanser you can try out a cleanser with low concentrations of Glycolic Acid (one of the gentler exfoliating acids).
Lastly…
While the cleansing step in your routine may seem like one of the least important, it actually sets the tone for the rest of your routine. Cleansing away all the dirt, oil, and dead skin that has built up on the skin throughout the day helps prep the skin to best receive the rest of your skincare products. Just be sure to find the right texture and ingredients suited to your skin type.
