There’s one step in your skincare routine that’s non-negotiable for healthy skin—cleansing. Although it may seem like the simplest—boring even—step, it’s considered the very foundation of your routine.
While you can simply wash your face with water, using a cleanser has several benefits. Good face cleanser bars can remove surface dirt, sweat, bacteria, and makeup, which then prevents the clogging of pores.
That said, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to skin cleansers. Choosing the wrong one can actually cause various skin issues.
With the hundreds of options available to you, how do you choose the right one? This article shares some valuable tips to assist you in your skin cleanser shopping.
Understand Your Face
In general, there are no bad products, only products that are unsuitable for your skin.
As such, finding the right skin cleanser starts with knowing your skin type. It’s the most important step in determining which products will work for you.
Once you are aware of your skin type, you can then narrow down your options.
So before you start your shopping, you should learn what type of skin you have. There are five skin types:
- Normal Skin
Lucky are those with normal skin. This skin type means it has a proper balance of oil and moisture; it’s neither oily nor dry.
- Oily Skin
Oily skin means there’s an overproduction of sebum, resulting in a visible lipid or oil layer on the surface of your skin. Although an occasional oily skin is common, especially during summer seasons, chronic oily skin and sebum overproduction can cause clogged pores and acne breakouts.
- Dry Skin
Dry skin is when your skin loses moisture too quickly making it look dehydrated. It’s the complete opposite of oily skin in which the skin doesn’t produce enough lipids or oil to lock in water and keep it lubricated.
Take note, however, that dry skin may be caused by other factors such as too much bathing or cold weather. For this type of skin, you’ll want something with heavy formulations like these African Botanics cleansers.
- Combination skin
This skin type is what most people have. Combination skin tends to be oily in specific parts of the face such as the forehead and nose but is dry or normal in most areas.
- Sensitive Skin
Sensitive skin is the most frustrating skin type. It means that you’re more prone to reactions such as redness, itching, burning patches of skin, or stinging. People with sensitive skin often have the most difficult time finding the right skincare products that won’t trigger inflammation or other unwanted side effects.
Know The Different Types Of Skin Cleansers
Once you know your skin type, it’s easier to find the right skin cleanser for you. Numerous types of skin cleansers are available in the market. These include:
- Foam Cleansers
This is the most common type of skin cleanser out there. Foam cleansers may be liquid or cream-based that transform into foam when used with water and scrubbed into your face. They are suitable for oily or combination skin.
- Creams
Creams offer a soothing cleanse than a wash and are most suitable for dry skin to ensure higher absorption and moisturization.
- Micellar Cleansers
Featuring a super lightweight and watery consistency, micellar cleansers are gentle on the skin and super hydrating making them suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin, provided you choose one with the right ingredients.
- Cleansing Balms
Balms have become a fan-favorite amongst people with highly sensitive skin. Balms are a gentle, nourishing blend of essential oils, plant oils, and herbs that help remove dirt and makeup from the skin without clogging your pores.
- Clay Cleansers
This is a great option for acne-prone and oily skin. Unlike most cleansers that scrub off the dirt, a clay cleanser can purify the skin by absorbing oil and toxins without damaging skin barriers. Since it avoids the use of harsh acids, it’s also suitable for those with sensitive skin.
Look For Natural Products
Regardless of what type of skin cleanser you’re looking for, you might want to opt for natural and organic products.
Natural and organic cleansers feature refined ingredients, meaning they are sourced responsibly and contain fewer to no additives, preservatives, and other harmful chemicals.
Thus, natural skin cleansers are much safe and easier on the skin. Other than their wonderful skin benefits, organic and natural products are eco-friendlier and cruelty-free, meaning that manufacturers don’t harm or test on animals.
Takeaway
Washing your face can help in removing all the grime and dirt build-up from the surface that may be blocking your pores.
This helps maintain cleaner, healthier and younger-looking skin every day. And only the right skin cleanser can help you achieve just that.
So make sure to follow the above tips to navigate the sea of skin cleanser items on the shelves and online.