How to Choose the Best Facial Cleanser

by Nina

It is important to use the right facial cleanser to keep the skin healthy and glowing. Here are simple tips to help you choose the best facial cleanser for your skin type.

Facial cleansers are one of the most important skin care products as it helps clear away dirt and oil that are deep seated in the pores. In fact, it is probably the most important one to have as cleaning the face is the first step in any person’s skin care routine. There are different facial cleansers in the market for consumers to choose from including soap bars, creams and gels. Choosing the right facial wash is important as it will help the face look more radiant and have a healthy appearance. However, a great facial cleanser for your face might not work for someone else’s. This is because people have different skin types. If you are unsure as to what the best type of skin care product is for your skin, here are tips that you may want to keep in mind when choosing a facial cleanser.

Woman Washing Face
Woman Washing Face

Lathering Versus Non-Lathering Facial Cleansers

Self-foaming facial cleansers contain detergents that help wash away dirt and oil on the skin. Lathering cleansers are usually classified as either soap-based or soap-free. Soap-based cleansers are made of a mixture of animal or vegetable fat and alkali salt. The downside of using soap-based cleansers to wash the face is that it leaves a residue with hard water. Soap-free cleansers, on the other hand, are able to create lather because of synthetic detergents that are made from petroleum products. These types of foaming cleansers use less alkaline and can be rinsed off with hard and soft water.

Lathering cleansers come in the form of liquid of bar soaps. It produces a nice lather making it ideal for oily skin as it keeps the skin looking fresh. It can also clear the skin’s pores and prevent the blackheads, acne and pimple. Its pH level can be adjusted to the skin’s pH so that its acidity will not be damaged. There are certain water-binding ingredients and oil that are added to the cleanser to make it less drying.

Non-lathering facial cleansers can be cream or cleansing lotions. It can clean the face even if it does not create lather. These usually contain oil, water and an emulsifier. The oil helps get rid of make-up and dirt that are on the surface of the skin. The use of non-lathering cleansers depends on personal preference. There are people who feel that their skin is not cleaned properly without lather. If that is true, go for a self-foaming facial cleanser that suits your skin type.

It is ideal for people with dry or sensitive skin. Its oil though can add to the skin’s oil and cause more acne and pimple outbreaks which is why people with oily skin type may want to avoid using it.

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L'Oreal Paris Go 360 Clean, Deep Facial Cleanser, 6-Fluid Ounce

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Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser, for normal to oily skin, 16.0 -Ounce Bottles (Pack of 2)

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What is Your Skin Type?

Before you choose the right facial cleanser, it is important to determine your skin type. The skin care products that you should use depend on your skin type. If you use a facial cleanser that does not suit your skin, it will only aggravate its condition instead of improving it.

There are basically five different skin types. Normal skin is perhaps the easiest to find facial cleansers for as there are a variety of products that is ideal for this skin type. Normal skin is characterized as having a proper balance of moisture, oil and durability. Oily skin, as its name suggests, makes the face look oily and shiny only a few hours after washing it. This skin type is prone to acne and blackheads. Dry skin feels tight after being washed. This is because the skin is not able to retain moisture. It can be challenging to choose skin care products for sensitive skin. There are certain chemicals in facial cleansers that cause the skin to react. Combination skin features parts that are oily and some that are dry. Skin experts advise people with this skin type to use two different facial cleansers.

Match the Cleanser with Your Skin Type

When you already know what your skin type is, it will be easier for you to narrow down your search. If you have dry skin, you may want to avoid cleansers that contain a high amount of alcohol. If you have oily skin, it is best to choose a facial wash with a low pH level as it is more effective in getting rid of oil while gently cleaning the face. It is best for people with sensitive skin to use cleansers that are chemical and fragrance-free.

If you wear makeup daily, consider using one that can remove it. You may also want to shop for facial cleansers that can keep your pores clean particularly if you will be outdoors or working out. This helps keep the pores from getting clogged with sweat and dirt.

If you are buying facial cleansers, spend time reading the labels and researching about the different brands. Most skin care products indicate on the bottle for what skin type it is intended for but read it so that you know more about its ingredients and how it works.

Woman with Beautiful Skin
Woman with Beautiful Skin

Consider Going Green

There are more green products in the market today. This is not simply a trend. In fact, there are a lot of reasons as to why you may want to consider trying green facial cleansers. Did you know that there are particular chemicals that can irritate the skin? Phthalates is a form-providing plasticizer which is known to have negative effects on the health and is often used in skin care products. If you take the time to read the labels of green cleansers, you will notice that it is phthalates-free. Aside from that, there are also other chemicals that can damage the environment when it makes its way to the sewage system and drains back to the environment. Because organic facial cleansers are chemical and fragrance-free, individuals with sensitive skin may want to use it.

Ask for Advice

It is best to ask for advice not only from beauty experts but also from your friends. If there is a particular facial cleanser that you are interested in, you may want to ask your friends if they have tried using it and what its advantages and disadvantages are. It is also a good idea to ask a dermatologist about it. They are experts when it comes to skin care so he or she will definitely be able to help you find the right facial cleanser for your skin type.

How to Wash Your Face Properly

Before washing your face, applying makeup or touching your face, it is important to wash your hands properly. You would not want to transfer bacteria or dirt from your hands onto your skin. To make sure that your hands are clean, use an antibacterial soap.

It is also important to remove makeup before washing the face. Remove it using a mild makeup remover. You can also use an eye makeup remover if you applied eye makeup and mascara. Most facial cleansers are able to remove makeup but it is still best to remove it prior to washing the face.

The face is best washed with lukewarm water. This helps to open the pores and get rid of deep seated dirt. When applying the cleanser, put a small amount of it on your palm or washcloth. Rub it all over your face using your fingertips. Massage it on your forehead, chin, nose, cheeks and neck for a minute using gentle, circular motions. Leave it for at least two minutes for it to penetrate the skin.

Rinse your face to remove the cleanser. You should splash it with water or use a face sponge to remove the cleanser. Many beauty experts suggest washing with cold water as it helps to close the pores and improve blood circulation. Pat the face dry with a clean towel.

It is ideal to use a facial toner particularly if your skin type is oily or combination. Facial toners help remove traces of makeup, dirt and oil that were not washed off by the cleanser. It also helps reduce the appearance of pores, get rid of oil and refine the skin. Toners also make the skin feel tighter and prepare the skin for the moisturizer.

Moisturizing the skin is as important as cleaning it. This is why it is important to hydrate the face using a skin care product that suits your skin type after washing. If you will be spending time under the sun, use facial moisturizers with SPF protection.

Updated: 12/07/2011, Nina
 
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