HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT FACE CLEANSER FOR YOUR SKIN TYPE

Our skin is a sacred organ, protecting us from and reacting to the world around us as we go about our busy lives.

Keeping your skin clean and cared for is the cornerstone of any skincare ritual. But before you can add to your moment of ritual or address skin concerns, you need to start with a clean canvas. A nourishing, gentle facial cleanser washes away dirt, SPF, oil, and makeup and leaves skin feeling soft.

Washing your face is a daily opportunity to foster awareness and appreciation of the present moment. This small act can be a space for a relaxing moment of personal ceremony, where you can let down the guard you present to the world.

If you’re not sure what kind of facial cleanser is right for your skin type, don’t worry — we’ll dive into the specifics so you can find one that leaves you feeling fresh.

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FACE CLEANSER AND FACE WASH?

In the battle of “cleanser” vs. “face wash,” what’s most important to consider are the kinds of skin issues you want to address in your daily skincare ritual.

A gentle face cleanser washes away makeup and impurities. They’re typically formulated with nourishing ingredients to support healthy-looking, hydrated skin — like glycerin (a popular humectant) or honey (which helps to nourish and hydrate the appearance of skin).

Face washes, on the other hand, tend to be formulated with specific ingredients that penetrate pores more deeply or target specific skin concerns — for example, if you have acne-prone skin, you may look for a face wash with ingredients like benyzol peroxide or salicylic acid, which are considered gentle exfoliators that may help prevent breakouts. While facial cleansers can range from milky to creamy in texture, face washes tend to be foamy in texture and largely water-based.

Whether you choose a cleanser or a face wash may depend on what kind of skincare ritual you want to nurture — and your unique skin type.

EXPLAINING 4 COMMON SKIN TYPES

Knowing what your unique skin type is can help you figure out the best facial cleanser for you.

NORMAL SKIN

Normal skin isn’t too dry or oily, and normal skin types tend to have a balanced complexion. “Normal” skin types tend to have limited sensitivity and don’t often deal with breakouts or dry, flaky skin. After washing their face, someone with a normal skin type feels fresh and clean with no “stripped” or tight feeling.

DRY SKIN

Generally, dry skin doesn’t produce enough oil and needs hydration, which can result in skin feeling dry or tight. After washing your face, those with dry skin types might immediately reach for their favorite moisturizer to combat dryness and deliver a boost of hydration.

OILY SKIN

Oily skin produces more sebum and tends to have a shiny appearance (particularly the T-zone or forehead). Oily skin types can experience larger-looking pores and be prone to breakouts. When it comes to choosing a face wash, oily skin types will want to seek out cleansers formulated with ingredients that can remove excess oil or curb breakouts.

COMBINATION SKIN

Combination skin tends to have different concerns based on different areas of the face; you might be shiny and acne-prone in one area of the face, or experiencing dryness and lack of hydration on other areas.

DIFFERENT TYPES OF FACIAL CLEANSERS

There are so many types of face cleansers out there, and you can tailor your skincare ritual to the kind of vibe you want to foster. Consider this a moment of textural ASMR. It’s a choose-your-own-cleanser path, whether you prefer clean and bubbly foam cleanser, chic Micellar water, or the spa-like relaxation of a good gel cleanser.

GEL CLEANSER

For normal and combination skin types whose focus is on removing makeup, dirt and pollution from your skin, the rich, thick texture of a gel cleanser just may be your go-to. Gel cleansers are effective at removing dirt or excess oil without leaving skin feeling tight or dry.

FOAMING CLEANSER

Foaming cleansers are sudsy and lightweight. Often, acne-prone skin types will reach for a foaming cleanser because they’re meant to provide a deeper clean and cleanse away excess sebum, which can become acne. Sometimes, you’ll find foaming cleansers contain sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), which can irritate some skin types. See what your skin reacts to best, particularly if you have sensitive skin.

CREAM CLEANSER

Cream cleansers are gentle and an ideal pick for dry or sensitive skin types, as they often contain skin-nourishing humectants and emollients designed to lock in moisture and maintain a healthy skin moisture barrier. A cream cleanser doesn’t lather or soap up, but does leave skin feeling soft and smooth.

MICELLAR WATER

Micellar water is unique in that it cleanses the skin without the need to rinse. You simply apply micellar water to the skin directly using a soaked cotton pad. This makes it a handy solution for whenever you’re on-the-go.

Some with sensitive or dry-prone skin prefer that it doesn’t contain any alcohols (which can be drying) and that micellar water cleanses without the need for rubbing or rinsing.

CLEANSING BALM

A cleansing balm (also known as a makeup remover balm) is typically a variation of an oil-based cleanser, and is often used to melt away makeup. The texture will melt once rubbed into the skin — transforming from thick, soft, and solid into an oil. Cleansing balms are particularly helpful for acne-prone skin types, oily skin, and dry skin types whose skin craves hydration.

For example, our Nourishing Cleansing Balm cleanses and clarifies — removing makeup, sunscreen, and impurities — while antioxidant-rich seed oils of macadamia and sunflower help to infuse long-lasting hydration.

HOW DO I WASH MY FACE PROPERLY?

Not sure if you need to be double cleansing, or wondering how to properly wash your face? There are helpful principles to follow when you wash your face that help you feel clean and prepped for the rest of your skincare ritual.

According to Dr. Renée, a leading dermatologist, you’ll want to: “Wet your face with lukewarm water and use your fingertips to apply cleanser. Using a washcloth, mesh sponge, or anything other than your fingertips can irritate your skin.”

Why should you use a gentle face wash? Well, cleansers with chemical exfoliants can be harsh on the skin and weaken your skin barrier, especially if you have a sensitive skin type. For some people, using formulas with active ingredients in both your cleanser and your topical treatments (like serums or retinols) can lead to irritation.

As the first step in a given skincare routine, you can think of your cleanser as a balancing step — it takes your skin back to equilibrium so that you can then focus on issues like hydration. That’s why we created Golden Face Cleanser. It’s a gentle formula formulated for dry, oily, normal, and combination skin types, containing ingredients like antioxidant-rich Manuka honey, golden turmeric, and calming chamomile.

Simply pump into a wet lather, then massage into the skin in a circular motion. Take a moment to appreciate how your hands feel against your skin, and take note of how you are feeling. If you wish, you can recite an affirmation, like: “I am devoted to this moment.” Gently rinse your face with warm water, and voilá — clean-feeling skin that is primed and prepped for the rest of your ritual.

The best cleanser for your skin type is the one you’ll use (and love) everyday. Team gel cleanser or micellar water? Foamy or milky texture? Sound off on which you prefer in the comments.