Different Types of Facial Cleansers
It’s best to wash our face twice a day. One in the morning to remove the toxins, dead skin cells, and excess oils that our skin may secrete overnight. And one in the evening to wash off makeup, dirt, pollutants, and bacteria that our skin has collected throughout the day. Daily facial washing removes these impurities. Without washing, our skin would be covered with a thick layer of dirt and grime that can lead to acne breakout. Most of the environmental impurities and cosmetic products are not water soluble, so washing the face with just water isn’t enough to remove them. This is why a facial cleanser is very important.
Here are the different types of:
1. Cream Cleanser - it has a creamy formula and this formula does not strip the skin of its natural oils which makes it ideal for people with dry skin.2. Gel Cleanser - it has a jelly consistency that is generally designed for deep cleansing. It is effective at removing excess oil, decongesting clogged pores and killing acne-causing bacteria which makes it ideal for people who have oily and acne-prone skin.
3. Foam Cleanser - it usually comes in pump bottles that bursts into a cloud of foam. The foam will reach in to clear out pores, remove dirt and excess oil as effectively as gel cleanser which also makes it ideal for people who have oily skin. However, the ingredient that causes the foaming effect is sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) which can be overly drying and irritating so it is not recommended for people who already have dry and sensitive skin. Though there are sulfate-free foam cleansers that are not too hard to find.
4. Clay Cleanser - Just like clay masks, clay cleansers draw out impurities, clean pores, and absorb excess oil so it is ideal for people with oily skin. It is usually mattifying so it is not recommended for people with dry skin.
5. Facial Bar Cleanser - it offers more skin-friendly pH levels in addition to a highly moisturizing ingredient which is glycerin. It is suitable for all skin types depending on its ingredients. Extra points for being a greener choice than liquid soaps because the packaging materials which are primarily paper and cardboard break down more easily in landfills than plastic packaging.
6. Powder Cleanser - it comes in powder form that turns a bit creamy or foamy when it comes in contact with water. Common ingredients found in powder cleansers are enzymes. They dissolve the debris on the outermost layer of the skin and provide a deep cleanse. They sweep off any impurities and scrape whatever inside the clogged pores. Enzymes make these powder cleansers work like exfoliators. It is perfect for congested and oily skin.
7. Oil Cleanser / Cleansing Oil - it is usually used as a makeup remover, the first step of double cleansing. See The Double Cleansing & My Own Cleansing Method. It is especially beneficial to people with dry skin, but they can also work for people who have oily skin too. There are common misconceptions that oil-based cleansers will make oily skin type oilier. But the truth is the oil in these products have the ability to attract oil-based impurities so it will help rid the skin of excess oil. It is basically for all skin types, but as they’re more suitable for removing makeup, it is best recommended to use any of the regular cleansers mentioned above based on your skin type.
8. Cleansing Balm - it is similar to cleansing oils but they are more solid, have a rich and creamy texture that melts into a more oily texture on the skin. Likewise, it’s more of a makeup remover than a face wash that is used as a first step of double cleansing. They are ideal for dry skin, but can be too heavy for oily and acne-prone skin and may cause congestion and breakout.
9. Cleansing Milk - it is called cleansing milk because of the milky texture but it doesn’t actually contain milk, unless you can find it on its ingredient list. It is also considered a preliminary cleanser. Some types need rinsing off and some types just need a wipe off. It is ideal for dry skin. Oily skin should approach any no-rinse off cleansers with caution.
10. Micellar Water - It is almost a water so you don’t need to rinse when using a micellar water. It is made with micelles, tiny oil molecules that attract oil, dirt, and makeup. It looks and has the same texture as plain water. It is a multi-use product that removes makeup, cleanses and tones the skin that is usually applied with cotton pads. It’s kind of a lazy approach, and it’s good for all skin types.
11. Cleansing Wipes - Cleansing wipes are great for convenience but they are not the best at washing away all impurities. They can remove makeup and are easy to carry on and the best for those odd lazy days but when it comes to cleaning dirt or excess oil, they lack the ability to do so. They are ok for removing makeup, but they definitely need a follow-up facewash. All skin types can use wipes to clean the face, but they’re like the bare minimum.
If you have normal skin type, you are blessed! you can use any type of cleanser. Learn more about Different Skin Types