This week, I’ll be talking about cleansers, which are the first step in any skincare routine. Using the right cleanser is super important because cleansers can oftentimes be the most stripping products for our skin. I’ve personally seen the effects of washing my face with the wrong cleanser, so I’m excited to share my experience and what I’ve learned along the way.
For one, picking the right cleanser for yourself will be based on your skin type. Knowing your skin type is crucial so you can pick the right skincare products. Formulators make cleansers with skin types in mind, and some cleansers will even have on the front of bottles what skin type it is ideal for. If you don’t know your skin type, an easy way for you to find out is by washing your face with a simple cleanser like the Simple Micellar Gel Wash and waiting about 20-30 minutes. If your skin feels oily or you see noticeable oil production, you have oily skin. If you start seeing dry patches or your skin feels tight, you have dry skin. If you see some parts are oily and others are dry, you have combination skin. If your skin feels and looks the same, you you have normal skin. Other skin types you may consider are acne-prone skin and mature/aging skin.
Product Recommendations:
Dry skin
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CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser
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Neutrogena Hydro Boost Cleanser
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La Roche-Posay Hydrating Cleanser
Oily skin
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CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser
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Youth to the People Superfood Antioxidant Cleanser
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Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser
Combination skin:
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Simple Micellar Gel Wash
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Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser
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La Roche-Posay Toleriane Dermo-Cleanser
Normal skin
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CeraVe Renewing SA Face Cleanser
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Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Facial Cleanser
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First Aid Beauty Face Cleanser
Now, let’s talk about double cleansing. If you wear makeup, you should definitely double cleanse. Before going in with your daily cleanser, go in with an oil-based cleanser to break down makeup. Many skincare gurus recommend double cleansing every night even if you don’t wear makeup to remove your sunscreen, which you should be wearing every day! I use the Neutrogena Ultra Light Cleansing Oil. While an oil-based cleanser should not be a concern for people with oily skin, if you absolutely do not want to use an oil-based cleanser, I recommend using a micellar cleansing water. The Garnier SkinActive Micellar Cleansing Water All-in-1 Cleanser & Makeup Remover is a good option for your first cleanse. To be clear, you use your oil-based cleanser or micellar water before going in with your regular cleanser.
When I first started using cleansers, I used the Cetaphil Daily Facial cleanser, but this product was too drying for my skin. I began noticing dry patches around the sides of my mouth, and I felt like my skin was a bit tight. After a few weeks of seeing these results, I switched to the CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser. Since then, my skin no longer has those dry patches or that tight feeling. Therefore, you need to pay attention to your skin and choose products based on your skin type and needs. There will be some trial and error along the way, but you will get it right with patience and observation.