Type of Face Cleanser

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Hello everybody.

Having a clean skin is essential and cleaning is the most important step of any skincare routine. We apply creams and makeup on our faces frequently and we are all the day exposed to the pollution, dirt and our own sweat and skin sebum. All these elements can clog our pores and cause severe skin problems. That is why properly cleanse your skin is very important.

A face cleanser is a product used to clean your face. It is not the same as makeup remover. Makeup remover is a product used to remove makeup and skincare products from your skin but only in the surface, leaving the pores filled of dirtiness. It is perfectly fine to use a makeup remover, but always as the first step of the cleansing and followed by a cleanser.

There are lot of products in the market to cleanse your face and choosing the right one can be overwhelming. It is very important to use the right cleanser for your skin type. I have prepared this guide to help you to choose the right cleanser. Let us see them.

Gel Cleanser

This type of cleansers is the most popular one. They are clear product with a gel texture. They are very good for deep cleansing as they are antiseptic and, to some extent, soft exfoliating. They can clear clogged pores and can help to beat acne. They are ideal to regulate your own skin sebum production and for that reason they are indicated for oily and combination skin type.

Cream Cleanser

They are normally quite thick and contain moisturizing components. They clean your skin in a very gentle way. They are also called “milk” or “lotions”. They are ideal for dry and sensitive skin.

Foam Cleanser

They are not very strong cleanser. They are a gel or a cream that transform in a foamy lather when applying. They can look like liquid in the bottle but come out as foam when you pump them off. This type of cleanser remove excess of oil in an effective way reason why make them indicated for oily and combination skins.

Oil Cleanser

They are very popular nowadays as they are the first step of the double cleansing process. They are very effective removing non-water soluble compounds, including waterproof makeup. They are used before other type of cleanser and over the non-wet skin. They come as oil or as a balm and are indicated for all skin type.

Clay Cleanser

Clay is an absorbent compound and these types of cleanser are used mainly to purify the skin. They absorb very effectively the excess of oil and toxins. They are mainly indicated for oily skin but combination skin can benefit about its properties also. It is not recommended at all for dry skin.

Micellar Water

They are very popular as they remove oil, dirt and makeup. They are water with tiny oily molecules suspended on it. This oily molecules form micelles with a hydrophilic and a hydrophobic part. This double character makes the micellar water remove all type of impurities. They don’t need rinsing after applying and that makes this product very versatile when you are not at home. They are ideal for dry and sensitive skin.

Other type of cleanser

There are other type of cleanser as powder, bar, roll-on,… but they are not as popular as the mentioned above. I have never tried them and obviously, I am not going to talk about something I have never used.

Little Helps

Most of the people use the hands to apply the cleanser, but you can get a better cleaning using some of the little helps available.

The most common, because is cheaper and easily available, are the cotton pads. I don’t recommend them because they are not environment friendly and you generate a lot of residue (think in how many cotton pads you use every day). You can replace them for reusable cloths. You can buy them or make them using an old towel.

For a deeper cleansing, you can get different options at different prices. Silicone pads, brushes and konjac sponge are good option at affordable price. If you like technology and want to pay for it you can buy any electric silicone pad or brush.

 

I didn’t mention the cleansing wipes. Personally, I don’t like them. I don’t think they clean your face as much as they should and they are good only in an emergency situation. I use them when I go to the gym only. I am not going to work out and sweat with the makeup on and the cleansing wipes are very handy. I can work out with my cleaned face but I wash with my oil and cream cleansers as soon as I reach home

The products mentioned in this post are the following (click to buy):

Gel Cleanser: Caudalie Vinopure Purifying Gel Cleanser

Cream Cleanser: PIXI Glow Mud Cleanser

Foam Cleanser: Clinique Rinse-Off Foaming Cleanser

Oil Cleanser: bareMinerals OIL OBSESSED Oil Cleanser

Clay Cleanser: Garnier Pure Active 3in1 Clay Wash Scrub Mask Oily Skin

Micellar Cleanser: ESPA Micellar Cleanser

Powder Cleanser: Clinique Fresh Pressed™ Renewing Powder Cleanser with Pure Vitamin C

Bar Cleanser:  Gallinée Prebiotic Cleansing Bar

Reusable Pads: Face Halo The Modern Makeup Remover Original 

Silicone Brush: The Vintage Cosmetic Company Silicone Exfoliating Pads

Cleansing Brush: The Vintage Cosmetic Company Buff and Cleanse Brush

Electric Silicone Brush: FOREO LUNA™ 3 Facial Cleansing Brush

Electric Cleansing Brush: Magnitone London First Step Skin-Balancing Compact Cleansing Brush

As you can see there are lots of choices at very different prices. Tell me, which is your favourite product?

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