ARE YOU USING THE RIGHT CLEANSER?
BEAUTY
ARE YOU USING THE RIGHT CLEANSER?
There are so many face cleansers out there, it' can be hard to get to the bottom of which one is right for you. There are also a lot of mixed messages around if you need a face cleanser and a separate make up remover. I did some research to determine which cleansers are best for different skin types and how good they are at removing make up.
This is what I found:
tip: you should never be rubbing your eyes or face harshly to get your makeup off. This could result in breaking your eyelashes. So really pay attention when removing your makeup to see if what you’re using is strong enough for the amount of makeup you wear.
oil based cleansers
skin type: great for all skin types, including oily skin. Especially good for those with dry, eczema prone and sensitive skin. Not great for oily skin.
cleansing: they dissolve make up, excess sebum and sunscreen from the skin as well as deeply penetrating the pores to dissolve the ‘bad’ oils and bacteria, as well as infusing the skin with essential vitamins. Oil based cleansers are the perfect starting point for a deep, double cleanse, meaning you want to cleanse with a foaming cleanser after.
make up removal: removes thicker makeup. Great for removing mascara or cream-based makeup.
more information: Many people opt for an oil-free cleanser in order to fight off oily skin, however, Oil-free cleansers strip the skin and upset the natural balance of oils, resulting in the overproduction of oil.
Make sure you use non-comedogenic so it won’t clog your pores and cause breakouts.
summary: it cleanses and removes make up but you’ll still want to follow it up with a foaming cleanser.
cream cleansers
skin type: sensitive skin and people with rosacea. Dry skin and mature skin. (Don’t use if you have oily skin)
cleansing: Cream cleansers tend to be very gentle, moisturizing, and non-sudsy without clogging pores.
make up removal:can be used to remove make up and dirt at the same time.
more information: They’re a gentle way to remove makeup while hydrating your skin without clogging your pores. Like oil cleansers, creams remove dirt and makeup but they aren’t as comedogenic (cause blackheads by blocking the pores of the skin.) as some oil cleansers.
summary: it cleanses and removes make up.
I’ve tried and liked
cleansing gels
skin type: oil and acne prone skin.
cleansing: deep cleansing, great for unclogging pores while removing excess oil and acne-causing bacteria from the surface of your face. It helps provide hydration while smoothing the skin and minimizing excess oil production.
make up removal: they remove make up.
more information: For skin types that get overly dewy, gel-based cleansers before bed could work for you. People with oily skin or that wear a lot of makeup can reap two-in-one benefits, nixing oil and makeup when using this as their cleanser of choice.
summary: it cleanses and removes make up.
I’ve tried and liked
micellar water
skin type: great for sensitive, dry skin. (Wouldn’t recommend for oilier skin)
cleansing: basic cleaning but doesn’t get deep enough to be a primary face washing method.
make up removal: removes light make up but fails to remove heavy foundations and mascaras.
more information: Micellar water is primarily used to remove makeup. It removes make up, cleanses, tones, and moisturizes as well. However it doesn’t get deep enough into your pores to be your primary face washing method and it often fails to remove heavy foundations and mascaras.
It can be a great option for people with sensitive skin as it is much gentler than most cleansers that can strip the oils from your skin. It also combats dryness through a hydrating ingredient called glycerin.
summary: it cleanses and removes make up but you’ll still want to follow it up with a deep cleaning cleanser.
I’ve tried and liked
