How to Choose the Right Facial Cleanser According to Your Skin Type

Cleansing is the first step to every skincare routine as it focuses on cleaning your skin without stripping the necessary layers. It removes dirt, oil, bacteria, dead skin cells, and other pollutants that get stuck on the face, which can potentially irritate or cause breakouts. However, keep in mind that not every cleanser out there does a good job and can deliver good results. Hence why it is essential to find the right cleanser that fits your skin type. To help you with that, here’s a guide on how to choose the right facial cleanser according to your skin type:

Related: Best Skin Care Tips for Every Skin Type

Oily Skin 

Having oily skin may come from varying reasons such as stress, genetics, fluctuating hormones, and humidity. When you have oily skin, your face appears greasy and shiny, with enlarged pores, blackheads, pimples, and dark spots. This also happens because the glands produce excessive amounts of oil or sebum, causing your skin to feel heavy and your pores to get clogged — which result in acne breakouts. Although it can be stressful to have oily skin, it’s normal, and you just need to find and use the right products to help manage the oiliness of your skin. 

• What to look for in a cleanser when you have oily skin:

• A cleanser that’s foam-based is ideal for people with oily skin type. 
• Look for ingredients such as salicylic acid, glycolic acid, and niacinamide.
• AHA and BHA are also suitable ingredients that you should be looking for in a cleanser when you have oily and acne-prone skin. 
• Low pH cleansers containing oil controlling and exfoliating properties also help prevent acne breakouts and bacteria growth for people with oily skin type.

Related: Skin Care for Oily Skin: The Top Ingredients to Look for When You Have Oily Skin 

Tip: Double cleansing can be an efficient method for people with oily skin since it helps remove excess oil that your water-based cleanser cannot remove. First use an oil-based cleanser (cleansing oil or cleansing balm) and wash with water, then afterwards, use your usual water-based cleanser. In addition, always use a gentle cleanser to avoid over drying your skin, which can possibly lead to more oil production. 

Dry Skin

When you have dry skin, your skin often looks flaky with dry, rough patches, and can feel very tight and itchy. This happens because your skin doesn’t have enough moisture to make it feel soft and hydrated. If you have oily skin and you think having dry skin is better — you’re wrong. Of course, this skin type also has some cons to it. That’s why you also have to pay close attention to how you treat dry skin so that it doesn’t worsen or cause further dehydration to the skin. 

• What to look for in a cleanser when you have dry skin:

• Opt for a cream-based cleanser because it helps moisturize and hydrate the skin without stripping off the natural oils. 
• Avoid products that contain alcohol because it can put off moisture and cause your skin to dry further.
• Hyaluronic acid and ceramides are also some of the ingredients that you should be looking for when you have dry skin as they help hydrate the skin.
• Avoid washing with hot water because it worsens dry skin.

Related: Best Skincare Routine for Dry Skin

Tip: In the event that your skin feels and looks dry while using a particular cleanser, switch to another option immediately because it can be a sign that your skin is not reacting well with the cleanser or the ingredients are not suitable for dry skin.

Combination Skin

If your face is typically oily on the T-zone area (forehead, nose, and chin) and your cheeks feel dry, you have a combination skin type. Essentially, this skin type is a combination of oily and dry, so you’ll be battling their issues in one skin type. That’s why it’s important to know what kinds of products to use and which ingredients best fit combination skin. 

• What to look for in a cleanser when you have combination skin:

• Look for a gentle gel-based cleanser as it is less likely to strip the skin or cause it to dry so much.
• Choose a cleanser that helps repair skin barrier and one that locks in enough moisture that your skin needs.
• Salicylic acid, ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and vitamin C are among the ideal cleanser ingredients for combination skin.
• Avoid cleansers that contain harsh chemicals such as fragrances. 

Related: 11 Skincare Ingredients You Should Avoid

Tip: Soap bars or cleansers in bar form are not ideal for combination skin since it tends to be harsh and can disturb the pH balance of the skin. 

Sensitive Skin

A sensitive skin type is prone to irritation and may occasionally have skin redness. When not treated properly with the right and gentle products, a sensitive skin may break out into rashes or experience itchiness, burning, and stinging. People with sensitive skin also react to drastic weather changes and long exposure to extreme temperatures (hot or cold). 

• What to look for in a cleanser when you have sensitive skin:

• Cleansers with pH balancing properties are good for sensitive skin.
• Use an extra mild cleanser that has a creamy foam texture. 
• Aloe vera is one of the most suitable ingredients for sensitive skin as it is mild, hydrating, and non-irritating, helping to soothe burns and reduce inflammation and acne. 
• Avoid cleansers that contain fragrances and alcohol because it dries the skin, causing more sensitivities and irritation to arise. 

Related: 8 Skincare Product Ingredients for Sensitive Skin

Tip: If you have sensitive skin, make sure to moisturize after cleansing your face for added hydration and to keep skin redness and irritation at bay. 

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