How to find the best cleanser for your skin type

By now, you should be well aware that skin cleansing is an essential part of your skin care routine. Facial cleansing formulas—good ones anyway—are designed to remove dirt, oil, makeup, impurities, and anything else that stays on your skin throughout the day. Why? Because the accumulation of makeup and dirt can drag on and harm the skin. “You should use a mild cleanser twice a day,” says certified dermatologist and Skincare.com consultant Dr. Dhawal Bhanusali. "One time when you wake up and one time right before you lie down on the sheets and apply your night cream."

Aside from how often you should cleanse, one of the most frequently asked questions about cleansing is: “How do you know if your cleanser is working?” This is the right question. No one wants to slap a cleanser all over their skin day in and day out only to do more harm than good, right? The key to determining if a cleanser is right for you is to study how your skin feels after the ritual. If your skin feels squeaky clean, tight, oily, smooth, and/or any combination, it might be time to upgrade your facial cleanser. Keep reading to find out how your face should feel after cleansing, as well as tips on how to choose the right cleanser for your skin type!

YOUR SKIN SHOULD NOT FEEL

People often look for the feeling of tightness, squeaky cleanliness after cleansing as a sign that their pores are clear and their cleansing ritual is perfect. This couldn't be further from the truth. Forget what you heard, your skin shouldn't feel tight after cleansing. If so, this could be a sign that your cleanser is too harsh for your skin and is stripping it of the natural oils it needs. What may follow, of course, is dry skin. But even more frightening is that your skin can overcompensate for what it perceives as a lack of moisture by producing extra sebum. Excess sebum can lead to unwanted shine and, in some cases, pimples. Some people may even be tempted to wash their face more often to get rid of excess oil, which can only exacerbate the vicious cycle. See how this can be problematic?

So, how should your skin feel after cleansing? “The right cleanser leaves your skin feeling fresh, but also quite light,” says Dr. Bhanusali. Ultimately, your face should be clean and not too oily or dry. Dr. Bhanusali recommends using an exfoliating cleanser several times a week, especially on busy days or when you're sweating. They contain exfoliating ingredients such as alpha and beta hydroxy acids that unclog pores. Just make sure the formula is right for your skin type.

Do not overdo it

As mentioned earlier, washing your face too much can have dire consequences. Washing your face twice a day is recommended to avoid excessive dryness, flaking, peeling and irritation. Be especially careful with exfoliating cleansers. “If you overdo it, you may notice new pimples and redness, especially on the upper cheeks and under the eyes, where the skin is thin,” warns Dr. Bhanusali. 

HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT CLEANSER

Think it's time to change your facial cleanser? You have come to the right place! One of the most important things to consider before choosing a cleanser is your skin type. However, we share popular types of cleansers - foam, gel, oil, etc. - for every skin type, including some of our all-time favorite formulas below!

For dry skin: Dry skin types may benefit from cleansers that provide hydration and nourishment along with basic cleansing. Cleansing oils and cream cleansers are generally good choices.

Try: L'Oréal Paris Age Perfect Nourishing Cleansing Cream, Vichy Pureté Thermale Cleansing Micellar Oil.

For oily/combination skin: Oily, combination skin types may benefit from non-comedogenic gentle foams, gels, and/or exfoliating cleansers. Look for soft and refreshing formulas that remove dirt and grime without stripping your skin of its natural oils.

Try: SkinCeuticals LHA Cleansing Gel, Lancôme Energie de Vie Cleansing Foam, La Roche-Posay Ultrafine Scrub.

For sensitive skin: If you have sensitive skin, rich, creamy cleansers and balms are a gentle option that can hydrate and cleanse your skin at the same time.

Try: Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Intense Cleansing Balm, The Body Shop Vitamin E Cleansing Cream

All skin types can also try micellar water—a mild option that usually doesn't require rinsing—and cleansing wipes for quick, on-the-go cleansing. No matter which formula you choose, always add a generous dose of your favorite moisturizer and SPF after any cleansing routine!