How to Choose and Use the Best Cleanser for Healthy and Beautiful Skin
I used to think that my mom’s 20 minute skincare regimen was overkill, but maybe she knew something. Her face looks amazing and her skin is healthy in her older years. And now that I’ve gotten older and studied this topic, I understand that the way you clean your face affects the health and appearance of your skin even years later.
The world is dirty and disgusting. As you go about your day, your face gets covered with all sorts of rubbish, including dirt, bacteria, dead skin, and oils that naturally produce (called sebum ). So, the purpose of washing your face is to cleanse it all and keep your skin healthy and beautiful. But listen, if you ignore or overlook proper facial hygiene, what’s the worst case scenario?
Well, you probably won’t look likethe Crypt Keeper , but for most of us, washing your face properly prevents clogging of pores (which is doubly so for those of you who wear makeup , as makeup is known for it) because spare pores are what where trouble begins.
Under the skin are sebaceous glands that secrete sebum, and as explained in this article in the Journal of Lipid Research , sebum has many functions. It binds to dead skin cells and exits through hair follicles and pores to protect the skin, and possibly as a way of delivering antioxidants such as vitamin E to the skin’s surface. The study authors suggest that the delivery of vitamin E through sebum may play a role in maintaining healthy skin.
If your pores are clogged with a mixture of sebum and external pollutants, this process will be maintained and build up, possibly along with bacteria. Result? Whiteheads, blackheads, cysts, acne and pimples. So, for those of us who have oily skin, a lot of sweat, have skin conditions that require it, or who use makeup – there is no other way to skin it – we need to wash our face properly.
Choose the right facial cleanser for your skin type
The cleanser is designed to remove dirt, sweat and make-up without completely drying out the skin. When navigating the health and beauty section, your safest bet is to use descriptors such as odorless and gentle (unless your dermatologist instructed you otherwise), but oh, choice! Do you use cream or gel? Are you buying greasy hand wash or acne remedy?
First, note that many products are made for specific skin types. Some help with more intense cleansing, while others better protect delicate skin. Here’s how to choose based on your skin type.
For people with dry skin
Dry skin can find it difficult to moisturize itself because it lacks lipids (fats), water, or both. Your skin may feel tight and flaky. Often, winter aggravates dryness or symptoms of skin conditions such as eczema. I myself have eczema, so I personally fear winter no less than the world of Game of Thrones , because it requires much more careful management to combat the breakouts. So when winter approaches, I switch to an oil-based cleanser and a heavier face cream to moisturize repeatedly throughout the day as needed.
Of course, not everyone with dry skin needs to be approached the same way or use the same products. If you have dry skin, look for cream or milk based cleansers to retain precious oils and prevent further drying out. Certain brands like CeraVe , SkinCeuticals, or my current (non-winter) favorite Caudalie might work.
For people with oily skin
Oily skin produces excessive sebum and is more prone to breakouts, but retains moisture fairly well. You probably think your oily skin has decided a fate filled with acne, but as explained in this article in Clinics of Dermatology , we’re not entirely sure about the link between sebum and acne development. Acne is affected by many factors, including genes and hormones, so the best way to deal with this is to see a dermatologist and wash your face properly.
For oily skin, Dr. Badrescia-Bansal, M.D. of the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), noted on this AAD page that the oil-free, foaming cleanser does not block pores, but also contains salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide. can help prevent skin breakouts.
For people with a combination of oily and dry skin
For many people, different areas of the skin may be normal, dry, or oily. The most common oily areas are the forehead, nose, and chin (known as the “T-zone”), while the cheeks, neck, and eye area are usually dry or normal. Badreshia-Bansal recommends a mild cleanser like Cetaphil, or if you’re on a budget , Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cleanser , which isn’t too harsh on the skin or removes a lot of sebum. You will know if you have washed too much, if after washing your face your face remains “tight”.
For people with sensitive skin
This is, for want of a better word, a delicate category. Most people will have reactions of varying severity to certain cosmetics, soaps, lotions, and other common household products and then think they have sensitive skin. However, this is not always the case. Sometimes irritation occurs due to overuse of a particular product or simply using the wrong product. Talk to your dermatologist or immunologist for patch tests to find out what may be irritating your skin if you are unsure or think you have sensitive skin.
In most cases, people with true skin sensitivity also suffer from skin conditions such as eczema, rosacea, and psoriasis . They usually have a thinner outer layer of skin that is easily irritated and reacts easily. I feel you sensitive skin patients. Luckily for me, getting the right cleanser and moisturizer for my skin (and avoiding eczema-causing foods for me ) has been a game changer.
Dr. Badresia-Bansal recommends avoiding foods that contain flavors or alcohols and look for “soothing” ingredients like green tea polyphenols, chamomile, and aloe. She adds that in general, the fewer ingredients on the label, the better. Several active ingredients such as lipoic acid ,glycolic acid and salicylic acid are well-known skin irritants. According to the AAD, people with darker skin may want to pay extra attention to these ingredients because their differences in skin anatomy (for example, having more skin pigments called melanin ) can make them particularly sensitive.
For people with “normal” (not particularly dry or oily) skin
This type of skin does not become very oily or very dry. Get rid of confetti because you have the least problematic skin type! Most cleansers will work for you, but as with combination skin, look for mild cleansers that remove dirt and grease but retain the natural sebum you have. The usual recommendation is a neutral cleanser like Cetaphil , but I recommend you try a variety of mild cleansers – be it gel, cream, or foaming cleanser – to see what gives you the best clean and non-sushi feeling.
The video above fromGlamrs.com shows you how to determine your skin type . As noted in it, using the wrong products can aggravate the skin problems that you may already be prone to. For example, if you have dry skin, as pleasing as an “exfoliating” wash sounds, it will likely make your skin look even drier and duller.
If you’re trying to determine if a product is right for you and your skin type, Refinery29 has an excellent guide to help you.
Improve your facial washing technique
There are more effective and less harsh methods for cleaning delicate facial skin. To be clear, these methods are applicable to both women and men . (Actually, there are no gender-specific modes or products per se – just gender marketing of products.) While we all don’t need a 10-step process, here are some important things to keep in mind:
- Start with clean hands: you don’t want more dirt and bacteria on your face, or undo the work you’re about to clean.
- Use warm water: Water temperature is important, but not for the reason you think. The pores do not open or close when exposed to hot or cold water. Hot water is more likely to dilate blood vessels, which can irritate or dry out the skin, while cold water is less effective at loosening dirt. How about a shower? Don’t do this unless your shower is quick and warm, ” said Marie Claire, Dr. Hadley King, a board-certified dermatologist .
- Massage your skin gently in circular motions: After rinsing your face, apply your preferred cleanser to your fingertips and massage in small circular motions. As beauty blogger Michelle Phan writes , pay special attention to your T-zone, which tends to be more oil-rich, and areas where you sweat, such as along your jawline and hairline .
- Take your time: after you’ve applied the cleanser to your face and it lathers up, it’s tempting to shorten the process, but Fan recommends lathering for 30 seconds to a minute.
- Use your fingers: Washes your face easily. Among the tips for washing your face provided by AAD, it is said to avoid scraping and using anything other than your fingertips. Washcloths, dishwashing pads, or other rough fabrics are likely to irritate your skin.
- Pat your face dry: be careful. Dry your face with a clean, soft towel and do not rinse off every drop of moisture.
After you master the technique, how often should you wash your face? Well, the jury is still pending. Most people follow a rule that is often repeated twice a day, once in the morning and once at night. Of course, this recommendation is not for everyone, and all too often your face dries out. For others, the face too rarely remains greasy and dirty. The frequency of washing also depends on the type of skin . Those with oily and acne-prone skin should generally wash twice a day. For people with particularly sensitive or dry skin, use it once a day, preferably at night, to remove daytime dirt.
Don’t overdo it, your skin only needs a little help
It’s easy for those of us with problem skin to hate sebum and strive to be cleaner and cleaner tomorrow, but some sebum is good for our health and helps keep our skin hydrated.
We mentioned that sebum forms a protective layer, but in an interview with the Wall Street Journal, Menas Kizulis, a member of the Johnson & Johnson Consumer R&D team, explained that in the debris removal process, cleansers also removed this oily ally: which can dry out skin and cause irritation. Moreover, overflushing can lead to increased oil production, Badresia-Bansal notes .
Meanwhile, exfoliation that removes dead skin cells can also lead to really dry skin or worse skin irritation, especially in the midst of acne breakouts. For most people, exfoliating once or twice a week is more than enough, and even then, you don’t need to be rough. This is a little confusing because we want pure, but not impeccable , when the oil is gone. The saying “Too much good can become bad!” also applies to washing your face.
Who knew washing your face was as deceptively difficult as the right way to care for your teeth or care for your ears ? You probably don’t need to spend nearly as much time on your own regimen as my mom did on hers, but the right one for your skin type is better for your skin health and your appearance than old school splashes and scrub, no matter dude you or lady.