The Best Cleanser for Your Skin Type

No two skin-care routines are the same. Some people prefer using toners after cleansing while others are content with a moisturizer. Exfoliating might be a weekly or monthly ritual depending on the individual. The type of products we use and the order we use them in might vary, but we all have one thing in common. We wash our skin. Everyone’s skin is different which means that a product that works well for one person, might not for another. Achieve a healthy, radiant complexion by using a cleanser designed for your skin type.

Cleansing Dry Skin Is Good

Skin needs to retain a certain amount of oil and moisture to be healthy. Dried out skin is a burden. We can do without an itchy, flaky complexion. People with dry skin tend to skip cleansing because they think it will dehydrate their complexion more. Fortunately, the right skin-care product will wash away dirt and debris and leave behind soft, moisturized skin.

The secret to washing dry skin is to use cleansers designed to replenish moisture. Creamy cleansers with glycerin or petrolatum will add hydration. Avoid using anything with a fragrance, which irritates dry skin.

Find a Happy Medium for Combination Skin

When you have combination skin, it’s important to find a balance when cleansing. People with combination skin are faced with a challenge. They need to make sure they don’t over-cleanse their T-zone where oil might be prominent to avoid drying it out. At the same time, they need protect and moisturize dry areas of skin without using too much product, which makes skin oily and greasy.

Choose a cleanser that will be gentle on all parts of your face. Then use moisturizer on areas of your skin that are dry. Most combination skin types do well gel-based, foaming cleansers that softly wash away dirt and grime without stripping skin of its natural oils.

Get Oil Under Control

Our body naturally produces oil to keep skin moisturized and healthy. Our face takes on a greasy appearance when skin glands produce too much oil. Finding the right cleanser for oily skin is overwhelming with countless products on the market that claim to cure shine.  Do they really work? Which ones work the best?

A gel-based cleanser will yield the best results. Look for a product that specifically targets shine and will clean pores, manage breakouts, and eliminate excess oil. Depending on the season, you might want to consider the power of the cleanser you use. During the winter, purchase a light cleanser that won’t dry out skin when it’s already at risk for being dehydrated. In the summer, apply products with salicylic acid to break down oil in pores, eliminating buildup.

Clean Skin for Less Acne

Acne is created when skin follicles get clogged with oil, bacteria and dead skin cells. This sounds pretty gross – who would want this on their skin? Cleanse twice a day to remove unhealthy gunk. Because acne is stubborn, you may think you need to use the strongest skin-care products on the market. But think the opposite. Harsh products will irritate skin more, making acne worse. Be gentle to your skin and use a mild cleanser that is strong enough to handle excess oil and clean out pores without dryness and irritation.

Acne-fighting cleansers will contain salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide. Salicylic acid cleans out clogged pores and reduces swelling and redness caused by acne. Benzoyl peroxide exfoliates dead skin and kills breeding bacteria under the surface for clear, clog-free pores.

Be Delicate When Cleansing Sensitive Skin

Sensitive skin occurs when the layer of dead cells and glands that form a protective barrier on the surface of the skin is damaged. Factors that contribute to skin sensitivity include genetics, diet, allergies, and free radicals. This leaves you with a red, blotchy, itchy or swollen complexion. Doesn’t exactly sound like the healthy glow you are looking for, right? What type of cleanser should you use that will clean skin without making symptoms worse?

A basic rule when buying a cleanser for sensitive skin is to skip products with a scent. Simple is always better when it comes to a product’s ingredients. There’s no surprise here – all-natural is even better. At times, it’s difficult to determine what causes the flare up of sensitive skin. Having a cleanser with a list of ingredients you can’t pronounce doesn’t help your cause. The more you know about the products, the more control you have over sensitive skin.

Using the right cleanser is the starting line for a great complexion. Don’t use any cleansers on dry skin that aren’t designed to replenish moisture. Gel-based, foaming cleansers balance combination skin to get it clean without leaving it too oily or too dry. Oily skin needs a product that will clean pores, manage breakouts, and eliminate excess oil. Acne-fighting cleansers with salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide are best for blemished-prone complexions. Sensitive skin sufferers will appreciate products that are natural and fragrance-free.  When you find the right cleanser that works for you, your skin will thank you. 

Katy Corbin has tried just about everything when it comes to skin care and loves to share her knowledge. Her favorite products are from DorMauri.com.