Cleansing is one of the most important steps in your skin care routine. It removes makeup, debris, pollution, and sebum (oil) from your skin's surface, helping keep breakouts at bay and creating a fresh, clean base for the rest of your skin care routine. This allows active ingredients to absorb more effectively, which boosts their benefits. But with so many types of cleansers available—from creams to clays to oils—understanding how to pick the right cleanser for you can be puzzling.
But don't worry—help is on the way! Explore seven of the most popular types of cleansers and learn how to choose the best one for your skin type with this guide.
Common Types of Cleansers
1. Cream Cleansers
Cream cleansers are usually water-based formulas with a thicker, creamy consistency. They contain moisturizing ingredients that nourish the skin, like plant-based oils. The goal of cream cleansers is to gently cleanse your skin without stripping it of important lipids that keep the skin barrier strong and resilient.
2. Foaming Cleansers
As the name suggests, foaming cleansers create a rich, foamy lather when they come into contact with water. These water-based formulas cleanse the skin by removing excess oil from the skin's surface with ingredients like surfactants. But while soap can be abrasive, many foaming facial cleansers are designed to be gentle and hydrating. You can use foaming cleansers alone or as a second step after an oil-based cleanser (a.k.a. double cleansing).
EltaMD Skin Recovery Amino Acid Foaming Cleanser, for instance, contains a patented complex of three amino acids to gently cleanse the skin while ingredients like Bisabolol and Ginger Root Extract soothe the skin and calm redness. This powerhouse formula is strong enough to remove makeup, sunscreen, and excess oil. Meanwhile, it's also clinically proven to strengthen the skin barrier and reduce skin water loss after just seven days.
3. Cleansing Wipes
Cleansing wipes are made from a disposable woven fabric presoaked in cleansing and hydrating ingredients, such as Glycerin and ceramides. While wipes can't quite replace a thorough cleanse over your bathroom sink, they can help you stick to your skin care regimen while you're traveling, camping, or otherwise on the go. They're also a convenient post-workout option. Avoid cleansing wipes containing alcohol or artificial fragrances, as they can irritate and dry your skin.
4. Clay Cleansers
Clay cleansers are super effective at drawing out impurities from the skin. Mineral-rich clays have natural purifying qualities that lift dirt and sebum from the pores. What's more, clay accomplishes all of this without stripping your skin of essential nutrients, like lipids and oils.
5. Oil Cleansers
It may seem counterintuitive, but oil attracts oil, so oil cleansers are excellent at removing long-wear makeup, water-resistant sunscreen, and excess sebum from the skin while keeping hydration levels healthy. For example, EltaMD Oil-in-Gel Cleanser is suitable for both sensitive and acne-prone skin, combining the benefits of traditional and oil cleansers by gently lifting impurities from the pores while preserving the skin barrier. This transformative formula also boasts antioxidant Vitamin E to prevent free radical damage.
6. Gel Cleansers
Gel cleansers are water-based and feel comfortable and smooth on the skin. They deeply cleanse the skin while retaining moisture, so your skin won't feel squeaky or tight. Many gel cleansers are formulated with mild, skin-loving ingredients like Meadowfoam Seed Oil, while others may contain exfoliants such as Glycolic Acid to boost skin cell turnover.
7. Micellar Water
Micellar water is a form of purified water made with mild surfactants and moisturizers. When combined, these ingredients create micelles, which effectively remove makeup, oil, and debris from the skin's surface. Apply micellar water with a cotton pad or as the first step in a double-cleansing routine.
How to Pick the Right Cleanser for Your Skin Type
Before you decide on a cleanser type or specific formula, identify your skin type and needs. If you're unsure, your Dermatologist can steer you in the right direction. In the meantime, start with this basic guide. And remember to patch test new products before applying them to larger areas of skin, especially if you have sensitive skin.
Dry Skin
If your skin often feels dry, itchy, tight, or flaky, you probably have dry skin. To balance the lack of essential skin oils, opt for a gentle creamy cleanser to nourish and hydrate your skin and keep your skin barrier strong.
Oily and Acne-Prone Skin
Oily skin often feels greasy or looks shiny, and excess oil can lead to breakouts in some people. In general, foaming cleansers are probably your best bet. Clay and oil cleansers can also be a good option to combat congestion, blackheads, and excess oil. Whichever cleanser you choose, make sure it's noncomedogenic.
Sensitive Skin
Sensitive skin is easily irritated, and you may find that your skin reacts to new or harsh products with burning, rashes, bumps, redness, or itchiness. If this sounds like you, opt for a gentle, fragrance-free cleanser that supports skin barrier health with ingredients like amino acids, ceramides, Bisabolol, or Glycerin. Many cleanser types, including creamy, foaming, and gel, offer sensitive skin formulas.
Combination Skin
If you have an oily T-zone and dry areas on your cheeks, you may have combination skin. In this case, you'll need a cleanser that deeply cleanses the skin without drying it out, such as a gel, oil, or foaming formula. These types of cleansers lift impurities from the pores while hydrating drier patches. Follow up with different moisturizers, using a lightweight formula on your T-zone and a richer formula on your cheeks and chin.
A Recipe for Healthy, Happy Skin
Finding the perfect cleanser for your skin type and goals can take some time, but it's worth it. Using a cleanser you love helps you stick to your healthy skin routine and feel confident you're starting strong. So, what are you waiting for? Explore your options and consult your Derm if you need guidance. Your skin will thank you with a radiant glow.
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