Washing your face both morning and night might seem like a no-brainer, but using the right cleanser can make all the difference in achieving a healthy, radiant complexion. Facial cleansers remove dirt, oil, makeup and environmental pollutants that can clog pores and dull your skin’s natural glow. That said, if it seems like there are countless cleansers on the market, you’re not alone. Choosing the right one can feel overwhelming, but this guide to the best cleansers can help. Plus, all the benefits of using one and tricks for getting your face as clean as possible.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The benefits of using a cleanser
Using a cleanser is critical to maintaining healthy skin, whether or not you wear makeup, says Ryan Turner, MD, dermatologist and TRNR SKIN founder. “Sweat, sebum, pollutants, and bacteria build up on the skin’s surface every single day, and failure to remove it can be damaging — not only can this lead to enlarged pores and breakouts, but it can also accelerate skin aging,” he explains. “Pollutants and free radicals cause damage to collagen and elastin, the proteins responsible for strong, resilient skin. While they do break down with age, a big part of that is due to exposure to free radicals. Without protecting your skin from free radicals (and that includes not only wearing sunscreen and using antioxidant-rich skincare, but cleansing properly), you could end up seeing more fine lines and wrinkles, skin laxity, and more damage.”
Karan Lal, DO, FAAD says that good cleansers should have hydrating ingredients, such as glycerin. “Cetearyl alcohol is a great emollient that moisturizes as it assists in cleansing,” he explains. If you have oily skin, you may want a foaming cleanser to help get rid of excess oils. “If you have dry skin, you want a gentle and/or hydrating cleanser that won’t strip the skin. For combination skin you should stick to what feels best for you.
How to use a cleanser
Always follow the instructions on the packaging — some formulas are meant to be applied with dry hands to dry skin, others with dry hands to wet skin, and so on, says Dr. Turner. “Following the instructions will ensure you’re getting the most out of a product.”
When cleansing, Dr. Turner recommends using light pressure and circular motions to massage the formula into your skin, concentrating on areas that are prone to excess oil or congestion, such as around the nose and along the jawline. “Thirty seconds should be a sufficient amount of time for the cleanser to fully break down oils, makeup, and other residue, but, again, follow the instructions,” he says. “Always use tepid water to rinse — cold water may not fully emulsify the formula and thus could leave residue on your skin, while hot water will strip your skin barrier.”
“If you use cleanser as a makeup remover, one round of cleansing may not be enough to fully break it down and wash it away,” warns Dr. Turner. “Consider cleansing in two phases, or ‘double cleansing,’ by using a richer cleanser first (oils are excellent at breaking down stubborn makeup), then following that with a lighter formula to wash away anything that might be left behind.”
