Understanding The Different Types of Face Cleansers – Women’s Concepts
If you are like me and usually experience serious skin breakouts after wiping off your makeup, this article is for you. A well-formulated face cleanser is a facial skin product you need to be free of constant breakouts leaving your skin looking bright, smooth, and fresh.
What does a face cleanser do?
You need to incorporate face cleansers in your skincare routine for numerous reasons. Face cleansers remove impurities, dead cells, oil, dirt, and makeup that might be responsible for blocking the pores. Thanks to their deep cleansing properties, they work to dissolve the impurities and unclog your pores, leaving your skin fresh, breathable and revitalized.
Your cleanser should also not strip away the skin of moisture, leaving it fresh and soft and never tight or dry. To get the most out of your product, it’s important to pick a face wash according to your skin type. But rest assured. In this post, you will learn about the different types of facial cleansers out there so that when you purchase your face wash, you know it will give your skin the divine touch it needs.
Types of face cleansers
Gel cleansers
Gel cleansers are typically transparent, jelly-like, water-base, and require washing off after application. Different skin types can use gel cleansers, but they are ideal for acne-prone or dull skin because of their lightweight texture and deep cleansing properties. If you have oily skin, gel cleansers are also recommended because they are mild and would not rid your skin of its natural oil. Even more, if the cleanser contains exfoliants like AHAs or BHAs, it would provide extra benefits for oily and breakout-prone skin by helping balance oil and unclog pores.
Cream cleansers
If you have sensitive, dry, or mature skin, you would want to use a cream-based face cleanser. Cream face washes are thick with rich textures being good for moisturizing the skin. They do not foam or form lather, making them more hydrating than cleansers infused with surfactants, like SLSs. Besides, a cream cleanser is gentle and usually contains soothing and moisturizing agents, such as ceramides and vitamin E. They’re usually mild, do not always require water for use, and are perfect for makeup removal without stripping moisture away.
Foam cleansers
A foam cleanser is a lightweight cleansing formula in either gel or cream form. It forms a foamy consistency by pumping, rubbing the cleanser on your palm, or mixing it with water. Most foam cleansers use sodium lauryl sulfate to create foamy consistency, reaching into your skin and unclogging pores by removing dirt and excess oil. They are ideal for oily, acne-prone, and combination skin types. On the other hand, dry and sensitive skin types should steer away from foam cleansers because they might leave their skin feeling tight and under-hydrated.
Oil cleansers
Oil cleansers, otherwise called cleansing oils, are a perfect alternative for removing debris, excess dirt, and makeup from your skin. They are usually lightweight and transparent. Oil cleansers are suitable for all skin types but mostly as a pre-cleanser than a deep cleansing formula. An oil cleanser will not dry out your skin, but it cannot provide peak nourishment either. That is why it is advised that after using an oil cleanser, you also use a deep-cleansing cleanser for a more effective result.
Clay cleansers
As the name implies, clay cleansers contain clay with mattifying and sebum-absorbing properties, making them ideal for oily and combination skin types. Clay cleansers are mostly known for maintaining skin balance by removing debris, impurities, and toxins that might clog the pores. However, they’re not ideal for removing makeup because of their mattifying feature. However, they can absorb oil from your skin and regulate sebum production. After washing off clay cleansers with warm water, your skin will feel fresh and supple.
Cleansing balms
Cleansing balms have similar properties to oil cleansers. The major difference is in their texture. Oil cleansers are liquid, while cleansing balms are thick and creamy. Cleansing balms must be properly massaged into the skin to get good results, and they’re best for eczema-prone, dry, normal, and sensitive complexions. Some cleansing balm products are also good for oily skin types, especially when the product is lightweight and non-comedogenic. For cleansing balms, there are both rinse and no-rinse options. Hence, you should choose the products that are most suitable for you.