It’s a little overwhelming isn’t it? There are so many cleansers out there and so much information. So, how to choose a cleanser?
We plan to dispel the myths and give it to you straight!
If you currently just use water to rinse your face – you need to first find out WHY you need to use a cleanser! So read on…
Principles to help you choose
- Read your label and look for fewer ingredients
- Avoid toxic chemicals, including scents and perfumes
- Know your skin type
What’s my Skin Type? How to choose a cleanser?
Most people have some idea simply by the products they look for and how their skin reacts
- Their favourite product is a rich moisturiser = quite dry and probably sensitive.
- They get pimples = an assumption that their skin is oily, however this is not always the case.
Try washing your face and waiting around an hour. Then pat it with a tissue. If your skin is oily the tissue will look greasy, if your skin is dry the tissue will look the same and if your skin is normal the tissue will just be lightly greasy. A combination skin, the commonest, will have a bit of both.
Dryer skins prefer a gentle, non-foaming cleanser and more oily skins need a little foaming to help dissolve dirt and oil. Both should leave your skin feeling refreshed, but not overly tight or dry. Although it is important to cleanse at least once a day, too much cleansing and certainly scrubbing at your skin damages it. This creates more problems, such as an increase in cellular water loss.
What is important is to NEVER go to bed with your makeup on or even without cleansing your face. Let it breathe and work its own magic whilst you sleep. Of course, there is no reason to apply any serums and creams if you haven’t first cleansed.
Cleanser Ingredients
Is it the ingredients or the type of ingredients that are relevant? how to choose a cleanser? The ingredients!
We have listed the 4 most common skin cleansing agents and which we prefer. Plus, the newest ingredient, which is also the oldest!
Enzymes – the Osmosis MD cleansers
Why are enzymes beneficial? They use natural ingredients, such as pineapple and papaya enzymes, to gently break down the bonds between the dead skin cells within your epidermis. The enzymes are essentially like little pac-men, dissolving and digesting surface dirt, toxins and any dead skin cells. This helps with the process of skin cell turnover, thus allowing other product ingredients, such as your serums to penetrate further into the skin. Enzyme cleansers are very efficient and yet very gentle whatever your skin type.
Lactic Acid – most of our other cleansers
You might notice that your cleanser has Lactic acid in it. Kind of sounds a bit full-on, but lactic acid in small percentages is hydrating for the skin. Lactic acid is produced naturally in the body and is a humectant. This means that it is able to hold and attract water to itself. Lactic acid also helps to soften the bonds between dead skin cells, giving the skin a very gentle exfoliation whilst hydrating at the same time. This is also a highly efficient and yet gentle ingredient suitable for all except very oily, acne skins when a mixture of Lactic and the next one is ideal.
Salicylic Acid – very good as a spot treatment for pimples and for in-clinic treatments
The cleansing agent for oily/acne skin, but as you only need a small amount, check that this ingredient is way down the bottom of your ingredient list on the bottle. It is related to aspirin, so be careful if you have an allergy, and is also similar to Lactic acid. It acts well on congested skins, cleaning out pores and drying pimply ones. However, if your skin is at all sensitive, it will irritate.
We tend to find that this is an ingredient best left to in-clinic treatments where there is more control and the skin can be watched. At-home cleansing is done with an Enzyme cleanser and then also pop into your clinic for an extra exfoliation 2-3 times per month.
Glycolic Acid – save this one for the super sun-damaged!!
Glycolic acid is a naturally occurring substance. In fact, it’s made from sugar cane. Back in the ‘80s it was the major cleansing agent in skin care products. Thank goodness science and technology have brought us the alternatives above! Yes, it does clean all skins, it does stimulate cell renewal and it will create a radiant, shiny face, however, it is very often irritating, drying and makes the skin very sun-sensitive. Unless you have an extremely sun-damaged, thickened skin and have lived all your life outside under harsh sun with no protection, we suggest you avoid this ingredient.
Micellar Water – the newest on the block, although it really has been around for over a century!
It was originally created to help Parisians deal with the region’s infamously hard water early in the 1900s. Made up of tiny oil molecules (micelles) suspended in soft water, the skin’s dirt and oil are attracted to each micelle, drawing out impurities without drying the skin. The dirt is then dissolved, leaving you, without even rinsing, with radiant clean skin. Less moisturiser is needed and virtually no-one has a problem with sensitivity to it.
Brilliant for camping or any type of travel and exceptional for makeup removal on a daily basis.
Now you know how to choose a cleanser, so jump to it, and see how your skin changes and thrives!
Still not sure?
If you need more help or would like personalised advice, book now for your consultation with a skin care advisor. Offering information on what skincare products are best for you. Check out our range of in-clinic services today.
Otherwise fill in the Online Skin Consultation. Our skin care advisor will happily help you. Choosing the right treatments and products for your skin type or concern.
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