How To Choose The Right Cleanser For Your Skin

When it comes to skincare, choosing the right facial cleanser is one of the most important steps. A good cleanser sets the foundation for your entire skincare routine, while the wrong one can lead to dryness, irritation, and breakouts. With so many options on the market, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. This guide will provide you with steps on how to choose the right cleanser for your skin.

I will help you with the dos and don’ts of choosing a facial cleanser based on your skin type. Some cleansers will give you that squeaky clean or tight finish that makes you feel your skin well cleaned but what it does is strip your skin of its natural lipids and that is definitely not the goal here.

Cleansers should be gentle, yet cleansing enough to not affect your skin’s acid mantle. The acid mantle is the protective quality of acid on the skin. The skin is slightly acidic, you should maintain it at that. However, the quality of some cleansers compromises the skin’s overall health causing more skin problems such as dryness, acne, and eczema.

Before we get into the dos and don’ts of choosing a facial cleanser, let us get to what cleansers are actually made of. If you notice, most cleansers are foamy. The main ingredients that make cleaners foamy are surfactants. Unfortunately, some surfactants attach to your skin’s stratum corneum, denaturing proteins and stripping lipids off your skin which ultimately leads to inflammation and dryness.

Now let’s get to why we are here, The dos and don’t of choosing a facial cleanser

How To Choose The Right Cleanser For Your Skin – The Dos

1. Know Your Skin Type

Understanding your skin type is the first step in choosing the right facial cleanser. Is your skin oily, dry, combination, sensitive, or acne-prone? Each skin type requires different ingredients and formulations. For example, if you have oily skin, look for a foaming or gel cleanser that can help control excess oil. If your skin is dry, opt for a hydrating cream or oil-based cleanser.

2. Know Your Surfactants

Surfactants are not bad. In fact, they cleanse pretty well once the chemist gets the right concentration. The higher the concentration of surfactants, the more damaging it becomes to the skin. Choosing facial cleansers with just the right amount of concentration surfactants is the key. With the right concentration, the more gentle and effective the facial cleanser is. So don’t fret once you see surfactants in your ingredient lists of cleansers.

Here are lists of surfactants to look out for:

3. Consider the pH of your cleanser

Your skin’s PH is between 3-5 making it slightly acidic so you should consider using a cleanser with a PH close to the skin’s PH. In most cases, marketers put the PH of the products or you see something like “pH-friendly”.

Scientists carried out an experiment of 2 groups comprising 5 volunteers. One group was given an alkaline soap to bath with and the other group was given an acidic soap to bath with for 4 weeks. The result showed that the skin pH rose with alkaline soap and fell with acidic soap. Although the changes were insignificant but continuous usage of alkaline soap affects the bacteria flora of the skin.

Therefore it is important to consider the pH of cleansers especially if you have sensitive, chronic dryness, psoriasis or eczema. If you have normal skin, lucky you! you can use any type of cleanser you like.

4. Clarisonic Cleansers

If you want to take your cleansing to the next level, you should really consider getting a Clarisonic cleanser. Your cleansing will be much more thorough with a Clarisonic cleanser. But they are expensive! Alternatives are nonbattery brushes and silicon brushes.

5. Do Consider Your Skin Concerns

Tailor your cleanser to address specific skin concerns. If you have acne-prone skin, look for ingredients like salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide. For sensitive skin, opt for fragrance-free, hypoallergenic options. If anti-aging is your focus, consider a cleanser with antioxidants like vitamin C or green tea extract.

6. Do Patch Test New Products

Before fully incorporating a new cleanser into your routine, do a patch test. Apply a small amount to a discreet area of your skin to check for any adverse reactions. This is especially important if you have sensitive or reactive skin.

How To Choose The Right Cleanser For Your Skin – The Don’ts

1. Don’t Use Harsh Exfoliants Daily

While exfoliating cleansers can be beneficial, using them daily can over-exfoliate your skin, leading to irritation and a compromised skin barrier. Stick to using exfoliating cleansers 2-3 times a week unless otherwise directed by a dermatologist.

2. Don’t Assume Expensive Means Better

High price tags don’t always mean better quality. Many affordable cleansers are just as effective, if not more so, than their luxury counterparts. Focus on the ingredients and formulation rather than the brand name or price.

One of my pet peeves is ridiculously expensive cleansers. Fancy, nice packaging, ridiculous price tag, claims and promises to wash away wrinkles and your sins. Some cleansers are not just worth it. Remember, cleansers aim are to remove dirt, sebum, sweat, and microorganisms but not to add on. Regular cleansers can just get the job done.

3. Don’t Aim For Squeaky-Clean Finish

Stay away from cleansers that leave a squeaky-clean and tight finish, this is definitely not the goal of cleansers. Those types of cleansers strip your skin of its lipids and proteins leaving your skin bare and prone to oxidation and free radicals.

4. Don’t Choose Cleansers Based on Fragrance

Fragrance can be a major irritant, especially for sensitive skin. While a pleasant-smelling cleanser might seem appealing, it’s better to choose a fragrance-free option to avoid potential irritation or allergic reactions.

5. Don’t Forget to Rinse Thoroughly

Residual cleanser left on your skin can lead to irritation, dryness, and breakouts. Make sure to thoroughly rinse your face with lukewarm water to remove all traces of the cleanser.

Favourite Cleansers

Bottom Line

Choosing the right facial cleanser is crucial for maintaining healthy, glowing skin. By understanding your skin type, looking for gentle and pH-balanced ingredients, and avoiding harsh chemicals, you can find a cleanser that perfectly suits your needs. Remember, skincare is personal, so what works for someone else might not work for you. Always patch test new products and listen to your skin’s needs. With these dos and don’ts, you’re well on your way to achieving a clean, clear complexion.