Among all the available choices, experts agree that one type stands out as the top pick.
Have you explored the skincare aisle of your local pharmacy to look for a face wash recently? Sometimes it feels like you’re walking through a thick jungle.
There are bubbly foams, gritty exfoliating scrubs, and even strange two-toned liquids that appear to be the aftermath of a science experiment. It’s a lot. It is fantastic that there are products that are geared toward different skin types and basic skin concerns. However, there are many dermatologists who list one type of cleanser that works for most people—and is probably the product you should be using every single day.
Why does it matter? Your cleanser is how you wash your skin, not just a rinse, but the active cleanser sets the stage for your overall skincare journey, removing dirt, oily skin, and products from your face that can clog your pores, cause breakouts, or simply get in the way of your serums, and moisturizers. And if you have the wrong cleanser, it can harm your skin, i.e., dry, tight, irritated, or even lead to more breakouts.
So, while options can be dazzling in rows and puffs, the best option is generally much simpler than you’d think—and it’s an option most likely suggested by short, friendly professionals, who can see and deal with skin all day.
Why Washing Your Face Should Be a Daily Essential
The Importance of Washing Your Face
Before we dive into the various options for washing your face, it’s beneficial to consider why washing one’s face is such an important practice. Whether you are wearing makeup or not, your skin picks up a lot of unwanted baggage on a daily basis. It mostly collects excess sebum, sweat, dead skin, original makeup, skincare products, environmental pollutants, and bacteria. This troublesome cocktail of debris is not harmless.
Is it really necessary to cleanse your face both morning and night? Not in every case. According to Dr. Omer Ibrahim, a board-certified dermatologist based in Chicago, the one wash that is an absolute must is your nightly wash. Washing your face for the day will cleanse all of the bacteria, grime or whatever is on your face when you go to bed which in turn helps your skin repair itself while you sleep as overnight skin repair only happens if you have a clean surface.
A morning wash is more optional and if you feel your face is oily, if you love the feeling of getting up and washing your face and kind of getting that fresh faced feeling, or if you want to wash off any product that may have been on your face overnight like a night cream or heavy night moisturizer. I think a single, good face wash at night is all that is required for most.
What’s the Best Type of Cleanser for Your Skin?
Use a Soft Cream or Lotion Cleanser When in Doubt
If you’re ever unsure about a face cleanser, go with a soft lotion or cream. Dermatologists love these types of products, because they cleanse while maintaining your skin’s natural moisture (and oil), without interfering with the skin’s barrier function. You can think of a cream or lotion cleanser as one that removes dirt, surplus oil from surface finish residue leftover from the day or your skincare routine.
Cream and lotion cleansers generally will not foam and create the bubbles you are used to compared to a foaming cleanser – which is a good thing. Foam is nice, however, foam in any foam cleanser derives from some type of surfactants, which are often surfactants derived from sulfates, and can be excessive for sensitive skin types. Surfactants, as Dr. Ibrahim has explained, cut oils, and while excess oil is great to wash away, you also want to prevent washing away too much oil from the skin surface, such that harms the integrity of the skin barrier, and leaves skin dry and compromised in terms of sensitivity.
Rather, lotion and cream cleansers, will use gentler surfactant solutions like cocamidopropyl betaine or sulfosuccinates, to emulsify the residue and impurities. The disruptive wash-off action of emulsifying the residue and impurities that accumulate on your skin is still successful through a cream and lotion formulation, but without the overly-removal effect of surfactants made from sulfates.
Dermatologist-Recommended Cream Cleansers
Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser
There’s good reason for Cetaphil’s gentle, non-foaming cleanser and its die-hard following. Formulated with moisture-retaining glycerin, textures both soothing and moisturizing in soothing niacinamide and panthenol, it incorporates water-soluble ingredients for removing dirt and other unwanted content from the skin without stripping and/or damaging. Low irritation potential means dermatologists frequently recommend this creamy option for normal to sensitive skin, and even very sensitive, eczema-prone skin can accept the product, so skin hydration with this product provides lasting effects for up to 48 hours.
CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser
This calming cleanser also has ceramides for strengthening a damaged barrier, as well as hyaluronic acid to bind moisture. With a seal of acceptance from the National Eczema Association, you can trust that while taking care of remaining makeup and excess oil, you are also taking care of skin and remaining skin healthy, which of course should be the goal. Most importantly, the cleanser does not disturb the skin and moisture balance while taking care of skin care concerns.
Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser
Vanicream’s version of this is also an excellent option with a seal of acceptance from the National Eczema Association, with no irritating surfactants or fragrances included, balanced pH, moisture retention enriched with glycerin its gentle enough delicate or reactive skin.
Both cleansers check important boxes: creamy, non-foaming texture, ceramides for skin barrier support and glycerin for moisture, and gently cleansing with formulas designed for delicate skin. La Roche-Posay also has thermal spring water for its cleansing option; thermal spring water supports skin soothers and antioxidants.
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser
Both cleansers check important boxes: creamy, non-foaming texture, ceramides for skin barrier support and glycerin for moisture, and gently cleansing with formulas designed for delicate skin. La Roche-Posay also has thermal spring water for its cleansing option; thermal spring water supports skin soothers and antioxidants.
Which Skincare Ingredients to Seek Out—and Which to Skip?
“Easy is best when it comes to choosing a facial cleanser,” says Dr. Ibrahim. In other words, don’t get bogged down in over-complicated formulas with unnecessary extras. Instead, look for a product with only a few relevant, purposeful ingredients that will actually nourish your skin.
Dr. Adisa also says to look for replenishing ingredients like ceramides, squalane, and niacinamide. “They work to retain skin hydration while promoting the health of the skin barrier overall,” says Dr. Adisa.
On the other hand, there are ingredients you will want to avoid. Dr. Adisa warns against sulfates, specifically sodium lauryl sulfate, because they will deplete your skin and cause dryness. Also, fragrance is a frequent trigger for skin reactions . “it ranks among the top culprits for contact allergies and skin irritation” explains Dr. Ibrahim, who added that fragrance-free cleansers can be the safest option for just about anyone.
Who Should Consider a Different Cleanser?
Dr. Ibrahim, a dermatologist, states that people with normal, dry, or sensitive skin (as well as eczema, rosacea, and other skin concerns) often do well with a mild, creamy cleanser. cream-based cleansers are kind to the skins protective barrier while aiding in retaining hydration. Conversely, oily or acne-prone skin tends to respond better to gel- or foaming cleansers that do a better job of dissolving excess oil, Dr. Yadav adds.
For the oilier types of skin, topical agents that include stronger cleansing agents, such as sulfates, are less of a concern and can actually help break through heavier oil buildup, according to Dr. Ibrahim. In addition, Dr. Yadav offers tips for oilier skin types on finding cleansers that contain exfoliating or refining ingredients, especially salicylic acid, which penetrates deeper into pores to clear away dead skin cells and any trap that would cause blemishes.
Dr. Morayo Adisa also mentions the benefits of lactic acid and glycolic acid to provide gentle resurfacing, as well as clarifying ingredients that include clay and sulfur to absorb excess oils and avoid shine in unwanted places.
What’s the best way to wash your face?
Ready to Cleanse? Here’s the Right Way to Do That
Finding the right cleanser is just the first step in the process. How you actually wash your face is crucial in how your skin looks and feels. Here is a simple outline of how to properly cleanse your face.
Step 1: Start with Clean Hands
Make sure your hands are washed before applying anything to your face. You want to remove the dirt and bacteria from your fingers and not place more on your skin.
Step 2: Wet Your Face with Lukewarm Water
You know that some people like to use different temperatures of water. Lukewarm water really is best for cleansing your face because it is not too hot but is also effective enough to loosen dirt and oils. Hot water will remove important oils and then irritate sensitive skin. Cold water, while refreshing, is less effective at removing any remaining impurities.
Step 3: Apply Your Cleanser
Squeeze out an amount of cleanser that is about the size of a nickel to quarter. Dampen your fingertips slightly and distribute the product on the skin by massaging in circular motions. Repeat this process for about 30 to 60 seconds until you have thoroughly cleansed your face. Make sure to cleanse your whole face, while being gentle.
Step 4: Rinse and Pat Dry
Rinse your skin with lukewarm water until the cleanser is completely rinsed away. Gently pat your face dry with a clean towel. So, don’t use the community or old bathroom towel. For hygiene purposes, try to use a fresh towel each day or use a throw-away towel if you prefer.
Bonus Tip: Double Cleanse if You are Wearing Makeup
If you have on heavy, long-lasting, or waterproof makeup, you may want to consider double cleansing. Starting with a makeup remover will help break down the several layers of makeup you may be using, then you can follow the regular cleanse steps. This will ensure the skin is thoroughly cleansed, not just the surface.
Yes, there you have it! Using that process to cleanse your skin will properly cleanse your skin in preparation for the next steps in your skin care regimen. Glow on!
