What type of face cleanser is best for you?
Many of us believe that our day doesn’t begin until we wash our face. This first step in your skincare routine is so important that it paves the way for the products that follow. There are different opinions on when you should use a face cleanser and what ingredients you should use, but every beauty expert will recommend making sure you use the right cleanser for your skin type.
Don’t worry, it’s not as confusing as it sounds, and we’ll give you some tips and advice on how to find the right cleanser for you, kind of like a skincare matchmaker!
What does a face cleanser do?
A face cleanser’s job is to remove anything that could cause harm from your skin. Pollution, harmful bacteria, excess oil, makeup residue, and dead skin cells are all free radicals that, if left on your face, can cause acne, redness, and even signs of premature aging. Face cleansers should not be confused with makeup removers, and are not usually used to remove makeup like foundation and mascara. In order for a face cleanser to do its full job, it’s best to remove your makeup first. Otherwise, you’ll be putting product on your skin and preventing it from getting clean. This can lead to skin issues like rashes and uneven texture.
You can’t stop these harmful particles from accumulating on your skin, which is why it’s so important to wash them off at the end of each day. You can also use a face cleanser in the morning, although some experts disagree on the ideal frequency for cleansing your skin. Half believe there’s no real benefit to washing your face in the morning, and that the focus should be primarily at night, as your skin is exposed to a host of environmental aggressors and stressors throughout the day. The other half believe washing twice a day is best for your skin.
If you want to learn more, check out our blog post on how often you should wash your face and why?
Does it matter if I don’t use a face cleanser?
In a word: yes. With the wide variety of face cleansers on the market in recent years, there’s no reason not to wash your face or to use only water.
The skin has a 30-day cell cycle, which means it undergoes cell turnover and sheds layers of dead skin cells. This cycle can sometimes be disrupted, so a buildup of dead skin cells can lead to breakouts and a dull complexion, and create a barrier for treatment products like serums and moisturizers to penetrate the underlying layers of the skin. By washing your face, you’re releasing trapped dirt, debris, and bacteria while removing dead skin cells and other skin-damaging free radicals.
Which face wash works best?
As with all products, it’s best to use a formula that works for your skin type. Here are some examples of what ingredients you should look for in a face cleanser to suit your skin type and what texture you should choose:
Modern Skin Type
For dull skin types, the best face cleansers are those with chemical exfoliants, such as popular AHAs like: B. Glycolic Acid and Vitamin C. Both ingredients will give your skin a glow and remove any barriers that prevent other topical treatments from penetrating deeper into the skin.
Choose products with AHAs like glycolic acid and Vitamin C for a refreshed, radiant complexion
All types of face cleansers are suitable for dull skin, such as milks, lotions, balms, and gels
Don’t forget to apply a treatment serum after cleansing to maintain your glow
You can use a face cleanser morning and night, but follow up with a moisturizer
Dry Skin Type
While face cleansers are a good starting point for your skin care routine, they can be very drying if you’re not careful. For dry skin, you need a wash that not only removes flaky patches and dead skin cells, but also gently cleanses the skin. AHA lactic acid is great for dry skin because it gently exfoliates while locking in moisture. Also look for a non-foaming formula, as this can also dry out the skin. It’s best to use a face cleanser at night after removing your daytime makeup. That way your skin will be cleansed without feeling too harsh.
Choose a formula with lactic acid, as it gently exfoliates and locks in moisture.
Face cleansers that contain milk, lotions, and creams are best for dry skin.
Use a face cleanser at night to prevent dry skin.
Oily Skin Types
Although some say that face cleansers don’t stay on your face long enough to have a big impact on your skin, it’s still a good idea to pay attention to your skin type and what it needs to look and feel healthy. If your skin is oily or prone to blemishes, choose an oil-free face cleanser to avoid excess oil that can cause your skin to become unbalanced. Ideally, you should use a face cleanser twice a day, but not too often, and only if it’s not too harsh or drying on your skin. Let the cleanser’s ingredients do all the work. Salicylic acid penetrates the deepest layers of the skin, which can open clogged pores and remove dead skin cells.
Face cleansers can be used twice a day, but not too often, as this can strip the skin of oils, leading to more oil production and breakouts.
Ingredients like salicylic acid can deep cleanse the skin.
Choose an oil-free gel formula to keep your skin happy.
If you want to create an effective skincare routine, it’s important to focus on the ingredients and texture of your face cleanser, as well as understanding your skin type to ensure you find a product that’s right for you. How much you should spend on a face cleanser depends on your personal budget. However, many beauty insiders believe that as long as the product works and delivers results, it’s good value for money, regardless of whether it costs £6 or £67.
What happens if I use a face cleanser that’s not suitable for my skin type?
Don’t worry, it’s not as dramatic as it sounds. Dry skin feels tight and uncomfortable, dull skin fails to improve its complexion, and oily skin has to deal with excess oil and shine. These are all small signs that you’re not using the right products, and they can be easily fixed. If you notice redness, rashes, itching or blistering on your skin, you must stop using the product immediately and seek advice from your GP or dermatologist.
So here’s more information on how to find the right face wash for your skin. If you still want to know more about the ingredients, check out our blog post on everything you need to know about AHAs and BHAs.
DQH Knowledge drop: In your 20s, your skin cell turnover decreases. (Cell turnover is a key component in keeping your skin youthful.) You know what else slows down? Your collagen production. Starting in your 20s, collagen decreases by about 1 percent per year. Should you want to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, start by eliminating behaviors that contribute to premature aging. “If it’s bad for you, it’s bad for your skin,” says dermatologist Michel Somenek.
“Cigarette smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and causes premature wrinkling and a dull skin texture. Making the repeated pursed motion to inhale can also cause smoker’s lines. Alcohol and recreational drugs are toxins for the skin that damage its cellular structure and DNA,” Somenek tells us. “The faster you eliminate vices while you are young, the better chance your skin and body have to recuperate.” Also, adopting an anti-aging routine in your 20s is key. After all, the best offense is a good defense. We spoke to Somenek and experts Joshua Ross and Audrey Kunin to find out more.
Keep reading for the best anti-aging products for your 20s, according to skincare professionals.
Sunscreen
“We all know that the sun is the number one cause of skin aging and starting the prevention in your 20s is very important,” Ross says. “The majority of your sun damage won’t start to appear until you’re in your 30s, so don’t wait until you see it surface or you’ll be behind the curve. Stay ahead of it with a good-quality zinc-based sunscreen worn daily.”
Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen
An invisible sunscreen with SPF 30, plus botanical extracts meant to protect skin with tons of antioxidants. Bonus: It’s clean and fine to use under makeup.
Bareminerals Complexion Rescue™ Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30
Although we recommend you use your SPF and moisturizer separately, we also understand moments when you don’t have time or energy for that extra step. For those times, this bareMinerals moisturizer is a great thing to have on hand.
Vitamin C Serum
“A great introduction to anti-aging is to start with a vitamin C serum in your morning skincare routine,” Ross says. “It’s a powerful antioxidant that will neutralize free radicals and brighten the skin.” He adds that it’s a great way to counteract the effects of the sun’s harmful rays, which, as previously mentioned, are among the biggest causes of premature aging.
Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum
The Drunk Elephant C-Firma is a lightweight serum that promises to give skin a glow by combining the brightening powers of vitamin C with ferulic acid, l-ascorbic acid, and vitamin E. The included sodium hyaluronate is meant to replace hydration loss, so you shouldn’t have to deal with any irritation.
Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum
This potent serum is jam-packed with vitamin C (15 percent, to be exact), which means it’s a potential superstar at both brightening skin and dousing it in antioxidants.
Peptides
Using peptides on your skin has many benefits, says Somenek. “The skin barrier is what defends the body against pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and toxins. It can be damaged by several everyday factors. Using topical peptides aids in building a stronger barrier,” he says. “Peptides comprise elastic fibers, which are a type of protein. These fibers help to make skin appear taut and firm. Peptides can also help repair damaged skin, relieve inflammation, and even out skin tone. Some peptides can kill acne-causing bacteria that is common in 20-somethings.”
Kunin agrees, saying, “Peptides are an excellent entry point for supporting collagen.” She recommends looking for face and eye treatments that contain these collagen-boosting powerhouses.
Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue Cream
This Charlotte Tilbury super-emollient eye cream has a base of coconut oil and shea butter (read: it’s incredibly hydrating). Botanicals plus peptides are meant to help reduce dark circles and boost collagen, respectively.
This creamy moisturizer serves up potent collagen-boosting peptides and pycnogenol, and antioxidant-rich vitamin C. “Instead of sitting on top of the skin, peptides penetrate the outer layer so they go deep. The ‘signals’ they send tell the cells to produce elastin and collagen, which are needed for youthful-looking skin,” explains Somenek.
At-Home Peel Pads
Remember that skin cell turnover fiasco we talked about earlier? One way to help support it is by exfoliating. “Exfoliation is important to help keep skin fresh and luminous,” Kunin says. She recommends using at-home peel pads as an easy and effective way to exfoliate.
“The goal in your 20s is to fight the slowing pace of cell turnover. It is wise to use products that gently exfoliate, yet still remove oil and other impurities. Products that have Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) are a good choice.”
According to Somenek, you should only exfoliate two to three times a week. “People of all ages are guilty of over-exfoliating and that can be too much of a good thing,” he says.
Dermadoctor Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pad
A few swipes of this Derma Doctor powerful peel pad promise to leave your skin glowing and smooth, thanks to the seven (yes, seven) types of chemical exfoliants, including AHA and BHA. It also contains vitamin C via Kakadu plum extract for added brightening and antioxidant protection.
KEY INGREDIENTS Kakadu plum extract is sourced from the Kakadu plum, a fruit grown in northern Australia. It contains vitamin C, which restores the skin’s natural barrier, increases collagen production, and soothes irritation.
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads
These are the gold standard of peel pads, with a cult following and over 900 five-star reviews on Sephora. They’re easy to use and contain a blend of anti-aging exfoliating acids.
Emollient Night Cream
“In your 20s, you need to start upping the hydration in your skincare routine. You may have been cautious of over-moisturizing because of acne in your teens, but as you enter your 20s, your skin transitions and becomes drier,” Ross says. “I recommend an emollient night cream added into your evening skincare regimen.”
“Twenty-somethings need to make sure that they are not using creams that will clog their pores and cause excess oil production,” says Somenek. Opt for non-comedogenic products.
Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream
One great choice is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, which is a non-comedogenic night cream that leaves skin soft and glowy. It combines the moisturizing powers of ceramides and hyaluronic acid.
RoC Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Creme
“The best night cream ingredients contain retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and/or salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid. The goal is to moisturize, yet remove excess oil,” says Somenek. This Roc Retinol Correxion cream fits the bill as it contains both hyaluronic acid and retinol so it promises to moisturize while also being non-comedogenic.
