Cleanser is the jumping board of your whole skincare routine, which is why it’s important to nail it.
STYLE STORY runs through how to pick the perfect cleanser for your skin type and why it matters in the first place.
Why Does It Matter?
Although it might not seem like it, cleansing your face is one of the most important steps in your skincare routine.
Choose the right cleanser for your skin type and you set your skin up to be cleansed and properly absorb all the other products you apply after. Choose the wrong product however, and you risk irritation, sensitivity, dryness and worse.
Although it may not seem like an obvious culprit, choosing the wrong cleanser can wreak havoc on your skin and break your routine.
What To Look For In A Cleanser
The most important factor to take into account when choosing a cleanser is your skin type. (If you don’t already know it, get our guide here).
The right cleanser will remove excess oil, makeup, impurities, pollution, dead pores and skin cells without drying your skin.
Oil Cleanser – Dry Skin
Oil cleansers are perfect for dry skin (which is lacking in oil). Don’t be put off by the oil factor – this helps dissolve makeup, dirt and impurities lodged in your skin and is also great for blackhead removal.
Don’t use oil cleansers by themselves though – they work best as a team.
Use your oil-based cleanser as Step 1, to whisk away the day’s makeup and then follow it up with a foam cleanser for Step 2. This will leave your skin squeaky clean and ready to absorb your next layers of skincare.
Just to be clear, we’re not talking about any old bar lying around your bathroom. In fact, regular old bath soap is bad for your skin, and can cause it to dry, flake and become irritated. A specially formulated soap cleanser, however, can be used to get rid of makeup, as well as clarifying and tightening your pores.
Cleansing Gel – Oily, Blemish Prone Skin
Cleansing gels are soap-free cleansers that play nicely with blemish prone skin. They lift away dirt, oil, and impurities without harsh scrubbing or irritation.
Sherbet cleansers go on as a solid balm and melt away once you apply them to dry skin. They’re perfect for dissolving makeup and play nicely with combination skin types.
Foam cleansers, like the name suggests, foam when combined with water. They are ideal for deep cleansing for normal and combination skin types, but aren’t always great at removing makeup.
This makes them perfect to use as Step 2 in the The Korean Double Cleanse Methodat night, or for regular cleansing during the day.
Try Subi Powder Cleanser, which transforms from a powder info a fluffy cloud of foam.
Cleansing Stick – All Skin Types
One of the latest beauty innovations to come of Korea, cleansing sticks may look like a glue stick but don’t be alarmed – unlike glue, they lather when mixed with water and create a perfect cleanse!
As cleansing sticks come in a variety of formulations look for one that fits your specific skin type.
TL;DR
Choosing the right cleanser is important and the key is to pick the best one for your skin type.
Dry and sensitive skin types work best with cream cleansers, oil cleansers, cleansing milks and lotions.
Normal and combination skin types have the pick of the bunch, as they can usually use almost anything, but work best with oil cleansers, cleansing foams, sherbet cleansers and cleansing tissues.
Oily skins benefit from soaps, cleansing foams, cleansing oils, cleansing powders and tissues / wipes.
