I rave about all types of skincare products but it seems as if the cleansers are underrated in skincare (at least when I see it). It is so important to use a cleanser for your skin type because not using the right cleanser can overdry your skin. You want to make sure that the cleansers don’t strip away the natural oils from your face as that is sending signals to your skin to produce more oil which can lead to more breakouts.
In the past, before I really started caring for my face, I used cleansers that dried out my skin and I thought that was ok at the time. But I know better to not make the same mistake. If you are new to skincare and more precisely cleansers, here’s a guide to find cleansers that can work for your skin.
Know Your Skin Type
First thing first, know your skin type. I have combination skin which means I get breakouts and dryness altogether. Given it’s cold outside and you have dry skin, you want to be extra careful with your skin as the low humidity is already drying out your skin. So using a harsh cleanser (esp with alcohol as the main ingredient) can lead to more dry and flaky patches. And if you have oily skin and get breakouts, you also want to make sure that a harsh cleanser isn’t over stripping natural oils from your skin which can make the acne worse.
Start with Cleansing Balm
When breaking down my makeup, I always begin with a cleansing balm as it’s the perfect way to remove makeup by moisturizing it away from your face. Makeup wipes on the other hand consist of alcohol and can over strip your skin of oils. In my personal experience of using cleansing balms, I don’t remember the last time my skin was dry. They play a huge role in keeping my skin soft and moisturized. Grace and Stella’s Cleansing Balm is my all-time favorite next to Farmacy’s Green Clean Makeup Removing Cleansing Balm.
Opt-In For a Creamy Cleanser
Gel cleansers were never for me although they work amazing for my brother who has extremely oily prone skin. I always look for creamy (eg. milk) cleansers in the colder months. It literally feels like I am rubbing moisturizer on the skin which thus leaves my skin extra soft afterward. I love First Aid Beauty’s Pure Skin Face Cleanser and Ren Skincare’s Cleansing Milk as they are my favorite for combination and dry skin.
Look for Moisturizing Ingredients
Ingredients like Hyaluronic acid and ceramides are add-on moisture for your skin. If you can’t find cleansers with either the two ingredients, you can even use a Hyaluronic toner (after cleansing) as I do from The Inkey List. It leaves my skin feeling hydrated and plumped.
Stay Away from Scrubbing Exfoliants
When it comes to exfoliating, I have slowly but surely given up on scrubbing (physical) exfoliants mainly because a lot of them use to leave my skin super dry. I mean don’t get me wrong, I may use them occasionally during facials but they will never be a part of my skincare regime. Oftentimes, over scrubbing using face scrubs can lead to over dry skin so please be careful for your skin’s sake! There are also beaded cleansers out there and if you have sensitive skin, please try to avoid those well.
Stay Away From Skincare Products With Primary Alcohol Ingredients
A lot of skincare products have alcohol in them and they may be beneficial for those with oily skin as alcohol can temporarily stop the oil production but they work opposite for dry skin. They can over-dry your skin leaving your skin with dry patches.
So everyone here is your guide to cleansing tips that won’t over-dry your skin. Do you have dry skin? Let us know your experience of how you care for dry skin!