What is a Facial Cleanser?
A facial cleanser is a skincare product designed to clean and cleanse the skin on your face. Cleansing is often the first step in a skincare routine and it prepares the skin to better absorb the benefits of serums, moisturisers, and other skincare products applied afterwards. It also provides you with a “blank” canvas for applying your make-up. Cleansing is the number one most important step in any skincare routine and, while not ideal, if you were to only have one step in your skincare routine then cleansing your face before bed should be it. In this post I will focus on four simple facial cleansers, plus a Cleansing Butter which also removes make up.
A facial cleanser’s primary purpose is to remove dirt, oil, makeup, dead skin cells, and other impurities that accumulate on the skin’s surface throughout the day. It is possible though to choose a facial cleanser that matches your skin type (e.g., oily, dry, sensitive, combination) and addresses any specific skincare concerns you may have (e.g., acne, aging, uneven skin tone).
As already mentioned your cleanser can be tailored to target specific skin concerns or to match your skin type, or alternatively you can choose to use a gentle facial wash such as The Body Shop’s Vitamin E Daily Facial Wash which is for all skin types, including sensitive. Vitamin E is especially great for dehydrated skin concerns. If you have particularly sensitive skin then you would be best trying the Aloe Soothing Cream Cleanser which has been specially formulated for the most sensitive skin.
As stated above, the main reasons people use a cleanser are to firstly remove dirt and impurities. Facial cleansers help remove dirt, dust, pollution, and other external contaminants that can clog pores and lead to skin issues like acne and blackheads. The right cleanser can also help with skin issues such as oily skin as they can help regulate excess sebum production and prevent a shiny or greasy complexion. If you have oily or blemished skin then the Tea Tree Skin Clearing Facial Wash is ideal as it is proven to visibly reduce blemishes in 7 days and is even suitable for sensitive skin.
Many facial cleansers, such as the Camomile Cleansing Butter, are effective at removing makeup, including foundation, water proof mascara, and lipstick, ensuring your skin is clean before applying other skincare products or before bedtime. The Body Shop’s Camomile Cleansing Butter is also the ideal product to use as a first cleanser as part of a double cleanse. Double cleansing is a deep cleanse using two products to clean the skin, best started with the thicker formula first. You may use a double cleanse when you have had a lot of make-up on or when you have been exposed to more pollution or toxins than usual. If you don’t have time for a double cleanse you can choose the Camomile Jelly One-step Cleanser which melts away makeup, dirt and excess oil in just one simple step and is suitable for all skin types including sensitive. Perfect for when you’re wearing lighter makeup or don’t have time for a double cleanse.
Some cleansers contain exfoliating ingredients that help slough off dead skin cells, leaving your skin looking fresher and smoother but I will talk more about those in a later post.
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