Washing your face seems very simple but doing it in the right way could make the difference between healthy glowing skin and an acne breakout. The purpose of cleansing is to remove dirt, oil, makeup, and other impurities without compromising the integrity of the skin’s outer layer, the Epidermis.
It’s recommended to wash your face with a face cleanser or micellar water twice a day in the morning and evening to get clearer and healthier skin. You can make face cleanser a part of your morning skincare routine.
The cleaning process is the same for all skin types but important is to choose the right cleanser based on your skin type.
I have discussed the right process for How to clean your face in the later part of the article. Let’s first understand to choose the right cleanser based on your skin type.
How to a Cleanser That Suits Your Skin Type
There are different types of cleansers designed for different skin types. If you’re not using the right type of cleanser for your skin, you could be damaging it.
Here’s a guide to choosing the right cleanser based on your skin type.
#1. Oily Skin
If you have oily skin, you should use a foam-based or gel cleanser containing AHA (alpha hydroxy acid), BHA, niacinamide, charcoal, and clay. Niacinamide is a form of vitamin B3 that helps reduce sebum production (oil) and control inflammation. Clay helps to balance the skin pH level and soaks up excess oil, dirt, and acts as a natural exfoliating agent.
Cleansers with salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide are also ideal for oily skin because they help to remove excess oil and kill bacteria.
Best face cleanser for oily skin – CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser
#2. Dry Skin
For dry skin, use a gentle or creamy-based cleanser with moisturizing ingredients such as lactic acid, hyaluronic acid, and ceramides, to promote skin regeneration and hydrate your skin. This will clean your face and leave a thin layer of moisture on it.
Best pick for dry skin – La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Face Cleanser
#3. Combination Skin
In the combination skin, the T-zone i.e the forehead, nose, and chin is oily, and the cheeks are dry. Wash your face twice a day with gentle and a gel-like consistency face cleanser. A face wash with vitamin E and aloe vera is a gentle formula that is good for both oily and dry skin.
Best face wash for combination skin – Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser
#4. Acne Prone Skin
If your skin tends to be acne prone, a salicylic acid-based cleanser is the best option for you. Salicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid that unclogs the pores and effectively removes excess oil from the skin.
Best acne prone face cleanser in India – La Roche-Posay Effaclar Medicated Gel Acne Facial Cleanser with Salicylic Acid
#5. Sensitive Skin
If you have sensitive skin, it’s important to use an ultra-gentle cleanser that doesn’t contain any harsh chemicals. You can also use micellar water to remove makeup and other dirt and debris.
Always go for a fragrance-free, hypoallergenic, paraben-free and soap-free face wash, that won’t irritate your skin.
Our top pick face cleanser for sensitive skin – Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Hydrating Daily Facial Cleanser for Sensitive Skin
Use Micellar Cleansing Water For All Skin Type
Micellar water is a type of facial cleanser, makeup remover, and semi-moisturizer. Micellar water is so gentle on all types of skin, especially beneficial for sensitive skin.
Micellar water contains hydrating ingredients such as glycerin that help to retain the moisture of your skin more effectively. The low concentrations of mild surfactants in micellar water are less irritating, making it a great choice for dry skin.
The molecules of mild surfactants join together to form spherical chemical structures called micelles, which are highly effective to remove dirt, oil and makeup from the skin. In addition, micellar water helps to remove impurities and debris from the pores and gently exfoliate the skin surface.
In fact, micellar water is a gentler way of removing makeup without causing any significant damage to your skin.
Best Micellar cleansing water for sensitive skin – Bioderma Sensibio H2O Micellar water
For all skin types including sensitive skin – Garnier Skin Naturals Micellar Cleansing Water
Advice
If your skin is very sensitive or dry, you may cleanse your face with just water in the morning without using a facial cleanser. It’s ideal that you use a cleanser at night. Using a cleanser twice a day makes your skin more irritated or over-dry.
4 Steps To Wash Your Face
#1. Cleanse Your Face
Wash your hands properly and make sure they’re clean before touching your face. Then wet your face with lukewarm water – not hot water (that may dry out your skin).
Using your fingertips apply a small amount of facial cleanser that suits your skin type in a circular motion. Make sure to wash the T-zone (forehead, nose, and chin) and U-zone (cheeks, around the jawline), as these parts tend to be ignored.
#2. Wash Your Face With Lukewarm Water
Wash off your face cleanser using lukewarm water. Lukewarm water is the best to use when washing your face because it helps remove dirt and oil without over-drying your skin and balances your natural skin oils.
Avoid using hot water for washing your face cleanser. Hot water can actually damage the delicate skin tissues and remove essential oils from your skin.
Extreme temperature can also cause dilation of blood vessels, making your skin dry out faster and may become more itchy and flaky over time.
People with dry or sensitive skin should be aware of the fact that hot water can be irritating to your skin. Alternatively, you can use a micellar water for your face cleanser.
#3. Pat Dry Your Face
After washing your face, pat dry using a clean and soft towel. Avoid rubbing your face and the use of a rough textured towel can lead to irritation on your skin.
#4. Apply Moisturizer After Cleansing
Cleansing removes the dirt and oils that have built up throughout the day. And, moisturizing afterward helps to replenish those natural oils and keep your skin hydrated.
If you have dry skin, it’s especially important to apply moisturizer after cleansing, as this will help to keep your skin from becoming dry and irritated.
Choose a moisturizer that is appropriate for your skin type-
1. Oily or combination skin – If you have oily or combination skin, look for moisturizers with hyaluronic acid. This ingredient is a humectant that attracts water from the middle layer of the skin dermis up to the epidermis (top layer of skin) that protects from dehydration.
Using products packed with hyaluronic acid will help keep your skin hydrated and reduce wrinkles and fine lines.
2. Dry or sensitive skin – People with dry or sensitive skin, use a water-based moisturizer with emollient ingredients such as Vitamin E, ceramides, jojoba oil, and rosehip oil.
Emollients fill the gaps between skin cells with hydrating oils and lipids that help to restore the skin barrier and leave smooth and softened your skin.
3. Acne-prone and damaged skin – If your skin is acne-prone and damaged, you can use occlusive moisturizer with beeswax, lanolin, shea butter, and silicone ingredients. The occlusive moisturizer will seal in the moisture to help prevent further damage. You can also use CC cream for acne-prone skin for moisturizing.
Advice
In the morning before going outside, you can use a face moisturizer that contains SPF 30 with a broad spectrum, that protects your skin from harmful both UVA & UVB rays.
Conclusion
Keeping your face clean and free of dirt, oil, and makeup is important for keeping your skin healthy. Make sure to follow a 15-minute daily skincare routine to keep your skin looking radiant.
If you have any queries and concerns about caring for your skin, let me know in the comment section.
