Glowing, smooth and shiny skin is what every single person aspires to have. “My skin was flawless when I was a child”, most patients tell me. Well you can still get flawless skin care with the right kind of skincare. Using a cleanser is the first step in the overall skin care routine. Cleansers remove all dirt and make up, exfoliate dead skin, remove harmful bacteria and do all this with minimal damage to the epidermis which forms the upper layers of the skin. It is extremely important to clean your face the right way, by choosing a face wash that is appropriate for your skin type.
Choosing the right cleanser
Before you buy a cleanser, consider the following questions:
- What is your skin type?
- Is it right for your skin in relation to the climate?
- Will it clean effectively? Will it remove make-up, sunscreen, and other
water-proof products? - What is the cleanser form preference – soap/ liquid?
- Is the cleanser (or face wash) too drying? Will it strip your skin of its natural lipids?
- Does it have any harmful ingredients such as sodium lauryl sulfate or alcohol?
- Do you suffer from any skin problems?
For dry skin:
- Your cleanser should be gentle with moisturizing agents, emollients and fatty acids in the form of oil. Use a cleanser that is hypo allergenic and free of fragrance, chemicals or alcohol. It should have a non-foaming formula. It is also important to avoid antibacterial soaps and cleansers with exfoliators such as salicylic or glycolic acid, which can all dry your skin. Soap bars are a “no” for you because they can make your skin pH alkaline and dry.
For oily skin:
- Your cleanser should include ingredients like aloe vera and tea tree oil, both of which balance oil production and support clarity of the skin.
Avoid cleansers that contain other oils or alcohol in the ingredients, which will only amplify your oily skin type. If you have acne prone skin, wash your face twice a day with a salicylic acid-based cleanser. Salicylic acid unclogs the pores and gets rid of excess oil. Look for a label that says non comedogenic which means something that doesn’t result in blackheads or whiteheads.
For combination or sensitive skin:
- Use an ultra-gentle cleanser. Look for a face wash that is fragrance-free, hypoallergenic, paraben-free and soap free, that won’t irritate your skin. Micellar waters are the best for this skin type
How to Use?
- Gently rinse your face with warm water.
- Take a little cleanser in your palm and add water to release its flexible surface.
- Gently rub the facewash onto your face in circular strokes.
- Rinse with water
- Pat the skin dry with a clean soft towel
- Repeat this twice a day