The act of cleansing is a non-negotiable; that’s never been up for debate. But the product itself? Well, that’s another story. If you are still using St. Ives Apricot Scrub or Noxema—well it’s time to up your cleansing game.
Turns out, cleansers are an important step in your skincare routine. Throughout the day, your complexion is continually covered with debris like bacteria, pollutants, viruses, dirt, sweat and dead skin cells. Cleansers work hard to remove these impurities, leaving your skin refreshed and clean.
We’ve spent some time figuring out which cleansers are worth buying, when to use them, and which ingredients to look for. Now, we’re ready to share all of our skin-loving secrets.
So, consider this your all-encompassing guide to navigating the mysterious world of cleansers. Here we go...
Has anyone ever told you to splurge on cleansers? Don’t listen to them. Your cleanser should be simple and inexpensive. Why? Because cleansers are a “rinse-off product”, and therefore you don’t need a lot of pricey active ingredients, save those for your leave-on products like a serum. Bottom line: this should be your least complicated product—less than $30 with a short list of ingredients.
In the past, we’ve often seen experts recommending a double-cleanse, cleansing milk, or a balm for dry, sensitive skin types—but we disagree (respectfully). Instead, we feel that a mild cleansing gel works best for everyone. It foams just enough to remove makeup without over-drying the skin, and it doesn’t clog pores like heavier cream-based cleansers. Plus, who has time for a double cleanse? (We already dread cleansing once a day as is!)
Don’t get us wrong—glycolic, lactic and salicylic acids work wonders on an occasional basis. Heck, we’ll even give you the green light to incorporate them into your regular routine (especially if you’re more acne-prone). But daily use of these acids in a cleanser will strip your skin of its natural oils, dehydrating your complexion over time. Instead, opt for fruit enzymes—a great alternative to look for in a cleanser! Here’s why we think they’re pretty magical: these gentle, yet effective enzymes dissolve away dirt and oil without being too harsh or irritating like the others. The result? A clearer, brighter, more even skin tone. Some of our favorites are: mango, papaya, passionfruit and pineapple.
Limit cleansing to just once a day! If you cleanse and remove makeup at night, there’s no need to cleanse again in the morning. Instead, gently rinse your face with warm water, swipe on a plumping serum with hyaluronic acid, and you’re good to go!
Here’s the caveat: If you exercise in the morning or afternoon, a second cleanse can be necessary to prevent clogged pores from sweat. Just try to reduce cleansing to once or twice a day, tops!
Ceramides are great to look for in a cleanser because they are used to replenish the natural lipids lost from exposure to harsh environmental factors, natural aging or drying products. To put it simply, they help your skin retain moisture. More moisture = less wrinkles. To prevent dryness and potential lipid loss, look for a cleanser that adds lipids back into your skin. A mild cleansing gel with ceramides can efficiently cleanse your skin, keeping it balanced and hydrated.
Bonus! Ceramides are NOT expensive, so they shouldn’t increase the price point of your cleanser.
Love that lather? Just be sure to avoid lathering agents such as cocamidopropyl betaine and sodium lauryl sulfate, as they’ve been shown to cause allergic reactions and irritation. Instead opt for milder alternatives such as decyl glucoside and coco glucoside (psst...you can find these on the product’s ingredient list). These less irritating lathering agents won’t strip your skin or cause dehydration, so it’s kind of a skincare no-brainer, in our opinion.
Which daily cleansers do you use? Did any of these tips and tricks surprise you? Leave a comment below (we wanna know!).
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