Regular facial cleansing reduces sub-units such as pimples or blackheads – and thus promotes a clear complexion. For their daily care routine, millions of consumers use cleansers that are worked into the skin in the form of gel or foam, water or oil. However, what many people don’t know is that if you use the wrong product, your complexion can deteriorate. To remove make-up residue, dirt residue and dead skin cells, you should use the right facial cleanser for your skin type. We explain what to look out for as follows.
If the glands produce too much sebum, the skin gets an oily complexion. The oily complexion is not only an aesthetic problem for those affected, but also a health problem: Excessive sebum production clogs the pores, which promotes skin impurities. If you have particularly oily skin, gel-based cleansers, clarifying facial tonics or a cleansing foam are the right choice for daily facial cleansing. The products may contain alcohol in order to effectively remove excess sebum and oil-based beauty products such as make-up. In addition, you can treat your skin with a face scrub once a week to remove sebum and dead skin cells.
If you suffer from sensitive skin that is prone to redness or itches frequently, we advise against using cleansers that contain alcohol. Sensitive skin types should instead use a mild cleansing lotion without aggressive ingredients (such as parabens, glycerin, silicone and perfume). This is where it can also help to use a pH-balanced cleanser—like this Gentle Cleansing Foam from Dear Klairs or this Burt’s Bees Sensitive Skin Cleansing Lotion. On the other hand, you should avoid peelings, as they would only irritate the skin further.
For people who have normal – and therefore uncomplicated – skin (i.e. skin that is not too oily, impure or sensitive), you can use almost any product that suits you. It doesn’t matter whether the cleanser contains oil or alcohol: the main thing is that it is used for regular facial cleansing. Whether you use a cleansing foam, facial tonic or rather a washing gel is up to you. Since your skin is particularly easy to care for, you have a free choice: from foaming facial cleansing (brand: CeraVe) to facial cleansing cream (brand: StriVectin) to cleansing lotion (brand: Mary Kay Timewise).
If your face is particularly dry, you should not use cleansing products that also strip moisture from your skin. The clear recommendation here is to choose a cleanser that has caring ingredients (such as aloe vera or hyaluronic acid). There are special cleansing oils and fluids or mild cleansing milks for people with dry skin that not only remove dirt and make-up, but also provide your face with additional moisture. On the other hand, you should avoid alcohol-based cleansers and peelings, as they would dry out the skin even more quickly.
Once you have found the right cleanser for your skin type, you should consider the following tips for facial cleansing:
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