The most ignored and under explored beauty hack has remained facial cleansers. I remember growing to see my mum use Ten-O-Six cleansers then she progressed to Royallux.
Now that I think of it, I remember she used to have a lot of breakouts and black spots till she started using these products and outgrew the whole facial issue. For those who have seen me in recent times, you’ll know i have been dealing with breakouts and black spots. Now you know who to blame. (Rolling my eyes)
When it comes to cleansing your skin, not all parts of your body are created equal. The softness of the face makes it need a different care than your feet. Depending on your skin type and even the time of year, you may need a different facial cleanser to remove dirt and prevent breakouts.
As easy as it is to go into any store to pick a facial cleanser, it may surprise you that you will need to know some certain things about your skin as well as the content of what you will be buying to avoid reactions and allergies from use. You can check on how to know your skin type below.
Find out how to choose a skin cleanser that removes excess oil while preserving the skin’s delicate pH balance and natural moisturizers. Learn the best ways to cleanse your skin, from bar soaps to exfoliators. You may be wondering what then makes facial cleansers as good as they are claimed to be and what they are in general.
Oily Skin
This kind of skin tends to be shiny and is mostly filled by enlarged pores. It has a tendency of developing blackheads and other breakouts because of its nature as an oil well. Niger Delta got nothing on its sebaceous glands.
Your skin type has a lot to do with the kind of facial cleanser that will work best for you. Oily skin requires the use of cleansers that do not contain heavy moisturizing ingredients that can increase oiliness and cause breakouts. Astringents can be helpful in helping to decrease the amount of oil on the skin.
Dry Skin
This is usually characterized by a tight feeling after washing and may tend to develop flaking of the facial skin in extreme cases. There is an under production of oil in cases of dry skin. Using soap based products can aggravate the condition and make matters worse. A moisturizing cleanser is most appropriate for this skin type.
Sensitive Skin
This kind of skin is the delicate one that you just have to “handle with care”. It has a tendency towards being thin and delicate with small, fine pores. It can be accompanied by blotchy patches, redness and a lot of itching. This is made worse by products that contain chemicals and perfumes which can cause further irritation.
Sun damaged skin or aging skin tends to be characterized by a tight feeling, often with broken capillaries and a leathery texture. The skin may sag and show evidence of a loss of elasticity and tone.
10 Things To Know About Facial Cleansers.
- Facial Cleansers come in different forms. Any solution, foaming liquid, paste, gel or soap formulated for the cleansing of the face is a facial cleanser. It doesn’t have to be that liquid with “spirit” feel or tom-tom minty feel after applying. Also, it is not the one you always have to apply with cotton balls or cotton wool from a cylindrical bottle. In Falz’s voice, “This is the 21st Century”.
- Toners, Astringents and Scrubs are all cleansers.
- Cleansers (toners, astringents) are for daily use while not all scrubs are meant for daily usage. (Neutrogena and Clean and Clear produces some daily scrubs).
- There are different cleansers for different facial skin nature.
- Not all facial cleansers are indeed cleansers. Some are diluted alcohol.
- Not all alcohol based cleansers (astringents) are bad for the face.
- Cleansers give the face a balance in the pH of the face as long as the products are for the skin type.
- You don’t need to have acne or blemishes before you think of using facial cleansers.
- One facial cleanser won’t solve all your facial troubles.
- Using a harsh cleanser or no cleanser at all can leave your skin dehydrated as a result of the harshness of your soap on the face.
Your facial skin may be dehydrated without you knowing it. Below is how a dehydrated face looks like.
Don’t gimme the look of “this is so confusing” already. You have me here to help you clean your confusion in just one scroll. Hehe
As much as we’re taking adequate skin education in this “bloggoversity” (Achebe must be proud of me right now with this new word…), we need to learn it right.
On facial cleansers, there are things to look out for.
Kinds of Cleansers Recommended For Each Skin Type
Normal to Oily Skin
For normal to oily skin, I’ll advise a soap and oil free facial cleanser. Look for products that do not contain heavy moisturizers, but rather light, water based moisturizers, and an astringent to help dry up any problem oily areas for longer periods.
Normal to Dry Skin
With this type of skin, what you need is a soap free, oil free cleanser that contain a creamy blend of ingredients that are also free from chemicals and perfumes to avoid irritation in dry skin.
Normal Skin
Most soap free cleansers with water based moisturizing agents that are made from natural ingredients are recommended for normal skin types with few to no problem areas such as blemishes and skin infections.
Sensitive Skin
Natural ingredients that leave out chemicals (alcohol) and scents (perfumes) are the best for sensitive skin types. Gentle water based moisturizers without the inclusion of astringents or exfoliates are recommended.
Sun Damaged or Aging Skin
Special considerations are necessary for sun damaged and aging skin types. Therefore, facial cleansers should contain ingredients such as retinol, which help to reduce the sagginess, lines and wrinkles that have formed due to damage caused by sun damage and/or the aging process.
Products containing alcohol or caffeine as additives can also help to firm the skin. The addition of creamy moisturizers can also help to decrease the appearance of wrinkles and lines in the skin.
Things You Should Look Out For Before Purchasing Facial Cleansers (Astringents/Toners)
If you look at the ingredient list and you see the word, “alcohol,” most people would assume that the product is drying to the skin. The truth is that all alcohols affect the skin differently, and many are not harmful. So the answer is FALSE. Do not avoid using all skin care products that contain alcohol.
Did you know that Vitamins A and E are actually alcohols even though they don’t mention the word alcohol in their name? Alcohols can be humectants, solvents, emulsifiers, surfactants, and antioxidants.
Beneficial alcohols commonly used in skin care products include: 
Retinol (Vitamin A molecule to discourage wrinkles) Read: Are you Using Retinol-Based Products?
Tocopherol (Vitamin E, a free radical fighting antioxidant)
Cetyl Alcohol (product thickener)
Oleyl Alcohol (emollient)
Arachidyl Alcohol (emollient)
Stearyl Alcohol (emollient)
Propylene Glycol (a humectant that binds moisture into the skin)
“Bad,” or drying, alcohols commonly used in skin care products include:
*SD Alcohol 40 (evaporative, solvent alcohol)
Denatured Alcohol
Ethanol
Isopropyl Alcohol
These are extremely drying to the skin and should be avoided.
*Note: In blemish products, solvent alcohols can be useful for drying out breakouts.
What am I saying? You should not avoid ALL alcohols in skin care products because not all alcohols are the same.
Conclusion:
There is more to facial cleansers than a blog post, however, in picking a brand for your skin, do well to visit a credible brand. Any day, any time, I will always recommend from the Neutrogena brand or Clean & Clear and you’ll be doing yourself a great service by sticking to the formula that fits your skin best.
I’m sure if you stick to the right products, you’re bound to come back with a testimony because, it wooorks!
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