In the evening, we wash off cosmetics, street and office dust, and excess sebum from our faces. And by the morning, as a result of internal “cleaning work,” the skin will secrete another portion of sebum - and washing is required again. What products are considered the best for this procedure? We answer and present the rating of the best cleansers, according to the editors of Skin.ru.
- When and how best to wash your face
- Types of cleansers
- Rating of the best cleansers
- How to choose a cleanser
When and how best to wash your face
Let's talk about the important thing right away: you shouldn't wash your face more than twice a day - excessive cleansing destroys the skin's protective barrier.
If previously, if you had dry skin, it was strictly forbidden to wash your face with water - only with a micellar composition, special lotions or milk, but today even dry skin can be moistened, and for oily skin it is permissible to use special oils.
When choosing products, perhaps the most important thing is their hypoallergenicity, since the number of girls with sensitive skin is growing every year. Especially among residents of megacities.
You should not wash your face more than twice a day - excessive cleansing destroys the skin's protective barrier. © iStock
Types of cleansers
This will come in handy if you have oily or combination skin and like this texture. Eliminates impurities, removes oily shine, mattifying and slightly narrowing pores. Special soft gels are also suitable for those with dry skin.
It copes well with dirt and oily shine, does not dehydrate and does not contain a significant amount of surfactants. For oily and combination skin, foam with acids will help (activates cell renewal). For dry skin, use moisturizing ingredients such as glycerin.
Milk (cosmetic cream)
Best choice for dry skin. Moisturizes and softens, relieves irritation.
Suitable for all skin types. Upon contact with water, it turns into a pleasant emulsion and removes makeup and impurities. Maintains the integrity of the lipid layer of the skin and does not provoke the production of excess sebum.
Today, even dry skin can be moistened, and for oily skin it is permissible to use special oils. © iStock
Its effectiveness is ensured by micelles - special molecules from the category of non-aggressive surfactants. This product is universal and suitable for any skin type. In addition, some brands, for example, La Roche-Posay, produce micellar water for different skin types.
For washing it is acceptable, but not recommended. High alkalinity (the pH of ordinary solid soap is 9-11) disrupts the natural pH balance of the skin (dry skin pH - from 3 to 4.6; normal - from 4.7 to 5.7; oily - from 5.8 to 7 ). However, now the so-called syndets have appeared. These are synthetic soaps of liquid or solid consistency with a pH of 5.5. They cleanse oily and combination skin well and relieve inflammation. But syndets should not be used constantly, so as not to dry out the epidermis.
Foaming products, which often include oils and plant extracts. Recommended for dry and dry skin. If the list of ingredients contains drying components (eucalyptus extract or oil, tea tree), then a cream or balm is also suitable for oily skin.
Rating of the best cleansers
We share our thoughts on the best, according to the editors of skin.ru, cleansing products. And again we insist: you need to choose them only according to your skin type and depending on the problems you want to solve.
For oily and combination skin
Purefect Skin Anti-Shine Purifying Cleansing Gel, Biotherm
The product with zinc, kelp extract and thermal plankton washes away impurities and refreshes the skin. Tightens pores, removes excess sebum.
Cleansing foaming gel Effaclar Gel, La Roche-Posay
The formula based on thermal water with a sebum-regulating component (zinc pidolate) is ideal for oily, acne-prone skin. Removes impurities and excess sebum, serves as a prevention of imperfections.
Gel-scrub-mask 3-in-1 “Clean Skin”, Garnier
The product for oily and combination skin with salicylic acid, zinc, eucalyptus extract and abrasive particles is suitable for washing, exfoliation, and deep cleansing. Reduces blackheads, reduces imperfections, mattifies.
For dry skin
Gentle Cleanser, SkinCeuticals
Thanks to orange oil and allantoin, it delicately cleanses even sensitive skin, giving a feeling of cleanliness and comfort.
Cleansing milk for dry skin Galatée Confort, Lancôme
A gentle product with almond oil and royal jelly cleanses, moisturizes and nourishes the skin, strengthens the protective barrier.
Cleansing gel Skin Oxygen Depolluting Cleanser, Biotherm
A gel with a melting texture and a formula that contains chlorella extract gently removes impurities without drying out the skin.
For normal skin
Hydrophilic oil “Global restoration” Ultime8, Shu Uemura
Mixing with water, the oil becomes an emulsion that needs to be gently spread over the face with a cotton pad or hands, and then rinsed off. Contains 8 vegetable oils and extracts to moisturize and soften the skin.
Biphasic micellar water, L’Oréal Paris
The product, enriched with natural oils, gently but effectively cleanses and moisturizes skin of any type, without leaving an oily sheen or a feeling of tightness. Before use, shake the bottle to mix the water and oil phases.
Ultra Facial Cleanser, Kiehl’s
Effectively cleanses the skin without drying it out. Suitable for all skin types, including sensitive ones.
How to choose a cleanser
Firstly, your feelings - you should feel comfortable both during and after washing. If a feeling of tightness remains, it is better to change the product.
Secondly, the presence of useful components in the composition. It can be:
antioxidants - tocopherol, rosewood extract, phytoestrogens, coenzyme Q10;
Washing is a common everyday hygiene procedure. It is needed to cleanse your facial skin of cosmetics. In addition, a fairly large amount of sebum, dust, and various chemical harmful elements that are in the air accumulate on the dermis.
Previously, we washed ourselves only with water. Because she was clean. In addition, water has a very beneficial effect on the human nervous system and blood supply to the skin. It even stimulates metabolism. After washing, a person feels cheerful and his mood rises.
Unfortunately, water nowadays is not at all suitable for daily hygiene procedures. It's dirty. And modern cosmetics are very difficult to wash with plain water. Therefore, a whole arsenal of cleansers has been developed.
Definition
Washing is a hygienic procedure that allows you to remove dust, viruses, spores, bacteria, excess sebum, and toxic substances that saturate the air of any metropolis from your face. In order to improve gas exchange of the skin, give it rest and recovery. The more and more often dead epidermal cells are removed, the more intensively new ones are formed. This means that the skin will age more slowly. If you regularly and properly cleanse your skin, this will undoubtedly guarantee its beauty and health.
The principle of operation of the funds
When buying cosmetic cleansers, women first of all look at the label on which the manufacturer indicates the composition. You can also focus on the following indicators:
- after washing, the dermis should not feel tight;
- foam-forming products are considered one of the best. Since it pushes out impurities from the pores without smearing or rubbing them;
- It is desirable that the pH be closer to 5.4-5.9. This is the approximate pH value of the upper layer of the epidermis of human skin;
- The natural ingredients found in cleansers have a positive effect on the health of the skin: vegetable oils and extracts.
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To avoid the epidermis becoming accustomed to the components of a cleanser once chosen, it is necessary to change it at least once every six months.
Nowadays there are many different means for washing: gels, mousses, milks, emulsions, foams, micellar water, liquid and solid soaps. Therefore, the consumer often does not know what to choose. And the prices are different, and so are the manufacturers. But still, the main criterion for selection is the type of human skin. Because only a properly selected product will thoroughly cleanse the dermis and allow it to recover.
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It is better to pass by a cosmetic product that states that it can be used for all skin types. There will certainly be some benefit, but there will also be harm. Each skin type responds better to different types of cleansers. For example:
- It is better to use the gel if your skin is oily. Usually it contains substances that tighten and cleanse pores, relieve inflammation (grape seed extract, tea tree, for example);
- Dry skin is better suited to cleansing foam, emulsion or milk. Because it contains softening and moisturizing components (glycerin, aloe);
- sensitive skin will respond well to washing with mousse and foam;
- Normal skin can be cleaned well by all types of cleansers.
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Foams and mousses are suitable for all skin types, if they contain the necessary ingredients.
Skin care always starts with cleanliness.
Gel is one of the most common cleansers. It contains no oils. It will not dry out the skin and will not change the pH value. But in order to choose the right gel, you need to pay attention to the components. Whether a particular gel will be effective in the fight for the purity and quality of the skin is determined by the presence of surfactants (surfactants):
- Amphoteric substances. Gels that contain these substances are not cheap. But they take very good care of the skin and clean it. At the same time, without disturbing its natural state. Often used as acne gels. The description on the package may indicate Cocoyl, Sarcosine, Betaine.
- Anionic gels. They foam well, but are best used for very oily skin or problem skin. If the composition contains lauryl sulfate, it dries out the skin. The label says Magnesium Laureth Sulfate.
- Cationic gels. When Polyquaternium, or Quaternium, is indicated on the packaging, this means that the composition contains quaternary ammonium compounds. They provide durability and some comfort after application to the skin. But cationic gels penetrate quite deeply into the epidermis and can cause irritation and even destroy the lipid barrier.
Cationic gels are not recommended for washing by women with sensitive skin.
- Nonionic gels. If the package says Decyl-Glucoside, then this is a product from this series. They lather poorly and hardly cleanse the skin. True, their price is lower than that of previous groups.
You will find step-by-step facial skin care in this material.
Mousses
If the gel begins to foam upon contact with water, the mousse immediately turns into a light foam. Because the package contains a pump along with the cleaning liquid. By pressing it, foam is formed, which is applied to the face. It is used as a cleanser for sensitive or dry skin because it causes virtually no irritation and is fairly easily washed off with water. The product contains surfactants. They carefully remove dirt and makeup.
Mousses have different compositions for any skin type. But the principle of operation is the same. The product has a thick structure that cleanses pores, pushing sebum, dirt, and makeup to the surface. The feeling after using the mousse is very pleasant. The skin becomes fresh and immaculately clean.
Read about gel peeling for the face at the link.
Milk
Compared to mousse and gel, it has a fattier structure. The most gentle of all cleansers. It not only perfectly cleanses the skin, but also nourishes it, moisturizes it, and gives it freshness. The product, however, like all cleansers, contains water-soluble surfactants. In addition, brands are announcing infusions of medicinal herbs.
The milk is easy to use. Apply a little product onto a cotton pad and cleanse the skin with light movements. There is milk that does not need to be washed off with water.
Read about the difference between toner and lotion here.
Well suited for dry, sensitive and aging skin.
Emulsions
In order not to injure delicate, sensitive skin by washing with tap water, use emulsions. The composition may contain ingredients that are found in nourishing creams. They also resemble them in appearance. Only very liquid ones. Manufacturers often indicate the following components in wash emulsions:
- spermaceti, lanolin;
- natural vegetable oils (cocoa, coconut, avocado and others);
- glycerol;
- extracts of aloe, chamomile and others;
- vitamins. Mainly E and D.
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The emulsion is suitable for washing dry and sensitive skin.
Liquid and solid soaps
Many consumers use soap to cleanse their facial skin. Soap contains a salt of a strong base and a weak acid. Therefore, it can only be used in cases where:
- The skin is very oily.
- It is necessary to dry out acne.
- The soap contains herbal extracts, antibacterial substances or some medicinal ingredients that are recommended by a dermatologist for use by a specific person.
- The use of liquid or solid soap is recommended by a cosmetologist.
- The packaging states that it is dermatologist approved and also says “for the face.”
Since soap contains alkali, it is not recommended for people with dry skin to wash their faces, as well as:
- sensitive or inflamed skin;
- rosacea;
- peeling;
- wrinkled skin;
- narrowed pores.
Soap cannot be used every day.
Micellar water
This cleanser does not dry out the skin and does not have a destructive effect on the epidermis. The micelles are based on microscopic fibers with a core. In turn, it consists of two equal parts - hydrophilic (binds the micelle with water) and lipophilic (binds with fat). When the micelle hits the skin, its lipophilic part combines with fat and the hydrophilic part immediately removes it from the skin. So, in principle, all surfactants that are present in almost all cleansers act. But micellar water contains harmless components. In most cases they are natural, although there are also synthetic ones. The following brands are especially popular:
Micellar water does not need to be washed off. It does not change the water balance of the skin.
conclusions
In order for your skin to look healthy and not age longer, you need to take care of it. And one of the basic rules of care is washing. That is, the removal of makeup, fat, dust, pollen, bacteria that accumulate on the dermis. Cosmetologists have developed different forms of cleansers. Cleansing cosmetics are gels, foam, mousses, emulsions, micellar water. We have improved the qualitative composition of solid and liquid soap. You just need to choose the right product that will carefully and gently cleanse your specific skin type. Because the right product is already half the way to beauty and youth.
We continue to talk about various cleansers to make it easier for you to navigate when looking at store shelves and websites. And again we focus on products for delicate cleansing, because these are suitable even for sensitive skin and at the same time will help restore the epidermis after the winter wind and cold.
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Cleansing milk
Those with dry and sensitive skin will definitely appreciate milk or cream for washing, because they are suitable not only for morning cleansing of the skin, but also for very delicate makeup removal. Typically, such products have a soft but rich texture, due to which they not only cleanse, but also intensively nourish and soften the skin. In addition, the milk is washed off much easier, which means you will reduce the likelihood of flaking and the feeling of tightness that frequent contact with tap water provokes. Some types of milk do not need to be washed off at all: they have both cleansing and tonic properties.
A good example is Vichy express care. It delicately removes eye makeup (even waterproof!), cleanses and tones the skin. The care contains thermal water, shea tree extract and vitamin E. These ingredients help maintain the natural hydrolipid balance of the skin and protect it from aggressive external factors.
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To guard your beauty - the most modern scientific developments. The micelles in Re-Move milk effectively remove even invisible impurities and do not dry or irritate the skin at all. With regular use, the skin becomes noticeably softer and begins to glow from within.
Cleansing creams
Cleansing creams, which are most often removed from the face with a warm damp cloth or a small amount of water, are another new product in Asian skin care that millions of girls have come to love. Still would! These products not only cleanse, but are also an additional step in care. And, I must say, very pleasant: with them every evening you are provided with a small home spa treatment. Cleansing creams do an excellent job even of heavy makeup and leave your skin feeling soft and moisturized. However, don’t let the name fool you, and don’t forget to apply your usual cream after cleansing your skin.
This product has a unique moisturizing cream-gel texture, which allows you to comfortably cleanse the skin of impurities, makeup, and excess sebum. And the ceramides in the composition help restore the natural skin barrier and fight inflammation and irritation.
Pay attention to the Daily Ritual cleansing cream - it not only tones the skin and increases its elasticity thanks to edelweiss flower oil, but also works with the first signs of age-related changes. Plus: Finger lime extract has a gentle exfoliant effect. The result - nourished, velvety skin - will definitely please you!