Trying to find the right face wash for you? Here are some things to consider.
Active Ingredients: Sure, cleansers only really need to do one thing (cleanse your face), but how they do that depends on the ingredients. Many on this list use gentle or vegetable-derived surfactants, which are the ingredients that actually bind to the dirt and oil to remove them. Look for surfactants that won’t strip your skin. And since you’re putting a cleanser on your face, you may also want to look for ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and other hydrating agents that will help moisturize while you wash. Additionally, if you have other skin concerns like breakouts or oiliness, look for ingredients (like salicylic acid for breakouts) that will address those.
Format: For the most part, the format of the cleanser you use is a personal preference. (We, for instance, favor gel cleansers.) But there are some other benefits, depending on what you choose. Cream and oil-based cleansers are ideal for dry skin, since they are a bit more moisturizing. Foaming cleansers are great for oily skin because they can be a bit more aggressive and work to get down into your pores.
Skin Type: We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: Using a cleanser designed for your skin type makes all the difference. When in doubt, look for cleansers that note what skin type they’re for on the packaging; if it doesn’t say, don’t assume it’s right for you. Look at other factors like the format and active ingredients to determine whether you want to use it.
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