A dermatologist would tell you there are basically three different ways to effectively cleanse your face, but the key is finding the method which works best for you and your skin type.
Now, add to this the vast amount of new skin cleansing products and tools that appear on the market each and every day, and you could be forgiven for ending up rather confused about the whole process.
We’ll take a look at all the options available to you for getting the best facial cleanse.
The three ways you can cleanse your face
- Facial Cleansers
- Implements and tools
- Cleansing product along with a cleansing tool
As mentioned earlier, there is an overwhelming choice of cleansing products available on the market, and choosing the right one can be daunting.
You may already know which one works best for you through experience, which is fine. If not, the best thing to do would be to visit a dermatologist who can provide a professional recommendation for you skin type.
Of course, this is not always possible so you may need to do a little research online to help you identify your skin type. It shouldn’t be too difficult.
Facial Cleaners – Soap
Many dermatologist recommend that patients avoid using soap on their faces.
Some soaps are highly fragranced and contain detergent ingredient that are far too harsh for the particularly sensitive skin on the facial area.
Detergents will strip the face of natural oils, which can leave it feeling dry and sore.
Instead, use a soap free cleanser, one which is particularly appropriate for the face. These soap free cleaners are known as syndets.
Choose one which has a lower pH, or neutral pH balance if possible. A cleanser with a high pH is more likely to disrupt the skin’s harmony and can cause irritation.
Lipid-free Cleaners
A lipid-free cleanser is usually in the form of a liquid, and is best advised for patients who suffer with excessively dry or sensitive skin.
Because of this they are less effective at removing oil and dirt. For this reason lipid-free cleansers are recommended mostly when only a lighter cleansing is needed.
They also leave behind a thin moisturising film which makes them less effective for those with acne.
Cleansing cream
Cleansing creams are some of the most popular products amongst mature women.
For a long period, cleansing creams were the only alternative to the harsh soaps available at the time.
The majority of cleansing creams contain ingredients such as water, mineral oil, waxes, and petroleum, which makes them a popular choice for people with dry skin.
They are a convenient option as they provided the ability to cleanse and the removal of cosmetics all in one.
Cleansing Gel
A modern take on the cleansing cream, gel has the ability to be absorbed better by the skin, therefore delivering it’s active ingredients for efficiently.
The other good thing about gels is they rarely leave a greasy residue, which some people can find undesirable, especially if they already suffer from oily skin.
Facial Scrubs
Facial scubs contain a selection of different ingredients which can not only clean the face, but also exfoliate it too.
Using a scrub will produce smoother skin, but at the risk of mild irritation, redness or very slight scratches to the skin should the scrub granules be too corse.
Make sure you buy a scrub designed specifically for use on the face. Some scrubs are designed for use on the body only, and contain rougher granules.
These harsh body scrubs should not go anywhere near your sensitive face area.
Cleansing tools
Your fingertips are the first cleansing tool available to you, but there are also several different types of cleansing tool on the market which can assist with creating a more even application and distribution of a product on your face.
People using an implement to cleanse their face often feel they are getting a better exfoliating experience because there is more physical contact involved.
It’s important to remember that it’s the combination of the cleansers chemical interacting with the skin, accompanied by the scrubbing motion which gets the results.
Cleansing tools can improve this process.
Woven Mesh
We’ve all seen them in the super-markets and pharmacists, the woven mesh sponge has became a very popular choice to many seeking an affordable and highly effective implement to aid exfoliation and cleansing.
Some of the woven meshes can be a little too rough for use on the face, so make sure you choose one soft enough.
Face cloth
A step up from the traditional cloth flannel that many of use grew up with, the disposable facial cleaning cloth is a fairly new creation.
It’s a combination of various fibres, cleverly interwoven to create a particularly soft, yet strong, cloth. You will usually find them in packets in your local store or supermarket.
Once you wet the cloth and use it, the built-in cleanser will start to foam and froth.
Face cloths are available in a variety of different cleanser forms depending on what skin-type you have.
They are also available with different weave types. Those with a larger, looser weave are more appropriate for people with sensitive skin, while the closed weaved cloth are more suited to people with oily skin or a need for a more aggressive exfoliation.
Cleansing Pouch
A slight variation on the above mentioned cleansing cloth is the cleansing pouch.
Cleansing ingredients are wrapped up between two pieces of fibred cloth.
When the pouch is rubbed against the skin the active cleansing ingredients are released via small holes in the cloth.
The cleansing pouch provides much less exfoliation than the cleansing cloth.
Face Brush
The facial brush was developed by the same team of researchers who developed the electric toothbrush.
Similarly to an electric toothbrush, the facial brush is a handheld electrical device which uses a rotating brush head to evenly distribute cleaner around the face.
The oscillating bristled head, can whip up the cleanser into a frothy, rich, foam, which increases blood flow to skin cells and leaves it feeling great.
So, there you have it…
A good selections of different cleansing products and implements to keep you busy looking great! If you think we’ve missed anything out or have some other great ways of cleansing your face effectively that you’d like to share, leave a comment below and let us know.
Image source: greenandgrowing.org