Cleansing the delicate skin on our faces is the first step in a basic skin care routine for healthy, balanced skin, wiping the slate clean, so to speak. Why are there so many different cleansers on the market and in our own line and how do you choose the right one for your unique skin? It can seem daunting, so I'll lead you through the questions I ask when I'm doing a personal skin consultation.
Qualities of a good facial cleanser:
- Non-stripping and non-damaging to your moisture barrier
- Non-irritating to your skin
- Contains active ingredients to balance your unique skin
- Effectively removes dirt, excess oil and makeup
- Leaves your skin feeling clean, but not tight or dry
- Contains safe, natural ingredients
- No fragrance or has a natural, plant-based aroma (carefully chosen hydrosols and essential oils can add fragrance while giving your skin extra benefits)
Why do we recommend that you wash your face regularly?
The primary goal of cleansing your face is to remove makeup, dirt and excess oil. A good cleanser will be more than just soap- it will contain beneficial ingredients that enhance your complexion's overall health and appearance.
HOW TO CHOOSE A FACIAL CLEANSER
Let's begin by defining your skin goals.
Are you looking to balance oily or combination skin? Do you have sensitive skin or are you prone to dryness? Do you frequently wear makeup?
If you wear makeup: It's important to remove all your makeup every night. You can use your regular daily cleanser, but often that won't remove things like eyeliner and mascara and facial cleansers can irritate your eyes. An oil cleanser or balm can work well, just be sure to read the ingredients and make sure it isn't full of synthetic or irritating chemicals. We love our Apple Chamomile Micellar Water for removing makeup. It doesn't irritate the eyes and works beautifully, even on waterproof mascara and heavy stage makeup. Best of all, it's super easy to use and free of synthetic anything!
For oily, acneic and breakout prone skin: Choose a gel cleanser that will remove excess oil. Active ingredients like salicylic acid can be helpful but be careful not to overdo it with harsh or stripping ingredients. The last thing you want to do when you're prone to breakouts is to further irritate skin that's already prone to inflammation. We love our Verbena & Sage Cleanser. It's both gentle and effective. Verbena and sage are both astringent, but not irritating and they are known for their antibacterial properties. We add organic aloe vera to start the skin on its healing journey.
For sensitive skin: Stay away from formulas that strip the skin and avoid synthetic fragrances as they can be very drying and irritating. If you prefer a gel cleanser, we recommend the Apple Chamomile Cleansing Gel. It has no added fragrance (zero essential oils) and gets its rich, foaming yet non-drying lather from oat and apple amino acids. If you prefer a creamy cleanser, try the Youth in Bloom Hydrating Cleanser.
For dry or aging skin: Creamy cleansers bond with dirt and makeup, effectively removing them without stripping the little oil that you do have in your skin. Our Youth in Bloom Hydrating Cleanser is packed with deeply hydrating Hyaluronic Acid, ceramides, anti-aging green tea and soothing chamomile essential oil to gently cleanse your skin without drying it out. If you love the feel of a gel cleanser, the Rose & Cardamom Cleanser gives you that fresh, clean feeling. We use a gentle, organic castile soap base, tempered with healing Bulgarian rose hydrosol and aloe vera. Cardamom essential oil is mildly astringent and smells amazing blended with the rose. a
I hope this basic guide helps you find the perfect cleanser for your unique skin. If you still have questions, please reach out to us! We love to do personal consultations to help you find the best products to keep your skin healthy and glowing.
SHOP THIS POST
Apple Chamomile Micellar Water
Apple Chamomile Cleansing Gel
Rose & Cardamom Cleanser
Verbena & Sage Cleanser
Youth in Bloom Hydrating Cleanser
