All we need to know about facial cleansing

We are back home after a busy day. We just want to slip into our pajamas, finish the leftover vegetable noodles from yesterday, sip on a tea while scrolling through Netflix titles, and head to bed. But before retreating to the warmth of our duvet, we need to do our evening beauty routine. Whether it lasts just a few minutes or is a complex ritual involving dozens of different products, there is one step that should never be skipped at night and, in most cases, even in the morning: cleansing. Every skincare enthusiast knows: if we want healthy, radiant, and balanced skin, skin care always starts with proper and thorough cleansing. To be effective, it should be done with a good cleanser that helps maintain the integrity of the skin barrier, allowing the skin to breathe, oxygenate, and better absorb the active ingredients in the cosmetics we usually apply to our face.

Why is facial cleansing so important?

Every day, the skin is exposed to a variety of external aggressors that can compromise its health: pollution, makeup, sweat, dead skin cells, excess sebum, and impurities accumulate on its surface. Failure to remove this debris can, over time, cause clogged pores, spots, breakouts, and other skin issues. Washing your face in the evening ensures the effective removal of not just makeup residues but also dirt and the effects of pollution accumulated throughout the day. Repeating this action every morning, on the other hand, removes sweat and sebum built up overnight. Additionally, it allows better penetration of the products we apply in subsequent steps of our skincare routine. The result is clean, healthy, smoother, more radiant, and fresher-looking skin.

What is a facial cleanser?

Thorough cleansing not only removes these harmful elements but also allows subsequent treatments to be absorbed more effectively. We've understood this, but why can’t we use a simple body wash instead of a specific facial cleanser? Even though both provide deep cleaning, they should not be used interchangeably. Body washes have a heavier formulation that allows them to be absorbed even into the thicker skin of the body. Facial cleansers, on the other hand, are specially designed to suit this delicate area and tend to have a richer texture. They are generally water-based products useful for clearing pores of dirt and sebum, and they may be enriched with skincare ingredients such as ceramides, peptides, or hyaluronic acid.

ROC SKINCARE - Energizing Cleansing Mousse

15,78€

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MIAMO - Crystal Oil Peptide Cleanser

29€

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BIONIKE - Defence Acqua Cleansing Gel Makeup Remover

22,90€

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CLINIQUE - Extra Gentle Cleansing Foam

34,50€

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PAULA'S CHOICE - Clear Face Cleanser

21,25€

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YEPODA - The Bubble Double

21€

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KIEHL'S - Ultra Facial Hydrating Concentrated Cleansing Bar

23€

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EVIDENS DE BEAUTÉ - Sakura Cleansing Foam

50€

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BIODERMA - Sensibio H2O - Micellar Water For Sensitive Skin

16,16€

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THE ORDINARY - Glycolipid Cream Cleanser

13,99€

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Which Cleanser is Right for Your Skin?

Before purchasing a cleanser, it’s generally a good idea to check if it meets certain requirements. It’s important for it to be gentle on the skin, non-comedogenic, and alcohol-free to avoid drying out the skin. If you want to minimize the risk of irritation, opt for a fragrance-free product developed by dermatologists and tested for allergies. The choice of type—foaming, oil-based, creamy, or gel—depends on your skin’s individual needs. Every skin type has its unique characteristics, which can also change over time due to aging, environmental factors, stress, or hormonal fluctuations. What works well for one person may be too harsh or ineffective for another. The general rule is to choose the most suitable and skin-compatible formula. For instance, have dry or sensitive skin? A creamy product is a better option. Oily skin? Look for gentle products like micellar water.

The Types of Facial Cleansers to Choose From

Using products suited to your skin’s needs is the key to achieving good results. Keep in mind that the cleanser used in the morning should be different from the one used at night. After makeup removal, the evening cleanser should thoroughly cleanse the skin without being too harsh. Here are the options available:

• Gel Cleansers: These have a gel-like consistency and are usually transparent. When in contact with water, they can turn into a light foam. They effectively remove light makeup, dirt, and excess oil, leaving the skin clean and fresh. Ideal for normal, oily, and combination skin types.
• Foaming Cleansers: These appear as a gel or cream but transform into foam upon contact with water, thanks to surfactants in their formula. They are great for normal skin but especially suitable for oily, combination, and acne-prone skin.
• Cream and Lotion Cleansers: These are rich and creamy emulsions that leave the skin feeling hydrated and soothed. Perfect for normal, dry, and sensitive skin as they tend to be gentler and more moisturizing.
• Oil-Based Cleansers: As the name suggests, these include hydrating oils, such as jojoba oil. Their advantage? They gently lift makeup and dirt from the skin and pores without being harsh or damaging the skin barrier. Often used as the first step in double cleansing, they’re ideal for normal, dry, and sensitive skin.
• Solid Cleansers: These resemble soap bars but are neither harsh nor drying. Instead, they are gentle cleansers, and their solid form makes them easy to use. Recommended for normal, oily, and combination skin.
• Micellar Waters: These no-rinse cleansers are known for their liquid, hydrating formulas containing “micelles,” which act as magnets to lift impurities from the skin’s surface gently. Ideal for sensitive or combination skin, they are often used as the first step in a double cleansing routine.

How to Cleanse Your Face the Right Way?

One of the first things to do after waking up and one of the last before bed is washing your face—but how? A quick splash under the faucet sometimes isn’t enough. Here are the steps for proper facial cleansing:

1. Tie your hair back: You can make a ponytail or use a soft, cute headband—just ensure hair, including bangs and baby hairs, is off your face.
2. Wash your hands before touching your face: Haven’t we learned anything from COVID?
3. Wet your face: After reading the product instructions and cleaning your hands, wet your face with lukewarm water. Some prefer using a flannel or muslin cloth. That’s fine, as long as it’s clean and fresh daily to avoid transferring bacteria to the skin.
4. Apply the cleanser: Take a small amount of cleanser and gently massage it in circular motions with your fingertips for about 30 seconds to stimulate microcirculation and help the product absorb.
5. Rinse: Use lukewarm water and remove the product with your hands or a clean, fresh washcloth.
6. Dry: Pat your face dry—don’t rub—with a clean towel.
7. Apply toner or thermal water and continue with your skincare routine.

Try Double Cleansing

Have you ever heard of double cleansing? It’s a technique originating from Japan and South Korea that, as the name suggests, involves using two different types of cleansers applied one after the other. In the first step, an oil-based cleanser is used because this type is highly effective at dissolving all kinds of makeup and even the most resistant sunscreens. The second step involves a water-based cleanser that removes any remaining impurities, which can lead to acne and premature aging. Double cleansing is not essential, but it works for all skin types, particularly for those with very oily skin who feel that their usual facial cleanser is not thorough enough.