Cleansers form the cornerstone of any skin care routine, unclogging pores, revealing new skin cells, providing optimal hydration levels and increasing product absorption.
Misusing skincare products is often detrimental to skin, while overcleansing can strip it of its essential oils and increase dryness and irritation risks. Aim for creamy formulas recommended by dermatologists which contain skin barrier-healing ingredients in order to maximize results.
Cleansing
Cleansing is the cornerstone of a healthy skincare regime. Cleansers designed for gentle cleansing without disturbing or stripping away the protective barrier or natural oils of the skin provide essential protection and keep pores clear of obstruction.
People with sensitive skin can benefit from using a gentle milk-based cleanser. Oily skin may respond better to gel or foaming cleansers; for combination or acne-prone skin types, cleansing balms that contain AHAs or BHAs may provide the needed exfoliating effects in order to effectively remove dirt, oil and dead skin cells can be useful.
Oily skin-type individuals may also benefit from double-cleansing using an oil-based product like cleansing oil or micellar water to dislodge makeup, sunscreen and debris from the surface before cleansing with water-based cleanser. The double-cleansing step enables more thorough removal of impurities while helping other skincare products, such as serums and moisturizers penetrate better into the skin.
Exfoliation
Removing dead skin cells is key to creating a radiant complexion, while exfoliation helps smooth rough texture, reduce dark spots and wrinkles and smooth rough skin texture.
Exfoliating can be done in many ways, from physical scrubs and manual techniques with brushes or gloves, to using physical and manual scrubs together. But it is essential that you find one that best fits with both your lifestyle and skin type.
Chemical exfoliation works by dissolving the lipids that bind dead skin cells together. Chemical exfoliators tend to be gentler than physical exfoliants and could include alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) such as glycolic acid or beta hydroxy acids like salicylic acid; alternatively polyhydroxy acids like lactic acid may also be employed as exfoliating agents.
Every few weeks, use a cleanser with gentle physical or chemical exfoliation to achieve radiant, healthy-looking skin. Follow up this treatment with serum or moisturizer to nourish and hydrate the complexion before applying sun protection to avoid further damage from external elements.
Hydration
Hydration is an integral component of skin barrier health and can dramatically change how our complexion appears, feels, and functions. A well-hydrated barrier is stronger against environmental stressors as well as signs of aging; internal hydration can come from drinking water or eating foods rich in hydrating nutrients while external hydration comes through skincare products like cleansers and moisturizers.
Dry skin may benefit from using a gentle cleanser with moisturizing qualities, like Shea Butter Hydrating Cream Cleanser from Shea Butter & Ceramides for Strengthening Barrier. Combination and oily skin types should consider gel or foam cleansers to effectively lift dirt without stripping their skin such as Cetaphil DermaControl Oil Removing Foam Wash with salicylic acid and niacinamide to avoid breakouts.
For maximum hydration, look for products containing hyaluronic acid and glycerin as these natural humectants help bind moisture back to the skin. In addition, take showers only using lukewarm water in order to avoid dehydrating your skin further and apply moisturizer after cleansing your face.
Anti-Aging
Although they won’t turn back time, anti-aging cleansers can help reduce fine lines and wrinkles as well as improve skin texture and radiance. Their purpose is to remove makeup, dirt, excess oil, and any impurities that clog pores leading to breakouts and lead to further issues with pores clogging up and leading to breakouts or other types of impurities that cause breakouts on your complexion.
Dr Turegano suggests Cetaphil Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser with 2% salicylic acid as an ideal cleanser to combat oily skin, as this will remove dead cells that clog up pores and leave your complexion dull and depleted of vitality.
For dry skin, a gentle cream cleanser may help retain moisture. Look for one containing hydrating ingredients like ceramides and hyaluronic acid – powerful humectants which attract water into the skin – like La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser which contains spring water and ceramides for maximum hydration. Dr Henry recommends La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser as one such choice that contains spring water and ceramides
Other anti-aging ingredients you can incorporate into your skincare regimen include retinol, which increases cell turnover and collagen production to help diminish fine lines and wrinkles. You could also try products containing bakuchiol as it provides a natural alternative to retinol which may reduce discolorations such as melasma or dark spots.
