How to Find the Best Cleanser for Your Skin, 3 Ingredients to Know
Are you using the best cleanser? Unfortunately, many people are skimping on one of the most critical steps on the path to beautiful skin. The first step in any skincare routine should be removing dirt, make-up, and other impurities from the skin. Sure, it seems easy enough; however, most people do not cleanse their face enough, according to experts. Aim for washing your face twice a day and after each sweat session is suggested. Now that you know how often to clean your skin let’s discuss the best cleanser you should be using for maximum results.
What Is Cleanser, and Why Is It Important?
For your other serums and creams to be beneficial, they need clean skin as their canvas. Therefore, a cleanser is essential because, without it, pores would still be dirty. In addition, uncleansed skin increases the chances for breakouts and decreases the effectiveness of your other products.
Cleanser is a skincare product that should be part of everyone’s morning and night skincare regimen. When combined with lukewarm water, this skin product cleans and hydrates to expose healthier skin without stripping the body of its natural oils. It is primarily used on the face, although it can be used on other body parts. Not sure how to use cleanser? Follow our step-by-step cleansing guide for more radiant skin.
Are Expensive Cleansers Better Than More Affordable Options?
When purchasing your skincare products, don’t let an expensive price tag or name brand be the only deciding factor on the best cleanser for you. For example, since cleansers can cost anywhere from $5-$200, it is not easy to know which one to choose. Instead, focus on the ingredient list rather than the price alone.
| Ingredients You Want | Ingredients to Avoid |
| Salicylic Acid | Fragrances |
| Vitamin C | Dyes |
| Ceramides | Parabens |
| Sulfates |
What Is the Difference Between Face Wash and Cleanser?
Face wash is also used to clean the skin. However, face wash and cleanser are very different. Face wash is formulated to focus on deeply cleaning pores. When mixed with water, face wash begins to foam, such as when lathering using a bar of soap. Depending on the brand of face wash, some can strip the natural oils from the skin, leaving your face feeling tight, especially if you already suffer from dry skin.
Cleansers focus on soothing and hydrating the skin in addition to leaving it clean. They have a consistency closer to a crème and slightly bubble. Quality cleansers are developed with specific ingredients to provide maximum results for their intended audience.
What Is the Difference Between Cleanser and Toner?
A cleanser should be the first step in your skincare routine that removes dirt and grime in order for the next steps in your routine to be successful. Toner is the second step. Toner also helps to remove any dirt remnants your cleansing session might have missed, in addition to also preparing your skin for any serums, sprays, or moisturizers to be applied later. Toner helps to prep your skin for your other products by balancing the pH level of your skin and decreasing pore size.
Having a balanced skin pH level is vital for your “acid mantle,” your healthy skin barrier. This natural skin barrier helps to keep out bacteria while locking in essential hydration. Remember to check the ingredients in your toner to make sure they are suited for your skin type. Perhaps you are looking for a toner that focuses on balancing your skin tone, decreasing acne, and refreshing your skin. Toners that include ingredients such as Rose Water, Witch Hazel, or Lavender are ideal.
What Is the Best Cleanser for My Skin?
The best cleanser for your skin is one that helps target what you would like to focus on improving or maintaining. We recommend looking for the specific ingredients we discuss below to ensure your cleanser focuses on your skincare needs. If you are unsure what your skin type is, please take our quiz.
Best Cleasner for Acne-Prone or Combination Skin
Acne is very common and can occur for many reasons, including hormones, diet, and using the wrong products. This can cause an overproduction of oil in the T-zone and lead to breakouts. When looking for a cleanser specifically for acne control, we recommend a product that contains activated charcoal. It works like a magnet to clean pores more deeply than other cleansers on the market. Hyaluronic Acid also is an excellent cleanser ingredient for those with acne or combination skin as it helps to improve the appearance of acne and helps hydrate the skin.
Best Cleanser for Dry
If your face often feels tight and maybe even a little itchy at times, you might suffer from dry skin. Factors such as weather, showering at a higher water temperature, and incorrect skincare product selection can play a role in dry skin. The best cleanser for this type of skin includes Hyaluronic Acid, Jojoba Oil, and ceramides as they can help to hydrate and balance this skin type.
Best Cleanser for Sensitive Skin
It can be a challenge for those that suffer from sensitive skin to find the right products that calm and soothe sensitive skin compared to irritate. Thus, focus on “free and clear products,” they do not include sulfates, dyes, fragrances, or parabens as they are associated with skin irritation. Instead, great ingredients to look for are glycerin and ceramides in the best cleanser for sensitive skin.
Best Cleanser for Aging and Mature Skin
As the skin begins to age, dark spots, fine lines, and wrinkles become more prevalent. Select a cleanser that focuses on hydration. Hyaluronic Acid and glycerin are two ingredients to search for when selecting a cleanser for maturing skin. These two ingredients focus on bringing moisture to the skin and keeping it there for a smoother, more youthful glow.
The Bottom Line
The best cleanser for you will depend on your unique skin type. Once you find a cleanser you want to try, do not forget during the first few weeks, you might experience breakouts as the cell turnover increases, but then your skin should begin to calm down. Unfortunately, there is no magical formula to finding the perfect cleanser the first time, so do not be discouraged as there will be some trial and error. MintPear offers two amazing cleansers to try that have each received a 5-star rating. These cleansers are MintPear’s Clarifying Daily Facial Cleanser (with Hyaluronic Acid and Activated Charcoal) and Jojoba Crème Cleanser. If you are still struggling with skin issues, reach out to your dermatologist for extra help in finding the best cleanser or products for you. Happy cleansing!
