Facial Cleanser

Oil, grime and dust play havoc on our skin. Cleansing the face is an important aspect of skin care regimen. Facial cleansers help unclog skin pores and thereby prevent breakouts. With the plethora of skin care products available, it is confusing to select the right facial cleanser for your skin type.

A good facial cleanser must rid the skin of impurities without affecting its moisture balance. A facial cleanser does not leave the skin dry and taut like most soaps do. Check our guide to facial cleansing to understand the kind of cleanser your skin would benefit from.

Facial cleanser

Without adequate cleansing, the skin becomes a breeding ground for microorganisms. It can lead to blemishes, acne and infection. For healthy and clean skin, a good facial cleansing procedure is vital. It is essential that you choose a facial cleanser that cleans the skin of toxins and eliminates surface bacteria. A good facial cleanser goes a long way in the exfoliation of dead cells and thereby improving the skin texture.

Since soaps most often have a very high pH, they alter your skin's natural pH and leave it dry and parched. Facial cleansers are soap-free and gentle on the skin. Facial cleansers target the epidermal layer that traps bacteria, cosmetics, sweat and pollutants.

Choosing facial cleanser

Facial cleansers with exfoliating properties aid in the removal of dead cells. This makes the skin smoother. Such facial cleansers use natural exfoliating agent such as fruit peels or aluminum oxide particles. Gentle water-soluble facial cleansers are ideal for normal skin. Before plumping in for a facial cleanser, check out your skin type so that you can select one that addresses the unique requirements of your skin. Using a facial cleanser that is too rich for your skin can lead to clogged pores.

Dry skins benefit from the use of facial cleansers that are lipid free. They facilitate minimal cleansing and do not remove oil from the skin. In fact they leave a thin film of moisturizer on the skin. Acne skin needs facial cleansers that are specially formulated to treat acne. Such cleansers contain salicylic acid, AHA and BHA (Alpha and Beta hydroxyl Acids).

Cleansers with AHA remove the dead cells from the top layer of the skin and allow the natural emollient oils to maintain the skin moisture levels. Excess oil is removed. If you suffer from acne or rosacea, opt for one that will calm the sensitive skin. Don't go overboard with salicylic acid or benzyl peroxide cleansers as they will dry the skin and cause more oil to be produced. Instead choose a facial cleanser that will normalize the sebaceous secretion of the skin.

Natural facial cleanser

There is no dearth of natural facial cleansers. Oatmeal works well with most skin types as it helps soften skin and is hypoallergenic. Lemon juice is used as a natural cleanser as it lightens skin. Other natural facial cleansers are papaya, milk, honey and avocado. Use a cleanser on your face with circular motions to improve circulation. Splash water and clean it off.