Everyone has come across this issue when trying to perfect their skincare routine. Face wash vs face cleanser. Which one should I use? What is the difference between the two? Which one provides the most benefits?
Finding the correct products to promote healthy skin when washing your face comes down to personal preference and skin type. Every person may need a different strategy to treat their facial skin, but that doesn’t mean the goal isn’t the same, to properly cleanse while keeping your skin hydrated.
It is important to know the difference between the two products and how each one may be able to benefit your own personal skincare routine.
What is face wash?
Face washes are water based formulations designed to get sudsy once you gently massage it into your skin. They can deeply clean pores and help combat oil production through the use use of ingredients such as alcohol, citric acid, and salicylic acid. They are typically foamy.
Face washes tend to irritate some skin types due to their deep cleaning properties. Dry or sensitive skin types should monitor for redness and irritation.
What is face cleanser?
Facial cleansers are skincare products that are designed to keep pores clean and can help fight against acne prone skin. The cleanser can be used to remove makeup residue, dead skin cells, oils, dirt’s, and other types of unwanted grime from your skin.
Facial cleansers can be recommended for any skin type as they can be more gentle on the skin. They tend to be more soothing and hydrating which helps protect the skin’s natural oils.
Which one should I use?
Everyone’s skin has different characteristics that may require different products or active ingredients to maximize their skincare routine. Someone trying to fight against excess oil would require a different strategy than someone with dry skin.
Your individual skin type is the main factor when it comes to choosing between using a cleanser vs face wash. For the best personal results, schedule an appointment with a dermatologist.
It is important to follow the instructions on the label to make sure you use the product the way it was intended. Make sure you don’t leave face wash or cleanser on your skin for too long and always monitor your skin for irritations or tightness when adding new products to your routine.
Dry skin
Using a facial cleanser can help protect the skin’s natural barrier more than face washes while adding moisture to the skin.
Avoid products that contain alcohol and instead look for hydrating ingredients like glycerin or hyaluronic acid. Milk and cream cleansers can be much more hydrating for the skin than a foaming cleanser.
Sensitive skin
Look for face cleansers that are gentle and promote moisturizing with ingredients like hyaluronic acid, lavender, ceramides, and vitamin B. Fragrance free and creamy formulas can help protect the skin barrier for sensitive skin types.
Face washes can be harsh on sensitive skin. If you do choose a face wash, be aware of the ingredients and monitor your skin to make sure you’re not stripping away essential oils. Try to find a creamy formula as opposed to a foaming face wash.
Oily skin
Oily skin can be treated with both a face wash and cleanser if necessary to help combat against excess oil and reach clogged pores. A foaming face wash is a good choice to properly manage this skin type.
Look for cleansers that remove excess oils and help to control sebum production without damaging the natural skin barrier. Foaming cleansers with ingredients like hyaluronic acid, salicylic acid, and ceramides are popular among those with oily skin.
Products with benzoyl peroxide are good if you are looking to protect against acne prone skin. Be sure to find a gentle formula that removes excess oil but hydrates and exfoliates the skin.
Combination skin
Both cleansers and face washes can be used depending on your skins needs. A gentle foaming face wash can be used to remove dead skin cells, dirt, grime, and reach parts of the face that produces excess oil.
Cleansers that are oil free, fragrance free, and are non-comedogenic can work best for those areas of the face that are dry. Ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, peptides, and lactic acid will help keep your face hydrated.