The Best Cleansers, Types of Cleansers & Double Cleansing
Face washing is an often overlooked but crucially important step in every skin care routine - cleansers remove the dirt, gime, bacteria and various pollutants our skin picks up throughout the day, and can add much-needed moisture to dry skin. As the seasons or our environments change, so too can our cleansers, as our lead esthetician Monica Dawidowicz explains. “I have at least five of them in my shower, and I am always tailoring what I use depending on what my skin needs.”
Whether they be balms, foams, polishes or gels, cleansers set the stage for every product that follows them, allowing serums to penetrate deeper and moisturizers to better hydrate clean, prepared skin. Below, a roundup of our favorite cleansers from most intense to most gentle:
Decree Deep Cleanse
The name of this cleanser, which is filled with bentonite and kaolin clays, acne-fighting sulfur, salicylic acid, and calming zinc oxide is fitting. “I would recommend this for someone with an oilier skin type who wants a really deep clean,” says Dawidowicz. “If you have more normal skin and want that squeaky clean feeling or if your skin is breaking out this can be used almost like a treatment.”
Nature of Things Clarifying Facial Polish
This scrub is customizable depending on how much water you add to the powder formula (the less water, the more intense the exfoliation). “Most people aren’t exfoliating enough because they are afraid to overdo it - this is a good option because it's gentle and only ever so slightly gritty,” reveals Dawidowicz. “Anyone dealing with texture issues, clogged pores, congestion, or just has flaky skin they want removed should have this in their cleansing arsenal. If you have drier skin you could always follow this with a creamy cleanser to add back in moisture.” (Check out Pai’s Middlemist Seven Hydrating Cleanser, below).
Ignae Daily Enzyme Cleanser
The enzymes and alpha hydroxy acids in this gel work as chemical exfoliants that Dawidowicz describes as gentle enough for daily use, though it can also be used as a light peel if left on skin for one minute before removing. The addition of vitamin E and helianthus annuus oil ensures that skin is refreshed and moisturized.
Irene Forte Lavender & Rosemary Foam Cleanser
Irene Forte’s gentle, non-drying foam uses algae, rosemary oil and lavender water to clear and soothe skin at the same time. Unlike some other cleansers that target acne, this does not leave skin tight and would be ideal for those with acneic, sensitive skin.
Pai Middlemist Seven Hydrating Cleanser
"This is a really thick cleanser and is definitely for dry skin that needs to be moisturized at every step in their routine,” says Dawidowicz. Camellia, rose, and geranium oils condition skin and have the added plus of their naturally calming scents. Removing this cream with a warm muslin cloth allows for gentle exfoliation and will minimize residue left behind.
Youth to the People Superberry Dream Cleansing Balm
The omega oils in this cleansing balm are paired with a trio of antioxidant-rich superberries (goji, maqui, and acai) that fight environmental aggressors skin encounters throughout the day. When applied onto dry skin, it dissolves makeup, sunscreen and grime. An additional cleanser can be used after as a double cleanse but it works beautifully on its own if a deep clean isn’t necessary.
Youth to the People Superberry Dream Cleansing Balm
