Cleansers combine detergents to remove dirt and oil from your skin, with nutrients and moisturizing ingredients to leave your skin soft and smooth. There are limitless options of facial cleansers on the market in hundreds of formulas, and it can be overwhelming choose a cleanser that will work for your skin. Large classes of cleansers are generally geared toward specific skin types; knowing your skin type will help you select the best products.
Cream Cleanser
Cream cleansers are generally formulated to contain lower concentrations of detergents and higher concentrations of moisturizing ingredients, so cream cleansers work best for dry skin. Some products are so moisturizing they do not need to be rinsed off, and wiping off excess cleanser with a tissue is all that is required to cleanse the skin. In general, the thicker the cream cleanser, the more moisturizing it is, and the better it is for dry skin.
Gel Cleanser
Gel cleansers are formulated for dry, normal, oily, combination or sensitive skin types. Although gentle gel cleansers may be suitable for dry skin types, they are not as moisturizing as cream cleansers. In general, when shopping for cleansers and look at the list of ingredients: a good cleanser only requires a few ingredients, and those with a long list of ingredients likely have unneeded additives. Choose a simple, gentle formula targeted to your skin type.
Medicated Cleanser
Medicated cleansers are often used by those with acne-prone skin. There are two common types of medicated cleansers–those containing benzoyl peroxide and those containing salicylic acid. Benzoyl peroxide cleans deep into the skin and releases oxygen that kills the bacteria responsible for acne. Salicylic acid treats acne by helping remove excess skin cells that cause clogged pores, and constricting pore diameter to prevent future pore clogs. When choosing a medicated cleanser, select a product with a low concentration of medication, as both salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide can dry and irritate your skin at high doses.
