The Best Cleanser for Your Skin Type

Cleansing is the first step to any basic skincare routine. And your skincare solution to dealing with a variety of issues. 

Choosing the right type of cleanser according to your skin type and concern can be difficult, as there are several different types to choose from. 

If you pick the wrong one, you can create further problems to the ones you are already trying to fix. It’s important to choose the right cleanser suitable not just your skin type, but your skin concern as well as the climate you are in.

You may have heard you are supposed to double cleanse. Well, not only should you be cleansing twice, you should also be changing your cleanser depending on the condition of your skin. 

If your skin has breakouts, you need to use a cleanser which focuses on balancing oil control to clear and heal any blemishes. If your skin is uber dry, then you need to switch up your cleanser for something creamy which will provide nourishment as it cleanses. 

You skin is ever changing. It’s the largest organ in the body after all. Sometimes it can be too oily, or not oily enough. Then there are breakouts, inflammation, tired skin, and even dark circles. 

But any skin issues can be quickly resolved simply by switching up your cleanser weekly, even daily for some, to help you manage your skin type and concern.

As a fellow skin care lover, product hoarding is a problem I’ll admit to having. Especially when it comes to cleansers. 

Full transparency here, I have seven different types of cleansers. And each one serves a purpose for different days of the week when my skin is feeling flat, dry, too oily, dealing with breakouts, or needs renewing.

Though I do favour a daily all-rounder cleanser by Innisfree, which is their Green Tea Foam Cleanser RRP $15 which is designed to control and balance my combination skin including an oily t-zone and dry outer regions, breakouts and clogged pores. 

For the days when my skin needs a little more expert care, such a deep pore cleanse, or perhaps an inflammation control when breakouts are red, sore and a little out of control, I ditch my everyday cleanser and reach for a product which will help me manage my concerns better. 

There are two things you should consider when it comes to deciding what cleanser is best for your skin type and concern. 1. What star ingredients do you need to help with your concern? And 2. What actives do you need to help you manage your skin?

Let’s take acne for example. 

Products which include the added benefits of salicylic acid, a personal favourite ingredient for fighting acne and blemishes, would be beneficial for your skin, as the active ingredients help to control active breakouts and even may prevent any new spots brewing below the surface.

However, on days where skin is clear and balanced, it’s best to steer clear of these cleansers, opting for something softer with the added benefits of antioxidants like vitamin C to help keep skin hydrated and balanced when it’s looking at its finest – don’t we love those days.

Below is a carefully curated skin type and skin concern guide to help you understand what cleanser is best to help you manage your skin better.

Oily Skin:

For oily skin types, you should seek out cleansers which are non-foaming with a gel texture. The gel formulation will strip just the right amount of excess oil from the surface of the skin, without removing the good oils needed to keep skin glowing and healthy. If a gel cleanser foams up, it will strip all the natural goodness your skin already produces, which can result in further complications. Gel cleansers containing natural enzymes will help to control excess oil production in the skin.

Combination Skin:

Milk or cream-based cleansers are best for combination skin, as they help to maintain balance around the face, where the surface is a combination of both oily and dry. Such cleansers will nourish the dry areas around the edge of the face, whilst helping to control excess oils produced on the t-zone of the face. Cleansers containing antioxidants such as green tea and even lavender are well known for helping balance combination skin types.

Dry Skin:

When your skin is dry, cream-based cleansers are best, as they are designed to nourish and hydrate the skin, much like a body moisturiser works on the body, when skin is dry and flaky. A cream cleanser will help balance the skin by removing dirt and grime without stripping the skin of its oils, keeping skin soft and glowing with a nice texture. Cleansers with ingredients like vitamin A and E and C are great for boosting natural hydration of the skin.

Sensitive Skin:

For sensitive skin types, it’s important to take care with what sorts of ingredients are inside the cleanser. Products containing salicylic acid, glycolic, rich doses of vitamin C and other active ingredients may cause skin irritation and inflammation. Look for cleaners with aloe vera or shea butter as the main ingredients which will help protect the skin. Keep to using low foaming or milky cleansers to protect the layer of the skin and oils which will reduce any inflammation and irritation. 

Acne and Blemish skin:

Most skin types prone to acne and breakouts lean towards either combination or oily skin types. Cleansers which contain a glycolic or enzyme designed to kill bacteria, clear dead skin cells and unclog pores, will assist in a faster heal time for blemishes and may even help prevent them as well. However, if your skin is sensitive use a softer cleanser designed to reduce inflammation, whilst killing bacteria on the skin surface and deep in the pores. Keep to cleansers that use a natural based enzyme like pumpkin, cinnammon or pineapple for a natural deep cleanse of bacteria.

Flat and Dull Skin:

Skin which looks dull and flat is often the result of not being nourished enough. Using a cleanser loaded with moisture boosting ingredients, designed to help retain good fluid in the skin to keep it plump and glowing, with good skin colour and tone is key to renewing dull and flat looking skin. Look for cleansers which contain ingredients like hyaluronic acid, Kakadu plum or vitamin A and E and shea butter.