Although cleansing seems like a basic task within your skin care routine, proper cleansing is arguably the most important step of an effective home care regime. Daily cleansing removes the grease, makeup and dirt that has accumulated on the surface of your skin throughout the day
With the extensive variety of cleansers available, it can be difficult to choose the cleanser which is best for your skin type.
There are four main types of cleansers to choose from:
- Gel cleansers
- Cream Cleansers
- Oil Cleansers
- Exfoliating Cleanser
Although you may love cleansers that foam and leave your skin feeling tight and squeaky clean, they are too harsh for your skin. AVOID using foaming cleansers that contain SLS - sodium lauryl sulfate or alcohol. In addition to being extremely drying and irritating to the skin, they strip your skin’s protective barrier (the outermost layer of your skin). Our skin needs natural oils for a healthy, radiant, glowing complexion.
A gel cleanser is a great transition product for foaming cleanser lovers. It will offer you a mild foaming without stripping your skin and is suitable for all skin types.
Our Favourite Gel Cleansers:
Eminence Clear Skin Probiotic Cleanser: for skin prone to breakouts. It purifies, heals and cools oily and problem skin.
Eminence Stone Crop Gel Wash: for all skin types. It hydrates, heals and evens out skin tone.
Eminence Eucalyptus Cleansing Concentrate: for sensitive, congested and reactive skin. Its antiseptic and antibacterial qualities help to cool and calm skin.
Laurel Support Cleanser - Cool Relief: This gel-like cleanser calms and soothes irritated and inflamed skin. It gently removes daily pollutants, excess oil and makeup while detoxifying congested or breakout-prone skin.
A cleansing milk or cream cleanser (no, they don't contain milk or cream) is ideal if your skin is mature, dehydrated or if you prefer a richer, creamier texture to your cleanser.
Our Favourite Cream Cleansers:
Eminence Calm Skin Chamomille Cleanser: a calming cream cleanser that is ideal for sensitive, rosacea skin prone to redness and inflammation.
Eminence Coconut Milk Cleanser: a rich cream cleanser that contains coconut milk to comfort and nourish dry, irritated or sunburned skin for a dewy, fresh finish
Laurel Effortless Cleanser - Radiant Glow: a combination of hydrosols and oils. This cream cleanser not only cleanses and softens the skin but also plumps, tones, refines and repairs the skin.
Eminence Firm Skin Acai Cleanser: rich in antioxidants and natural marshmallow root, it helps to firm and plump the skin while smoothing fine lines.
Oils are good for your skin. Cleansing with facial oils that contain natural plant oils will not cause you to break out or clog your pores. These oils balance oil in the skin and contain healing and nourishing properties. All oils are however not created equal. AVOID oil cleansers that contain Propylene Glycol, Paraffin, Mineral Oil, Butylene Glycol, Isopropyl Alcohol or Petrolatum which will clog pores, have no nourishing qualities and will lead to breakouts.
Our Favourite Oil Cleansers:
Josh Rosebrook Herbal Infusion Oil: a 3-in-1 herbal oil cleanser, make up remover + nourishing moisturizing treatment which balances oil production, cleans, firms, brightens and moisturizes the skin.
Province Apothecary Moisturizing Oil Cleanser: a cleanser and makeup remover that replenishes the skin's moisture barrier. This nut-free oil cleanser is ideal for all skin types including acne-prone.
Kahina Oil Cleanser: a healing and anti-inflammatory cleansing oil that contains Argan Oil to calm, soothe, cleanse and detoxify dry, sensitive and acne-prone skin.
Living Libations Seabuckthorn Best Skin Ever: a cleansing oil that heals, hydrates and calms skin. Ideal for all skin types including sensitive and acne-prone skin.
Eminence Stone Crop Cleansing Oil: a great cleansing oil for beginners. This light, non-greasy cleanser gently removes impurities and balances the skin while brightening the complexion.
A gentle exfoliating cleanser can be used daily for more congested skin however, we recommend using an exfoliation cleanser in conjunction with another cleanser to offer a gentle exfoliation.
Our Favourite Exfoliating Cleansers:
Kahina Facial Cleanser: a creamy cleanser that contains argan oil to hydrate the skin and papaya enzyme to gently exfoliate. Ideal for all skin types.
Eminence Citrus Exfoliating Wash: a gentle gel exfoliating cleanser that removes impurities and minimizes pores leaving skin feeling soft and fresh. Ideal for normal to oilier skin.
Eminence Monoi Age Corrective Exfoliating Cleanser: a rich cream exfoliating cleanser that contains a natural retinol alternative to lift and firm skin, minimize pore size and brighten the complexion. Ideal for mature, dehydrated skin.
Eminence Red Currant Exfoliating Cleanser: a gel exfoliating cleanser that hydrates, soothes and calms the skin while preventing breakouts.
Eminence Mangosteen Daily Resurfacing Cleanser: a milky-gel antioxidant-rich cleanser that sloughs off dead skin and removes buildup to refine skin tone while minimizing pores.
Ultimately, what is most important when choosing a cleanser is to enjoy the scent and texture of the cleanser so that you can truly enjoy your daily cleansing ritual. While it's a personal choice, it can become an acquired preference. Many who could never see themselves cleansing with oil would now never give up oil cleansing. So, have fun experimenting and listen to your skin, it will tell you what it likes.
Happy Cleansing!