Before we dive in, let’s clear up a common doubt—Is there a difference between a face wash and a cleanser? Well yeah, a face cleanser is said to be gentler than a face wash. But honestly, I feel that there’s not much of a difference between them. There are a variety of options in the skincare market now when it comes to choosing a cleanser or a face wash. There are also gentler face washes available in the market and that’s why they are not of great concern. In Conclusion, I just want to say that in this post I will be covering about types of Cleansers/ Face washes for different skin types, where the terms cleanser and face wash will be used interchangeably. This is based on my personal opinion and experience, and as always, skincare is personal—so go with what feels right for you!
What is a Cleanser/Face Wash?
A Cleanser is used as a first step in a skincare routine which helps in removing excess sebum, sweat, make-up, dirt and impurities from the skin that are caused by external factors like pollution, dust, sun exposure, etc. without stripping the skin of its natural oils. They are designed according to different skin types and that’s why it’s of crucial importance to choose a cleanser/face wash based on your skin type. For more clarity, you can see my recent post about different skin types, in case you missed it.
Using a cleanser according to your skin type maximizes the efficacy of the products you use after cleansing. For instance, if you have a dry skin and you use a creamy cleanser, it helps in keeping your skin hydrated and nourished and your skin feels softer after applying a moisturizer. But if you use a harsh soap and then apply moisturizer, your skin just feels normal and it’s just like you are first damaging your skin and then treating it and this process goes on every day without leading to betterment or progress in your skin condition.
When and How to Cleanse: AM vs PM Routine Explained
Choosing a cleanser/face wash based on your skin type and knowing when to use it is important to maintain an effective skincare routine.
Morning🌞: Use a gentle cleanser in your AM skincare routine as you are not exposed to external factors in the morning. It helps remove overnight oil, light sweat, and any leftover skincare products, preparing your skin for your daytime routine.
Night🌙: Double Cleansing is underrated and extremely effective. It deeply cleanses skin and pores, prevents acne breakouts. However, it’s one’s personal choice whether to follow it or not.
a) First Cleanse:
- For Oily, Acne-prone, Combination or Sensitive skin type – Use Micellar water
- For Dry, Normal, Combination or Sensitive skin type – Use Micellar cleansing oil or cleansing balms.
This is important to deep clean, prevent clogging of pores and remove the stubborn layer of make-up, sunscreen and dirt.
b) Second Cleanse:
- Follow up with a cleanser that suits your skin type and solves your targeted skin concerns.
You can also use only a single effective good face wash that deeply cleanses and skip double cleansing, i.e. the first cleanse if you don’t use makeup or stay outdoors much.
Types of Cleansers:
Cleansing is the foundation of any skincare routine. But with so many options out there, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. The truth is, the best cleanser for you depends entirely on your skin type. Using the wrong one can either strip your skin or leave it feeling greasy and clogged.
So, let’s break it down and find your perfect match!
Cleansers are of various types, namely:
1.Cream/Milk Cleansers:
🧴Best for: Dry to extremely dry skin, Sensitive Skin and Normal to Combination skin types.
💧Texture: Rich, lotion-like, thick and creamy, which is mildly foaming and cleanses without stripping the skin’s natural oils. They are great for the skin barrier.
🌿Key Ingredients: Glycerine, Ceramides, Fatty Acids, Peptides, Niacinamide, Hyaluronic Acid, Rice Water, Milk, Shea Butter, Oat Extracts, Vitamin E, Panthenol, Chamomile and Cucumber Extracts, Almond Oil, Jojoba Oil and Olive Oil, Etc.
2. Gel Cleansers:
🧴Best for: Oily Skin, Combination Skin, Acne-Prone Skin and Normal Skin.
💧Texture: Lightweight and Jelly-like that glides smoothly on skin. It foams well and is water-based which cleanses deeply, removing dirt, excess oil, sweat and even light make-up. They are not harsh on the skin and don’t strip the skin away of its natural oils.
🌿Key Ingredients: Niacinamide, Salicylic Acid, Tea Tree Oil, Zinc PCA, Witch Hazel, Green Tea Extracts, Centella Asiatica, Glycerine, Aloe Vera, Hyaluronic Acid, Panthenol and Allantoin, Etc.
3. Foaming Cleansers:
🧴Best for: Oily Skin, Acne-Prone Skin and Combination Skin.
💧Texture: Lightweight, Watery and Bubbly. Creates a frothy lather when applied with water. They cleanse, gently exfoliate and clean deep inside pores. They give that squeaky clean and refreshing feeling reducing excess sebum.
🌿Key Ingredients: Salicylic Acid, Benzyl Peroxide, Tea Tree, Witch Hazel, Niacinamide, Centella Asiatica, Clay, Charcoal, Glycerine, Aloe Vera, Allantoin, Panthenol, Etc.
4. Clay-based Cleansers:
🧴Best for: Oily Skin, Acne-Prone Skin, Combination Skin and Dull, Congested Skin.
💧Texture: Creamy, Mild to non-foaming. It draws out impurities, controls excess oil and gently exfoliates skin. It detoxifies the skin deeply.
🌿Key Ingredients: Kaolin Clay, Bentonite Clay, Fuller’s Earth, French Green Clay, Pink Clay, Charcoal, Lactic Acid, Niacinamide, Salicylic Acid, Witch Hazel, Glycerine, Aloe Vera, Allantoin, Panthenol, Etc.
5. Oil-Based Cleansers:
🧴Best for: Almost all skin types except Oily, Acne-prone skin as it might be comedogenic.
💧Texture: Oily and Jelly-like which foams well when mixed with water. It is exactly what it sounds like—a facial cleanser made primarily from oils.
🌿Key Ingredients: Sunflower Seed Oil, Jojoba Oil, Olive Oil, Grapeseed Oil, Sweet Almond Oil, Coconut Oil, Rice Bran Oil, Squalene, Vitamin E, Chamomile Extracts, Etc.
- Given below is an extra tip on the ingredients to look for in a cleanser to get that glow.
🌿Key Ingredients: Vitamin C, Niacinamide, Licorice extract, Turmeric extracts, Papaya or Pineapple enzymes, Hyaluronic acid, Rice water, Guava and watermelon enzymes, saffron extracts (Kumkumadhi), AHAs and retinol (only if prescribed).
How much Cleanser should you really use?
Now that you’ve identified your skin type and chosen the right type of cleanser, the next important step is using the right amount. This might sound like a small detail, but it can make a big difference in how effective your skincare routine is.
Using too little cleanser doesn’t thoroughly remove dirt, impurities, excess sebum, sweat, etc. This even clogs pores and reduces the efficacy of the products you apply afterwards as the products will not be able to penetrate deeper into the skin.
Using too much isn’t the solution either, it just leads to wastage of the product and also dries up and irritates your skin. Plus, you’ll run out of the product faster and buying it frequently might just be a hole in your pocket.
The solution to this question is using a dime or coin-sized amount if it’s a cream cleanser, gel cleanser, clay or oil-based cleanser and a single pump is enough for a foaming cleanser.
The Right Way to wash your face:
- Wash your hands: Before washing your face, make sure you wash your hands so the bacteria don’t transfer to your face.
- Apply cleanser on a damp face: Make your face damp or slightly wet before applying cleanser. So, the cleanser spreads smoothly and works effectively.
- Massage in circular motions: Take the required quantity depending on the type of cleanser you use and mix it well with water and massage it in circular motions on the face for at least 30 seconds to 60 seconds so your face is cleansed thoroughly.
If your face wash contains:
- Actives like AHAs (glycolic acid, lactic acid, mandelic acid, etc) or BHAs (salicylic acid, etc).
- Glow-giving ingredients like Vitamin C, Niacinamide, Licorice extract, Turmeric extracts, Papaya or Pineapple enzymes, Hyaluronic acid, Rice water, Guava and watermelon enzymes, saffron extracts (Kumkumadhi), etc.
Then, it is mandatory to let the face wash stay on your face for at least 60 seconds to 2 minutes or as per the instructions mentioned on the product.
Lastly, I would like to say that, Skincare isn’t one-size-fits-all. What works wonders for one person might not suit another—and that’s completely okay. Experiment a little, listen to your skin, and don’t fall into the trap of thinking more is better.
✨ Remember: cleansing is just the beginning—but it sets the tone for everything that follows.
Have you found your holy grail cleanser yet? Let me know in the comments—I’d love to hear what works for you! 💬💖