Cleanse and Glow

BY CYNTHIA WAIRIMU

Last month we talked about the importance of not sleeping in Make-up. Let us now look at the different types of cleansers that can be used to properly remove make up as well as impurities, excess oils, sunscreen from your face.

Facial cleansers help the skin improve, renew, and heal while giving it a warm healthy radiance. It also allows for a good clean foundation for make-up and product application. Cleansers do not contain irritants such as alcohol, dyes and perfume.

Variety is the spice of life and that goes for our skins as well. We all don’t have the same skin type. Finding out what skin type yours is helps you pick a cleanser best suited for it.

“Cleansers are products we use to remove normal accumulation of dirt and oils, makeup, sunscreen, remains of pollution, and dead skin cells,” says Garnier consulting dermatologist Dr. Diane Madfes. “They aid in unclogging pores and exfoliation of the top skin cells. Their main role is to clean our skin without stripping the top layer.”

Cleansers come in many forms, “micellar waters, foaming gels, creams, balms, oils to wipes” says Dr. Madfes.  Here are a few of those.

Micellar Water

This cleanser originates from France and is quite popular. Micelles are tiny oil particles that are suspended on soft water. These particles attract dirt, oil, impurities, excess oils, dissolves them without stripping your skin of its necessities. This type of cleanser does not require rinsing.  Depending on the brand, there are those made for all skin types and others specific to either sensitive, dry, oily and combination skin types

Foaming/Gel Cleansers

These are ideal for oily and combination skin as they tend to be drying. A little of it goes a long way as it foams and covers your face effortlessly, and therefore pocket friendly as well.

Oil Cleansers

This might sound like a recipe for disaster, when you imagine what oil could do to your face in form of breakouts, but worry not. These types of cleansers are specially built for waterproof make up and sunscreen that proves difficult using a normal cleanser.

Bar Cleansers

It does your skin so much harm to use soap on it as most soaps contain drying agents that are not formulated for your face, stripping it of its essential oils, complexion, and radiance.  Bar Cleansers usually containing very little to no soap. Depending on the brand, they offer more skin friendly PH levels as well as highly moisturizing, and nutrient-rich ingredients like glycerin. They are ideal for oily and combination skin

Clay Cleansers

These are becoming quite popular and mostly come advertised under three functions: Scrub, Wash and Mask. They play the role of purifying your skin, and absorbing excess oil from the skin while ridding it of impurities. They are ideal for oily and combination skin

Cleansing Wipes/Mitts/Sponges

There is nothing like cleansing wipes on the go for convenience!  If you need a quick fix without the convenience of bathroom or water, all you need is to wipe and go, no rinsing required!

There are also other products specially formulated with special fiber such as muslin that thoroughly remove impurities while scraping off dead skin. These are ideal for oily and combination skin.

All in all, there are several types of cleaners, some that I have not shared here, that also work just as well.  Normal skin types have the liberty to use whatever cleanser there is as long as their skin can stand it. Your skin is an investment and it is important to figure out what works best for it. As a rule of thumb, your cleanser would rather be too gentle than too harsh.