How to choose a cleanser. How to choose a good cleanser Selecting the right cleanser for your skin type

Cleansing is one of the main stages of skin care. If you choose the wrong cleanser or do not follow the rules of the procedure, the skin may respond with irritation, excessive oiliness or, conversely, dryness and flaking. To avoid this, study our educational program on cleansing products in the form of popular myths.

The composition of the cleanser is very important

Skin care device Clarisonic mia2; refreshing gel-foam cleanser Clarisonic; cleansing enzyme powder Babor; two-stage facial peeling Steblanc.

On this topic

IS IT TRUE. Carefully study the composition of any product that you are going to apply to your skin. This also applies to cleansing cosmetics. Pay attention to components such as sulfates, alcohol, parabens, fragrances and dyes. If they are listed first, return the jar of product back to the store shelf. The more natural ingredients in the composition of the product, the better. But if you have sensitive skin, look for the “hypoallergenic” mark on the packaging or purchase the cleanser at the pharmacy in the cosmeceuticals department.

Cleansers are great for removing makeup too.

NOT TRUE. Have you noticed that if you immediately wash your face with a cleanser, then there are still stains from mascara and foundation on the towel? And all because no one, even a super-effective cleanser, can dissolve sweat, dirt and makeup at once. With the help of water and a cleanser, you will simply smear all this beauty on the skin, and as a result, clog the pores and cause inflammation. Makeup remover products have been created to remove decorative cosmetics. They will gently dissolve even stubborn mascara and lipstick. And the cleanser will then clean up their remains and dissolve dirt and sweat. Take the example of the Japanese: they have elevated cleansing to the rank of a ritual and use several cosmetics for skin. Hence their vaunted smooth and perfect skin.

NOT TRUE. Cosmetologists are categorical: you need to cleanse your skin twice a day! In the morning you need to wash your face with foam or gel, and in the evening, carry out the cleansing procedure according to all the rules: first remove makeup, then wash. Even if you stayed at home all day and didn’t apply a drop of decorative cosmetics to your skin!

Experts explain the need for cleansing by the fact that our skin works around the clock and brings up a lot of unnecessary things to the surface of the epidermis. Help her, cleanse her with a mild agent and allow her to breathe and work at half strength.

Toilet soap cleanses the skin best

NOT TRUE. Any soap, even a quarter consisting of moisturizing cream, contains alkali. And alkali instantly dries the skin and deprives it of the important hydrolipidic barrier that protects it. Moreover, toilet soap creates an invisible film on the surface of the skin, which prevents nutrients from creams and serums from reaching the skin.

True, this only applies to ordinary toilet soap. If you love the feeling of a squeak on your skin, choose a quality product from trusted beauty brands: they guarantee that their soap contains no alkali, and the product cleanses the skin effectively, but delicately.

Gommage products are ideal daily cleansers for oily skin

Intelligent micellar water Elemis; moisturizing cleansing gel AnsaLigy for Tina Kandelaki; cleansing toner Swisso Logical; cleansing gel foam Oriflame.

NOT TRUE. Daily exfoliating treatments are not only useless for oily skin, but even dangerous! Every day, removing a layer of dead cells, you also remove the skin’s protection - its hydrolipid layer. This makes oily skin even oilier: it shines more because it is trying to protect itself. Yes, oily skin looks rougher than dry or sensitive skin. But it no less needs careful care, so cleansing foams and gels are the best option.

The best cleansing is without water

NOT TRUE. Waterless washing, which was fashionable a few years ago, led to many girls complaining of excess sebum production, acne and clogged pores. And all because after such cleansing, the same products remain on the skin, plus makeup and impurities that have not been completely removed.

There is only one way out - wash everything off with water. Even after using micellar water, cosmetologists advise rinsing your face with water at room temperature and leaving waterless cleansing for emergencies.

Extra-soft cleansing foam Clinique; cream-scrub that renews the skin, VICHY; micellar mousse foam PAYOT; cleansing foam Dr. Brandt.

The cleanser must be suitable for the skin

IS IT TRUE. Choose a cleanser strictly according to your skin condition. Oily and problematic skin will rejoice in refreshing gels and foams; dry skin will benefit from cream or oil cleanser, and aging skin will be transformed by using milk.

The face is the most open, therefore the most vulnerable part of the human body. That is why we pay so much attention to caring for this area, we try to keep the skin in the best condition, we use protective, cleansing and healthy-looking products. Usually, a washing gel is selected empirically, but we decided to help you a little. In the ranking best gels for washing are the most represented effective means For different types facial skin, providing high-quality cleansing of the epidermis and gentle care.

Gels as opposed to foams, creams, lotions, etc. have a gel-like consistency. They foam easily in wet palms or using a mesh. The effectiveness of the product depends on how well the manufacturer has selected a “cocktail” of surfactants (cleaners) and additional caring components (oils, fruit acids, plant extracts, etc.). It is also important how well the composition of the wash matches your skin type.

The best manufacturers of washing gels

Cleansing gel is a basic care product that is found in most facial care series of various brands. Conventionally, three groups of gels can be distinguished:

Pharmacy. The most popular are products from the brands Vichy, Avene, La Roche-Posay, Bioderma, Uriage, CeraVe. As a rule, they are dermatologically tested, hypoallergenic, fragrance-free, and often have not only a cosmetic, but also a therapeutic effect. The prices for such products are high, but the result lives up to expectations. If your skin has pronounced problems, welcome to the pharmacy.

Professional. Representatives of salon cosmetics can cause both delight and disappointment, since they are not cheap, and their effectiveness is not always the best. However, several brands caught our attention: Christina, Janssen, Holy Land - reviews of gels for washing these forms are mostly positive. Korean washing gels occupy a special niche (in our rating this is the COSRX brand) - they are invariably praised for their high quality and reasonable price.

Mass market. In this category, the range of washing gels is large, as is the price range. There are many domestic and foreign brands represented, choosing from which is not an easy task. Let’s just say that gels from the “mass market” category may well suit the skin without significant problems. Even budget washbasins do their main task well. You just need to make sure that they do not dry out the epidermis.

In everyday skin care there are basic preparations that you cannot do without. For example, a frequently discussed topic on forums or regular conversations “between us girls” is how to choose a cleanser? In everyday life, it is also simply called “washer”, and experts use the term “liquid synthetic soap”.

Indeed, the market today is oversaturated with washbasins and the choice is sometimes quite difficult. Moreover, this applies to both mass-market or luxury cosmetics, and professional means. For example, Christina has gels for professional and home use there are about a dozen names! And our task is to help you choose a product that is suitable specifically for your skin.

Gels for daily cleansing

They can (and should) be used regularly morning and evening and are suitable for normal, dry and sensitive skin.

Gels for daily use allow you to gently wash away dirt, grease and decorative cosmetics, providing maximum surface cleansing of the skin and ideal conditions for penetration active ingredients serum or cream. With their help, you can cleanse the face, neck and décolleté, and also treat the orbital area without disturbing the natural balance of the skin.

It is enough to apply not a large number of(1 ml) onto moisturized facial skin, massage and rinse with warm water.

Special means

These gels are used for oily, combination and problem skin– with rashes, spots after inflammatory elements and sun damage.

« Business card"such gels are composed of AHA acids, which have a gentle effect on the epidermis, helping to loosen the stratum corneum and stimulate the skin.

Such products are usually used in the evenings 1-2 times a week - as a step in cleansing the skin at home. cosmetic care– or if you have a peeling procedure, then a week before it. Apply 1 ml of gel to the entire face, with the exception of the orbital zone, and wash off with warm water.

Gels for skin with signs of aging

With age, the skin begins to gradually lose its natural strength - it becomes thinner, loses moisture, and its metabolic processes slow down. Therefore, the requirements for cleaning products for aging skin special.

They should have a soft formula and not only gently remove dirt, residues sebum and decorative cosmetics, but also moisturize the skin, stimulate metabolism and have soothing properties.

Two products from Christina have such capabilities - and.

All other beauty products in your routine are optional, that is, they can be used or not depending on the condition of the skin at the moment.

As you can see, the very first, and also the main, stage in facial skin care is cleansing. The right cleanser should not dry out the skin, disrupting its lipid balance. That's why it's so important to choose a product based on your skin type. We'll tell you how to do this.

Oily skin

Indicators: large, enlarged pores and an oily sheen that appears within an hour after washing.

What to look for: A sebum-controlling cleanser that penetrates deep into pores to cleanse them. The most effective are with charcoal or citrus extracts, tea tree and lavender. Such products help regulate skin oil production without leaving your face feeling dry. A formula that helps balance your pH will also slow down the growth of bacteria and help prevent acne.

Dry skin

Indicators: the skin often itches and flakes. As a rule, it is “dense”, without visible pores, and you often feel a feeling of tightness.

What to look for: cleanser that washes away dirt and excess oil, removes makeup without removing natural oils completely. Moisturizing face wash formulas often contain glycerin or essential oils. Look for funds for natural basis, if possible without sulfates. The latter should be labeled "Soap-Free". It is better to choose gels or foams with a light texture; hydrophilic oils are also suitable.

Sensitive skin

Indicators: the skin is often red, especially after washing, peeling, or after temperature changes. Prone to irritation.

What to look for: facial cleansers with thick, “creamy” formulas. Soothing milks or foams with ingredients such as aloe vera, willow and witch hazel bark, and grapefruit extract (yes, it is suitable for sensitive skin too). Balancing your skin's pH is also important, as your skin may become dry or irritated when its pH drops 1 point. If possible, avoid highly dry foods. Usually, such “washers” foam a lot. Milk and gentle gel are ideal.

We have known since childhood that we need to wash ourselves in the morning and evening. If in childhood washing your face seemed like an incomprehensible and routine ritual, then with age it becomes a pleasant habit. Our skin is covered with a thin film - the first skin barrier, which is otherwise called the water-lipid mantle. It consists of the secretions of the sebaceous and sweat glands and dead skin particles. This layer prevents excess moisture evaporation and is a natural protection against bacteria. It would seem that from all this it follows that oil on the skin is good, and washing is bad. However, this is not quite true. This layer quickly becomes contaminated with dust and harmful fumes that teem with city air, which is why the skin needs regular hygiene.

With age, regular washing becomes especially important, since women increasingly have to use caring cosmetics that nourish the skin, replenish the lack of fluid and help cope with age-related changes. Dust, mixed with fat, clogs pores and interferes with the action of caring components, so washing is simply necessary.

What to wash your face with?

Plain tap water is not suitable for washing - it is hard and dries out the skin. You can wash your face with filtered water, but it is troublesome and expensive. There are also washing products - they will soften the water and cleanse the skin of dirt, grease and cosmetic residues. The effect is definitely worth it - regularly cleansed skin looks fresh and healthy and absorbs nutrients from the care products well. The main thing is to choose a product that is right for you.

There is a popular myth that laundry soap — good remedy for washing face and body. Arguments, as a rule, boil down to the fact that this is a traditional remedy, rich in fatty acids, which our grandfathers and grandmothers used and at the same time had good skin. Supporters of this theory do not attach importance to the difference in the environmental situation and the health of people of that time, and they did not see how many people there were with acne on their faces. Yes, it cannot be denied that there are people with very healthy skin for whom almost any cleanser is suitable, but most often it does more harm than good. Increased alkalinity dries the skin and creates a favorable environment for the development of bacteria that cause acne. Modern cleansers are more acidic, “adjusted” to the acidity (pH) of our skin, and additional additives make it possible to create a product suitable for any skin type.

How to choose a cleanser

Product-test experts will help you figure out how to choose a product that suits your skin type.

— If you have oily skin, you should give preference to gel cleansers. Gels for oily skin typically contain ingredients that help regulate sebum production, relieve inflammation, thoroughly cleanse pores and reduce acne. These can be salicylic acid, clay, tea tree extract (as in The Body Shop Tea Tree), charcoal (for example, Garnier "Clean Skin Active"), menthol, essential oil lavender, olive oil, grape seed oil, rosemary, gamamelis, lemon extract, raspberry and others.

— For dry and dehydrated skin, you can choose milk, cream or emulsion for washing. In such products for dry skin, a large amount of softening and moisturizing components and natural oils are most often added so that it combines soap and cream. In such products you should look for sorbitol, propylene glycol, aloe, raspberries, lingonberries, cranberries, cocoa, vitamin E and D, kernel oils and glycerin, such as in Mary Kay Botanical Effects.

— For sensitive skin, choosing a cleanser is more difficult. As a rule, such products are marked “dermatologically tested” and “hypoallergenic”. Also, those with sensitive skin can purchase hypoallergenic products from pharmacy series. They should contain soothing substances, such as chamomile, rose, allantoin, as in. What should not be in the composition of such products are irritating fragrances: linalol, limonene, geraniol, hexylcinnamal, butylphenyl methylpropional.

— Various products are suitable for normal skin, including in the form of gel, foam and cream. They may contain argan, peach, apricot, olive, grape seed oil, white and green tea and antioxidants. This will help keep your skin in good condition.

— Foams and mousses are suitable for any skin type; the composition can be formulated taking into account the characteristics of dry, oily and normal skin.

— For aging skin, white and green tea, vitamins E and C, wheat germ oil and retinol are added to the composition. Of course, care for such skin is not based solely on cleansers, but it will be a good addition to your care products.

How to wash your face properly

In order to make washing effective, safe and prepare the skin for subsequent procedures, you should follow several simple rules:

— Before cleansing your face, you should make sure your hands are clean. Dirty hands can infect the skin.

— Before water procedures, you need to clean your face of cosmetics with makeup remover products. This is necessary because modern cosmetics are difficult to completely remove by simply washing. And this is especially true for waterproof products and BB creams.

- Use warm water to wash your face. Hot water may cause excess fat production.

— In order to dry your skin, you don’t have to rub it with a towel—it’s better to just gently blot away excess moisture. If you have sensitive skin prone to inflammation and acne, the best option will use soft disposables paper towels- this way you can ensure clean skin.

— You should wash your face with cleansers in the morning and evening. In the morning it is necessary to wash off the products of the sebaceous and sweat glands and dead cells, and in the evening it is important to do double cleansing: remove makeup and wash.

Double cleansing

In Japan, double cleansing is a common ritual. It is distinguished from European double washing only by the products used.

So, to remove makeup, Japanese women use hydrophilic oil instead of the usual products. Due to its composition, hydrophilic oil, when in contact with water, turns into an emulsion that is easily washed off along with the remnants of cosmetics. Such oils are also available to us: you can purchase authentic ones from Japanese companies or choose a cleanser cosmetic oil in a store or pharmacy.

The next stage is cleansing the skin of residual cosmetics, dust and grease and unclogging pores. For this, the Japanese use special foams. Using a special nylon mesh, they use a cleanser to make the most delicate ball from foam, then with careful movements, practically without touching the skin with your hands, cleanse your face. This method not only allows you to gently and gently cleanse the skin, but also turns routine washing into a pleasant procedure.

This is also available to us even without special devices. A large, strong lather can be created using a small nylon washcloth, sponge, or shaving brush that men use to shave. You can use your regular cleanser as a base, as long as it foams well. If you get too thin foam, you need to reduce the amount of water you apply to the washcloth.