Face Cleansers & Face Wash

A facial cleanser is a skincare product designed to effectively remove impurities such as dirt, makeup, dead skin cells, and excess oil from the skin, without compromising the skin's protective moisture barrier. Facial cleansers can be formulated to address different skin concerns and skin types.

Facial cleansers come in a range of textures, types, and formulas to suit different skin types and address different concerns. The main types of facial cleansers include:

• Water-based cleansers: These facial cleansers lift away water-soluble impurities, like sweat and dirt, without clogging pores, making them an ideal choice for oily skin.
• Oil cleansers: Oil cleansers are a gentle face wash option that removes oil-based products and impurities, without compromising the skin's moisture barrier. They can also provide skin hydration, making them ideal for dry skin. Oil cleansers are also a suitable option if you want to double cleanse the skin.
• Foaming cleansers: Ideal for deep cleansing, foaming cleansers effectively remove excess sebum, impurities, and dirt, penetrating deeper into the pores for a more effective cleanse.
• Gel cleansers: Gel cleansers offer a lighter cleanse than foaming cleansers. A cleansing gel usually has a thicker texture that won't lather as much, for a gentle yet effective cleanse.
• Purifying/exfoliating cleansers: Formulated to exfoliate and promote smoother skin, exfoliating cleansers contain hydroxy acids to dissolve the bonds between dead skin cells, helping to unclog pores, reduce breakouts and smooth out dry patches.
• Micellar water cleansers: Formulated with tiny cleansing molecules called "micelles," micellar water cleansers remove impurities and makeup to leave the skin clean and refreshed.

To use a face cleanser, begin by rinsing your face with lukewarm water. Dispense about a coin-sized amount of your chosen cleanser or face wash, ensuring it's appropriate for your skin type. Gently massage the cleanser onto damp skin using circular motions to create a lather. Continue massaging into the skin for around 30 seconds to thoroughly cleanse. Rinse your face with lukewarm water and gently pat dry with a soft towel, avoiding any tugging or pulling of the skin.

While a facial cleanser is an essential step in your routine, there are some mistakes you should avoid to prevent an ineffective clean and irritation.

• Using the wrong cleanser for your skin type: Cleansers designed for oily or blemish-prone skin can be too harsh on dry or sensitive skin, and a cream cleanser suited to dry skin might exacerbate oily skin concerns and trigger breakouts. Be sure to choose a cleanser formulated for your skin type.
• Using too hot or too cold water: Washing with hot water can strip the skin of its natural oils and cause irritation, and too-cold water might not effectively open pores to remove makeup and dirt. For the best cleanse, always wash with lukewarm water.
• Cleansing too often: If you wash your face too much you can compromise the skin's protective moisture barrier, leaving the skin more vulnerable to environmental aggressors and UV damage. Limit cleanser to twice a day, morning and night.
• Not cleansing enough: Skipping cleanser can lead to a buildup of dirt, grime, and oil that can clog pores and trigger breakouts. Never skip your cleanser, morning or night!
• Not rinsing thoroughly: Leaving traces of cleanser on the skin can cause irritation and dryness. Ensure you rinse your face thoroughly with lukewarm water until all traces of the cleanser are gone.
• Rubbing or tugging the skin: Aggressively rubbing the skin can cause irritation and micro-tears. The facial skin is delicate, so always wash with gentle, circular motions, before patting dry with a clean face towel.
• Using harsh or abrasive cleansers: Cleansers containing harsh ingredients, like sulfates or alcohol, can strip the skin of its natural oils and affect pH balance. Opt for gentle, pH-balanced cleansers formulated for your skin type.
• Ignoring the neck and décolletage: These areas are often neglected but are just as susceptible to aging and environmental damage as the face.
• Not following up with a moisturiser: Cleansing can temporarily disrupt the skin's moisture barrier, so always follow your routine with a moisturiser to restore hydration.
• Using dirty hands: Dirty hands can transfer dirt and impurities onto your face, making your wash ineffective.

La Roche-Posay's cleansers are formulated using premium skincare practices to ensure suitability for every skin concern. La Roche-Posay ingredients include:

• Phylobioma active: To target the overproduction of sebum to reduce breakouts and visibly correct imperfections.
• Melasyl: Targets the root cause of discolouration, visibly reducing the appearance of dark spots.
• Niacinamide: Comforts the skin and supports a stronger moisture barrier to protect against pollution and environmental aggressors.
• LHA: A micro-exfoliating ingredient that removes dead skin cells that clog pores and lead to breakouts.
• Salicylic acid: A beta hydroxy acid that deeply purifies the skin to clear imperfections and unclog pores.
• Glycerin: Powerful hydrating ingredient that relieves dryness and irritation.
• Thermal Mineral Water: Contains mineral salts and trace elements, providing antioxidant and skin-soothing properties for softer, more resilient skin.

Like many skincare products, face washes and cleansers work best when they are personalized to your individual needs. When choosing the right cleanser for your skin type, it is important to look at the ingredients used to formulate the face wash that complement your skin type and concerns. Here's what we recommend for the different skin types:

• Dry and sensitive skin: should use a gentle, fragrance-free formula that doesn’t irritate the skin or disrupt its moisture barrier. Gentle cream cleansers are suitable for dry skin as they wash away impurities while keeping the skin hydrated. We recommend like the Toleriane Gentle Cream Dermo-Cleanser.
• Oily skin and blemish-prone skin: types should opt for a cleansing gel that helps reduce excess sebum in the skin and unclog pores for brighter, smoother skin. The Effaclar Micro-Peeling Purifying Gel Cleanser is a great option for targeting blemishes, post-blemish marks and skin congestion.
• Combination skin: Combination skin needs a cleanser that balances oil control and hydration. Look for a pH-balanced, non-comedogenic formula that effectively cleanses without over-drying. Gel cleansers, like the Effaclar Foaming Gel Cleanser, are often a good choice, but gentle foaming or cream cleansers can also work.

For those wanting a deeper cleanse, incorporating a double cleanse to your nightly or daily routine can be particularly beneficial for removing makeup, grime, excess oil and sweat, for smooth, clean skin.

The terms face wash and face cleanser are used interchangeably, and there is no universal distinction between the two. A face wash may sometimes refer to a water-based formula that's more ideal for oily skin, but there aren't any key differences that separate a cleanser from a face wash.

Yes, cleansing is an essential part of your daily routine. Your skin is exposed to different environmental elements like dirt, sun, dust, sweat, and excess sebum that can lead to unwanted build-ups and breakouts. Cleansing removes unwanted impurities and preps the skin for the rest of your skincare products.

Cleansing is an important step in both a morning and evening skincare routine, especially for removing make-up and debris. It is the first step in a skincare routine as it removes unwanted impurities and creates a blank canvas on the face for the rest of your skincare products. Without cleansing, serums and other skincare products might not absorb as effectively.

You shouldn't use a cleanser without a moisturiser. Cleanser and moisturiser are the two most essential skincare products in any routine, no matter your skin type. Cleansing can temporarily disrupt the skin's moisture barrier, and moisturiser is necessary for restoring moisture and hydration.