What Is Your Skin Cleanser Personality?

There are so many cleansers out there- soap, gels, oils, foams, creams, wipes that are disguised as cleansers. There are just clean my face and be done with it basic cleansers. There are cleansers that multi-task with some type of exfoliating grit wrapped in for “convenience.” There are treatment cleansers that pack a bang with ingredients like Glycolic or Lactic or Salicylic Acid.

What to use? When to use? How to use?

Let me just say that wipes, though convenient, are not to replace a cleanser. Think of wipes for emergency use only- like you went out partying, got into bed and realized that the martini you drank made you forget to wash your face. This is when you want a wipe by the side of your bed to the rescue. You get the point, right?

How to Decide Which Cleanser is Right for You

Now that we got that out of the way the first question I ask is:
Do you like your cleanser to have some lather or do you like it to be creamy?
In order for you to actually make the time to wash your face consistently, you should really love the vibe of your cleanser.
So I am going to break down some cleansers for you to help you find one that works for both your skin and your psychology.

Sudsy or Creamy?

This is Level 1 cleansing. Do you like sudsy or creamy?

BASIC, NO FRILLS, SUDSY CLEANSERS

• Special Cleansing Gel Dermalogica is great for Normal to oily or Normal to Dry skin also removes light makeup easily.
• Purifying Gel Cleanser by Glo is great for skin on the oily side or skin that needs a good occasional deep clean.

BASIC, NO FRILLS, CREAMY CLEANSERS

• Intensive Moisture Cleanser by Dermalogica is water soluble, very creamy cleanser that's great for Normal to Dry skin or Dry skin. It also removes light makeup with ease.

CLEANSERS WITH A LITTLE TREATMENT FOR DAILY USE

• Glo Phyto Active Cream Cleanser can be sudsy or creamy depending on the amount of water you use. This is a tightening cleanser so, although it is creamy, it can make your skin feel dry when really it is more tightening. It is not a great double duty cleanser, I have found that this needs some makeup removal ahead of time. I recommend Dermalogica Precleanse Oil or Oil to Foam for a product that does the trick easily.

HYDRABRIGHT AHA CLEANSER FOR DAILY USE

• Glo Hydra-Bright AHA Cleanser is a jam packed foamy cleanser that gives your skin brightness and clarity and also suds. This is our number one selling cleanser and a great way to introduce your skin to the benefits of Lactic acid without the commitment. You wash it off so you don’t get a large amount out of the gate. It is not a great double duty cleanser. I have found that this needs some makeup removal ahead of time. I recommend Dermalogica Precleanse Oil or Oil to Foam for a product that does the trick easily.

GLO BETA CLARITY CLEAR SKIN CLEANSER- TREATMENT CLEANSER

• Glo Beta Clarity Skin Cleanser is really for acne skin and skin with lots of breakout, however I like this product for an occasional wash for an occasional breakout.

GLYCOLIC CLEANSER- TREATMENT CLEANSER

• Glycolic Resurfacing Cleanser should only be used as a treatment cleanser once or twice a week. The great thing about Glycolic washes is that they offer a way to gently introduce your skin to the delights of Glycolic. This does not mean more is better. Glycolic is a great acid to refine and retexturize your skin, but less is more.

What Are Cleansing Oils and What Do They Do?

Oils have been all the rage for quite a few years. The theory is that oil melts oil so if you tend to be congested or clogged, cleansers that are oil based help to melt that clogging. On the flip side, if you tend to be on the dry side, oil helps to moisturize too, so it is basically a win-win for most skin types.
Oils are also great for makeup removal, especially the pesky waterproof mascara. But it's not good for those glam lashes, as it will break down the glue.
You can use an oil as a pre-cleanser to remove makeup or as your primary cleanser if you don’t want to have two different cleansers.

• Dermalogica Precleanse Oil has a refreshing light citrus aroma and does the trick.

What About Cleansers with Grit?

Some cleansers have some grit built in that is gentle enough to use daily. I wouldn’t recommend them to remove makeup though because you definitely want to avoid the eye area and not over rub the skin, so perhaps used the cleanser with grit option as a morning cleanser in the shower or as a step 2 after you remove makeup. These cleansers could also be used as a few times a week cleansers.

• Daily Polishing Cleanser by Glo has amino acids, salicylic and jojoba esters for brightening, lightening and gentle almost daily exfoliating. This cleanser gives a smooth vibe to the skin.
• Dermalogica Daily Milkfoliant is a gentle daily oatmeal based micro cleanser that leaves your skin feeling soothed, smoothed and refreshed.

I love to talk about exfoliation. I will cover that another time. To great cleansing!