Washing your face is an essential step to any skin care routine. Like the other non-negotiables — serums, moisturizers, eye creams — cleansers come in a variety of formulations targeted for different skin types and needs. At the bottom line, whatever face wash you choose should effectively clear the skin of makeup, dirt and other external factors like pollution, which can clog pores, irritate the skin and lead to breakouts.

To find the best cleanser, you’ll want to consider your skin type, goals and daily habits. These factors affect how often you should wash your face and what type of formula might be ideal. Ahead, we speak to three skin care experts about how to incorporate cleanser into your regimen, as well as the top cleansers for dry, sensitive, acne-prone and oily skin types.

How often should you use cleanser?

“Cleanser should be used at least once a day,” says Amy Peterson, medical aesthetician and founder of Miami medspa Skincare by Amy Peterson. “I typically recommend washing at night in order to remove the makeup, sunscreen, oil and dirt that your face was exposed to throughout the day.”

Some may also want to cleanse in the morning, which is an added step that Dr. Loretta Ciraldo, board-certified dermatologist and founder of the Dr. Loretta skin care line actually recommends for all skin types. “Some people fear that washing twice a day can dry their skin, but if this happens it is a signal that you are not using the right cleanser for your skin type or the water that you are using for your cleansing (for example, hard water),” Ciraldo says.

“Many other factors can affect how often you should cleanse your face, such as the time of day you work out, what active ingredients you are using at night and whether you live in a hot, humid environment or a cold, dry environment,” Peterson adds.

Using a different cleanser in the morning than you do at night, or rotating a few different face washes in your routine, may also benefit your skin. With numerous types of face washes — gels, creams, balms, oils, cleansing bars and more — you can tailor it to your needs.

Gels are typically suitable for all skin types, while those with dry skin may want to opt for a cream or balm cleanser. “Creams and balms are good for [people] with very dry, flaky skin or if you live in an area with high calcium content in the water, referred to as ‘hard water,’” Ciraldo says. “If you have hard water in your home and your skin is flaky, you should consider a creamy cleanser because it can be [wiped off] without needing water.”

Double-cleansing — washing your face once with an oil-based cleanser, then again with a water-based cleanser — has become commonplace, too. But it’s important to remember that oil-based cleansers shouldn’t be used alone. “Oil cleansers are typically a pre-cleanse used to remove makeup,” explains Jessica Houston, lead esthetician and VP of operations at Beautybeez. “These types of cleansers should not be used as your daily cleanser.”

Ciraldo agrees, also noting that “since oil and water do not mix, oil cleansers can leave a film on your skin even after you wash off.” She suggests those worried about stripping the skin try a creamy cleanser or hydrating gel cleanser instead.

To further help you choose the best cleanser, the three skin experts picked 20 of their favorite face washes for each skin type.

Read the full article - Click Here

20 best cleansers for every skin type, according to skin care experts

How often should you use cleanser?