How many different cleansers have you tried over the years? Some left your skin glowing. Others might have left it feeling tight and stripped. Your skin knows what it likes—but do you know why?
Today, we’ll break down the ideal ingredients and textures to look for in a facial cleanser, plus a few cleansing tips and techniques. Last but not least, we’ll reveal the two styles of cleansers that every skin type loves.
The benefits of facial cleansing
Have you ever thought about how many times you touch your face in a day? One study showed an average of 23 times per hour! On top of that, your skin is constantly exposed to environmental stressors. So, between pollution, sweat, sebum, cosmetics, and a build-up of impurities, it goes through quite a bit.
That’s why the first step in your skincare routine is ever-important for a clear, vibrant, healthy complexion. But the benefits of an effective cleanser can go even further.
Here are a few more things that a good face cleanser can do:
- Help keep pores clean: Pores help bring natural oils to the surface of your skin, keeping it balanced and hydrated.
- Set the rest of your routine up for success: A clean canvas makes it easier for the products you apply after to do their job.
- Gently exfoliate: Cleansing helps to remove any dead skin cells hanging around, smoothing and softening skin’s texture overall.
- Support the skin barrier: Washing your face helps reinforce your skin’s natural processes for keeping things clean and healthy. These functions work to protect against environmental aggressors that can damage the skin.
How should you cleanse your face?
As the first step, cleansing sets the tone for the rest of your daily skincare routine. Make the most of it with these expert tips:
1. Cleanse twice daily—makeup or not
Cleansing isn’t just for makeup days! Your skin naturally collects dirt, oil, and sunscreen residue (which, by the way, you should apply daily). Even with a bare face, a good cleanse keeps your skin fresh and healthy.
In fact, it’s an essential step for both your AM and PM regimen:
- Morning: Remove excess oil and prep your skin for the day.
- Night: Wash away impurities and product buildup.
2. Lukewarm water for the win
Water that’s too hot or cold can be too much, especially for certain skin types. Lukewarm water is just right—effective, gentle, and refreshing.
3. Treat your skin with care
Your skin deserves a little love. Apply your cleanser in gentle circular motions, and when rinsing, lightly pat dry—no rubbing needed.
Start the search for your perfect cleanser
Choosing a facial cleanser isn’t just another step in your routine—it’s the foundation of healthy, radiant skin. Water alone can’t remove all impurities, so reach for a cleanser that does the job while respecting your skin’s natural balance.
But with so many options, how do you find the right one? It all comes down to your skin type, your needs, and what you want from a cleanser. From lightweight oils to gels, texture matters—but most importantly, it should suit your skin and make it feel great.
Here are two types of facial cleansers that typically work well with all skin types:
Oil cleanser
Cleansing oils are a beauty industry favorite. If it’s not your favorite type of cleanser (yet), now’s the time to explore your options. Your skin will thank you later!
Instead of making your skin feel heavy, cleansing oils are great at trapping dirt and removing impurities. How? Oil attracts oil. Simply put, oil cleansers dissolve and remove oil-based substances that accumulate on the face, such as makeup residue, sunscreen, excess sebum, and so on. That means it’s suitable for all skin types, even oily skin.
Our recommendation: Essential Cleansing
This award-winning cleanser melts the day away — leaving nothing behind but soft, glowing skin. When it comes into contact with water, Essential Cleansing turns into an emulsion that leaves skin clean, hydrated, and soft.
How to use it:
Apply to a dry face. To remove eye makeup, use your fingertips and massage gently with your eyes closed. Moisten the skin with lukewarm water, massage until the oil turns into an emulsion, and rinse with plenty of water.
This might be your perfect cleanser if you:
- Apply makeup regularly (foundation, mascara, eyeliner…)
- Live in an urban environment (this formula helps remove pollution particles on skin)
- Are looking for an effective cleanser that leaves your skin hydrated
- Enjoy dedicating time to your facial cleansing ritual
- Have dry, combination, normal, sensitive or oily skin
Micellar water
When it comes to facial cleansing, you might only think of products that work when they come into contact with water. But there’s one convenient, effective option that removes makeup and deeply cleanses the skin—and you don’t even need to rinse it off.
We’re talking about micellar water. This type of cleanser has a loyal following, and it’s easy to understand why. Its secret lies in its micelles, which are tiny particles that trap and dissolve dirt and oil on the skin. These little heroes are similar to the skin’s natural composition. So, they can get rid of daily grime, while still being kind to your skin’s natural protective barrier.
Our recommendation: Micellar Solution
This fan-favorite formula gently removes makeup and impurities without altering the skin’s natural barrier. Even better? ISDIN Micellar Solution also gently tones and moisturizes the skin.
How to use it:
Soak a cotton pad in micellar water and gently smooth it over your face and neck. Remember: no rinse needed!
This might be your perfect cleanser if:
- You’re looking for an effective cleanser that gets the job done fast
- You need an on-the-go option that doesn’t require rinsing
- You’re a skinimalist: the 4-in-1 formula removes makeup, cleanses, tones, and hydrates in one single step
- You’ve got sensitive skin. Its soap-free, alcohol-free, and fragrance-free formula helps prevent irritation
You asked, we’ve answered
What are the five basic steps of skincare?
Step 1: Cleanse
Step 2: Apply eye contour cream
Step 3: Apply your serum
Step 4: Moisturize
Step 5: Protect skin with sunscreen
How do I know if I’m over-cleansing?
Skin that feels tight, dry, sensitive, or patchy can signal that you’ve gotten a little over-enthusiastic with cleansing. But if you’ve only been washing once or twice a day and things still feel a bit off, your cleanser or cleansing technique might be to blame.
Some cleanser formulas actually contain strong surfactants. So while they can be great at dissolving dirt and unwanted oils, they can also irritate skin and throw its pH off balance.
Try sticking to the tips above and switching to skin-friendly formulas like micellar waters or oil cleansers and see if things change.
Why do I sometimes get more pimples after washing my face?
Dirt and oil are the main culprits in many breakouts. So, washing your skin should make things better right? That depends. If you’re washing your face too much or using a harsh, drying cleanser, your skin can start to overcompensate and produce more oil.
That’s actually one of the reasons why oil cleansers can be a great choice for acne-prone skin. They work to attract and remove excess oil — keeping things balanced overall.
Now that you know what kind of facial cleanser works for you, it’s time to add it to your daily routine. Happy, healthy, beautiful skin to follow!