Milk, foam, gel… What to choose for washing your face?

I have already written about the important role of facial cleansing in a skin care routine in another text: "Basic facial care – what should it include?" .

We know, therefore, that this is the foundation on which we cannot stumble . But how do we maintain balance and common sense when manufacturers compete with each other in ideas for newer and newer solutions when it comes to facial cleansing products ?

What to wash your face with?

We'll get to that in a moment, and now I'll tell you perversely what you should definitely NOT wash your face with . Avoid products that contain irritating and drying substances . Regardless of the type of skin, cleansing should be thorough but also gentle. This is the basis of all care. Water alone will not cope with the impurities that have accumulated on the skin during the day.

What are your choices?

Milk, foam, gel , or maybe the increasingly common cleanser (pronounced: klenzer – from the English cleanse , meaning to cleanse , to purify )? I can solve one riddle right away: a cleanser is nothing more than a product for washing .

Some brands use this English name to describe a gel, foam or even a balm for washing the face. We will deal with the basic distinction, focusing on the formulas of a facial cleansing product.

How to use each facial cleansing product?

• Apply to damp skin.
• Use your hands, avoid sponges – they are not very hygienic .
• Perform a gentle massage . Do not rub the skin, as this may cause irritation.
• Don't forget about your neck too .
• Rinse off the cosmetic with lukewarm water .
• Pat dry (no rubbing!) your face with a disposable paper or cotton towel .

Do you know what INCI is?

INCI ( International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients ) is an international and unified system for naming cosmetic ingredients . Using the English names of chemical compounds and Latin names of plants, the INCI composition describes all substances that have been used to produce cosmetics sold in the European Union, the United States, China or Japan.

Importantly, the order of the ingredients listed is important – they are listed from the most abundant to the least abundant . Those present in concentrations of less than 1% may be listed in random or alphabetical order.

Attention! It is a cosmetic myth that "the shorter the composition, the better" . There are short compositions, but packed with irritating substances, so that the product smells and foams like crazy. And vice versa: there are products with a long and impressive composition, full of active ingredients that are good for the skin.

However, to properly take care of your face , you don't have to decipher Latin names. The best solution would be to consult your skin condition with a doctor and choose the best care for it. A specialist will tell you what to pay special attention to when choosing cosmetics. You can also check the opinions of experts about it on the Internet before buying a new face product , for example in thematic groups about care.

And when (and how) to exfoliate? You will find useful tips in our article .

Should you choose products according to your skin type?

What should people with dry skin wash their face with? What about oily, sensitive or acne-prone skin? Is there a relationship between the type of facial cleansing product and skin type?

Not really. There are some guidelines that I will outline below, but it is really good to find what works best for you through trial and error . I use foam and gel alternately, and if I do, I remove my makeup with a gentle butter. This is my latest discovery, and it is the only one that does not leave my eyes in a “panda” style.

Cleansing products and skin types

Dry skin

It will especially like various types of moisturizing ingredients : hyaluronic acid, glycerin, ceramides , vitamin E, oils and plant extracts.

Desired consistency: milk or balm (similar to sensitive skin). They often have a high vegetable oil content (for example Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil , Carthamus Tinc-torius Seed Oil , Gossypium Herbaceum Seed Oil ). It is important that oil-based products contain an emulsifier, which will ensure thorough washing without leaving a greasy layer on the skin.

Sensitive skin

Here, anything that soothes, moisturizes and softens will work . When it comes to consistency, it is worth betting on oils . Similarly to dry skin, focus on products with a high content of the fat phase and with an emulsifier in the composition.

We can choose between regular vegetable oils (also great for dry skin) or oils with added emulsifiers (they will work well for oily or combination skin as the first step of a multi-step skin cleansing). The former are applied to the face and washed off with a cloth soaked in warm water. The latter are mixed on the palm of your hand with water until an emulsion is created, which is then massaged into the skin of the face.

As I mentioned, milks, creams and emulsions are also good for sensitive skin . They consist of two phases: water and oil, combined with an emulsifier. Milk or emulsion are less viscous, more watery, while cream is thicker. They work gently, washing and removing make-up without drying the skin.

For more information on how to care for sensitive skin, check out our dedicated article. Click to learn more!

Combination, oily, acne-prone skin

This one will thank you for cleansing products that reduce excess sebum and keep blackheads in check. Gels and foams that cleanse the skin well will work great here .

As for gels and foams, they are applied with water. They work thanks to various types of surfactants. They do not leave a greasy layer on the skin's surface.

Facial wash foams have an exceptionally light consistency, while facial wash gels are more concentrated and thick, which is why many people have the impression that they "cleanse better". However, this is just an illusion - the effectiveness of a product is determined by its composition . It is also not true that foam is always a better choice for the owner of sensitive skin - this is also determined by the composition.

Mature skin

It is good to take care of it with rich in nourishing balms or butters. Such a rich cosmetic melts during application to the skin and can be successfully used to remove make-up. In addition, it has a soothing effect.

Conclusions?

I only have one. The most important thing is a good, safe composition, consistency is a secondary issue.

Now all I can do is keep my fingers crossed for your good choices!