Washing your face is an integral part of your beauty routine, so it’s important you choose the right face wash for your skin type. These products are a great way to prime your face before applying makeup, a quick little pick-me up after a workout or long day at work, and refresh oily skin.
It’s best to use a face wash at least once or twice daily to prevent dead skin buildup which can cause a dull complexion. Regardless of your skin type, you’ll want to choose a thoroughly cleansing product that provides the ideal level of moisture for your skin. One you’ve cleansed your skin, the freshly scrubbed pores are better prepped to accept primer or foundation, ensuring long lasting wear from these and other beauty essentials.
The best face wash for your skin type will contain active ingredients, which among other things, will nourish and hydrate the skin while reversing visible signs of aging. You’ll find basic face washes may do one or two of these things while higher-priced, premium options may accomplish far more.
Face Wash Buyer's Guide
How to Find Your Perfect Match
The first step is to closely evaluate your skin in the mirror, slowly looking from top to bottom. Look for any dry patches, fine lines, discoloration, blemishes, and other imperfections you’re looking to address. Most people will find they need different products at certain times of the year, especially if they live in a region with drastic weather conditions.
For example, during the spring and summer you may be frequently active outdoors so consider a face wash which can quickly clear away accumulated sweat and oils. In the fall and winter, you may need a little more hydration especially in colder, dryer climates. You may also need to plan ahead when travelling to find out how the weather may affect your skin when you arrive at a specific destination.
Safety Precautions
You may have some existing skin issues like random acne, excessive oil production, redness, and areas of dry, patchy skin. The best way to be certain you’re getting the right product is to pay attention to the active ingredients which can determine how skin will react to your new face wash.
Patch Testing
If you have allergies, ingredient sensitivities, or just fickle skin, you should definitely conduct a patch test to eliminate the possibility of an allergic reaction, especially if you’ve never used the product before. A patch test is best done on the inside of the arm. Using a pea-sized drop, massage the product in with a drop of water to activate it and then wait about fifteen minutes.
If there are any signs of redness, puffiness, painful stinging, or burning sensations, rinse immediately and discontinue use. If there are no signs of irritation you should be in the clear when using your new face wash.
Face Wash Types
Drugstore Face Washes
You never need to worry about breaking the bank when it comes to finding the perfect face wash as these affordable little skin pick-me-ups can do wonders for the skin. Drugstore face washes are a great alternative to toss in a gym bag or purse while you’re on the go.
If you pack your bags and forget your treasured face wash, most local grocery or drugstores will have a budget-friendly option suitable for your skin type. You may even find a drugstore brand works just as well in place of your usual high-end product.
All Natural Washes
These face washes are ideal for individuals who can’t tolerate added fragrances or synthetic filler such as paraben which are harsh on the skin. All natural face washes will help you achieve healthy skin while lessening the risk of irritation.
To follow are just a few examples of the ingredients you may find in some of your all natural face washes:
Citrus and Fruit Juicer Extracts
Citrus extracts are great for aging skin as they help restore the skin’s luster and fight visible signs of aging. Take care as these particular ingredients can irritate very dry skin as well as conditions like acne, rosacea, and eczema. Other fruit juice extracts like blueberry, blackberry, cranberry, and pomegranate are generally very safe and effective cleansers for any skin type and also work wonders to prevent cell damage by fighting free radicals.
If you see the term “extract” on a product label, you’re getting a potent concentration of said ingredient versus “juice” which has had water has been blended in. Those of you with sensitive skin may want to opt for a juice-based product first to see how it works for your skin before moving onto stronger, extract-based face washes.
Cucumber and Aloe
These ingredients are often paired in formulas for dry skin and can also help heal redness and sores such as open acne wounds. The natural acids from these plants not only sooth but they also tone the skin as well.
Jojoba and Lavender
Jojoba works wonders on stubborn eye makeup products and will never burn or sting the eyes since it’s odorless. This ingredient is also ideal for use on acne since it contains natural antiseptic and moisturizing properties to keep the skin balanced while soothing redness and irritation.
Lavender works as an excellent calming agent. Individuals who are prone to redness and/or stressed skin will appreciate how lavender instantly calms flare ups while calming the skin and mind at the same time.
Chamomile
This is an amazing restorative ingredient for use on dry skin as it helps prevents moisture loss. However, chamomile is a part of the ragweed family and certain individuals can experience potential allergic reactions to this ingredient.
Sensitive Skin/Acne Prone Washes
When shopping for these particular face washes, seek out formulas featuring simple ingredients and minimal additives. Sensitive skin types will benefit most from water-based cleansers with aloe and/or glycerin which gently cleanse without irritation or causing break outs.These face washes typically include tree oil and salicylic acid which works wonders in the treatment and prevention of acne.
Combination/Oily Skin Washes
You may be someone who walks a fine line between keeping skin properly hydrated while also keeping oil production under control. When it comes to selecting a product for normal to oily or combination/oily skin, you need something which tames and balances oil levels without over drying the skin.
To properly refresh oily skin, look for a face wash with a gel-like consistency which generously foams once activated with water. Some of the best ingredients for balancing and correcting excess oils are oat, rice, or other finely milled grains which naturally absorb oils. There are also plant extracts like chamomile and calendula that prevent moisture loss while keeping skin oil-free for hours after you’ve washed up.
Washes for Dry Skin
Finding a face wash to correct dry skin is very easy since this is one of the most common skin conditions affecting people. These products are quite common and contain popular ingredients such as oatmeal, aloe, and other rich emollients work wonders to reverse dry skin issues and prevent moisture loss.
You’ll want to look for something with a creamy consistency and avoid acidic ingredients like citrus extracts if you suffer from severe dryness as they may sting sensitive skin. Also avoid gel-like foaming washes as well which are intended for combination and oily skin types.
Washes Formulated for Male Skin
Male skin is generally thicker and more sensitive with a tendency to be oilier than women’s skin. You need to find a product to wash your face in the morning and evening to prevent dead skin from dulling your complexion. It’s also a good idea to use a face wash to clear out trapped dirt and oils and help prep the skin before shaving.
If you’re a male with stressed skin, you may respond well to a face wash containing intoxicating, non-irritating ingredients like orange, eucalyptus, and peppermint which are all great for taming oil production. Toss a eucalyptus or mint-based product into a gym bag for a deep powerful clean as these ingredients ensure sweat and oils are effectively purged from the pores. From time-to-time, tea tree oil is also great for use on acne-prone, blemished skin; it has a musky scent and doesn’t dry out the skin like other medicated acne fighting face washes.