Rub, Don't Scrub

The foundation for an effective beauty regimen is the right cleanser for your skin type. However, the process for choosing the right cleanser is often complex and further complicated by manufacturer claims and clever packaging. 

Here are some tips to keep in mind as you navigate your way through the beauty aisles searching for your next cleanser.

• Avoid choosing products with fragrance or dye. These two ingredients are largely responsible for nearly all allergic reactions that occur on the skin.

• Choose the right formulation for your skin type. Foaming cleaners should be used primarily for oily skin types. They contain surfactants (detergents that foam when in contact with water and are effective at washing surface oils from the skin), which can be too harsh and drying for other skin types. These should be thoroughly rinsed from the skin. Milky cleansers contain moisturizers and should be used by normal to dry skin types. Oilier skin types may find these cleansers a bit heavy. They do not require extensive rinsing like their foaming counterparts.

• Scrubs should be used occasionally and only as exfoliants. They should be used only on clean faces and only once per week for sensitive (they can be irritating and can lead to increased redness and inflammation) and oily skin types (they stimulate sebaceous glands and increase oil production).

Once you have chosen the best cleanser for your skin type, using the product effectively is they key to reaping maximum benefits from your purchase*.

• Clean your face twice daily if you have oily or normal skin, once a day if your skin is dry or damaged.

• Use warm water; too hot or too cold will dry the skin and may cause flaking and itching.

• Don't scrub! Lather your fingertips and use a gentle, circular motion to wash; rinse completely.

• Don't rub to dry! Gently pat with a soft towel.

• While your skin is still damp, apply a moisturizer suitable for your skin type; this restores the moisture balance that cleansing upsets by removing surface oils.

By using the above protocols, you will be well on your way to clean, clear skin!