Great skin starts with a good cleanser, but many people buy the wrong product for their skin. Whether a cleanser contains new wonder ingredients or not is irrelevant, the secret its consistency needs to be just right for you. After much research, we found the best cleansers for every skin type.
Skin prone to blackheads and pimples
Don’t use any kind of milky or creamy cleanser or creamy wash. Choose a rinse off gel or wash that is transparent or at least translucent. Cream-based cleansers or washes can, over a period of weeks, settle in the pores and exacerbate the blockage problem.
Use: Apivita Creamy Face and Eye Foam; Avene Cleanance; Ahava Mineral Cleansing Gel
Oily and shiny skin
If you have greasy skin that is not prone to blackheads or pimples, except occasionally, your only need is to find a cleanser or wash that effectively de-greases and leaves the skin fresh and balanced. Don’t use an overly drying product in the belief that you can ‘cure’ oily skin. All you will achieve is irritated skin that churns out more oil as it tries to protect itself.
Use: Avene Cleanance; GamARde Sebo Control; Apivita Gel Cleanser with Citrus
Combination skin
This can be misleading, as there are many types of combination skin and we could say that most people have this. Generally speaking, go with what your cheeks need. If you have the above two problems on the cheeks, follow the above advice. If your cheeks are not prone to blackheads, pimples or many spots, you can use a wash or very light milky cleanser and toner. People with normal cheeks and just a little oil and tiny blackheads on the T zone can get away with a wider variety of cleansers, as long as they are not too greasy.
Use: Clarins Gentle Foaming Cleanser with Cotton Seed; Decleor Brightening Cleansing Foam; Ahava Mineral Cleansing Gel
Normal to dry skin
If you feel your skin is a little dry or dehydrated, but you still seem to have quite a lot of blackheads, pimples or blemishes on the cheeks, jaw or forehead, you need to avoid cleansers for normal to dry skins. Use a non drying wash that is a clear gel to avoid ‘waxy build up’ in those areas.
Use: Neoderma Cleansing Cream; Dr. Renaud Phyto-White Milk; Clarins Water Comfort One-Step Cleanser
Normal to dry and dry skin
If you have no blackheads, pimples and only the very occasional spot and your pores are almost invisible, you can use any milky or cream cleanser. If you are very dry you can use a very rich oily cleansing product if that is what you enjoy using.
Use: Clarins Gentle Foaming Cleanser with Shea Butter; Avene Cold Cream Gel
Very sensitive or allergic skin
Follow the above advice, depending on your skin type, but avoid anything highly perfumed, stimulating or tingly. Red skins can manifest broken capillaries and sun damage easily so avoid harsh products and rubbing. If your skin looks redder or tingles, you need a gentler product.
Use: Avene Gentle Gel Cleanser; Avene Extremely Gentle Cleanser or Milk Cleanser
Stockists: Apivita, Avene and Ahava from pharmacies; Clarins from Department stores and Beautyline; GamARde from Virginia on 99 224321; Dr.Renaud, Decleor and Neoderma from beauty salons
