Skincare Step 1: The Essential Guide to Cleansers

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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?

Some facial cleanser ingredients and textures work better for certain skin types and needs. Not to mention, technique and application can make all the difference.

Read on to uncover expert cleansing tips, plus everything you need to know about the four most popular styles of cleansers. Soft, clean, comfortable skin to follow.

When water’s not enough

Ever thought about how many times you touch your face in a day? Most likely, a lot (one study showed up to 23 times per hour). On top of that, your skin is constantly exposed to environmental stressors. Between pollution, sweat, oil, cosmetics, and a build-up of impurities, it goes through quite a bit.

Here’s where a splash of water doesn’t quite cut it. Most impurities are oil-based (not water-based), making gentle surfactants and emulsions necessary to lift and remove them.

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.

Top 4 benefits of a good facial cleanser

Here are a few more things that an effective face cleanser can do:

• Help keep pores clear: Pores bring natural oils to the surface of your skin for balance, protection, and hydration.
• 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 hanging around, smoothing and softening skin’s texture overall.
• Support the skin barrier: Washing your face helps reinforce your skin’s natural functions that help protect against environmental aggressors.

How should you cleanse your face?

As the very 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

Your skin naturally collects dirt, oil, and residue throughout the day. 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 makeup, sunscreen, dirt, and pollution 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. A soft microfiber towel is a great choice.

Find the perfect cleanser for your face

Choosing a facial cleanser isn’t just another step in your routine—it’s the foundation of healthy, radiant skin. 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.

Let’s explore four types that tend to work for all skin types:

1. Nourishing oil cleanser

Cleansing oils are a beauty industry favorite, and the secret lies in their gentle texture and powerful action.

It might sound like a contradiction, but cleansing oils are great at trapping dirt and removing impurities. How? Oil attracts oil. Simply put, oil cleansers dissolve and remove oil-based substances, such as makeup, sunscreen, and excess sebum. That means they’re suitable for all skin types—yes, even oily skin.

What to try: Essential Cleansing oil

This bestselling cleanser melts the day away—leaving nothing behind but soft, glowing skin. Its lightweight formula is designed to remove makeup and sunscreen while delivering an antioxidant boost.

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 a milky emulsion, then rinse.

This might be your perfect cleanser if:

• You apply makeup regularly (foundation, mascara, eyeliner…)
• You live in an urban environment (this formula helps remove pollution particles on skin)
• You’re looking for an effective cleanser that leaves your skin hydrated
• You enjoy the ritual—especially a good double cleanse

2. Purifying foam cleanser

Have you tried a foam cleanser lately? Nowadays, they’re a lot different from what you might remember. The innovative formulas of today have it all: a soft, airy texture that makes cleansing feel comfortable (not stripping), and a refreshing effect that’s noticeable from the first use.

They’re perfect for removing leftover dirt and impurities—especially as the second step in a double cleansing routine.

Your new must-have: Essential Purifier foam

Formulated with Mediterranean olive leaf and lavender extract, this water-based foam combines the best of nature with science. The result? Purified, radiant, and visibly revitalized skin.

How to use it:

Wet your face and apply a walnut-sized amount of the product onto your hands. Gently massage and rinse.

This might be your perfect cleanser if:

• You want to refresh and prep your skin for skincare and makeup in the morning
• You prefer rich, foamy, sensorial textures that make cleansing feel like an experience
• You’re seeking balance—it sweeps away sweat, excess sebum, and product residue without drying out your skin
• You double cleanse—it makes the perfect follow-up formula after cleansing oil

3. Gentle cleansing scrub

Here’s another one that might bring to mind ghosts of cleansers past. But trust us, today there are science-forward formulas that help improve texture without going too far.

In fact, a gentle cleansing scrub is one of the most comprehensive options—renewing and cleansing at once. Designed for those seeking to smooth things over, this type of cleanser can help remove dead skin, refine texture, and minimize the look of pores. Look for gel exfoliants specifically designed for daily use.

Your new pick: Essential Scrub

This water-based cleansing gel combines gentle cleansing agents with natural exfoliating particles from Mediterranean olive seeds, along with botanical extracts such as lavender and clary sage. It’s a 2-in-1 formula that respects the skin while targeting texture.

How to use it:

Wet your face and apply a nickel-sized amount of product. Massage the product onto skin in circular motions, keeping your eyes closed until it transforms into a light foam. Rinse and pat dry.

This might be your perfect cleanser if:

• You want daily renewal without the discomfort
• You’d like to make your pores less visible
• You’re interested in a deeper cleanse or a double cleansing routine (this would be step two)
• You’d like an ultra-smooth canvas for your skincare and makeup

4. Gentle micellar water

Micellar water has a loyal following, and it’s easy to understand why. It’s a convenient, no-rinse option that removes makeup and deeply cleanses the skin.

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 impurities while still being kind to your skin’s natural protective barrier.

Made for you: 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. But if you’ve only been washing once or twice a day and things still feel a bit off, your product or 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 to see if things change.

Why do I sometimes get more pimples after washing my face?

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—healthy, happy, beautiful skin to follow.

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