How To Pick The Right Cleanser For Every Season And Skin Type

It’s time to put more thought into your daily cleanser, as the right formulation can make a noticeable difference in your skin.

On an average day, airborne grime and pollutants assault our skin. Combine those elements with everything we apply purposefully – from moisturizer to sunscreen to makeup – and it’s no wonder our skin starts to revolt. 

Picking the ideal cleanser is part preference and part skin science, although most of us look to expert reviews for guidance, as an endorsement from a skincare professional is very meaningful. Since product choices and labeling can be confusing, a few of Beautytap’s trusted experts recently offered their advice along with recommended products for each skin type, so your skin will stay healthy and be able to rejuvenate itself overnight.

Build a Cleanser Wardrobe

Each day we choose what to wear based on our mood and activities. If you’ve never thought of building a cleanser wardrobe, you should. It may be tempting to use the same cleanser year-round, but fluctuations in skin hydration, oil production, and the elements make having a few cleansing choices on hand a better way to care for your face. “Skin changes throughout the year with the changing seasons, hormones, and external factors, such as wearing makeup and masks,” says Dr. Tess Mauricio, “so it’s important to also change cleansers as needed. We have more choices now than ever and can really customize our cleansing regimen to optimize the health of our skin any time of the year.”

Choose a Gentle, Balanced Cleanser 

With Dr. Tess’s wisdom in mind, most people should be using a mild cleanser, like Epicuren Discovery’s Herbal Cleanser, which cleans effectively without causing undue aggravation. Product pH can range from zero to 14, with the sweet spot hovering around 5.5. Many manufacturers state the pH on the product, and words like “gentle” and “sensitive skin” are usually reliable indicators of a suitable cleanser. Why does pH matter? “We don’t want cleansers that have a very high (basic) or very low (acidic) pH as that increases the risk of irritation and sensitivity,” says Dr. Tess. Skinfix and LaRoche Posay are Dr. Glynis Ablon’s sensitive skin favorites, and Dr. Tess likes Jan Marini’s Age Intervention Gentle Cleanser. She also suggests choosing products with anti-inflammatory ingredients, such as bisabolol, which is found in chamomile.

Minimize Maskne with an Exfoliating Cleanser

If you have oily skin or are battling maskne, opt for a cleansing foam or gel that removes debris and keeps pores clear. Dr. Tess and Dr. Ablon agree that salicylic acid cleansers provide gentle exfoliation and help reduce breakouts. Most people tolerate these products well, but if your skin is sensitive, try using an exfoliating cleanser with an alternative ingredient. Restorsea’s Reviving Cleanser contains Aquabeautine XL® , an exclusive proprietary enzyme backed by scientific studies and is proven to cleanse and gently exfoliate only the dead skin cells without causing skin irritation. 

Double-Cleanse When Necessary

Many Asian beauty fans swear by a double-cleansing routine and use a cleansing oil or balm to break down makeup and sunscreen and then cleansing a second time with a traditional foaming cleanser. The process can be laborious, especially after a long day, and isn’t necessary for everyone. If you have acne-prone skin, Dr. Tess doesn’t recommend oil cleansing unless you need to remove “heavy oil-based makeup, which can clog pores and make acne worse.” In her practice, Dr. Ablon sometimes recommends oil cleansing to clients using drying topical medications, but she warns against using olive or coconut oil because “they can cause breakouts.”

Embrace Minimalism

Sometimes, your skin only needs the bare minimum in terms of cleansing, and sometimes, it just can’t handle anything remotely resembling a traditional cleanser. Enter micellar water, aka cleansing water. These ultra-gentle liquids contain micelles that latch onto surface debris as well as makeup, so they can be swept off the skin without disrupting its natural balance. All micellar waters contain cleansing agents and water and can be used by individuals with varying skin types. Both Dr. Tess and Dr. Ablon recommend micellar water for patients with sensitive skin, including those with eczema. They also recommend matching your cleansing product to your skin’s needs since formulas are often tailored to dry, sensitive, or oily skin. 

Overwhelmed by the choices? Reach out to a Verified Beauty Expert for a one-on-one skin consultation and customized recommendations for your skin type.