Which Type Of Face Wash Is Best For You?

Many of us believe that our days don’t start until we have washed our faces. One of the first steps of your skincare routine is an important role and leads the way for the other products that follow. There are some varied opinions of when you should use face wash and which ingredients to go for, but the one point that every beauty expert would suggest is to ensure you are using the right wash for your skin type.

Don’t worry this isn’t as confusing as it may sound and we are going to share with you some tips and advice on finding the right one for you, a bit like a skincare matchmaker!

What does a face wash do?

The job of a face wash is to remove anything on the skin that will form some sort of damage. Pollution, bad bacteria, excess oil, traces of makeup and dead skin cells all of which are free radicals and if left on the face can develop into acne, redness and even signs of premature ageing. Not to be confused with a makeup remover, face washes are generally not formulated to help remove makeup, such as foundation and mascara. To help your face wash to do its job properly it is always the best idea to remove your makeup first, without doing this you will end up moving the products around your skin and prevent it from becoming clean. This can lead to skin problems such as breakouts and uneven texture.

You can’t stop these harming particles accumulate on the skin, which is why it is so important to wash them off at the end of every day. You can also use a face wash in the morning, though some experts are split on the ideal amount of times to cleanse the skin. Half feel washing the face in the morning has no real benefit and the focus should mainly be in the evening after a day when your skin has encountered a number of environmental aggressors and stresses. Whilst the other feels washing twice a day is best for the skin. 

If you are wanting to know a little more check out our blog post about how often you should wash your face and why?

Does it matter if I don’t use a face wash?

In a word, yes. In recent years the market has become full to bursting with an enormous array of face washes resulting in you being spoilt for choice, which also leaves you with no excuse for not washing your face or just using water. 

The skin has a 30-day cell cycle meaning the skin can create a cell turn over and shed away the layer of dead skin cells. This cycle can become disturbed at times and so a build-up of the dead skin cells can cause breakouts, dull complexion and also create a barrier for any treatment products, such as serums and moisturisers to penetrate into the lower layers of the skin. By washing your face you will dislodge any trapped dirt, debris and bacteria whilst buffing away dead skin cells and other skin-damaging free radicals.

What is the best face wash to use?

Much like all products it is best to use the formulas that will benefit your skin type. Here are some examples of which ingredients to look for in a face wash that will suit your skin type and which texture to go for;

Dull Skin Type

For dull skin types, the best face wash would be something that contained a chemical exfoliator like the popular AHAs, such as glycolic acid and vitamin C. Both these ingredients can bring your skin a glow and remove any barrier preventing other topical treatment serums to work deep into the skin.

• Opt for a product containing AHAs such as glycolic and vitamin C for a revived and glowing complexion
• All forms of face wash will work well with dull skin like milk, lotion, balms and gels
• Don’t forget to follow up the wash with a treatment serum to keep hold of the glow
• Can use face wash in the mornings and evenings so long as it’s followed by a moisturiser

Dry Skin Type

Though face wash is a great starting point for a skincare routine they can be very drying for the skin if you aren’t careful. For drier skin, you will need a wash that not only buffs away any flaky areas and dead skin cells but has a gentle approach at cleansing the skin. The AHA, lactic acid is ideal for dry skin as it is gentle at exfoliating the skin whilst locking in moisture. You may also want to look for formulas that do not foam up as this can also dry out the skin. It is best to use face wash in the evenings after taking off any makeup you have worn during the day, that way your skin is cleansed without it feeling too harsh.

• Go for a formula that contains lactic acid as it can gently exfoliate the skin and lock in moisture
• Milk, lotion and cream formulas of face wash will benefit dry skin the most
• Use a face wash in the evenings to stop the skin from becoming dried out

Oily Skin Type

Though some may say that a face wash isn’t on your face long enough to have a huge impact on the skin it is still a good idea to focus on your skin type and what it needs to look and feel healthy. Choose an oil-free face wash if you have an oily or blemish-prone skin to avoid any excess oil causing some imbalance to the skin. Ideally, you will want to use face wash twice a day but no more and only if it is not too harsh or stripping to the skin. Let the ingredients of the wash put in all the leg work. Salicylic acid will work down into the deepest layers of the skin and can unclog blocked pores and slough away dead skin cells.

• Can use face wash twice a day but no more as this can strip the skin of oil, leading to more oil production and breakouts
• Ingredients such as salicylic acid can deeply clear the skin
• Opt for an oil-free gel formula to keep your skin happy

If you are wanting to build a skincare routine that will do the job the key is to focus on the ingredients and texture of a face wash keeping you’re the knowledge of your skin type in mind to ensure you find the right products for you. In regards to how much you should be willing to pay for a face wash, this boils down to your personal budget. Though many beauty insiders have expressed the thoughts that as long as the product performs and delivers results, be it for £6 or £67 it is worth every penny. 

What happens if I use the wrong face wash for my skin type?

Not to worry, it’s not as dramatic as it may sound. Dry skins will feel tight and uncomfortable, dull skins will see no improvement to the complexion and oily skins will have to tackle excess oil and shine. These are all minor signs that you are not using the right product and can be rectified quite simply. If you do find your skin is suffering from redness, rashing, itching or blistering than you must stop using the product right away and seek the advice of a GP or dermatologist.

So, there you have some more information about finding the right type of face wash that will benefit your skin. If you are still interested in finding out more about the ingredients, take a look at our blog post about everything you need to know about AHAs and BHAs.