As a child, I can clearly remember my mother yelling up the stairs (at the same time every night) “Don’t forget to wash your face and brush your teeth before going to bed!” Face washing and teeth brushing were two very important parts of my nightly routine. I guess I should thank my mother the next time I see her; after all, she did instill the importance of good skin care into my life at an early age. Skin care products have come a long way since I was a child. No longer do I wash my face with a generic bar of soap (thank goodness!). There’s a lot to consider in your search for a skin cleanser and there are a lot of skin cleansers to sort through, meaning you may have to try several different cleansers before finding the one that is perfect for your skin. However, don’t give up as cleansing your face on a daily basis is a must!

If you haven’t already, you should implement a skin care routine into your daily schedule. It is important that you wash your face every morning and of course, before you go to sleep at night. Think about it, when you wash your face with a facial skin cleanser you are getting rid of all the waste products that have been released through your skin. You are actually detoxifying your skin, which is essential if you want healthy, glowing skin that has a normal cell turnover rate. Washing your skin also prepares it for whatever products you may be applying that day. It would make no sense to apply make-up or sunscreen to an unwashed face…now would it? Putting more products on top of old simply traps dirt and dead skin cells which in turn could cause clogged pores and breakouts!

There are many, many types of facial skin cleansers on the market. It really doesn’t matter what facial cleanser you use (gel, soap, foam, lotion) as long as it is specifically made for your face! I repeat, only use a skin cleanser that is made specifically for the skin on your face! Why am I trying to hit this point home? Well, for one thing, soaps and cleansers that are designed for the body are much different than those designed for your face.  If you wash your face with a cleanser that is made for the body, you will mostly likely end up with dry, tight skin…which is exactly what you want to avoid! Body soaps are often stronger than skin facial cleansers and can actually over-wash the skin on your face. It is important to note that different skin types need different products; therefore, it is important to figure out what type of skin you have BEFORE spending your money. Whether you need a cleanser for sensitive skin or a cleanser for oily skin make this determination before heading to the drugstore or cosmetic counter.

There are several skin types including normal, oily, sensitive, oily dry combination, and acne prone. As mentioned before, it is very important that you determine what type of skin you have so that you can purchase the correct skin facial cleanser. After all, you don’t want to waste your money…do you!? Once you know what type of skin you have you are ready to buy a skin cleanser and begin your daily skin care regime. It is important to note that if you are planning on going all out and wish to buy not only a facial cleanser but a toner and moisturizer as well, you should stick to products that are within one skin care line. For example, if you buy your cleanser from AVON, then you should buy all of your products from AVON. Companies design their skin care products to work together. If you mix and match you may not get the results you are looking for.

The majority of the skin cleansers for the face that are on the market today work very well. As long as you buy a cleanser that is specifically made for your skin type, you should achieve the desired results. It is not necessary to run out to your favorite department store and buy the most expensive facial cleanser on the market. Many of the skin care products that are sold in drugstores and online are just as effective (just a lot less expensive!). The only way to find the best skin care products (that work well on YOUR skin type) is through trial and error. If possible, ask for samples or buy the smallest possible bottle so that you don’t waste your money should you not like the product.

So what skin cleansers are best? I’m glad you asked as I have done a little research! Clarins Gentle Foaming Cleanser for ALL skin types is wonderful! One of the most popular products in the Clarins skin care product line, this gentle foaming cleanser works well on all types of skin except very dry skin. It is water-soluble, well formulated and does not contain a strong fragrance.  Clarins Gentle Foaming Cleanser will set you back approximately $25 for a little over four ounces.

The next skin facial cleanser you might want to try is Clinique’s CX Soothing Cleanser. A bit pricey at $32 for a little over four ounces, CX Soothing Cleanser contains ingredients that are gentle on the skin and, as the title suggests, soothing! This skin cleanser works well on all skin types as it does not contain any harsh irritants or detergent cleansing agents. If you have the money to spend, Clinique’s CX Soothing Cleanser is definitely worth a try!

Last but not least, Pond’s Cool Cucumber Deep Cleanser and Make-Up Remover. Not nearly as expensive as Clinique, this facial cleanser will only set you back approximately $9 for over ten ounces! Now that’s a deal! This popular skin cleanser is suitable for all skin types but especially works well on dry to very dry skin. It also does its job when it comes to removing make-up! If you are looking for a decent facial cleanser give Pond’s Cool Cucumber a try. After all, if you don’t like it, you are only out nine dollars!

So, what have we learned? Well, for one thing, no matter what type of skin cleanser you choose it is very important that you wash your face two times per day (morning and night). It is also very important that you determine what type of skin you have so that you don’t waste your money on the wrong skin care products. Finally, it is never too late to begin taking care of your skin by implementing a daily skin care program! Good luck and may you find the perfect facial skin cleanser that best fits the needs of your skin!