Most of us buy a face wash without putting much thought into it. As consumers, we look for what we think is safe – something that is gentle on the skin and gives you a squeaky clean face. In fact, research shows that we put more thought in selecting our makeup and/or moisturiser, anti-ageing serum or eye creams than we do in picking a face wash.
While we feel topical, leave-on products work better on our face, the fact is keeping our skin clean will produce good results. A facial wash on its own isn’t some miraculous cure for our all skin problems, but choosing one that doesn’t suit our skin type can certainly be disastrous. It doesn’t help that the supermarket aisle is filled with countless products that all promise to give you great skin so choosing the right product can seem like a daunting task.
Before you head to that beauty counter to make your purchase, ask yourself these questions:
1. Is it too drying or stripping?
2. Does it clean well?
3. Does it have herbal ingredients and skin vitamins for clean skin and fairer complexion?
Beware of over drying!
Make sure you pick a cleanser that doesn’t over-dry or strip your skin of your natural oils. Taking away the skin’s essential oils can lead to an overproduction of sebum which means the skin will get oilier. It’s safe to assume that a formula with mineral salts and herbal extracts is going to be gentle on your skin. Not only will it provide your skin with the hydration it needs, but it will also remove oil, dirt and grime from your face. And that’s the goal, isn’t it? To have a face wash that will give you clean skin and will keep your trouble areas in check.
Essential skin vitamins: a winner
You also want to stay away from cleansers that are a bit too rich in their formulation. Cream-based cleansers can often leave behind a residue that can clog pores and cause acne production. For clearer and brighter-looking skin, choosing a face wash with nourishing skin vitamins and whitening agents is the way to go.
Pay attention to your skin
Finally, make sure you keep tabs on how your skin feels and appears every other day. Our skin changes thanks to the vagaries of weather so sometimes it may be too dry and sometimes excessively oil. Therefore, tweak your skincare routine accordingly which means you should try and alternate facial washes. Paying attention to your skin can help you make an informed decision but at the same time remember this: regardless of your skin type, your face should feel clean after using a facial wash. If it feels sticky, then the product is all wrong. It’s probably loaded with harsh ingredients that will do some long-term damage to your skin.
So when in doubt, remember this: herbal, hydrating formulas with nourishing vitamins are going to get the job done!
