What is a facial cleanser?

We call facial cleanser or cleanser a product that cleanses or removes dirt from the face

Facial cleansers may be limited to removing makeup, but they can also have deeper effects by removing dead skin cells, fats, and various skin impurities. Some open clogged pores, remove blackheads, put an end to shin splints, prevent acne, and refresh facial skin.

There are so efficient that they can even create the sensation of having undergone a peeling facial without leaving the house!

Also, the cleaner the skin of the face, the more effective the creams and treatments that we apply afterward. Or put another way: according to the theory, if every night you use an anti-wrinkle facial cream, it will have more effect if you have previously washed your face with a good facial cleanser. Or if you have a treatment in a spa, thalasso, thalasso, or beauty center, if prior to that treatment you apply a facial cleanser it will almost certainly be more effective.

That is why it is so important to choose a good facial cleanser, manual or mechanical, and use it regularly, daily, preferably before going to bed.

Don't forget: a good facial cleanser is the first step to healthy, beautiful skin

Manual facial cleansers

The group of facial cleansers or manual cleansers includes an infinite number of products with different textures and ingredients.

Among all these products we find more or less natural or chemical cleansers, for all skin types (oily, dry, combination, etc.) and ages (young, mature, etc.).

And although it is true that some facial cleansers are better than others, we recommend that you try several until you find the one that you personally see that gives you the best results (assess cleanliness, smoothness, freshness, etc., And the quality-price ratio). Every face is different! 

To help you better visualize the available options and make it easier for you to test, evaluate and choose, we have classified facial cleansers into the following categories:

Foams (foam cleansers).

Foam cleansers are one of the most preferred facial cleansers in countries all over the world. They are usually applied to the skin with a gentle massage and then removed with lukewarm water. It couldn't be easier to apply.

Oils (oil cleansers)

Oil cleansers are also very easy to use. The routine is usually to put the chosen oil on the fingertips and apply with a gentle massage on the skin of the face. Then wait a few minutes, remove the oil with warm water or not, depending on the oil you choose, and that's it, clean your face! 

Gel, cream & mousse cleansers

There are almost infinite gels, creams, and mousses cleansers for the face and almost all are applied in the same way: wet face, pour a reasonable amount of product, apply with a massage with the fingers of the hand or a soft sponge, rinse and, ta-da! Clear and clean like first thing in the morning. 

Clays and mud (clay cleansers)

Clays and muds, in their different forms, are facial cleansers somewhere between a cleanser and an exfoliator.

In any case, we like them because they are usually quite natural and have a fairly deep cleansing effect.

They can be applied like the foams and gels we have just seen (applied, massaged, rinsed...) or in the form of a mask (which usually takes longer than a wash - massage with a foam or gel). You decide how much time you have and how long you want to make your facial cleansing ritual.  

Powder cleansers

Powder cleansers are almost like magic powders: mix them with water and voilà! They become a sort of fine cream that serves to remove impurities from the face.

They are light and easy to use, but have nothing to do with makeup powder - don't confuse them! 

Wipes and gloves

When we talk about wipes and gloves, we are not talking about disposable wipes.

Although it is true that there are many disposable wipes that clean the skin well (and that more than once have gotten us out of trouble, let's not be hypocritical), it is much better to use reusable wipes and gloves.

Because they are good for our health and, above all, for the health of the planet.

No big mystery, facial wipes, and gloves are made of soft fabrics that do not harm the skin of the face but clean it in depth.

Depending on their fabric, they can be used alone, with water, or combined with a cleansing product. To clean them as easy as putting them in the washing machine and that's it, wipes and gloves ready to use again!

On the other hand, micellar cleansers also include a micellar cleanser, a kind of soft liquid (water) with micelles (a set of oil molecules) but without dyes, perfumes, parabens, soaps or alcohol, a solution that can be ideal for atopic and sensitive skin, as well as for those looking for vegan facial cleansers (note! Not all micellar cleansers are vegan!). Read the label carefully to find out if the one you want to buy is).

There are also many soap-type facial cleansers (in the traditional soap bars) and homemade ones that can be prepared with olive oil, yogurt, honey or oatmeal, among other products.

Mechanical Facial Cleansers

But facial cleansers are not only in the form of beauty products (cream, foam, oil, etc. type), there are also mechanical facial cleansers.

That are machines that serve to clean clogged pores, remove blackheads and blackheads, and remove impurities.

These are small machines, often similar in size and use to an electric toothbrush (saving the distances), which are used daily, weekly or monthly to ensure deep cleansing of the facial skin.

The most relevant mechanical facial cleansers are:

Pore cleanser and blackhead suckers

There's not much mystery to what a pore cleanser and/or blackhead suction does because it does just that, pull the dirt out of the pores and blackheads from the face. Nothing more, nothing less.

To do this you approach its head (which usually resembles an inkless pen or small vacuum cleaner) to the blackhead in question and it sucks it up.

It is quick and painless, although right after use it may leave the cleaned area a little red. Nothing that can't be fixed by moisturizing the area and letting it rest.

Electric facial cleansing brushes.

Facial cleansing brushes are suitable for more or less deep and daily skin cleansing (if you want).

They occupy little more than an electric toothbrush and are used in a similar way, and can be plug-in, battery-operated or battery-powered. It depends on the model.

Some also include the option of facial massage, so you can go to bed clean and relaxed.

Steamers (portable and desktop).

Facial steamers are a great option for cleansing the face, but their cleaning is already a more in-depth cleanse, a cleanse that you can do at home or that can be done at the spa, spa, or thalasso.