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Which Cleanser is Best for My Skin Type?

  • Writer: Shaar
    Shaar
  • Jun 30, 2024
  • 5 min read

Updated: Jul 16, 2024

Cleansers and Skin Types

  1. Oil Cleanser

    1. Pre-cleanser (all skin types)

    2. Dry Skin

    3. Normal Skin

    4. Combination Skin

    5. Dehydrated Skin

  2. Cream Cleanser

    1. Pre-cleanser (all skin types)

    2. Dry Skin

    3. Normal Skin

    4. Combination Skin

    5. Sensitive Skin

    6. Dehydrated Skin

  3. Foam Cleanser

    1. Oily

    2. Acneic Skin

    3. Combination

  4. Gel Cleanser

    1. Normal Skin

    2. Combination Skin

    3. Oily Skin

    4. Acneic Skin

  5. Clay Cleanser

    1. Normal Skin

    2. Combination Skin

    3. Oily Skin

    4. Acneic Skin



*Did you know? 

2-Step Cleansing Method

The 2-step cleansing method is great for removing makeup by first breaking down and removing any particles, impurities, sweat, etc, before using the cleanser specific for treating your skin type.  Implementing the 2-step cleansing method can result in cleaner, more balanced and blemish-free skin when done correctly. There are a couple of cleansers that are great for a first or second step in a 2-step cleansing method. 


Step 1: 2-Step Cleansing Method

The best cleansers to use for the first step in the 2-step cleansing method are:

  1. Oil Cleanser

  2. Cream Cleanser


Oil-based Cleanser

Using an oil-based cleanser is great as the first step in the 2-step cleansing method or as a primary cleanser for dry and dehydrated skin. This is because like attracts like, especially when it comes to oil. This makes an oil-based cleanser the best first step for oily skin because the oil-based cleanser will gently remove any particles and excess oil on the surface of the skin to allow for a more effective second step. 


Many people with dry skin benefit from using an oil-based cleanser because it gently dissolves dirt, oil, and makeup without disrupting the already delicate protective barrier. Applying an oil-based cleanser to dry skin and massaging for a few minutes will make it much easier to remove all the particles (even the ones you can’t see).


The best oil-based cleanser I’ve found and used to date is made by Dermalogica. This oil-based cleanser smells great and is formulated in a way that makes it the most efficient cleanser without leaving  the skin dry or with an oily residue. For those that will be ending their cleansing portion here this is a great quality to find in an oil-cleanser. Fortunately, Dermalogica is a professional line that can be found pretty much anywhere professional skin care is sold.


Cream Cleanser

Very similar to the oil-based cleanser, cream cleansers are a great first step in the 2-step cleansing method. Cream cleansers are, well…., creamy. They usually are applied the same as an oil-based cleanser, on dry skin and massaged on to remove surface impurities while restoring the moisture balance with skin friendly ingredients like in the Skin Script Pomegranate Cream Cleanser. 


This cleanser is made with key ingredients like, aloe vera juice, jojoba oil, lemon peel and pomegranate extract. This is my favorite cleanser to use as the first step on all of my facial clients as it is calming, hydrating, and sets the tone for establishing a healthy moisture balance. I find irritated, sensitized, stressed skin immediately responds to this cleanser in the best way resulting in a supple, clear appearance with consistent brightening with regular use.





Foam Cleanser

These are distributed in a light, airy texture using a foam pump. Foam cleansers are usually water-based and great for oily and acneic skin. I personally avoid foam cleansers on my clients because I’ve found they can be a bit harsh. But as the skin care industry continues to evolve there have been some foam cleansers that are less harsh. In my professional opinion I am partial to gel cleansers for deeper cleansing as they tend to have restorative properties that will restore and maintain your skin’s moisture and hydration balance.


Step 2: 2-Step Cleansing Method

The best cleansers to use for the second step in the 2-step cleansing method are:

  1. Gel Cleanser

  2. Clay Cleanser


Gel Cleanser

Moving on, in my professional opinion, to the most effective cleanser type for oily skin, the gel cleanser. Gel cleansers are more effective in treating oily skin because they are more efficient. Gel cleansers are less likely to leave your skin feeling stripped and dry but will also be very effective in cleansing your skin for treatment and restoring the moisture balance that is often lost when cleansing your face with, say, a foam cleanser. Gel cleansers are water-based and tend to feel slippery without water. 


This is also my favorite cleanser type to use as the second step of the 2-step cleansing method for deep cleaning effectiveness while also adding in beneficial ingredients like Grape Seed Extract for cell repair, and vitamin C for brightening and bacteria-fighting found in Skin Script Green Tea Citrus Cleanser. This cleanser is great to use for oily skin but also every now and again for normal-dry skin as needed for a deeper clean that won’t disrupt your skin’s protective barrier. Gel cleanser usually can be used on a daily basis for most normal-oily skin types, just be aware of the ingredients to avoid irritation.






*Did you know? 

Gel Cleansers

Using too much cleanser or not fully removing any cleansing product from your face can result in blemishes and irritation. The best way to use gel cleansers is to create a foamy lather in your hands and not on your face. Make sure to add a little water to a dime-sized amount of cleanser in your hands and create a lather between your palms before applying to your face. This is to make sure that you aren’t using too much product and prevents you from leaving any residual cleanser on your face before moving on to the next step. 


A cleanser like Skin Script Glycolic Cleanser is an exfoliating cleanser that should be used sparingly throughout the week (1-3x a week). That’s because glycolic is a naturally occurring acid made from sugarcane. Glycolic acid gently exfoliates the skin by removing the topmost layer of the skin along with buildup and debris. We’ll talk more about exfoliating in the next chapter but this is one “2 for” that I absolutely love because it’s efficient. You may notice by now my favorite products are the most efficient. For normal-dry skin types you can use the Skin Script Glycolic Cleanser 1-3x a week for healthy skin maintenance as the second step in the 2-step cleansing method and move on to treating and moisturizing your skin. That’s it, you’re done. 






Clay Cleanser

Last but not least of all the cleanser is the clay cleanser. Clay is known for detoxifying and shrinking pores for a more balanced skin appearance. Absolutely a tool worth having in your skincare arsenal if you struggle with excessively oily skin. As you can imagine, a vital ingredient in a clay cleanser is clay. The most common clay you’ll find are kaolin and bentonite clay. Each clay type functions slightly differently but all of them are known to restore balance the oil production in skin. They can even be used 1-2x a week in normal skin to maintain a healthy oil balance.











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