What Type Of Cleanser Is Best For Combination Skin?

Combination skin is a type of skin that presents characteristics of both dry and oily skin. And while it’s one of the most common skin types, cleansing this type of skin can be a challenge. Consequently, finding the right cleansers for combination skin is equally an issue, due to its differing needs.

Best Cleansers For Combination Skin

• Gel cleansers remove excess oil and unclog pores without stripping your skin of its natural oils. This is ideal for those with combination skin. 
• Foaming cleansers can penetrate pores deeply without irritating sensitive skin. Those with combination skin should stick to foaming cleansers with natural ingredients
• Cream cleansers boost the skin’s natural moisture and prepare the skin for the absorption of subsequent products. 
• Clay cleansers contain detoxifying properties due to their mineral-rich content. This is ideal for those with combination skin as toxins and debris are taken care of. 
• Micellar water contains hydrating humectants, ideal for those who want to retain moisture while sweeping away any dirt, makeup, and other impurities. 

On one hand, you have to stay away from cleansers that will strip oil from your skin; such cleansers may cause dry skin, flakiness, or irritation. On the other hand, you also need to avoid cleansers and face washes that will worsen the oil problem in your skin’s T-zone.

And this begs the question: which type of cleanser will do the trick for combination skin? Well, the best type of cleanser for combination skin should be water-soluble. Also, they should be non-comedogenic, meaning they will effectively cleanse your skin without clogging the pores or leaving it dry. 

With that said, here are the best types of cleansers for combination skin.

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Gel Cleansers

As its name suggests, a gel cleanser is a type of cleanser featuring a gel-like consistency. These types of cleansers offer numerous benefits for people with combination skin.

Benefits of Gel Cleansers

First, gel cleansers deliver deep cleansing with a single wash. Furthermore, gel cleansers can also help to remove excess oils and decongest the pores. So, if you are in need of thorough cleansing, then a gel cleanser is the ideal option for you.

Second, gel cleansers can help to get rid of acne-causing organisms, which can be attributed to their antiseptic properties. If you have acne-prone combination skin, a gel cleanser can be a great solution for your troubles.

Third, gel cleansers are packed with various hydrating properties, meaning they will leave your skin fresh and moist. These types of cleanses also feature soothing qualities designed to alleviate irritation and redness. Apart from helping to fight acne, gel cleansers can also help to prevent it.

Usage and Application Tips

To get the best use of gel cleansers, you should first wash your face evenly using warm water. Warm water will help to open up your pores, thus allowing the cleanser to penetrate the skin. At the same time, it won’t strip your skin of its oils.

Once you’ve washed your face using lukewarm water, squeeze a small amount of the cleanser onto your fingertips. Massage your face gently following circular motions. Ideally, you should start from the start of your face, then move to the sides. Make sure to focus on the T-zone to ensure you get rid of all the accumulated oils and dead skin cells.

After you’ve finished applying the cleanser, rinse it off using clean, lukewarm water. From there, pat dry your face using a soft towel. 

Foaming Cleansers

Foaming face cleansers are a type of facial cleanser that form a foamy lather during application. There are different types of foaming cleansers on the market. 

For combination skin, you should choose a lightweight foam-to-cream cleanser. Such a product will meet the needs of both oily and dry areas in your skin.

Also, you should go for a product that features ceramides to help protect your skin barrier as well as humectants like hyaluronic acid to help restore your skin’s moisture levels.

Benefits of Foaming Cleansers

First, foaming cleansers are highly effective when it comes to cleansing the skin. Their foamy lather will dig deep into your skin, thus lifting dirt, debris, and impurities from the deeper layers of the skin. They will effectively leave your skin feeling fresh and revitalized.

Second, these cleansers come with natural ingredients. These ingredients will help to soothe, invigorate and hydrate your skin. Besides helping to cleanse your skin, foam cleansers can also help to make your skin soft.

Third, foaming cleansers are great for acne-prone and oily skin thanks to their pore-penetrating capabilities. So, if you are looking to get rid of acne or remove excess oil from your skin, then you will need a cleanser that will penetrate deep into your pores. That’s why foaming cleansers are among the best for this job.

Fourth, foaming cleansers can also be ideal for those with sensitive skin. However, you need to ensure you choose a cleanser that doesn’t have sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), which is a synthetic agent associated with skin irritation. Instead, you should only go for those with natural ingredients.

Usage and Application Tips

Using a foaming cleanser for cleansing is a straightforward process. You will follow the same procedure as you would with other types of cleansers. First, wash your hands with clean water to avoid transferring debris or bacteria to your face.

After washing your hands, wet your face using lukewarm water. After that, apply some foaming cleanser onto your fingertips and massage it gently into your skin, using small circular motions.

Ensure you cover all areas of the face, including the eye area. You need to apply the cleanser for at least thirty seconds or so. And if time can allow, you should apply it for a longer time, for the best results.

After applying all areas of your face, rinse thoroughly using lukewarm water and pat your face dry. You can then follow it up with a moisturizer, serum, or toner.

Cream Cleansers

Cream cleansers are yet another great option for combination skin. These cleansers are mainly formulated with waxes, petroleum, water, and mineral oils. 

Simply put, they are mainly composed of moisturizers, water emulsions, and oils. And, the presence of mineral oils and moisturizers makes their cleaning action as gentle as possible.

Benefits of Cream Cleansers

One of the main benefits of cream cleansers is that they are lighter compared to cold creams and milder than soap. In short, they are capable of removing excess debris and dirt without any moisture loss. And this makes them the ideal cleanser for people with sensitive or dry skin.

Second, cream cleansers can also boost your skin’s moisture. As a result, your skin will always shave a radiant glow. Also, their hydration effect will help to stem anti-aging effects.

Third, cream cleansers will help to open up your pores. Therefore, they can help to prepare your skin for the absorption of other skincare products, which may have nourishing or nutritional effects such as toners.

Usage and Application Tips

You can use cream cleansers either in the morning, evening, or both depending on your preferences. But, regardless of the routine that you choose, the application process is the same.

First, wash your hands with clean water. Doing so will help to prevent the transfer of debris or disease-causing organisms from your hands to the face. Second, dampen your skin using lukewarm water.

From there, squeeze a pea-sized amount of cream cleaner into your damp hands and then massage it gently to your skin, using an upward motion. Make sure you apply it to all areas of your skin, with a particular focus on the T-zone area.

Rinse your face thoroughly using lukewarm water. While your face is still damp, apply serum, face oil, or moisturizer. This should be followed by a face mask if you are doing it in the evening or sunscreen if you are doing it in the morning.

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Clay Cleanser

Clay is a highly effective ingredient when it comes to facial cleansing, thanks to its soothing and detoxifying properties. When applied to the skin, it will act like a magnet and absorb impurities and moisture, bringing them to the surface. Consequently, this action can help to get rid of toxins, dirt, and debris.

Benefits of Clay Cleansers

First, clay will cleanse your skin more deeply. It will help to cleanse the pores and control oil levels on your skin without stripping the skin of moisture or other necessities your skin needs to thrive. This is something that the majority of standard oil cleansers lack.

Second, clay cleansers are gentle enough for everyday use. If you suffer from oily or sensitive skin, cleansing your face with clay cleansers will help to control the excess sebum without irritating it.

Third, clay cleansers are rich in various minerals. They can also help to retain moisture. Besides helping to absorb the excess oil from your skin, clay cleansers will also deliver moisture, leaving your skin smooth, properly hydrated, and taut.

Usage and Application Tips

Without a doubt, clay cleansers offer numerous benefits for people with combination skin. Here are the steps to follow when applying a clay cleanser to ensure you derive maximum benefits from your product.

First, cleanse your skin using warm water. Cleansing your skin using warm water will help to get rid of any debris, dirt, or oils that may be present on the surface. 

By doing so, you will also give your clay cleanser a great start. Cleansing the face will open up the pores, thus allowing better penetration.

Second, prepare the cleanser. To do so, put two tablespoons of clay in a small container and then add some water to create a paste. Ideally, your paste should be neither too thin nor too thick. 

If it’s too thick, it will be hard to spread. On the other hand, if it’s too thin, it will run off.

Third, apply the clay cleanser using your fingertips. Avoid the area around the eyes. After you’ve finished applying the cleanser, allow it to sit for around 15 minutes.

Fourth, wash the cleanser off. After 15 minutes or so, you can either wash it off using a wash towel or the palm of your hands. Ensure the cleanser is completely removed from your face. Pat dry your face and then apply a lightweight moisturizer or toner, depending on your skincare routine.

Micellar Water

Micellar water is a type of facial cleanser that contains purified water, mild surfactants as well as humectants like glycerin. The humectants present in this product attract and bind onto oil, dirt, and impurities present on the skin while the surfactants help to remove that dirt and cleanse the skin.

However, some types of surfactants, especially those found in soaps, can be harsh on the skin. But micellar water only comes with non-ionic surfactants. These surfactants are gentle enough on the skin, meaning they won’t drain oils from the skin or cause flaking.

Benefits of Micellar Water

If you are looking for a cruelty-free skin care facial cleanser, then micellar water is just what you need. Here are some of the benefits of micellar water when used as a facial cleanser.

First, micellar water will help to get rid of excessive oil, dirt, dust, debris, and other impurities that may have built up on your skin. When applied to the face, micellar water will attract and trap sebum and makeup, thus pulling these substances away from your skin. This will leave your skin fresh.

Second, micellar water contains various hydrating compounds like humectants. These humectants will draw water onto your skin’s outer layers from the surrounding air and from deep within. As a result, this type of cleanser will considerably increase the hydration levels in the top layers of your skin.

Third, micellar water is ideal for all skin types. Most people with sensitive skin can’t use facial cleansers that contain essential oils, fragrances, and alcohol, since these ingredients can cause irritation, among other issues.

Fortunately, micellar water doesn’t contain any harmful ingredients or irritants, making it suitable for a wide range of skin types. Furthermore, micellar water also comes with soothing ingredients like glycerin. Such ingredients can help to reduce or prevent irritation.

Usage and Application Tips

You can use micellar water as a facial cleanser, makeup remover, or toner. The application procedure is the same, regardless of what you intend to achieve with micellar water.

Simply open the lid of the bottle containing micellar water and press a cotton pad or water-wet wipes to the opening. Tip the bottle onto the wipes or cotton pad and ensure they are properly soaked.

Wipe your face gently using this water. Make sure you repeat this process until the pad or wet wipes come away clean. You can opt to give your face a final rinse using lukewarm water to get rid of any residue. However, this is not required. 

You can use micellar as a facial cleanser in the morning for your morning routine or as a makeup remover as part of your evening skincare routine.

In Conclusion

There you have it – the best types of cleansers for combination skin. Regardless of the type that you decide to go for – gel, foaming, cream, clay, or micellar water cleansers – you need to ensure you choose a product that aligns best with your specific needs.

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For over 60 years, Viviane Woodard has represented “The Purity of Skincare”. We are the leading beauty brand for skin care products and promote the importance of good skin hydration. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest for skin care tips, product discounts, and more.