All You Need to Know about Face Cleansers

When we think of a skincare routine, what usually comes to mind is a whole rack full of different serums, moisturizers, toners, face masks, and much more but what we fail to pay attention to is…

Drum roll, please!

FACE CLEANSERS. Yes, you heard it right, a lot of people fail to take into consideration the sheer importance of face cleansers. Now, hear us out, not all of us have baby smooth silky skin with no blemishes and that is a dream most of us have. 

Yes Finite, we know, what’s your point? 

Well, our basic point is: USE FACE CLEANSERS EVERY DAY!

Let us do the honors of explaining everything you need to know about face cleansers and why they’re oh so important to your skincare routine.

What are face cleansers?
Face cleansers are essentially supposed to be your first step in your skincare routine. They’re specially designed to remove dirt, sweat, bacteria, sebum, dead cells, and makeup from the skin’s surface. Face cleansers are supposed to be gentle on the skin so as to not rid it of naturally occurring good oils which are responsible for keeping your skin healthy and nourished. The best type will unclog your pores, cleanse them, and hydrate your skin without disrupting the protective barrier. Look out for face cleansers containing betaine and xylitol which are sulfate-free surfactants and do not irritate your skin. Try our Finite 01 Face Cleansing Gel packed with Xylitol and Betaine for maintaining the skin’s protective barrier without drying out your skin and providing long-lasting hydration. It is pH balanced and infused with salicylic acid that minimizes sebum and detoxifies your skin.

Why are they important?

1. Removes build-up: the most common effect of a face wash is the removal of dirt, oil, and unwanted debris. Throughout the day our skin is continually exposed to loads of things that can clog our pores and cause a hoard of skin problems, and none of us like that, do we?

2. Boosts hydration: regular cleansing of the skin with a pH-balanced facial cleanser can help keep your skin well hydrated. Dehydrated skin may look and feel rough, wrinkled, and dull. A pH-balanced cleanser can help manage the pH balance of the skin while allowing the skin to retain products and water. 

3. Maintains clear skin: small glands present under our skin produce natural oils called sebum, which forms a protective barrier on the skin. These glands allow oils to reach the outer surface of our skin. If there is too much buildup on the surface it can block pores causing dead skin cells, sebum and sweat to be trapped inside of the skin cells which can cause inflammation and finally acne.

What are the types of cleansers? 

1. Face cleansers for dry skin: if your skin is dry your face cleansers should essentially be gentle and loaded with moisturizing ingredients and fatty acids in oil form. Ingredients such as lanolin, and mineral oil are ingredients to look out for if you have oily skin. Also, look for cleansers that are fragrance, chemical or alcohol-free, and hypoallergenic. Avoid using antibacterial soaps and cleansers containing exfoliators which may dry out your skin even more.

2. Face cleansers for oily skin: use foam-based face cleansers containing AHA, BHA, niacinamide, charcoal, or clay. Try using foam-based cleansers that do not strip your skin dry. If you have acne-prone skin, cleansers are a great way to treat them with active ingredients without letting them stay on your skin for too long. Using salicylic acid-containing cleansers are also a good bet if you have acne-prone skin. It gets rid of excess oil and unclogs pores.

3. Face cleansers for combination skin: some areas in combination skin are dry whereas the T zone and chin are oily. For these skin types, mild facial cleansers work best. It is a good practice to use gel-based face cleansers that will cleanse the face without drying it out. 

What are the most common ingredients?

Cleansers these days have various uses and a wide variety of ingredients are present in them. Some of the most common ingredients are:

Retinol

It is a derivative of Vitamin A and is the most widely used retinoid responsible for skin turnovers responsible for anti-acne and anti-aging purposes. It encourages the regeneration of new healthy skin cells and aids in getting rid of old dead skin cells. It can lead to: 

• Prevention of acne breakouts
• Improved skin texture 
• Reduction of uneven skin tones
• Unclogged pores
• Prevent or fix whiteheads and blackheads
• Reduce the appearance of fine lines
• Increased collagen production

It is best suited for oily or acne-prone skin but can also be used on any skin type. 

Salicylic acid

It is a beta hydroxy acid that is great for reducing the production of oil and getting rid of skin cells that are dead. It is also oil-soluble allowing it to penetrate deeper into the pores. It acts as a chemical exfoliant and is found in acne-fighting products quite often. It can:

• Minimize or get rid of too much oil
• Prevent acne 
• Remove old debris 
• Diminishing bacteria
• Unclog and clean pores

It is best suited for oily and acne-prone skin. 

Ceramides 

These are fats or lipids found naturally in our skin and are most prominent in the upper layers which help serve as a protective barrier. Through the formation of a protective barrier, ceramides can:

• Settle sensitive skin
• Protect from dry air, pollution, and other environmental irritants
• Lock moisture in
• Hydrate the skin

It is best suited for sensitive or dry skin.

Glycerin

Characterized as a humectant, glycerin has the capability of attracting water. It pulls water from deeper layers of the skin and keeps water from evaporating off of the skin. Due to these properties, glycerin can:

• Help maintain the barrier of the skin
•  Keep skin hydrated and moisturized
• Prevent dry skin
• Prevent irritation of the skin

It is best suited for dry, sensitive skin and most helpful for people with easily irritable skin.

Vitamin C

It is a well-known antioxidant, meaning it can reduce the formation of free radicals and save the skin from harmful effects of the same. Free radicals are unstable forms of molecules that can come onto the skin from environmental irritants and damage the DNA of healthy skin cells. Antioxidants can help save your skin from these effects. By fighting against these, vitamin C can:

• Preserve the texture of your skin
• Prevent overproduction of melanin responsible for hyperpigmentation and dark spots
• Brightens the complexion of the skin
• Prevents premature aging

It is best suited for all skin types.

Chemical exfoliants

It is a broad spectrum category involving various types of acids, all of which are responsible for the removal of the outermost layer of dead skin cells. Some well-known acids are:

• Salicylic acid
• Trichloroacetic acid
• Glycolic acid
• Lactic acid
• Azelaic acid

All of these ingredients can have varying effects on the skin, but overall they can:

• Improve discoloration
• Increases production of collagen
• Aid in fighting acne
• Brighten the skin
• Help with the turnover of skin cells
• Improve the texture of the skin

These are best suited for any skin type based on what active ingredient you wish to use. For people with dry skin, using alpha-hydroxy acids such as glycolic acid or lactic acid is your best bet. Furthermore, azelaic acid is good for those who have sensitive skin as it is mild. Stronger acids such as salicylic acid in higher concentrations are suitable for people with oily skin. 

Well, there you have it, a comprehensive guide to face cleansers! Now that you know the best way to put face cleansers to good use, go ahead and get going. And, if you have not washed your face yet, this is your indication to GO WASH YOUR FACE!