Q: What's an easy and inexpensive daily routine to keep my skin clean? Jodi
A: Use a cream cleanser and remove with a face cloth.
A: Use a cream cleanser and remove with a face cloth.
Here's why a cream cleanser and face cloth is the best cleansing tip ever:
1. It is gentle on the skin
A good cream cleanser does not contain harsh, detergent-like cleansing ingredients. The gentle cleansing properties of oil and emulsifying ingredients (surfactants) do the job. You can learn more about the benefits of cleansing oils here. I know we all like that tight, clean skin feel a foaming/rinse off product can provide however your skin feels this way because it has been stripped of its natural oils instead of simply being cleansed. Ingredients which are fine for your hand or body wash, but not so great for your face are:
A good cream cleanser does not contain harsh, detergent-like cleansing ingredients. The gentle cleansing properties of oil and emulsifying ingredients (surfactants) do the job. You can learn more about the benefits of cleansing oils here. I know we all like that tight, clean skin feel a foaming/rinse off product can provide however your skin feels this way because it has been stripped of its natural oils instead of simply being cleansed. Ingredients which are fine for your hand or body wash, but not so great for your face are:
- any ingredient with 'sulfate' or sulfonate' on the end
- cocamidopropyl betaine
- any ingredient with 'ethanolamine' in it or 'DEA', 'MEA' on the end
- Carboxylate - form of soap
- Lye - form of soap
2. It works for all skin types
Yes - even oily, breakout prone skin. Look for a cream cleanser that contains salicylic acid (BHA) or white willow bark, a natural form of salicylic acid. BHA (beta hydroxy acid) works by penetrating the pores to break down oil build up. Don't confuse salicylic acid with AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids - glycolic or lactic acid) which work in a completely different way. AHAs 'exfoliate' the skin by loosening dead skin cells. They do not address the overproduction of sebum and I find they may irritate any inflammation and redness you have.
Yes - even oily, breakout prone skin. Look for a cream cleanser that contains salicylic acid (BHA) or white willow bark, a natural form of salicylic acid. BHA (beta hydroxy acid) works by penetrating the pores to break down oil build up. Don't confuse salicylic acid with AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids - glycolic or lactic acid) which work in a completely different way. AHAs 'exfoliate' the skin by loosening dead skin cells. They do not address the overproduction of sebum and I find they may irritate any inflammation and redness you have.
3. Face cloth = gentle exfoliation every day
We all know the benefits of exfoliation. A regular face cloth gently exfoliates while effectively removing all traces of product every time you wash your face. Is your skin more on the sensitive side? Try a smoother, muslin cloth.
We all know the benefits of exfoliation. A regular face cloth gently exfoliates while effectively removing all traces of product every time you wash your face. Is your skin more on the sensitive side? Try a smoother, muslin cloth.
4. Easy to use
Most cream cleansers have a pump dispenser or flip-top lid, making it easy to use in the shower or at the bathroom sink. With a face cloth, I don't have water running down my arms like I do if I only rinse.
Most cream cleansers have a pump dispenser or flip-top lid, making it easy to use in the shower or at the bathroom sink. With a face cloth, I don't have water running down my arms like I do if I only rinse.
5. Inexpensive
Without the extra ingredients to foam, rinse, purify, deep cleanse - a cream cleanse is typically less expensive. A face cloth: $2 - $5. No toner or 2 - 3/week exfoliating product required. Priceless. So you save money too.
Without the extra ingredients to foam, rinse, purify, deep cleanse - a cream cleanse is typically less expensive. A face cloth: $2 - $5. No toner or 2 - 3/week exfoliating product required. Priceless. So you save money too.
Drift Escentuals has three cream cleansers:
- Gentle Safflower - all skin types
- White Willow Bark - for breakouts and congestion
- Balancing - oily or dry sensitive, irritated skin
With each purchase you receive a free face cloth too.
It really is that simple: use a cream cleanser and a face cloth.
Nicole x
* Please note: I am not claiming that products which contain these ingredients are bad or unsafe. It is my view from product study and experience that they can sometimes be irritating or too harsh for the face.
