Best Facial Cleanser: Gel or Cream?

The cleanser you use is the most important part of your skin care routine. It is the start and

end of your day, it simultaneously clears off the dirt and grime and preps your skin for your products so if you’re using the wrong one, your other products just won’t be as effective.

It is super important to know what you are putting on your skin so be sure to check the ingredients. You want to make sure you’re not seeing ethanols or chemicals that could increase the overall appearance of aging. Use a cleanser with natural ingredients that aren’t stripping or detrimental to the skin’s mantle so that it can more readily absorb the nutrients that you offer it in the rest of your routine.

You also want to make sure that your cleanser is pH balanced. We have written about this in more detail before but typical soaps are pretty alkaline and the skin’s natural acid mantle is just about 5.5-6.5 on the pH scale so working with a soap that is too alkaline can leave the skin susceptible to things like clogged pores, dryness, dehydration, fine lines and wrinkles.

Okay, general guidelines aside, let’s get a little bit more in depth about which type of cleansers work best for which types of skin.

When to Use a Gel Cleanser

A gel cleanser is great for people that are working with oily or combination skin and people working with clogged pores. It’s a deeper cleanse that often includes ingredients like witch hazel and neem, which can help to balance natural oils and tighten pores. We often recommend a gel cleanser for a post-workout clean because it can cut through dirt, grime, and sweat better than other types of cleansers.

Our Citrus Mint Cleanser is pH balanced and it’s wonderful for oily to combination skin, clogged pores, and post-workout washes. We love it for balancing excess oils and for people working to tone their pores without stripping the skin’s acid mantle. We don’t often recommend this for dry skin because it can be a bit too drying but if you are a person experiencing dry skin with clogged pores that could be from environmental factors, this cleanser might be the one for you followed up by a hydrating serum and a protective moisturizer.

When to Use a Cream Cleanser

A cream cleanser is awesome for people that have dry or dehydrated skin because it’s made with an extra moisturizing element in the formula like an additional oil that isn’t saponified. Typically this is an moisturizing oil like coconut oil so that the cleanser will wash away dirt and grime without removing the protective oil barriers.

If you’re working with normal or combination skin that isn’t an oil slick in the t-zone or sensitive skin this is also a good choice for you. This type of cleanser is more gentle than a gel and since it’s made to be both hydrating and moisturizing while removing build-up from your day, it’s wonderful for prepping skin to absorb the extra nourishment that it needs.

Our Aloe Herb Cleanser is a gentle cream cleanser that is great for removing makeup (try putting it on a cotton ball if you’re removing makeup) and any kind of gunk your skin might have picked up throughout the day. We recommend it as a cleanser for everyone on the normal to dry skin spectrum but if you’re working with oily skin or clogged pores, this cleanser may not be exactly what you’re looking for.

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