Soap is bad for your face for two reasons. First, most soaps are highly alkaline, so they irritate and dry your skin, which is naturally acidic. Second, soap leaves a film on the skin (think of that soap scum in your shower) that can clog pores, especially if you're prone to acne. Of course, soaps formulated for the face won't be so harsh and drying, but you should never use a body soap on your face.
There are so many types of cleansers! How are they different?
Your typical cleanser is a face wash or foaming cleanser. It rinses off completely with water, taking away surface dirt, but not removing makeup completely. The face washes we sell contain natural detergents, so you'll find they aren't as foamy as conventional ones. But they will bubble up and leave your skin with a clean and tight feel (like what you experience with bar soap). This "squeaky clean" effect is actually what many people like about using face wash, however, face washes can be slightly drying. Cleansing lotions or milks, on the other hand, have more oils that soften the skin as they clean. They do not foam, and have a consistency more like lotion than soap. Because of their oil content, these cleansers do dissolve makeup, as well as dirt and debris. They're often best removed with damp soft cloth, cotton pads, or cleansing sponges. Gel cleansers are somewhere between face washes and foaming milks; they tend to be more hydrating than the former, but don't soften as much as the latter. Not ideal for removing makeup, they have a gel consistency and are water-based and oil-free. A cleansing cream is thick and oil-based. Ideal for removing heavy makeup, it must be removed with a sponge or soft cloth and followed with a toner. An exfoliating cleanser can have actual scrubbing ingredients in it, such as jojoba wax beads, or contain natural fruit acids and plant enzymes that dissolve dead skin. It may have a base that's more like a face wash or more like a cleansing lotion, depending on the formula. Any type of exfoliating cleanser should be used with care so you don't irritate your skin (see below).
Which cleansers are best for which skin types?
Dry skin types benefit from the skin softening effects of cleansing lotions and milks. Mature skins love cleansing creams, and they can also be the best choice for very dry skin.
Normal and combination skins will typically like the dual-purpose advantages of a cleansing lotion, which will remove makeup and clean skin. But they can also use a foaming cleanser if it's gentle, which all of ours are, since they're naturally based. A good compromise to keep skin balanced is to use a cleansing lotion at night and a face wash in the morning.
Those with oily skin should use a face wash, foaming cleanser, or gel cleanser, especially with antibacterial ingredients such as tea tree oil. Exfoliating cleansers can also be a great choice for this skin type. Just take care not to irritate or over-dry the skin because it will produce more oil, and that's exactly what you don't want!
Will your cleansers remove eye makeup?
The cleansing lotions, milks, and creams we sell should remove makeup. That's because they contain oil, and oil is what you need to dissolve mascara and eye liner. The thicker the product, the more effective it will be at taking off makeup. If you use a face wash or gel cleanser, you'll probably want an eye makeup remover. These are likely to leave some makeup behind when you wash, and may even sting the eyes (check the label for safe use in the eye area). Fortunately, any gentle facial oil should work safely as an eye makeup remover.
What does a scrub do and how often can I use it on my face?
Scrubs (and enzyme and acid treatments and exfoliating cleansers) remove dead skin cells that can clog pores and make skin look dull. The glowing, new skin underneath is often so attractive that you scrub more and more often, irritating your skin. The general rule is to exfoliate 1 to 4 times a week, depending on your skin type. Oily skins need exfoliation the most, to be sure their pores are clear of oil and dirt. Combination, normal, and dry skins should exfoliate at least once a week, but feel free to do it more if your skin tolerates it and you get good results. Exfoliation will help other treatments, like moisturizer, really sink into your skin. If you break out often or your skin is sensitive, avoid scrubs unless they're extremely gentle, and then use only once a week. Always be delicate when you use a scrub; your face doesn't need to be cleaned like a dirty saucepan! Slow, outward circular motions with little to no pressure are best.
Do I have to wash my face twice a day?
You should always wash your face at night to remove the day's dirt, sweat, pollution, and any makeup. If you want to save time, you can skip the morning cleanse. But we think there's nothing more refreshing than washing your face with a cleanser loaded with delicious smelling botanicals in the morning.
