Face Wash: The right facial cleanser for your skin

Karen GEORGE

27 May 2015

updated the 6 October 2015 à 23:07

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Liquid soap cleanser
Liquid soaps are great for cleansing the skin without drying it or stripping it of protective lipids. Most effective in removing makeup and daily dirt.
Try: Clinique's Liquid Facial Soap, SGD35
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Oil cleanser
An oil cleanser may sound counter productive to some but they're actually the best options if you want to remove makeup and cleanse your face at the same time.
The concept behind using oils is 'x dissolves x' so oils dissolve oils, which makes this one of the skin cleansers suitable for most skin types.
Try: Shiseido Perfect Cleansing Oil, SGD12
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Cream Cleanser
The cream cleanser is the best bet for those with normal to dry or sensitive skin. These facial cleansers gently dissolve makeup, dirt and grime while retaining the skin's moisture at the same time.
Try: Burt's Bees Intense Hydration Cream Cleanser, SGD13
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Foaming cleanser
Foaming cleansers tend to be harsh and drying on the skin so it's best to opt for ones that don't contain sodium lauryl sulfate. These cleansers are also the ones that last the longest because a small amount can lather up and go a long way. Foaming cleansers are most suitable for those with oily skin.
Try: Crabtree & Evelyn Damask Rose Daily Cleansing Foam, SGD28
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Gel cleanser
Gel facial cleansers work up a lather and are ideal for those with combination to oily skin. Soap-free and oil-free, they work to remove dirt from the epidermis without drying out the skin.
Try: Oil-Free Acne Stress Control Power-Gel Cleanser, SGD12
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Balm cleanser
Balm cleansers contain all the moisturizing benefits of oils which can remove makeup and keep skin hydrated at the same time. Unlike most cleansers however, balms are meant to be applied to dry skin before adding water to emulsify it.
Try: Crabtree & Evelyn Damask Rose Comforting Cleansing Balm, SGD30
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Milk cleansers
Milk cleansers are quite similar to cream cleansers in that they are non-drying and work best on normal to sensitive skin. They also thoroughly remove makeup without the use of harsh chemicals. Matured skin is said to benefit best from milk cleansers.
Try: Porcelain Revive Makeup Cleanser, SGD55

From gels to foams and milk cleaners, navigate the complicated spectrum of face washes with our easy guide.

Let’s face it: our faces are subject to a lot, from the harsh pollutions of the environment to the highly chemicalized makeup we slather on our faces. The right facial cleanser can make or break your skin’s complexion. Use the wrong one and you’ll be house bound for a week after that nasty zit breakout. No two women have the same type of skin so it stands to reason that one facial cleanser which might suit one person might not be the right fit for another.

Whether they’re costly or over-the-counter buys, the main aim of these beauty products is to cleanse the face and remove dirt, oil and makeup without irritating the skin as much as possible. Additionally, some might be using it to deal with excess facial oil while others want to banish their blemishes once and for all. From gels to foaming liquids, understanding your skin type is the key to unlocking the most suitable cleanser for your face.

Navigate the gallery for a guide on which face cleansers will suit you best before you try out the hundreds of products available on the market.

Ladies, it’s time to put your best face forward!

Karen George

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Face Wash: The right facial cleanser for your skin

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