Your skin deserves a standing ovation. As a protective shield it’s amazingly adaptable, changing with age, through hormonal shifts, and with exposure to various seasons or elements, like the sun or cold weather. It’s always on the clock, trying to keep irritants or germs at bay, and that work is worthy of VIP treatment. The best way to keep up with the on-going needs of your skin is to commit to a skin care routine. And, whether you want to boost your glow, increase hydration, reduce inflammation, or minimize breakouts, it all starts with finding the best facial cleanser.
Why Cleansing Counts
So, what does a cleanser do for your face? As the very first step in any skin care routine, cleansing plays a vital role. A cleanser can help to remove microscopic irritants and impurities, as well as excess oil that can clog pores. Using a cleanser also helps to rebalance skin’s natural pH level, which supports a healthy skin barrier. Lastly, it prepares the skin for the next step in a routine and allows for better absorption of target products.
Discover Your Perfect Match
If you want to see the best results from your skin care routine, start with choosing the best facial cleanser for your skin type. Landing on the right formula with key ingredients will help to make sure that your skin’s needs are being met.
If you have oily or acneic skin it will respond best to a gel formula that contains pore-clearing actives, such as salicylic acid. It’s a beloved BHA (beta hydroxy acid), and the star ingredient in Vivier Medicated Wash, that’s essential for any complexion that produces excess oil. Salicylic acid has anti-inflammatory properties and can breakdown sebum, which helps to reduce existing breakouts and prevent future ones.
Those with sensitive skin are best suited to using cleansing milks or gentle gel cleansers. For some reactive skin types, simply applying water to the skin and drying it can disrupt the skin’s microbiome and leave skin feeling tight and uncomfortable. To counteract that outcome, look for a cleanser with soothing ingredients that will immediately calm. Vivier Hexam Gentle Cleanser contains Hexamidine, an antimicrobial and antibacterial agent that purifies pores without drying the skin.
If you have normal, combination or dry skin – or are looking for an ideal second cleanser to use in double cleansing, which we’ll cover in just a minute – then a foam cleanser is best. These frothy formulas can provide deep cleansing and introduce active ingredients to the skin to help protect the skin’s barrier. Designed to brighten and hydrate, the new Vivier Ultra Foaming Cleanser is suitable for all skin types and contains Vitamin C (the glow-boosting antioxidant), citric acid (a gently exfoliating AHA) and glycerin (a humectant with water-binding power). The blend, which is also free of fragrance, oil or alcohol, leaves any complexion refreshed and radiant. Through the pump mechanism, the self-foaming liquid instantly transforms into an airy whipped texture that thoroughly removes excess oils and pore-clogging impurities without stripping skin of essential moisture.
How to Cleanse Your Face
Once you’ve found the best cleanser for your skin, it’s just as important to know how to cleanse your face. As with any step in a skin care routine, proper usage leads to the best results.
Start by moistening your face with warm water. You don’t want the temperature to be too intensely heated because hot water can strip skin of natural lipids contributing to dryness. Distribute a small amount of cleanser (think: dime-sized or slightly bigger) into the palm of your hand, then use fingers tips to gently massage cleanser over your face and neck for 30-60 seconds. Follow by rinsing thoroughly using warm water and gently patting skin dry with a towel.
If you’ve been wearing heavy makeup, such as full coverage or long-lasting foundation, you may want to try double cleansing at night. Using a cleansing milk or oil formula, followed by a gel or foam cleanser can ensure all traces of cosmetics are removed from the skin. This will leave it perfectly prepped for the target step in your skin care routine, aka the application of active ingredients.
When done right, cleansing is a simple step that can elevate everything else in your skin care routine. Once you’ve found the best facial cleanser for you, be sure to use it in the morning and at night to allow skin to maximize the benefits of targeted antioxidant serums.
