It's always difficult to assess the performance of a facial cleanser. To equip you with the knowledge to accurately judge your face wash, we've enlisted the help of our resident grooming guru, Steven O'Neill and asked him to share his insider tips on reviewing a face wash properly. We all want to know what we should be looking for so without further-a-do we'll put you in the hands of an expert for a face wash master class. Here's what he had to say...
We're completely spoilt for choice when it comes to selecting our skincare products, but that's not a bad thing. Different products have different purposes. The formulas vary to offer results for specific skin types or skin conditions.
My first tip - Know your skin type
If you don't know what type of skin you have then you won't know what type of products will work for it.
Dry Skin - If your skin is dry then you'll know about it. It will feel tight after washing and your moisturiser will be absorbed almost instantly. This skin type ages quickest and can be prone to flaking.
Treat by: Drinking plenty of water, applying a thick moisturiser, avoiding the sun and steering clear of alcohol.
Which face wash is best for dry skin? Karin Herzog Professional Cleansing Cream. This hydrating cleanser leaves a moisturising film on the skin to nourish as it cleans.
Combination Skin - Feels hydrated and soft but get shiny in places, usually on the forehead, the cheeks and the nose. This skin type is most common and usually features dilated pores.
Treat by: Drinking plenty of water, applying an oil-free moisturiser and keeping it very clean.
Which face wash is best for combination skin? Korres White Tea Fluid Gel Cleanser. This anti-oxidant rich face wash has the scope to deal with both oily patches and areas that cause little or no concern.
Oily Skin - This skin type is the most difficult to manage but ages very slowly. If your face is shiny and you are prone to clogged pores and blackheads then this is you.
Treat by: Drinking plenty of water, using an oil-free matt moisturiser, applying an oil control solution and changing your pillow case every 2 days. Try Anthony Logistics Instant Fix Oil Control Lotion.
Which face wash is best for oily skin? Anthony Logistics Glycolic Facial Cleanser. Hylauronic Acid works to remove excess facial sebum (oil) whilst simultaneously drawing moisture into the skin.
Once you've established your skin type, you can then make a fair judgement on your face wash.
Tip 2 - If you face feels stripped of oil and tight after washing it then your face wash is too harsh for your skin type.
Choose a cream or gel based cleanser and avoid anything that contains alcohol. Try Anthony Logistics Algae Facial Cleanser. This creamy gel utilises the natural benefits of algae to cleanse the skin whilst restoring normal moisture levels.
Tip 3 - Apply your face wash correctly.
Massage the product into the skin using your finger tips in gentle, circular motions. Massage the face for around 60 seconds to help any lactic acid to drain away from under the surface. Leave your face wash on for a further 60 seconds then rinse.
Tip 4 - Get the temperature of the water right.
If you use cold water to wash your face then pores will close and trap the dirt. If you use hot water to cleanse with then your skin will be stripped of its natural oils. Instead, use warm water. If you could comfortably drink it and it's not cold then the temperature is perfect. This opens up the pores allowing your face wash to dig deep into the skin to remove stubborn dirt and release impurities.
Tip 5 - If you only wash your face once a day do it before bed.
After a long day in the office your skin has picked up a vat load of dirt and grime. If you go to bed with said dirt still on your face, you run the risk of waking up with a breakout or clogged pores. Instead, set aside 2 minutes of your precious time to wash your face before going to bed. This will mean that your skin gets the chance to repair itself whilst it's completely clean.
Questions? Feel free to drop us a line, click here to email us.
Till next time.....