{"id":441325,"date":"2026-01-29T18:08:12","date_gmt":"2026-01-29T18:08:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/441325\/"},"modified":"2026-01-29T18:08:12","modified_gmt":"2026-01-29T18:08:12","slug":"this-is-the-best-type-of-face-wash-to-use-daily-say-dermatologists","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/441325\/","title":{"rendered":"This Is The Best Type Of Face Wash To Use Daily, Say Dermatologists"},"content":{"rendered":"

Has anyone out there tried to buy a face wash<\/a> lately? Confusing, right?<\/p>\n

With approximately one bazillion or so options, including cleansers that foam<\/a>, ones that have exfoliating beads, and bi-phase options that look like a mini science experiment, you may be left wondering which one is best for a little face time. Sure, we\u2019re all for choices\u2014and it\u2019s great that there\u2019s something for every skin type and concern\u2014but here\u2019s an unexpected take: There\u2019s really just one kind of face wash that dermatologists say most people can\u2014and probably should\u2014be using daily. <\/p>\n

And your choice of cleanser is important\u2014the right one can set you up for skincare success, the wrong one can leave you with problems you didn’t begin with. That’s because cleansing is an essential step in any skincare routine, removing pore-clogging dirt and grime that can lead to breakouts and irritation, not to mention act as a barrier to prevent other active skincare ingredients<\/a> from penetrating.<\/p>\n

Meet the experts: Geeta Yadav<\/a>, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and founder of FACET Dermatology in Toronto. Omer Ibrahim<\/a>, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist in Chicago. Morayo Adisa<\/a>, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist in Chicago.<\/p>\n

Ahead, more on why one particular formula is best, exactly which ingredients to seek out (and skip), plus the one exception to this cleanser rule. <\/p>\n

Why is it so important to wash your face anyway?<\/p>\n

Before we get to the what, let\u2019s talk about the why. Washing your face removes all of the stuff that builds up on your skin during the day. We\u2019re talking oil, dead cells, sweat, bacteria, makeup, products, pollution\u2026should we go on? Leaving all of this on your skin increases the risk for clogged pores<\/a>, breakouts, increased inflammation, and even accelerated aging, explains Geeta Yadav<\/a>, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of FACET Dermatology in Toronto. <\/p>\n

Here’s the thing: you really don\u2019t need to wash your face<\/a> twice a day. Since the important thing is to remove all of the day\u2019s gunk and grime, nighttime cleansing is essential. A morning wash? Totally optional, says Omer Ibrahim<\/a>, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Chicago. If your skin is super oily or you just like starting your day with a clean slate, go ahead and wash in the AM also. <\/p>\n

But as long as you\u2019re cleansing at least once daily, before bedtime, that\u2019s totally sufficient.<\/p>\n

So which type of cleanser is best to use?<\/p>\n

When in doubt, always reach for a gentle cream or lotion cleanser. These formulas are dermatologist go-tos because they’re skin barrier<\/a>-friendly, meaning they effectively cleanse without stripping your skin\u2019s natural oils and upping the odds of dryness and irritation. <\/p>\n

Just don\u2019t expect ’em to bubble up. Yes, foam makes for a nice sensorial experience, but it’s completely unnecessary to the cleansing process. And those suds are typically created by a class of strong, detergent-like surfactants called sulfates that can end up removing way too much of your skin’s natural oil, called sebum, says Dr. Ibrahim. And when that happens, your complexion will be left drier than before and at risk for even more irritation. <\/p>\n

Cream cleansers do use surfactants, but they rely on non-sulfate alternatives like cocamidopropyl betaine and sulfosuccinates to get the job done, Dr. Ibrahim adds. They effectively remove what needs to go without any collateral damage.<\/p>\n

Dermatologist-Recommended Cream Cleansers\"Gentle<\/a>Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser<\/p>\n

Now 13% Off<\/p>\n

It’s a classic for a reason: Cetaphil’s non-foaming wash is infused with humectant glycerin as well as niacinamide and panthenol to remove dirt and grime while hydrating skin for up to 48 hours. And it’s derm-recommended for even the most sensitive skin.<\/p>\n

\"Hydrating<\/a>CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser<\/p>\n

Now 16% Off<\/p>\n

With barrier-healing ceramides and hyaluronic acid, it’s no wonder this soft-touch formula carries the National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance<\/a>. But just because it’s gentle doesn’t mean it’s ineffective: This one removes face makeup and excess oil. <\/p>\n

\"Gentle<\/a>Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser<\/p>\n

Now 21% Off<\/p>\n

Another National Eczema Association seal holder, Vanicream’s cleanser is free of harsh surfactants, ph-balanced, fragrance-free, and loaded with hydrating glycerin. <\/p>\n

\"Toleriane<\/a>La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser<\/p>\n

In addition to checking all of the boxes (milky, non-foaming formula, filled with hydrators like glycerin and ceramides, and safe for sensitive skin), this one has the added benefit of La Roche-Posay’s thermal spring water, which has soothing and antioxidant properties.<\/p>\n

What ingredients should you look for\u2014and avoid?<\/p>\n

\u201cAt the end of the day, your cleanser should be basic with no frills,\u201d says Dr. Ibrahim. That means you\u2019re looking for just a handful of good-for-your-skin ingredients: \u201cHumectants such as glycerin and hyaluronic acid<\/a> are good ones to spy on an ingredient label because they\u2019re lightweight moisturizers,\u201d explains Morayo Adisa<\/a>, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Chicago. (They work by attracting water to and trapping it in the skin.) \u201cCeramides, squalene, and niacinamide<\/a> are also good choices because they all help to hydrate and strengthen the skin barrier,\u201d she adds. <\/p>\n

On the no-fly list? Those sulfates we just talked about\u2014the most popular being sodium lauryl sulfate\u2014which tend to be very drying, Dr. Adisa points out. You\u2019ll also want to make sure said creamy cleanser is fragrance-free. Fragrance is one of the most common causes of both skin allergies and irritation, says Dr. Ibrahim. <\/p>\n

Is there anyone who should use a different kind of cleanser?<\/p>\n

Those with normal, dry, or sensitive skin, and those eczema<\/a> or rosacea<\/a> can all default to a simple, creamy wash, says Dr. Ibrahim. Oily and acne-prone skin<\/a> is the exception to the rule. \u201cThese skin types often do best with gel or foaming cleansers, which are better at breaking down that excess sebum,\u201d Dr. Yadav explains. In this instance, you actually do want more of that oil-removing action and sulfates aren\u2019t necessarily that problematic, Dr. Ibrahim adds. <\/p>\n

These skin types will also want to look for a wash that contains other exfoliating, complexion clearing ingredients. Dr. Yadav is a big fan of salicylic acid<\/a> in particular: \u201cIt can penetrate into pores to break down dead cells that cause congestion and breakouts,\u201d she says. Dr. Adisa adds that lactic and glycolic acids are also good for oily skin, as are clay and sulfur. <\/p>\n

What\u2019s the best way to wash your face?<\/p>\n

You\u2019ve got your cleanser, so…now what? Paying a little extra attention to your face washing M.O. can go a long way.<\/p>\n

Wash your hands. Remember, the goal is to remove dirt and grime, not add more to the mix. Wet your face. Importantly, make sure you’re using lukewarm water. If it\u2019s too hot, the H2O can dry out the skin and cause inflammation. But cold water isn\u2019t as effective at dissolving and removing dirt, oil, and makeup, Dr. Adisa explains.Start the cleanse. Gently massage a nickel- or quarter-size dollop of cleanser across your face with your fingertips, moving in circular motions for about 30 to 60 seconds, says Dr. Ibrahim. Rinse and pat dry. Again, use lukewarm water and make sure your towel is clean. This isn\u2019t the time to reach for the grimy hand towel that\u2019s been hanging in your bathroom for weeks. Single-use, disposable options are super hygienic, though admittedly not the most eco-friendly; you can also keep a dedicated face towel at the ready and swap it out daily.<\/p>\n

One important caveat: If you\u2019re wearing a full face of makeup, particularly waterproof or long-wearing formulas, a double cleanse<\/a> isn\u2019t a bad idea. Start by using a dedicated makeup remover to first dissolve all of that product, then go in with your cleanser, Dr. Adisa advises. Getting rid of that first layer of product will ensure that the face wash can then actually clean the skin. <\/p>\n

And there you have it\u2014the ideal first step of your routine, including the best product to use and exactly how to do it. Now, go forth in skincare success. <\/p>\n

\"Headshot<\/p>\n

Melanie Rud<\/a> is a beauty writer and editor with over 15 years of experience in the industry covering skincare, makeup, hair, and more. Her work has appeared in Shape, Real Simple, Byrdie, In Style, RealSelf, Good Housekeeping, PopSugar, and multiple other print and digital outlets. Additionally, she works as a personal beauty coach and also offers consulting services for beauty companies.<\/p>\n

\"Headshot<\/p>\n

Brian Underwood is beauty director at Women\u2019s Health, where he oversees content strategy for the brand across all platforms, including digital, print, and social. Underwood previously served as beauty and wellness director at Oprah Daily and O, The Oprah Magazine. During his tenure leading beauty content for the Oprah brand at Hearst, stories Underwood commissioned were awarded the Skin Cancer Foundation Media Award and a Fragrance Award for Editorial Excellence (his second). He was the launch Beauty Director of Dr. Oz THE GOOD LIFE, and has held additional editorial positions at Fitness, Organic Style, Good Housekeeping, Life & Style Weekly, and Woman\u2019s Day and has written for Self, Shape, Seventeen, Redbook, Cosmopolitan, and many more. Underwood previously served on the Skin Cancer Foundation\u2019s gala committee and as partnerships director of the Trans Beauty Clinic, a New York-based charitable organization that provided beauty services and workshops to the city\u2019s trans community.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Has anyone out there tried to buy a face wash lately? Confusing, right? With approximately one bazillion or…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":441326,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[182687,182689,182680,49,48,103939,182681,182686,182691,182684,182690,182682,182685,182688,182683,81329,61,2372],"class_list":["post-441325","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-technology","tag-acne-cleanser","tag-benzoyl-peroxide","tag-best-face-wash","tag-ca","tag-canada","tag-ceramides","tag-cleanser","tag-combination-skin","tag-dermatologist-recommended","tag-dry-skin","tag-fragrance-free","tag-gentle-cleanser","tag-oily-skin","tag-salicylic-acid","tag-sensitive-skin","tag-skin-barrier","tag-technology","tag-womens-health"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/441325","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=441325"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/441325\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/441326"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=441325"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=441325"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=441325"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}