16 Face Washes You Should Be Using Instead of Face Wipes (Srsly)
First, a quick PSA about why it's so damn important to wash your face before bed: "Pollution particles, bad bacteria, oil, and dead skin cells cling to makeup and accumulate on the surface of your skin during the day," says dermatologist Shari Marchbein, MD. "If you don't wash them off, they can generate free radical damage in the skin, triggering everything from acne to redness and even premature aging." Not fun. Or cute. To keep that sh*t from happening, you need a cleanser that's suited to your skin's needs. Lucky for you, I've rounded up the 16 best face washes broken down by skin type and concern. Keep on reading and pick your new BFF.
Best Face Wash for Dull Skin
If you're dealing with dullness or discoloration, like melasma, dark spots, or post-inflammatory hyperpigmenation, it's worth investing in a face wash with gentle exfoliating ingredients to slough off the top layer of uneven skin. Washing with alpha hydroxy acids (like glycolic, lactic, and mandelic acid) helps dissolve the glue that holds together dead skin cells. And when those dead cells are MIA? New, undamaged skin cells are able to come to the surface, resulting in clearer, more even-toned skin.
Best Face Wash for Sensitive Skin
Skin that's prone to redness or irritation has a weakened skin barrier, and using a face wash that's too harsh can definitely make matters worse. So to prevent that from happening, you'll want to look for something labeled "gentle" or "extra gentle," says Dr. Marchbein. This means no bar soaps, scrubs, or super sudsy cleansers (sry) with stripping sulfates. Instead, opt for creamy or low-foam formulas with hydrating and calming ingredients. Also good to know: If your skin is super sensitive, you really only need to wash it at night—just rinsing with some water in the morning is fine, adds Dr. Marchbein.
Best Face Wash for Dry Skin
Truth: Using the wrong face wash can actually dry TF out of your face. As a rule, look for formulas that have a cream, lotion, or milk-like texture and contain hydrating ingredients, like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, or a moisturizing oil, says Dr. Marchbein. And again, skip any face washes with drying sulfates. You might think they're doing amazing things for your skin, since they feel nice and foamy on your face when you're washing, but secretly, they're sucking up all the moisture, leaving your face dry and flaky.
Best Face Wash for Oily Skin
Washing your face is necessary to remove the excess oil and dead skin cells that contribute to clogged pores and acne. But don't overdo it! "Studies show that washing your face more than twice a day can actually make acne worse and cause significant skin irritation," says Dr. Marchbein. Stick to cleansing in just the morning and at night and choose a face wash that has has pore-clearing ingredients, like charcoal, clay, or exfoliating alpha and beta hydroxy acids (aka AHAs/BHAs).
We just launched a newsletter that’s alllllll about acne. Each week, we’ll hit up your inbox with everything from the zit products that actually work to the best breakout tips and tricks from derms. Do your skin a favor and sign up, k?
You Might Also Like
