January 16, 2024Cleansing

Cleansing 101: Cleansing Methods That Will Improve Your Skin Dramatically

Skin cleansing is an essential step in skincare routines as it removes impurities accumulated throughout the day, prevents skin conditions such as acne, blackheads, and whiteheads, allowing for a 'clean base' to better absorb skincare products. Skin cleansing also maintains your skin’s natural pH balance, which is crucial for healthy skin, and boosts overall skin health, enabling it to look and feel its best. However, it's important to note that over-cleansing or using harsh products can strip the skin of its natural oils, leading to dryness, irritation, or even an overproduction of sebum. Finding a balance with a suitable cleanser for your skin type and not overdoing it is key to reaping the benefits of skin cleansing without causing harm.

Team Eunogo will break down the different types of cleansers, when to use each type, the proper way to cleanse, and recommended cleansing method for each skin type.

First of all, there are two categories of cleansers; primary and secondary cleansers.

A primary cleanser refers to an oil-based cleanser formulated to remove mainly makeup and sunscreen and it typically includes milk cleansers/cleansing milk, oil cleansers, and cleansing balms. This serves as a crucial role, so your pores will not get clogged easily. A secondary cleanser is typically used in a double-cleansing routine, after the initial use of a primary cleanser. Secondary cleansers provide a deeper cleanse and address any remaining impurities, dirts, oil or residue left after the first cleanse. However, a secondary cleanser is an option, not a must, and depends on your skin’s sensitivity, makeup, etc. Such examples of secondary cleansers are gel cleanser, and a foam cleanser.

Types of Cleansers:

Oil Cleanser - Mainly formulated with oils as their main ingredient, oil cleansers target to effectively melt and remove makeup, sunscreen, dirt and white/blackheads from the skin.

De:maf All Day Glow I'm So Jelly Olive Oil Cleanser

Cleansing Balm - A cleansing balm is also an oil-based cleanser but it comes in a solid form and it melts into oil upon contact with the skin. Similar to an oil cleanser, they are designed to melt and remove makeup, sunscreen, dirt and white/blackheads from the skin.

XOUL After Glow Cleansing Balm

Cleansing Milk/Lotion - Cleansing milk typically has a creamy and lotion-like consistency, often containing moisturizing ingredients such as hyaluronic acid to leave the skin feeling soft and hydrated. Cleansing milk usually contains oil but much less than that of oil cleansers and cleansing balm. While it may not remove heavy makeup, it can be used to remove sunscreen, light makeup like BB cream, excess sebum and melt blackheads. Cleansing milk is usually suitable for sensitive skin.

De:maf All Day Glow Creamy Milk Cleanser

Foam/Gel Cleanser - Foam/Gel Cleansers are typically used as secondary cleansers. They remove dirts, impurities, and excess sebum.

iLomys Renew Derm Foam Cleanser

De:maf All Day Glow Rice Jelly Cleanser

Foam/gel cleansers can be differed by pH levels. A pH of 7 is considered neutral, while values below 7 are acidic and values above 7 are alkaline. Higher the pH, stronger the cleansing capacity but it can also remove good oil and bacteria that protect our skin barriers. Acidic cleansers usually below 6 pH are designed to maintain a healthy skin protective barrier, often recommended for people with dry, sensitive or easily irritated skin. However, for people with oily skin with excess sebum can use slightly alkaline cleansers.

How to Cleanse Properly While Protecting Our Skin Barriers:

Always cleanse your hands with soap first before cleansing your face.
Cleanse with lukewarm water. Avoid hot or cold water that can harm your skin barriers.
Cleanse twice a day in the morning and night time.
Do not over cleanse. Cleansing too often will weaken your skin barriers, and frequent exfoliation will also weaken skin barriers.
Choose a cleanser suitable for your skin type and lifestyle such as the right type of cleansers to use and check all the ingredients.
Do not strip off your skin by wiping your skin too hard with a towel after cleansing or using Alkalic cleanser unnecessarily as it will remove good oil and bacteria and weaken your skin barriers.

Recommended Cleansing Methods Based on Skin Types:

For Dry Skin

Morning Cleanse - use just water or use mild, acidic foam cleanser with low pH from time to time depending on skin condition.
NIght Cleanse after wearing SPF and/or light skin makeup such as BB cream - Use a milk cleanser or cleansing lotion and/or double cleanse with mild foam cleanser with low PH only when necessary.
NIght Cleanse after wearing heavy makeup - Use an oil cleanser or cleansing balm and double cleanse with mild foam cleanser with low PH.

For Oily Skin

Morning Cleanse - use an acidic or mildly alkalic foam cleanser to cleanse overnight sebum, dirt etc.
Night Cleanse after wearing SPF and/or light skin makeup such as BB cream - Use a milk cleanser/cleansing milk as a primary cleanser and double cleanse with a slightly alkalic foam cleanser.
Night Cleanse after wearing heavy makeup - Use an oil cleanser or cleansing balm as a makeup remover and double cleanse with a slightly alkalic foam cleanser.

iLomys Renew Derm Foam Cleanser

Slightly alkalic foam cleanser suitable for sensitive skin and acne-prone skin.

For Combination Skin

Morning Cleanse - Use mild, acidic foam cleanser to cleanse overnight sebum, dirt etc. When your skin feels irritated or dry, just wash with water without a cleansing product.
Night Cleanse after wearing SPF and/or light skin makeup such as BB cream - Use a milk cleanser or cleansing milk and double cleanse with a mild foam cleanser full face or T-Zone area depending on how your skin feels.
Night Cleanse after wearing heavy makeup - Use an oil cleanser or cleansing balm and double cleanse with mild foam cleanser.

For Normal Skin

Morning Cleanse - Use mild, acidic foam cleanser to cleanse overnight sebum, dirt etc.
Night Cleanse after wearing SPF and/or light skin makeup such as BB cream - Use a milk cleanser or cleansing milk and double cleanse with a mild foam cleanser.
Night Cleanse after wearing heavy makeup - Use a oil cleanser or cleansing balm as a makeup remover and double cleanse with mild foam cleanser.

For Sensitive or Inflamed Skin

When your skin is extremely sensitive, your skin barrier is damaged or temporarily experiencing breakouts and/or inflammation, you can follow these cleansing tips:

Morning Cleanse - skip using cleansing products and use just water to wash. Focus on soothing and moisturizing.
Night Cleanse after wearing SPF and/or light skin makeup such as BB cream - Use a gentle milk cleanser only and double cleanse with a mild foam cleanser only when necessary. When using a foam cleanser, create foam from your hands by adding water and apply foam to your face, gently and lightly cleanse.
Better not to wear heavy makeup at this period as double cleansing or using strong makeup remover or oil based cleanser can further irritate your skin.

Cleanser Recommendations

De:maf All Day Glow I'm So Jelly Olive Oil Cleanser

Deep cleanse with De:maf All Day Glow I'm So Jelly Olive Oil Cleanser (50ML/150ML) that removes makeup, fine dust, sunscreen and melts blackheads. Infused with 75.8% of olive oil, it supplies nutrients, promoting a healthier complexion. Made with only 8 clean ingredients, people with sensitive skin can use with confidence.

XOUL After Glow Cleansing Balm

XOUL After Glow Cleansing Balm is a vegan 3-in-1 triple cleansing solution formulated with premium oils, providing deep moisturization, a refreshing finish, and glowing skin benefits beyond simple cleansing. It can remove makeup, sunscreen, dirt and other impurities on the skin. Additionally, this cleansing balm can also be used as a massage care and wash-off pack.

De:maf All Day Glow Creamy Milk Cleanser

As mentioned previously, if you are wearing sunscreen or light makeup, we would recommend to cleanse with De:maf All Day Glow Creamy Milk Cleanser first and use a mild foam cleanser for double cleansing depending on your skin type and condition. De:maf Milk Cleanser contains carefully selected ingredients such as broccoli extract (64%), ceramide, panthenol, and madecassoside to moisturize and strengthen your skin barrier. Definitely a must-try cleanser if you are looking for a gentle, yet effective cleanser that will leave your skin looking and feeling its best!

iLomys Renew Derm Foam Cleanser

iLomys Renew Derm Foam Cleanser is a mild foam cleanser which is slightly alkalic, great for acne-prone skin. It can remove dirts, excess sebum and impurities without irritating the skin. Using "natural surfactant" derived from coconut, it reduces skin irritation and prevents excess oil from being stripped away, even people with sensitive skin can use with confidence.

De:maf All Day Glow Rice Jelly Cleanser

De:maf All Day Glow Rice Jelly Cleanser is a gel type cleanser formulated with 56.8% of rice extract instead of water, and other skin hydrating and soothing ingredients including coconut and olive oil and coco-betaine. You can use this as the morning cleanser to deep cleanse overnight sebum or as the second cleanser after removing makeup and sunscreen with De:maf All Day Glow I'm So Jelly Olive Oil Cleanser or De:maf All Day Glow Creamy Milk Cleanser at night time.

BEIGIC Aromatic Face Cleanser

Another gel type cleanser that you can check out is the BEIGIC Aromatic Face Cleanser. This is a vegan cleanser that is enriched with moisturizing ingredients like hyaluronic acid and green coffee bean oil that provides moisture after cleansing. Cleanse the skin thoroughly by washing off all the dirt and makeup residue without drying the skin or causing damage.