Cleansing is an important part of general skincare, but is absolutely critical for those with acne. They reduce the amount of oil, dirt, and bacteria on the skin’s surface which can clog the pores, and induce acne flares. The kind of cleansers you use should be guided in part by your skin type.
Normal Skin
Normal skin is an ideal skin type with just the right amount of oil and skin moisture. Unfortunately acne can affect almost everyone. For your skin type, you can use a wide range of cleansing products without trouble. If you find that the regular bar soap which is the most popular type of soap is irritating the skin, you may want to switch to a liquid or mild cleanser.
Dry Skin
Dry skin is a common skin type, and while it’s not usually associated with acne, it is by no means an impossible combination. Those with dry skin should avoid harsh cleansers as it irritates the skin, and sometimes actually causes acne to flare up even more. Cleanse using a mild cleanser or a hard-milled soap, but avoid over-cleansing. A careful wash once a day should be sufficient.
People with sensitive skin can react easily to fragrance and preservatives, and should avoid mechanical cleansers such as cleansing grains, brushes and loofahs. Most synthetic detergents have the pH balanced favorably for the skin and are well tolerated by sensitive persons. A few liquid cleansers are not irritating, but many interact with the skin because of their additional surfactants. Two non-irritating cleansers are Cetaphil and Aquanil lotions, many of the hard-milled soaps are well tolerated also.
Sensitive Skin
Those with sensitive skin react easily to cosmetic ingredients. Fragrances and preservatives are common ingredients which can cause skin irritation. Choose non-comedogenic products and avoid products like loofahs or brushes which cause friction as much as possible. Mild cleansers are also helpful in effective cleansing without irritating sensitive skin.
Oily Skin
Oily skin is the most common skin type that has problems with acne. Since oily skin produces large amounts of sebum, acne is often a problem as the pores often clog. A stronger cleanser may be needed for the central face area called the T-Zone to control oil. It is important, however not to obsessively cleanse as this will backfire.
