Cleansing is the first step in any skin care routine. Washing the face removes dirt, grime, makeup, sweat, and dead skin cells. It makes you feel refreshed and keeps the skin clean and supple. Washing the face twice a day has further benefits as it improves your skin’s health by retaining/improving your complexion.

Choosing the right face wash is the key to a flawless, dirt-free, and healthy skin. An intense face wash could leave your pores clogged, causing you to have dry and irritated skin. Therefore, understanding your skin type is the first step to choose the right face wash.

How to identify your skin type
To understand what is your skin type, take this quick test.

• Wash your face thoroughly and pat it dry with a towel.
• After about 20 minutes, stick 3 pieces of tape on your face: One across your forehead, one across your cheek by your jawline and one down the length of your nose.
• Let the tape stay for about 3–5 minutes.
• Remove the tape from each area.
• If you see flakes of skin on the tape, you have dry skin. On the other hand, if you see tiny oil droplets on the tape, you have oily skin. However, if you see a bit of both, you have combination skin. Additionally, if you see redness on the peeled area, you may have sensitive skin.

How to choose the right face wash
After having understood your skin type, choose a face wash based on your requirements.

For dry skin
If your skin is dry, using a face wash that is gentle but more moisturizing is perfect. It should have enough moisturizing properties to provide the right nourishment. You should look out for ingredients like petrolatum, lanolin, and mineral oil.

It is also important to choose a face wash that is free of fragrance, alcohol, chemicals, and one that is hypoallergenic. If the face wash has all these properties, it usually is non-foaming. Antibacterial cleansers with exfoliators like glycolic acid and salicylic acid should be avoided as they may take the moisture away from the skin.

For oily skin
If you have oily skin, it is important to choose a face wash that hydrates your skin more than moisturizing it. This way, your skin would not appear oily. Look for ingredients like aloe vera and tea tree oil on the labels. They provide the right nourishment to the skin and promote clarity.

One important thing to observe is if your skin gets dry and tight after you wash. If it feels so, change the face wash as it dries out your skin. You should also avoid the cleansers that contain oil or alcohol, as they increase the oil concentration.

For combination skin
It is tricky choosing the right face wash for combination or sensitive skin. Thus, it is best to opt for ultra-gentle cleansers that are fragrance-free, paraben-free, not hypoallergenic, and soap free. Micellar water is the best bet for people with combination skin.