What Cleanser Should I Use?
That's a million dollar question as cleansing is one of the essential steps in your skincare routine. Looking for the best cleansing products for your skin type can sometimes feel like searching for a pin in a haystack. You can get lost! or worst still waste money on a product that doesn't work best for your skin type or needs. Using the wrong cleanser can interfere with optimal skin functioning.
At Reine Africaine, we are all about getting you in the know. It saves time, effort and money. Why buy the wrong cleanser when we know you can get the right one? We've researched cleansers from the best African skincare brands and we've curated them based on skin types. If you do not know your skin type, then check out The Ultimate Guide To Different Skin Types .
What Is a Cleanser?
A cleanser is a gentle skincare product that removes dirt, makeup, dead skin cells and excess oil from your skin. It refreshes your skin while hydrating as well. As the first step in your skincare routine, proper cleansing helps other products penetrate your skin more deeply and perform their tasks more efficiently.
Research reveals that washing the face with water is insufficient to remove the majority of environmental contaminants and cosmetic products that our skin comes into contact with. Skin cleansers aim to remove debris, oil, sebum, and dead skin cells without causing irritation or damage to the skin and the only way it can achieve that is if it was formulated for your skin type.
This skin type requires all things moisturizing. So, if your cleanser leaves your dry skin extra tight and even drier, then stop! You shouldn't use a cleanser that strips off all the natural surface oil you have. The best cleanser for dry skin or skin conditions like ashy skin is one that is free from drying agents such as alcohol but rather contains hydrating ingredients such as Niacinamide, Glycerin, Hyaluronic acid, and Ceramides among so many others.
House of Coco Foam Cleanser (₦4,500.00)
This gentle gel-to-mild foam cleanser from House of Coco is a deeply moisturizing cleanser enriched with jojoba oil which mimics the skin's sebum. It also consists of the humectant - glycerin which locks in hydration thus ensuring skin doesn't dry out after cleansing.
Sebum is produced naturally by the body's oil producing sebaceous gland. Sebum is essential for healthy skin as it hydrates and protects the skin. Oily skin happens when the sebaceous glands produce too much sebum. You may be tempted to overdo it with oily skin. Nevertheless, remember the key is cleansing off the excess rather than eradicating all traces of oil, as this would send a negative feedback to your skin to produce more sebum to compensate, leading to even oilier skin. There are ingredients that help to actually combat the excess oil and not simply wash it away. They include Oil-dissolving salicylic acid, glycolic acid and naturally antibacterial tea tree oil.
Skinscience Glysal 5-2 Cleanser (₦8,000.00)
We recommend using the Skinscience Glysal 5-2 cleanser. It's packed with 5% glycolic acid and 2% salicylic acid that helps diminish sebum and acne.
Anike Natural Salicylic Foaming Facial Cleanser (₦4,500.00)
The Salicylic foaming facial cleanser from Anike Natural is a formulation aimed at cleansing clogged pores while serving as a gentle exfoliant. Talk about a double win.
This is a balanced skin type that doesn't experience excessive oiliness or dryness. The key for a normal skin type is to use a gentle, effective cleanser that will not affect the skin's pH value or dry it out.
YouSkin Vitamin C Cleanser (₦9,000.00)
A gentle, smoothing cleanser that helps visibly minimize fine lines, wrinkles, and the appearance of age spots and discoloration. Use YouSkin Beauty Vitamin C Cleanser to deeply cleanse pores and feed the skin powerful antioxidants like Vitamin C and Aloe Vera