These days, when you go skincare shopping, you’ll notice that face cleansers are more commonly seen on the shelves than face washes. Many people think that both are the same, and that “cleanser” is just a more advanced word for face wash, or it’s a modern replacement for morning cleansing. 

But that’s not true; there’s a proper difference between the two. In this blog, we’ll explore what sets a cleanser and a face wash apart and why each one is used. 

What is a Cleanser 

A cleanser is used to clean the skin by removing dirt, makeup, and oil from the face. Often made with hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid and aloe vera, it is very unlikely for your skin to feel flaky and rough after a wash. 

It is also the very first step of your well-disciplined skincare routine to deeply cleanse your skin's surface so the other proceeding products can get maximally absorbed. People with sensitive and inflamed skin are recommended to use facial cleansers, as most of them are made without sodium lauryl sulphate. 

What is a Face Wash 

A face wash is an alternative to bar soap in a liquid form. It is used to deep clean your pores and is available in multiple forms, including foam and gel. You can buy them according to your skin type and concern. You can casually use them one to multiple times in a day to get a clean slate-like skin. 

Usually, they get foamy when mixed with water to form a lather. Infused with a combination of healthy skincare ingredients like salicylic acid, hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide, face washes are one of the first skincare products that started getting popular when other products were still struggling to serve the skin.  

How Are They Different? 

Though face washes are attention-deprived these days but they are not any less than cleansers when it comes to taking care of your skin. While cleansers are capable of removing the dead skin cells and dirt from your face, face washes can go deeper into the layers and refine pores from within. 

Texture

Cleansers are cream-based, or can be availed in the form of powder, oil and lotion. Most face washes are limited to gel and foam-based textures. Not every skin type suits the same formula, so understand your skin and choose accordingly.

Hydration and Moisturisation

Cleansers are mostly way more hydrating than face washes. This is one of the major reasons why thousands have switched to cleansers. You can feel a little bit stretchy after washing your face with a face wash due to its soapy formulation. 

Best Time to Apply

Though there is no hard and fast rule but skincare experts suggest using cleansers as a first step in your morning and nighttime skincare routine, or whenever you need to remove your makeup. You can try face washes right after sweating in the gym, in humid weather, or while suffering from severe to moderate breakouts. 

Mildness

However, the mildness of a cleanser and a soap depends upon their formulation. But in general cases, cleansers are considered gentler than both face washes and bar soaps. Moreover, if you want a softer option than a bar soap, then go for a face wash. 

 

Which One Should I Use for My Skin? 

There are fewer “one product for all skin types” products. Understand your skin type and focus on the concern you are struggling with. That's how you decide which one to go for. Here's the simple breakdown of skin types and facial cleaning agents you can use accordingly;

Oily

People with oily skin experience constant grease, sebum, and sweat throughout the day. Face washes can go deeper into the layers of the skin and clean from within. 

Dry & Dehydrated

If your skin is dry, you may have to test different face washes and cleansers to check which one does not make your skin feel drier after a wash. Cleansers with light, hydrating formulations have emerged as a promising solution to this concern. 

Combination 

If you are blessed with combination skin, you can try whatever is the need of the hour. A combination skin has to go through different phases depending on certain factors, including environment and hormones. So if you are experiencing oil, go for a face wash or choose a cleanser if dealing with rough, flaky skin. 

Normal

Normal skin types can benefit from the hydrating and skin-plumping ingredients, such as hyaluronic acid, aloe vera, peptides, and ceramides. Both cleansers and face washes can work for them. 

Sensitive 

You can get better options with cleansers for your sensitive skin. They are milder and cleanse without irritating the skin’s surface. This action does not impact your barrier and leaves your skin supple and plump. 

Can You Use Them Together? 

You can use both facial cleanser and face wash together, but you don't need to. The thing is, they perform similar actions of cleansing, which can be done by any of these. If you have chosen a certain kind of suitable skincare ingredients, any face wash or a cleanser would do the job. 

Having said that, if you are to perform double cleansing, you can combine them. Just take care of the ingredients so you don’t end up making the wrong combinations. Taking advice from your doctor would be a smart decision. Furthermore, don't over-cleanse, especially if your skin is already dry or flaky. 

Recommended Cleansers 

DRSQ has three highly effective cleansers that not only address multiple skin concerns but also nourish your skin at the same time. Our facial cleansers are dermatologically tested, formulated with soothing ingredients, and made to deeply cleanse your pores while protecting your skin barrier. 

Cleanse & Hydrate

Cleanse & Hydrate is a non-comedogenic, mild facial cleanser highly effective for oily and acne-prone skin. It has jojoba seed oil to repair the acid mantle barrier, vitamin E to reduce inflammation, fights ageing signs, vitamin B5 to regulate moisture levels, and organic aloe to heal wounds. 

Clarifying Cleanser

From defying fine lines and wrinkles, fighting pigmentation, blemishes, to controlling acne, Clarifying Cleanser gently exfoliates without stripping the natural oils. It brightens the skin tone and can be used as a makeup remover. 

Cream Cleanser

Infused with refined hydrators like shea butter and olive oil, Cream Cleanser can remove all the dirt, impurities, and makeup. It is highly recommended for very dry to dry, and flaky skin types. You can use it post-laser treatments and while dealing with skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis.  

Final Words

Whether you use a face wash or a cleanser, just make sure it suits your skin type, targets your concerns, and doesn’t leave your skin feeling dry after washing. You can also consult your doctor if you wish. Cleansing is the first step to healthy skin, so take your time to research, explore, and choose the right facial cleansing product wisely.

References:

• George Frederick Glass Jr, Cheng Cheng Karine Goh, Run Qi Cheong, Zhi Lei Ong, Peck Chui Betty Khong, Ee-Yuee Chan, "Effectiveness of skin cleanser and protectant regimen on incontinence-associated dermatitis outcomes in acute care patients: A cluster randomised trial", 2021 Dec
• Zoe Diana Draelos, "The science behind skin care: Cleansers", 2018 Feb
• Dalibor Mijaljica, Fabrizio Spada, Ian P Harrison, "Skin Cleansing without or with Compromise: Soaps and Syndets", 2022 Mar