This spring, a wave of new, soothing milk, foam, and oil-based cleansers got us thinking about the real role a face wash plays in our beauty routines—as in, exactly how much can you expect from a product that stays on your skin for approximately 30 seconds?
“The whole point of a cleanser is to gently remove dirt, makeup, and sweat, without stripping the natural oils from your skin. It should be relatively simple and straightforward, and it should never sting or burn,” says New York City dermatologist Amy Wechsler, M.D., who stresses that what’s inside your cleanser is often less important than what’s not.
If you have dry or sensitive skin, she suggests looking for something that’s fragrance free, and staying away from alcohol, witch hazel, or alpha hydroxy acids. “We’ve been brought up to think that ‘squeaky clean’ is good,” she says, “but in order to do that you have to use so much soap, and really, that’s not great for your skin.” Those prone to breakouts should also avoid harsh cleansers. “You’re just drying out the surface, irritating the cells, and making more blemishes.”