How to Choose a Cleanser for your Skin Type/Condition

Stay away form drugstore cleansers (with the exception of Cerave), my experience with them they are way to drying, strip the skin of vital moisture, contain irritating dyes, fragrance, too much alcohol- (too much of all the above) -especially Neutragena.  Neutragena is the devil.  Article coming soon..

1) Normal: A balanced complexion, not to oily or dry, but just right!  Murad AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser, Murad Renewing Cream Cleanser, CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser, CeraVe Foaming Cleanser or Murad Refreshing Cleanser.

2) Dry: Lack of oil, tight, dry, flaky skin all over face, maybe sensitive (not to be confused with dehydrated-lack of water from skin treatments, not enough moisture, or general hydration).  Try a cream cleanser.  Murad Renewing Cleansing Cream, CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser.

3) Combination: Oily in some areas (t-zone forehead, nose, chin) Dry in others (predominately cheek area).  Try Murad Energizing Pomegranate Cleanser or Renewing Cream Cleanser.

4) Oily: Larger pores, oily all over face, feels greasy, looks shiny.  Try a gel cleanser.  Neostrata Anti-bacterial Facial Cleanser, Murad Clarifying Cleanser or Murad Time Release Acne Cleanser (for adult skin oily & acne prone),  Andalou Naturals Citrus Kombucha Gel or CeraVe Foaming Cleanser.

Skin Conditions

1) Acne prone: Typically oily but some are dry.   Dry acne prone skin is harder to treat.  Look for salicylic acid, triclosan, sulfur, vitamin A (retinol), hydrogen peroxide (not the bottle to clean cuts), Tea tree oil (no it doesn't clog pores.  Antibacterial), BPO (benozyl peroxide.  Neostrata Anti-bacterial Facial Cleanser, Murad Clarifying Cleanser, Murad Time Release Cleaner (for adult acne), CeraVe Foaming Cleanser (only for very oily skin), CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser for (normal, combo, dry skin), Murad AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser (3x week rotate cleanser with regular cleanser, for most skin types except extreme sensitive cases.)

2) Sensitive (considered a skin type & skin condition) : Easily irritated skin, blushes easily, may have rosacea or psoriasis.  Murad Soothing Gel Cleanser or CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser.

3) Sensitized: Skin has become sensitive from treatments (retinols, glycol, ect) or overly harsh products with fragrance, dyes, irritating ingredients.  NOT normally sensitive.  Try same as Sensitive.  

4) Rosacea: Chronic skin condition you turn red, may swell, skin sores that look like acne, blushes easily, spider like blood vessels.  Same products as Sensitive/Sensitized.

5) Dehydrated (Lacking water) :Tight, over processed, parched skin.  Feels like your skin needs a drink of water & is not normally dry.  Avoid gel cleansers until skin is balanced again.   Try Murad Renewing Cleanser, which protects skins natural moisture barrier.  Instant relief. CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser is also a good option.

6) Aging Skin: Loss of elasticity & firmness, hyper pigmentation (dark spots, age spots, sun spots, melasma).  Murad Renewing Cream Cleanser or Murad AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser.  

Liz Earle will leave your Skin Baby Soft!

Liz Earle skincare is a popular UK brand, that takes pride is providing quality natural active ingredients.  With a number of award winning products, there is a something for everyone.

Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser 
Talk about instant soft skin! This award winning cleanser is not your normal cleanser. 

"We only make one cleanser because this formulation is the ultimate in concentrated yet gentle cleansing power and works on every age and skin type.
Our plant based cleanser has a two-phase action, phase one is the cleansing. Free from mineral oil, it has a rich and creamy texture and swiftly removes all traces of face and eye make up, even stubborn mascara.  Phase two is the polishing. Polish off the cream using the pure muslin cloth to gently dislodge dead skin cells and help reveal clean, soft and radiant skin.  Naturally active ingredients include eucalyptus and cocoa butter for smoother, clearer skin."-Liz Earle


I applied the thick cream cleanser to dry skin as instructed, then ran the muslin cloth under warm water and started buffing my skin in a circular motion.  Rinse well with warm water.  My skin felt amazing.  My skin felt balanced and not stripped.  The next day I woke up with a couple zits on my jawline, which was unfortunate.  My skin is oily, sensitive and acne prone.  I would not say this is suitable for all skin types, but for normal, non acne prone, dry, sensitive skin.  The cocoa butter in this cleanser could be a disaster for severely acne prone skin.

Bottom Line: Great cleanser for non acne prone skin!
6.7 oz.
$40


Instant Boost Skin Tonic
A extremely hydrating toner!  Perfect for colder months when skin is dry or stripped from a harsh cleanser.  A great option for a first toner, without harsh ingredients.

"This heavenly floral-scented, non-drying toner refreshes, soothes and brightens your skin. Gentle and alcohol-free, it also adds a fine layer of moisture.  Pour onto a cotton wool pad and sweep over face and neck after using Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser. Alternatively spritz over face and body to revitalise at any time.  Naturally active ingredients include organic aloe vera to revitalise and soften and calendula, chamomile, cucumber and natural source vitamin E to soothe and refresh the skin."-Liz Earle


Bottom Line: A calming toner packed with the finest ingredients!  Leaves skin calm, refreshed and hydrated.
6.7 fl oz
$21

Deep Cleansing Mask 
I was drawn to this mask, because it contains manuka honey. This honey is known to be anti-microbrial, anti-inflammatory, and improves acne prone skin by killing and preventing bacteria buildup.  Manuka is highly deep cleansing ingredient and contains enzymes that help regenerate healthy new skin.

The consistency of this green mask is more liquid then clay and smells very earthy.  I applied a layer and let it dry before I applied 2 more layers.  My pores looked refined and felt fresh & soft.  Website states it's not suitable for sensitive skin, but it did not bother my sensitive skin.  I also used as a over night spot treatment and loved it!



"This highly concentrated clay and manuka honey mask helps draw out impurities and excess oil to leave skin balanced and calm.  Smooth over face and neck as an all over face treatment, or to target specific problem areas.  Naturally active ingredients include green clay to draw out impurities, soothing manuka honey and propolis and rose-scented geranium to help tone and balance."-Liz Earle

Bottom line:  A great weekly mask for deep cleansing any skin type or spot treat overnight.
2.5 fl oz.
$24
Liz Earle available at LizEarle.com


All products provided by Liz Earle.
Cleanser & Tonic available in different sizes!

This review is my honest opinion.

How to choose a Cleanser

 Cleansing is the first step in your skin regime.  The benefits of skin cleansing include:

• Removes makeup, dirt, debris, oil and bacteria from skin.
• May contain emollients that soften skin.
• May contain ingredients to treat various skin conditions.
• Offers a clean slate for other products to penetrate skin better.

The first step to choosing a cleanser is know your skin type. Cleanser formulations include: gel, cream, lotion, and oil.

Gel Cleanser is a foaming cleanser that dissolves oil.  Perfect for oily and acne prone skin, but do not overuse it can dry skin out causing irritation.  If oily skin becomes dry, it can stimulate oil glands, causing them to overcompensate for loss of oil.  Medicated cleansers are also available for acne prone skin.

Cream Cleanser contains mainly oil and is great for mature and very dry skin.  Cream dissolves makeup & dirt and should be removed with a washcloth, tissue or sponge.  Follow up with a toner to remove any residue. 

Lotion Cleanser is a water based cleanser for normal and combination skin.  For dry skin, choose a "milky" cleanser containing emollients or oil to soft skin.  Skin will feel comfortable and does will not strip skin of its pH balance. 

Oil Cleansing is very popular now.  It is used to remove makeup and attracting oil from the skin.  Oil attracts oil.  Follow with another cleanser to remove oil residue and thoroughly cleanse skin.