If you have combination skin, you have probably stumbled upon the challenge of finding the best cleanser for both oily and dry/normal skin. Since having my son, my skin has become combination, with the oiliest part being my t-zone and the rest of my skin running dry to normal. Who would have thought that having a child would change your skin forever! Since this change it has been difficult for me to find the best cleanser that helps care for my skin all around, helping to purify the oily sections while nourishing the drier and normal sections appropriately. To sum it up, having healthy and beautiful skin after children is a bit challenging.
Through my quest for the perfect skin cleanser, I have found that there truly is no single cleanser that is going to do the job! You simply can’t find a cleanser that does it all, they may promise to do it all, but they don’t. So my solution has been to use a combination of cleansers for my combination skin. If you think about it, it only makes sense to use two different cleansers, one for your oily skin and one for your dry or normal skin. By creating the perfect cleansing duo, you simplify your skin routine and allow your skin to receive the much-needed nourishment and purification it needs for a beautiful and healthy glow.
First and foremost, I must remind everyone that the most important step to cleansing is removing your makeup! It is so damaging to sleep with your makeup on or to simply remove it haphazardly where there are still traces of makeup left within your pores. Many cleansers claim to dissolve makeup, but they truly don’t. They dissolve most of it, but not completely which is what you need to assure that your pores are clear and your skin is healthy. So step 1 is to remove your makeup. I am currently obsessed with micellar lotions! Since having tried one month’s ago, I simply can’t get enough of it! My favorite is Avene Eau Thermale Micellar Lotion Cleanser and Make-Up. Yet again, this product claims that it cleanses and removes your makeup, but I feel it is just a great makeup remover and middle of the day refreshed and nourishing lotion if your skin needs a little pick me up.
Once you remove your makeup, you can then start your cleansing routine. So, let’s talk about the water you use. I used to use cold water because it supposedly closed my pores, then I used hot water because I read somewhere that it helps with boosting radiance. Both of these are myths. Extreme cold and hot water send your skin into shock and stress it out. They do not help your skin look better or feel better, extreme temperatures simply irritate your skin, so use lukewarm water always!
My system for combination skin is to use one type of cleanser in the morning and one at night. In the morning I use a gentle, milk cleanser to help my skin feel soft, hydrate it and get it to a great start for makeup application and all day fabulousness. I have been using a vitamin C cleanser by Ideal Skin that works great. It is soft, gentle and helps boost my radiance each day. At night I use a more purifying cleanser to help exfoliate and get inside my pores to dissolve all the grime from my day. Neova Radiant Purifying Cleanser is great oily skin cleanser, which helps purify your skin of excess oil and leave it feeling truly clear and healthy. One thing that is important is to immediately spritz your skin with a hydrating toner or even hydrating water. I love to use rose water to help hydrate my skin after my purifying cleanser. My skin tends to feel a little dry after I use it and the rose water instantly helps it feel better.
By using two types of cleansers you are nourishing your normal and dry skin while eliminating oil build up on the oily parts s that your skin is healthy and feels great all around. Understanding what cleansers work best for your skin type is the first step to great looking and feeling skin!
