Spring cleaning may not be in store for our houses (yuck), but is definitely in order for our skin (yay!). “Without a good cleansing routine, you can develop blocked pores, breakouts, a dull complexion and even irritant related skin rashes such as eczema and atopic dermatitis,” says Naila Malik, MD, a Southlake, Texas-based dermatologist.
All great reasons to hit the sink—morning and night if you have normal or oily skin, just at night for dry—but what should we be washing with? “I prefer face cleansers that are free of fragrance, parabens, and artificial colors because I do not like any potential irritants in my products,” says Malik. While green-washing your cleanser may seem complicated, there are plenty of organic and non-toxic products at drugstores and online.
According to Malik, finding the face wash that’s right for you is as simple as knowing your skin type then looking for a wash that contains ingredients your particular type needs. Check out her tips below—and happy spring-cleaning!
When it comes to consistency, cream cleansers are generally more hydrating than liquid soaps. You should also look for washes that are loaded with emollient ingredients. Plant-based hydrators like jojoba and coconut oils are often better than their synthetic counterparts because they more closely mimic the body’s natural oils so the skin more easily and readily absorbs them.
Zia Natural Skincare’s Ultimates Oceanic Clay Cleansing Crème contains jojoba seed oil as well as a super moisturizing and detoxifying clay.
If your skin is generally well-balanced or tends toward the oil side, try cleansers with mild exfoliating ingredients like alpha hydroxy acids. Natural face washes that contain fruit enzymes such as pineapple and apple can be found on drugstore shelves and do a wonderful job preventing dulling dead skin cell buildup.
Try Alba Botanica’s Hawaiian Facial Cleanser with pineapple enzyme.
Plenty of plants offer antibacterial benefits that can help banish breakouts. Studies have shown that tea tree oil has bacteria-busting properties, so look for cleansers that contain this botanical. Lemon and orange peel extract are also great for acne-prone skin, as are AHA botanicals that help slough away pore-clogging dead cells.
Check out Desert Essence’s Thoroughly Clean Face Wash with Organic Tea Tree Oil and Awapuhi, which also contains organic lavender to calm the irritation and inflammation often associated with acne.
More mature skin is lacking in moisture and is easily irritated, so if you have aging skin, you’ll want to steer clear of cleansers that can strip away needed oil or that are too harsh on sensitive skin. Follow the guidelines above for those with dry skin, but also keep an eye out for cleansers with antioxidant ingredients like green tea, pomegranate, and grape seed extracts.
Check out Noah’s Naturals’ Age Repair Gentle Cream Cleanser, a moisturizing wash with a blend of powerful antioxidants like acai berry, pomegranate and grape seed.
Megan O'Neill is a freelance writer living in Philadelphia, PA. Her work has appeared in magazines such as Health, Self, Glamour, Real Simple, Natural Health and Spa.
