Skin Cleanser

These days, facial cleansers do a lot more than just clean your skin. Cleansers contain a wide range of chemicals that are beneficial in treating a number of skin problems. Whether you're looking for a product to treat acne, make your skin less oily, brighten your complexion, or hydrate dry patches, there's bound to be something that works for you.

Here are some common skin care ingredients that are best suited for a particular skin type:

Retinol

Retinol is a kind of vitamin A. It's the most prevalent over-the-counter retinol, which are vitamin A compounds that promote skin turnover and are mostly used for anti-aging and acne treatment. Retinol is commonly available in up to 2.0 percent concentrations from a drugstore or speciality beauty store, but higher concentrations require a doctor's prescription.

The main goal is to: Retinol promotes skin turnover, which means it aids in the removal of old, dead skin cells while also promoting the growth of new, healthy skin cells. Increasing cell turnover can lead to the following outcomes:

Greatly improve the skin texture
Get rid of uneven pigmentation
Unclog pores
Help with blackheads and whiteheads
Reduces acne breakouts
Increases the collagen production
Reduces the appearance of fine lines

Best suited for: Acne-prone or oily skin are the best candidates. It is, nonetheless, suited for all skin types. Start with a lesser dose of retinol, such as 0.025 to 0.03 percent, if you have sensitive or dry skin.

Salicylic acid

Salicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid, which means it can help to reduce oil production and remove dead skin cells. It's oil-soluble, so it may get right into the pores.

The main goal is to: acne-fighting cleansers frequently contain salicylic acid. It works as a chemical exfoliator, it can:

Removes old skin debris
Gets rid of bacteria
Diminishes excess oil
Cleans and helps in unclogging pores
Prevents acne

Best suited for: Acne-prone or oily skin are the best candidates. If you have sensitive or dry skin, you should use less salicylic acid because it can cause dryness and irritation if used excessively. It should also be avoided if you are pregnant.

Ceramides

Ceramides are lipids, or fats, that are found in our skin naturally. According to Cheng, substantial quantities of these lipids may be found in the top layers of our skin, which act as a barrier against the outside environment.

The main goal is to: Ceramides serve a fundamental purpose by forming a robust barrier that allows them to:

Hydrate skin
Seal in the moisture
Soothe sensitive and dry skin
Protect the skin from pollutants and other irritants

Best suited for: Skin that is dry or sensitive. Ceramides are supposed to benefit even people with extremely sensitive eczema-prone skin and will not bother them.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is an antioxidant, which means it can aid in the reduction of free radical generation and hence the damaging effects of free radicals on the skin. Free radicals are unstable molecules that are produced by a variety of external stimuli, including pollution and sunshine. They have the potential to harm healthy cells' DNA. Antioxidants can aid in the protection of your skin cells against the effects of this camouflage.

The main goal is to: Vitamin C, by inhibiting the generation of free radicals, can:

Reduce overproduction of melanin which could result in dark spots and hyperpigmentation
Prevents premature aging
It preserves the skin texture
Brightens the complexion

Best suited for: All skin types are best suited. If you're new to applying vitamin C topically, it is suggested to start with a lesser dose to avoid discomfort and dryness.

Chemical exfoliants

This is a broad category that encompasses a variety of acids, all of which function by eliminating the dead skin cells on the surface of the skin. Some of the most popular ones are:

Glycolic acid
Lactic acid
Azelaic acid
Salicylic acid
Trichloroacetic acid

The main goal is to: Although each of these substances is unique and may be utilized for different skin conditions, it is said that chemical exfoliants can:

Assist with skin cell turnover
Brighten the skin
Improve the skin texture greatly
Improves skin discolouration
Increases the collagen production
Assists with acne

Best suited for: Depending on the component you use, it's best suited for: any skin type. Choose alpha hydroxy acids like lactic acid or glycolic acids if you have dry skin. Azelaic acid is also gentle enough for delicate and rosacea-prone skin. For oily skin, stronger acids like salicylic acid and larger concentrations are better.

Physical exfoliants

Scrubs with particles such as seeds, beads, or granules that can exfoliate dead skin cells are known as physical exfoliants. Chemical exfoliants remove dead skin cells through the acids themselves, whereas physical exfoliants need manual scrubbing and exfoliation with the particles in the cleansers. Chemical exfoliants may be present in some physical exfoliants. Physical exfoliants have greater user-dependent variability than chemical exfoliants because you're actively scrubbing. The harshness of the scrub will be determined by how hard you scrub and how long you scrub.

The main goal is to: Specific components will differ, but the scrubs' main goal is to:

Get rid of dead skin cells
Increase the skin cell turnover
Smoothen and soften skin to large extents

Best suited for: Skin that is not sensitive. Physical exfoliants should not be used on a daily basis. Regardless of skin type, they should only be used once or twice a week. If done too aggressively, facial scrubbing can deplete the skin's natural oil and cause irritation. It's all too easy to get carried away and produce skin microtears. The size and substance of the grains in the wash or scrub should be noted, as some can be harsher than others.

Take Away

The finest cleaner for you will be determined by your specific requirements. There are so many to choose from that it may take some trial and error to locate the one that best suits your needs.

When testing new items, it's best to take things carefully at first. You can try it every other day before using it every day, or use a small test area to make sure you aren't allergic or sensitive to any of the ingredients. If your cleanser isn't helping you with your acne, oily skin, or dry skin, consult a dermatologist.