What is a Cleanser? 

A cleanser is an essential part of our skincare routine that removes pollution, dirt and excess oils from the skin. It is a gentle process that involves the application of a gentle cleanser and massaging it on the skin in a circular motion to get rid of impurities. It keeps the skin healthy by enhancing the ability of the dermal layer to absorb moisture. A cleanser acts as a medium for fixing makeup during the day.

What are the Benefits of using a Cleanser?

Skin is the largest organ in the body, the first line of defence against germs, bacteria and harmful substances, as well as a complex sensory organ sensitive to touch, temperature and pain. Skin is also a very delicate organ with a complex structure that is susceptible to various external influences, from UV radiation to stress.

The most common method of cleansing is with a face cleanser. A cleanser helps to remove excess oil or dirt that makes pores appear larger and leaves the skin looking dull. It kicks off your skincare regimen by removing this buildup of dirt and oil to leave your skin feeling clean and fresh. It's important to choose products that suit your skin type.

How to Identify Oily Skin?

Oily skin can be hard to manage as it tends to get an instant shine, especially when exposed to heat and sunlight that make the skin appear greasy.

Follow these simple steps to determine your skin type:

1. Take tissue paper and gently pat on different areas of your face.
   
   
2. If the tissue paper has no oil, then you have a dry skin type.
   
   
3. If the tissue paper has oil, then you most likely have an oily skin type.
   
   
4. If you get oil from your T-zone only, then you probably have a combination skin type.

Problems with Oily Skin

Oily skin usually appears during puberty, which is why most teenagers tend to have oily skin. Oily skin is caused when the sebaceous glands have an overproduction of sebum or oil. Genetics can also play a role in causing oily skin. Having oily skin doesn't necessarily mean that you are not clean; this is a common misconception. It simply means that your skin secretes too much oil to deal with it.

Sometimes, exposure to UV rays can also boost skin’s oil production. While exposure to sun rays for a short time can make your skin dry, it activates an injury response in your skin by triggering the sebaceous glands to secrete more oil to help your skin in staying hydrated.

If you face a constant struggle to get rid of oily skin, then you're not alone. Many other men are facing similar problems.  

Well, first of all, oily skin makes you more prone to acne. This could be one of the biggest disadvantages of having oily skin. Acne is not only painful but also makes you feel bad about yourself. Pimples can appear anywhere on your face and even on your back if you are not careful enough. Some other problems that people with oily skin face are pigmentation, blackheads, whiteheads, and enlarged pores.

We recommend you avoid high-glycemic-index foods and refined carbs like pretzels, white bread, white pasta, etc if you have oily skin. 

Avoid touching your face frequently because our hands can transfer dirt, oil and bacteria to our faces, leading to excess oil buildup.

Coconut, broccoli, banana, lemon, cucumber, pulses, etc are good for people with oily skin and these foods can help in preventing pimples as well.

How to Choose a Cleanser for Oily Skin?

Cleaning your face in the morning, post-workout and before going to bed can help you in preventing the deposit of dirt and grime on your face. Always use a cleanser that is lightweight, sulphate-free and non-comedogenic. Given below are some ingredients that must be present in a cleanser for oily skin.

Look out for ingredients that can remove excess oil from the skin like salicylic acid. It helps in removing the dead skin cells and excess oil build-up on the skin.

Benzoyl peroxide is an exfoliating agent in many cleaning products that helps in getting rid of excess oil from the skin and prevents skin issues like acne, pimples, blackheads and whiteheads. We recommend consulting a dermatologist before using products that contain benzoyl peroxide because sometimes it can lead to skin dryness and redness.

Glycolic acid(AHA) breaks the bonds between the outer layer of the dead skin cells and the next skin cell layer. This helps the skin to appear smooth and free from bumpiness by ultimately exfoliating the skin. Glycolic acid can also make the skin bulky by stimulating collagen production and reducing breakouts on the skin.

Niacinamide is a form of Vitamin B3, which is an essential nutrient that can treat skin conditions like acne and eczema. Vitamin B3 can regulate our body’s natural oil production. Niacinamide protects the skin against pollutants, minimizes pore appearance, fine lines and wrinkles.

Take Away

Cleansing, also called cleansing the face, is the hygiene practice of using substances or agents to remove dirt, perspiration, and superficial epithelial cells from the skin. It is a daily routine for many people and some methods of cleansing involve the use of water.