Cleansing is the first step in a skincare regimen, and it’s important to get that step right to create the proper canvas for serums, treatments and moisturizers.  Here are recommended routines by skin type for best results:

Cleansing for Dry Skin – Although that tight, parched feeling in the skin can be age-related, dry skin can also be caused by using a cleanser that is too harsh for your skin’s needs.  When selecting a product that’s right for you, choose a cleanser with olive oil, phospholipids, lanolin or other nourishing ingredients.

Cleansing for Combination Skin – Caring for combination skin is a balancing act: You need to moisturize the drier areas, typically the cheeks, while treating the oilier areas such as the forehead, nose and chin (the T-zone).  Look for a cleanser that washes away impurities without stripping skin of natural oils.  If your T-zone is very oily, you can use a toner, but only once a day so as not to cause dry, flaky skin.

Cleansing Rules for Oily Skin - If you’re using harsh, detergent based soaps and alcohol-laden astringents to dry up oil, stop.  Immediately.  Over time, these products can damage your skin – and they may encourage already overactive oil glands to step up production.  Try a cleanser formulated for oily skin.   These cleansers can also be paired with a cleansing system like Clarisonic
for improved results.

What are your rules for cleansing?