While foaming formulas are good face washes for oily skin in general, this one is an especially efficient option, since it contains salicylic acid to help keep pores clear of clogging oil. The salicylic acid, along with soybean protein, also helps exfoliate dead skin cells that contribute to overall dullness, says Allawh of another one of her favorites. "It’s a great option for anyone who wants an overall brighter complexion," she adds. While salicylic acid is a great ingredient for anyone looking to combat oil, it doesn't always play well with other skincare ingredients. Skin should be cleansed twice a day: first thing in the morning to awaken the skin and remove excess product from your night-time skincare routine, and at night to remove impurities and makeup that has built up throughout the day. How long should you wash your face? Foam cleansers have gotten somewhat of a bad reputation; shunned as over-drying and stripping, we often think of foam cleansers as a product that can do more harm than good for your skin. We're here to let you know that that's not necessarily the case. According to board-certified dermatologist Rina Allawh, MD, many foaming cleansers aren't as harsh as we think they are. “Not all foaming cleansers are drying, and many over-the-counter options help remove impurities while also containing hydrating ingredients,” she adds. Micellar water is infused with micelles (oil–based surfactants) to capture makeup, impurities and pollutants, and help draw them away from the skin’s surface, leaving the complexion feeling clean and refreshed. INGREDIENTS: Aqua (Water), Butylene glycol, Glycerin, Styrene/acrylates/ammonium methacrylate copolymer, Sorbitol, PEG-150, Phenoxyethanol, Acacia senegal gum, Polysorbate 80, Sodium dehydroacetate, Potassium sorbate, PVP, Caprylyl glycol, Tetrasodium EDTA, Sodium Laureth-12 Sulfate, C11-15 Pareth-7, CI 15985 (Yellow 6), CI 17200 (Red 33), CI 42090 (Blue 1), CI 19140 (Yellow 5).

Skin-soothing ingredients: Soothing ingredients increase the chances that the formula you choose will keep your skin happy. Ingredients like aloe vera and ceramides can provide moisture and reduce irritation. Board-certified dermatologist Marnie Nussbaum, MD,tells Byrdie that "aloe vera is a great bonus to use in conjunction with your other calming products." It's no secret that we like Dr. Barbara Sturm's Cleanser, a formula laden with aloe vera. INGREDIENTS: Aqua (Water), Glycerin, PEG-40 hydrogenated castor oil, Xylitylglucoside, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium hyaluronate, Panthenol, Acrylates/C10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, Anhydroxylitol, Tocopheryl acetate, Caprylyl glycol, Sodium benzoate, Xylitol, Ascorbyl glucoside, Propylene glycol, Potassium hydroxide, Tetrasodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Parfum (Fragrance), Glucose, Butylene glycol, Panax ginseng root extract, Biosaccharide gum-4, Dipropylene glycol, Morus alba leaf extract. Srivastava JK, Shankar E, Gupta S. Chamomile: A herbal medicine of the past with bright future. Mol Med Report. 2010;3(6):895-901.

Bissett DL, Oblong JE, Berge CA. Niacinamide: A B vitamin that improves aging facial skin appearance. Dermatol Surg. 2005;31(7 Pt 2):860-865; discussion 865. No matter what we do during the day, dirt, impurities and pollutants pile up on the surface of our skin. If we don’t remove this debris, it can lead to congested pores or breakouts over time. That’s why it’s important to remove every trace of make-up and properly cleanse the skin before your head hits the pillow. The delightful, subtle calendula scent of this wash makes cleansing your face more akin to a spa experience. Not to mention that it comes entirely from the calendula extract rather than synthetic fragrance. And calendula doesn’t only smell good, it’s also very soothing for your skin, a double win. ILIA The Cleanse Soft Foaming Cleanser If you have acne-prone skin, you'll love this formula. It's oil-free and non-comedogenic, which means it won't clog your pores. Different textures of face cleanser require different methods of application, so be sure to read the instructions before applying. As a general rule, though, follow these 5 simple steps on how to cleanse skin:

Pavan R, Jain S, Shraddha, Kumar A. Properties and therapeutic application of bromelain: a review. Biotechnol Res Int. 2012;2012:976203. Developed to deeply cleanse and purify the skin, a foaming cleanser creates a foamy lather to help remove oil, makeup and impurities. A favorite of Allawh's, this foaming facial cleanser contains fine bubbles that can penetrate skin pores, making it a helpful option for acne-prone skin types that need a little more help clearing gunk out of their pores. “It features bromelain (an enzyme from pineapple), which has helpful anti-inflammatory properties, making this ideal for those with red, irritated, or acne-prone skin,” she says. Effective at removing makeup and excess oil without disturbing the skin barrier, this cleanser also makes our list of best face washes. Another plus: It contains a blend of enzymes and amino acids that help exfoliate the skin and remove dead skin cells, revealing a brand new layer of skin. But, it does contain fragrance, which can be a deal breaker if you have sensitivity to fragrances in cosmetics.This cleanser is a wonderful option for people with dry or combination skin. It's gentle, moisturizing, and doesn't leave skin stripped and uncomfortable. Something to note: It does have a somewhat strong floral fragrance. While it didn't bother us—it smells lovely, actually—it may not be the best choice for someone with a sensitivity to fragrance. Caitlyn Martyn is a commerce writer on staff at Byrdie. She covers all things beauty and fashion related, but her favorite topic is skincare. She leans on foam cleansers daily to remove the day's dirt, grime, and oil from her acne-prone skin. She's tried tons of foam cleansers over the years and included a few of her favorites on this list. INGREDIENTS: Aqua (Water), Glycerin, Cyclopentasiloxane, Butyrospermum parkii (Shea) butter, Cyclohexasiloxane, Butylene glycol, Cetearyl alcohol, Alcohol denat., Polyacrylamide, Glyceryl stearate, Stearic acid, Palmitic acid, PEG-100 stearate, Phenoxyethanol, Boron nitride, C13-14 isoparaffin, Methylparaben, Pentylene glycol, Ascorbyl glucoside, Propylene glycol, Laureth-7, Tocopheryl acetate, Ethylparaben, Hibiscus abelmoschus extract, Saccharomyces cerevisiae extract, Retinyl palmitate, Hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid, Tetrasodium EDTA, Sorbitan laurate, Polysorbate 20, Potassium hydroxide, Panax ginseng root extract, 3-Aminopropane sulfonic acid, Calcium hydroxymethionine, Carbomer, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Dimethylmethoxy chromanol, Xanthan gum, Acetyl dipeptide-1 cetyl ester, Morus alba leaf extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopherol, Palmitoyl tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7. From foams and gels to lotions and micellar water s , there is an array of facial cleansers to choose from – all of which help to remove makeup and impurities. So how do you choose the best face wash for you? Read on to discover the key characteristics of each cleanser and how they benefit different skin types. The different types of facial cleansers Foaming c leanser : The best face wash for oily skin

Foaming cream cleansers can be a great option for combination skin types, offering the best of both worlds. This one in particular hits just the right balance because of how nice and clean it leaves our skin feeling, without ever veering into stripping territory. We love that it contains a few ingredients that replenish the skin barrier, too: glycerin (a type of ingredient that helps attract and retain moisture), camellia oil (a natural oil that helps moisturize the skin), and ceramides (those naturally occurring lipids we spoke about earlier). INGREDIENTS: Aqua (Water), Glycerin, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Butylene glycol, Dimethicone, Ethylhexyl stearate, Sodium polyacrylate, Alcohol denat., Ascorbyl glucoside, Acrylates/C10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Panthenol, Tocopheryl acetate, Polysorbate 20, Xanthan gum, Parfum (Fragrance), Potassium hydroxide, Caprylyl glycol, Sodium benzoate, Propylene glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tetrasodium EDTA, Panax ginseng root extract, Morus alba leaf extract, Methyl benzoate, CI 19140 (Yellow 5), CI 14700 (Red 4). If you're looking for a gentle, non-irritating cleanser that contains hydrating ingredients, this is a good choice. Furthermore, those seeking a more planet-positive, natural formula will appreciate the fact that this one is 97 percent naturally derived and comes housed in a fully recyclable bottle.

Berkers T, Visscher D, Gooris GS, Bouwstra JA. Topically applied ceramides interact with the stratum corneum lipid matrix in compromised ex vivo skin. Pharm Res. 2018;35(3):48. Jaiswal G. International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR). Purslane in Cosmetics: A Review. 2018;7(11):4.

An essential first step in every skincare routine, cleansing benefits the skin in many ways. Removing makeup and impurities Suitable for all skin types, micellar water can be used as the first step of a double cleansing routine, or to remove makeup with a cotton pad. How to cleanse skin INGREDIENTS: Aqua (Water), Glycerin, Decyl glucoside, Cocamidopropyl betaine, Betaine, PEG-40 hydrogenated castor oil, Sodium chloride, Phenoxyethanol, PEG-18 glyceryl oleate/cocoate, Citric acid, Panthenol, Parfum (Fragrance), Sodium methylparaben, Sodium benzoate, Sodium citrate, Tocopheryl acetate, Ascorbyl glucoside, Tetrasodium EDTA, Butylene glycol, Panax ginseng root extract, Dipropylene glycol, Potassium hydroxide, Biosaccharide gum-1. Cleansers also clean the skin but are often gentler with a richer texture. They’re typically formulated with nourishing ingredients, like red ginseng and Vitamin B5, to help hydrate and soothe the skin while cleansing. What does cleanser do?Face wash is a water-based product that lathers up when massaged into the skin. Its astringent qualities help to control excess oil and deeply clean pores. However, unless infused with nourishing ingredients, face washes can be harsh on the skin and result in a tight, dry feeling. Hekmatpou D, Mehrabi F, Rahzani K, Aminiyan A. The effect of aloe vera clinical trials on prevention and healing of skin wound: a systematic review. Iran J Med Sci. 2019;44(1):1-9. Take a small amount of cleanser (around the size of a 50p coin) and apply to the skin, steering clear of the eyes if needed. Massage gently into the skin for 60 seconds. Step 5: Rinse it off