Choosing the Correct Skin Care Cleanser

In my twenties I was a beauty consultant for a national skin care company. I taught hundreds of in-home skin care classes for women and their daughters. I found that education was empowering to women when it came to feeling beautiful. Healthy skin is the natural byproduct of a good skin care program. If a woman is seeing results, she will take the time to care for her skin because all women want to feel beautiful.

In order to find the correct product, first identify skin type. There are four basic skin types:

• Dry skin. Dry skin requires more creamy emollient cleansers. Refrain from using products with alcohol or perfumes as they act as drying agents. Do not use a scrubbing agent as those can irritate the skin.
• Oily skin. Oily skin has its own challenges with over producing sebaceous glands. Use an oil based creamy cleanser. Avoid soaps with harsh detergent agents as they will dry out the pores and trick the sebaceous glands to over produce oil which can clog pores and create acne.
• Combination skin. This is also called a T-Zone. Oily on the forehead, nose and chin and dry on the cheeks. Cleanse for oily skin, use an oil based creamy cleanser or a bar formulated for facial cleansing.
• Normal skin. Normal skin is the easiest skin to care for since it is naturally ph balanced. Use an inexpensive ph balanced wash.

Regardless of skin type, facial cleansers do not need to be expensive. Stick to the basic products. Avoid antibacterial products that can disrupt the natural ph balance on the face and make it prone to acne. Stay away from products with perfumes and alcohol that can strip pores of natural oils.

Natural cleansers can be just as effective and less expensive. Here are a few recipes to try:

• Dry skin cleanser: 1/4 cucumber, peeled and juiced, 2 tablespoons plain yogurt, and 2 tablespoons cooked oatmeal. Puree ingredients. Soak cotton pads in leftover solution for a quick refreshing wash.
• Moisturizing honey wash for dry or normal skin: 1 tablespoon oat or rice bran, 1 tablespoon honey, 1 teaspoon cream, heat in microwave or on stove top, stir until well blended. Apply warm. Rinse with warm water.
• Oily or combination skin basic cleanser: 1/8 cup ground almonds, 2 tablespoons milk or cream, 1 teaspoon lemon juice. Grind almonds in a food processor, combine ingredients well. Use to gently cleans and exfoliate dry skin away. Rinse with warm water.
• Rejuvenating cleanser for all skin types: 1 green tea bag boiled and cooled, 2 tablespoons cornmeal, 1 tablespoon plain yogurt, soak cornmeal in tea and yogurt for several minutes, and mix well. Refrigerate and use cool, rinse with warm water. Unused mixture will keep for up to 3 days.

The goal of a good cleanser is to provide healthy skin with a natural glow. Natural products can be just as effective as a store bought product. Find a cleanser that works well and use it two to three times each day for best results.