Maybe you’ve heard your friend say, “I only use a gentle cleanser,” while another swears by their foaming face wash. And there you are, wondering, “Wait, aren’t they the same thing?”
Well, they’re not and they have different purposes. The cleansing step is the absolute foundation of any effective skincare routine. If you get the cleaning wrong, every subsequent step will be less effective.
We’re going to clear up all the confusion in this blog post and give you the knowledge you need to choose the product that will perfectly balance, cleanse, and prepare your unique skin.
Let’s get right into the details.
What is a Cleanser?
A cleanser is a skincare product made to remove daily accumulation such as dirt, excess oil (sebum), environmental pollutants, light makeup, and sunscreen from your face. Its main characteristic is its gentleness. It’s typically formulated with nourishing ingredients that suit your skin’s natural moisture barrier.
Think of it as the first step in giving your face a clean, fresh canvas especially at the end of a long day when your skin has endured exposure to the outside world.
Use a cleanser:
- When your skin feels dry or sensitive to avoid irritation and keep the moisture barrier intact.
- During cold or dry weather, when the air naturally draws moisture out of your skin.
- At the end of the day to thoroughly dissolve makeup, sunscreen, and pollution.
Different Types of Cleansers
Cleansers are incredibly versatile and come in many forms, each suited to a different skin need:
1. Cream Cleansers: Thick, lotion-like, and highly moisturizing. They deposit moisture back into the skin as they clean. Ideal for very dry or mature skin.
2. Gel Cleansers: Water-based, light, and refreshing. They offer a great middle-ground and are often well-tolerated by normal or slightly oily skin types.
3. Oil Cleansers: Formulated with a blend of natural oils. They are unmatched at dissolving oil-based impurities like sebum, heavy makeup, and waterproof sunscreen. They do not strip the skin. Essential for the first step of a double cleanse.
4. Micellar Water: Contains tiny balls of cleansing oil molecules called micelles suspended in soft water. It requires no rinsing and is excellent for quick cleanups, travel, or removing eye makeup.
5. Balm Cleansers: Solid at room temperature but melt into a luxurious oil upon contact with your skin’s warmth. They are excellent at melting away heavy, long-wear makeup.
Shop online for face cleansers on Deoset.com
What is a Face Wash?
Now let’s talk about face wash. While a cleanser is a gentle hug, a face wash is a power shower. A face wash is also made to clean your face, but it works by generating a foam or lather. This foaming action is usually created by stronger surfactants that are very effective at breaking down and lifting excess oil (sebum), sweat, and dirt from deep within the pores.
Face washes are generally stronger and more focused on achieving that clean feeling. They are the preferred option for people with oily or acne-prone skin because they help manage shine and prevent pore blockages that lead to breakouts.
Use face wash:
- In the morning to wash off the oil and sweat produced overnight.
- If you have very oily or consistently acne-prone skin to help manage shine throughout the day.
- After working out to immediately cleanse away sweat and bacteria before they can clog pores.
- During hot or humid weather when your skin naturally produces more oil and sweat.
Different Types of Face Washes
1. Foaming Face Washes: Creates a rich, airy lather. The go-to for controlling sebum on oily skin.
2. Gel Face Washes: Tends to be lighter than a foaming wash, but still lathers. Often infused with active ingredients like Salicylic Acid (BHA) to target acne.
3. Scrub Face Washes: Contains small particles (like Jojoba beads or small grains) for physical exfoliation. Use these sparingly (no more than 1-2 times a week) and gently, as aggressive scrubbing can create micro-tears in the skin.
5 Key Difference Between a Cleanser and a Face Wash
The confusion often arises because both products clean your face. However, their methods and effects are different.
| Cleanser | Face Wash |
| A gentle conditioning wash that cleans and nourishes | A strong detergent that cuts through oil |
| Does not foam or lather up | Foams or lathers up noticeably |
| Dissolves and lifts impurities gently; focuses on dissolving oil-based residue (makeup/sunscreen) | Deep cleans pores; focuses on removing excess sebum and sweat |
| Suitable for Dry, Sensitive, Mature, Normal Skin | Suitable for Oily, Acne-Prone, Combination Skin |
| Creamy, milky, oily, or watery feel | Foamy, bubbly, or rich gel-like lather |
Which Type is Best for me? Cleanser or Face Wash
Your skin type will help you decide the cleansing choice you should go for. Using the wrong product can derail your entire routine.
1. Dry Skin (Lacks Oil and Moisture)
- Problem: Dry skin naturally produces less oil and is prone to flaking and tightness. Harsh washes strip the few oils you have, causing irritation.
- The Best Choice: Cream or Oil Cleansers.
2. Oily Skin (Produces Excess Sebum)
- Problem: Oily skin needs to control shine and prevent pores from getting clogged with sebum, which leads to blackheads and pimples.
- The Best Choice: Foaming or Gel Face Washes.
3. Combination Skin (Oily T-Zone, Dry Cheeks)
- Problem: This skin type is tricky because one product can’t solve both problems. You need to manage oil without drying out the rest of your face.
- The Best Choice: The Two-Product Strategy. Use a gentle cream/gel cleanser for your whole face in the evening. In the morning, use a light foaming wash only on your oily T-zone (forehead, nose, chin). This practice is called zonal cleansing.
4. Sensitive Skin (Prone to Redness and Reactivity)
- Problem: Any product with harsh scents, alcohol, or strong surfactants can trigger a flare-up.
- The Best Choice: Non-Foaming Cream Cleansers or Micellar Water.
5. Mature Skin (Aged 45+)
- Problem: Mature skin tends to become drier and thinner, losing both collagen and natural oil production. It requires extra moisture and gentle handling.
- The Best Choice: Cream, Balm, or Oil Cleansers. Hydration is key. Avoid anything that foams or creates a tight feeling, which can make fine lines appear more pronounced.
Can I Use Both Cleanser and Face Wash?
The answer is yes and it’s one of the best things you can do for your skin, especially at night. This technique is called Double Cleansing, a method popularized by Korean and Japanese skincare routines.
Double cleansing ensures that your face is truly clean, removing all layers of impurities, which is vital if you wear makeup, use heavy sunscreen (which you should!), or live in a city with high pollution.
To double cleanse effectively:
Step 1: The Oil-Based Cleanse (Cleanser)
- Product: Oil Cleanser or Cleansing Balm.
- Method: Apply the oil/balm to a DRY face. Gently massage it into your skin for at least 60 seconds, paying attention to the areas with makeup (especially eyes) and clogged pores (like the nose). The oil dissolves and lifts the thick, oil-based impurities. Then, add a little water to emulsify (turn milky) and rinse it all off.
Step 2: The Water-Based Cleanse (Face Wash or Gentle Cleanser)
- Product: A gentle Gel Face Wash or a Cream Cleanser (depending on your skin type).
- Method: Apply the second cleanser to a WET face. Lather and gently massage for 30-60 seconds. This step removes the remaining sweat, dirt, and any residue from the first cleanse, ensuring your pores are completely clean and ready to absorb your serums and moisturizers.
This two-step method is the gold standard for preventing breakouts, dull skin, and ensuring all subsequent products penetrate deeply.
Common Cleansing Mistakes to Avoid
Even with the right product, poor technique can ruin your results. Avoid these common pitfalls:
1. Using Water That’s Too Hot
Very hot water can strip your skin of its natural oils, damage the capillary walls, and lead to redness and dryness. Always use lukewarm water, it’s just as effective at rinsing and much kinder to your skin.
2. Not Cleansing Long Enough
A quick 5-second splash won’t dissolve makeup or properly clean your pores. Dermatologists recommend cleansing for a minimum of 60 seconds to allow the active ingredients and surfactants enough time to work their magic.
3. Using Bar Soap to
Most traditional bar soaps have a very high pH level (alkaline), which is much higher than your skin’s natural, slightly acidic pH. This strips your skin’s protective barrier, leading to dryness, irritation, and vulnerability to bacteria. Stick to pH-balanced facial products.
4. Wiping Your Face with a Dirty Towel
After cleansing, always pat your face dry with a clean, soft towel or, ideally, a disposable facial cloth. Using the same bath towel for days reintroduces bacteria, dirt, and mildew onto your freshly cleaned skin, which can cause acne.
5. Not Washing in the Morning
Even if you cleansed perfectly the night before, your skin produces oil and sheds dead cells while you sleep. A quick, gentle cleanse in the morning removes this overnight build-up, giving you a fresh base for your sunscreen and makeup.
Conclusion
Choosing between a face wash and a cleanser is not about one product being better than the other; it’s about choosing the suitable one for your skin.
Whether you need a gentle cleanser for sensitive skin or a deep-cleaning face wash to fight acne, Deoset Skincare offers 100% original products, and reliable delivery nationwide. Visit Deoset.com now to get your perfect skincare match.