Cleansers Ireland | Every Skin Type

1 2 3 … 5 · Next »

Cleansers FAQs

Do I need to double cleanse?

At night, if you wear makeup, SPF or a full day of city air, yes. An oil or balm first to break all that down, then a water based cleanser to actually clean the skin.

In the morning one cleanse is plenty, and some people with dry or reactive skin do better rinsing with water alone. Double cleansing every single time is not a rule, it is a response to what is on your skin.

What is the difference between a balm, an oil, a cream and a gel cleanser?

Oils and balms dissolve makeup and SPF, so they go first in an evening routine. Beauty of Joseon Ginseng Cleansing Oil and Anua Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil are both easy choices
Creams and milks clean gently without stripping and suit dry or sensitive skin. Obagi Gentle Cleanser and iS Clinical Cleansing Complex sit here
Gels and foams give a properly clean finish and suit oily or congested skin, like SkinCeuticals Simply Clean
Micellar water is a quick option for removing makeup rather than a full cleanse

Should I use a different cleanser morning and night?

Many people do, and it is a sensible approach. Something gentle in the morning, something more thorough at night when there is more to remove.

If you would rather keep one, choose the gentler of the two options and use it twice. Over cleansing does more harm than under cleansing.

My skin feels tight and squeaky after cleansing. Is that a problem?

Yes. That feeling means the cleanser has taken more than it should and your barrier is left exposed. Skin should feel comfortable afterwards, not stripped.

Switch to a cream, milk or oil based option and use lukewarm rather than hot water. Obagi Gentle Cleanser, ZO Skin Health Gentle Cleanser and Image Skincare Ormedic Balancing Facial Cleanser are all built to clean without that.

Do I need an active or exfoliating cleanser?

Only if congestion or breakouts are your main concern. Salicylic cleansers such as Obagi CLENZIderm Daily Foaming Cleanser, SkinCeuticals Blemish + Age Cleansing Gel and Reform Skincare Salicylic Acid Foaming Cleanser are useful in that case.

Bear in mind a cleanser is on the skin for under a minute, so it does less work than a leave on treatment. If you already use an acid or a retinol, a gentle cleanser plus that treatment usually beats two active steps.

Which cleanser suits my skin type?

Oily or congested: a gel or foam, or a salicylic option if you break out
Dry: a cream, milk or balm, and lukewarm water
Sensitive: a fragrance free cream or milk, and nothing exfoliating until skin settles
Combination: a light gel at night and something gentler in the morning

If you are not sure, get in touch and tell us how your skin feels ten minutes after cleansing. That answer tells us more than a skin type label does.