Are Foaming Facial Cleansers Right For You?
We all know that cleansing is the most important first step in your skin care routine for a few reasons. Removing the oil, dirt and buildup from the day (makeup, sweat and sunscreen, we’re looking at you!) is both a good defense against breakouts and an essential part of keeping your skin healthy. Plus, a freshly cleansed face is the optimal canvas for the rest of your skin care products. Foaming cleansers are a great option for many, but what is it about these light and fluffy formulas that sets them apart from other cleansers? Read on to find out whether foam is the cleanser texture best suited to your skin.
What Are Foaming Facial Cleansers? | Benefits Of Foaming Cleansers | What Are The Different Types of Foaming Cleansers? | How To Use A Foaming Cleanser | Is Foaming Cleanser For Everyone?
What Are Foaming Facial Cleansers?
Foaming facial cleansers start as a lightweight liquid that transforms into a foamy lather when dispensed from a pump. They remove excess oil as effectively as gel cleansers, with the added bonus of foaming particles (aka bubbles!) that can make them powerful at lifting oil, dirt and buildup out of the deeper parts of your pores. This allows for an intense cleanse – for those who like to see lather to really feel clean and revitalized.
What makes foaming cleansers different from other face washes is the lather they create. Both cream cleansers and gel cleansers are great for gently cleaning and moisturizing skin, but without the bubbles to really target the dirt and oil as deeply. Gel and cream cleansers are a great fit for dry and combination skin, while foaming cleansers generally work best for complexions that are on the oilier side.
Learn more about some of the other types of cleansers here. And watch our Lead Skin Care Trainer, Natalie Pergar, explain how different formulas work for different skin types. Hint: Often the best choice comes down to personal preference.
Benefits Of Foaming Cleansers
As mentioned, a foaming face wash can provide a deep clean by lifting dirt and debris from pores and removing excess oil and sebum. If you love the lather, this is your ideal cleanser type. Gentle foaming cleansers are also great as the second step in a double cleanse because they eliminate any oil that the first step might deposit. Foaming cleansers are gentle as well. With a pH level that is close to the skin’s they can clean deeply without stripping the natural oils and moisture from the skin barrier.
What Are the Different Types of Foaming Cleansers?
Acne-prone skin loves a foaming cleanser because of its ability to get rid of excess oil and sebum. The Acne Advanced Cleansing Foam provides lightweight acne-cleansing action, effectively preventing acne breakouts and clearing blocked pores. The combination of time-release encapsulated salicylic acid and a natural herb blend in this cleanser soothes and tones, leaving the skin feeling clean, cool and refreshed.
Another gentle foaming cleanser that treats while it lathers is the Kombucha Microbiome Foaming Cleanser. Great for all skin types, this powerhouse product gently removes impurities without over-stripping. Kombucha, ginger, white tea and jasmine work together with micellar technology to refresh and balance the microbiome of the skin without compromising the moisture barrier. The microbiome is the skin’s unique ecosystem of bacteria existing on and in your skin, and works as a protective layer to support your skin barrier. As the first physical point of contact with your immune system, it’s important to keep this layer as healthy as possible. One way to support a healthy, functioning biome is to select microbiome-friendly skin care that works in alignment with your skin. Remember, a healthy and functioning skin barrier can help the skin look firm and plump. The correct skin care products should help to balance out the effects of environmental stressors.
As one happy customer, Brenda, says about the Kombucha Microbiome Foaming Cleanser, “I absolutely love the feeling of the foaming cleanser. Afterward, my skin feels refreshed and clean. I purchased a bottle and have been using it daily. My skin definitely feels more taut and supple with no dryness, even on my sensitive skin.”
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How to Use a Foaming Cleanser
Always follow the instructions on your product as they can vary, but these simple steps are a general guide: The pump dispenser is key to transforming the liquid in your cleanser into a lightweight foam that glides easily over the skin. Wet the face with lukewarm water, apply the foam to your skin and massage gently with fingertips in a circular motion covering the face and neck. Rinse thoroughly and pat dry with a soft towel. Your skin will be primed and ready to absorb the rest of your products! Follow with your usual routine.
Is a Foaming Cleanser for Everyone?
Foaming cleansers are a great choice for oily or combination skin because those lightweight and fluffy suds really target the oil and dirt that the day can leave behind. They’re also a good option for removing SPF and sweat when your skin needs something a little stronger. While they can be used both morning and night, some might prefer to use a gentler cleanser in the morning when there is less oil and other buildup, saving the deep cleaning that comes from the bubbles for the evening wash.
Some foam cleansers aren’t recommended for dry skin, as the consistency could leave your face feeling tight and even more dry. This is usually because of an ingredient called Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (SLS), a foaming agent commonly found in foaming cleaners, as well as bubble baths, many shampoos (and even factory floor degreasers!)
All Eminence cleansers are free of SLS, instead using natural alternative ingredients such as Coco Glucoside and Alpha Olefin Sulfonate – both derived from coconut oil. These ingredients work gently to create bubbles that trap debris and rinse it away without stripping or drying skin!
What is your favorite type of cleanser and why? Do you switch out your cleanser based on the time of day, climate or the season? Let us know in the comments or join the conversation on social media.