How to choose your facial cleanser according to your skin type

A facial cleanser is chosen based on your skin type, not by its scent or how much foam it produces. For normal to combination skin, use a fresh gel that cleanses without leaving it feeling tight; for combination to oily or blemish-prone skin, use a purifying one that helps control shine. If you aren't sure which is yours, start with a formula for all skin types.

What a cleanser does for your skin

Every cleanser works with surfactants: molecules with one end that binds to oil and another that binds to water. They surround sebum, makeup, and sunscreen, and rinsing carries them away. The tricky part is that they don't distinguish well between excess oil and the lipids that support your skin barrier, the outermost layer of your skin.

That is why an overly harsh cleanser leaves that tight feeling when you dry your face: it is your barrier having lost part of its lipids. A good cleanser removes what is excess and leaves the skin comfortable. Foam depends on the type of surfactant and says nothing about how well it cleanses.

Recognize your skin type

Look at yourself a couple of hours after washing, without applying anything. If your forehead, nose, and chin are shiny, your skin is combination. If your whole face is shiny and your pores are visible, it tends to be oily. If it feels tight or rough, it is rather dry.

If you prefer not to guess, take the free facial and hair diagnosis: it’s 8 online questions and takes less than a minute. You can also book it in person at the store.

Normal to combination skin: a refreshing gel

The Refreshing Cleansing Gel from the Pure Algue line is indicated for normal to combination skin. It has an ultra-fresh texture and removes impurities and makeup residue. Use morning and night on damp skin.

We conducted a satisfaction study with 14 women and 10 men over 28 days: 83% stated that their skin looked less dull. This is what people perceived, not an instrumental measurement. For travel, it is available in a 30 mL format.

Combination to oily or blemish-prone skin: a purifying gel

When shine is what bothers you most, the one to choose is the Purifying Cleansing Gel from the Pure Menthe line, recommended for combination to oily and/or blemish-prone skin. It is a fresh gel that eliminates impurities without drying and leaves the skin looking matte.

In a satisfaction study with 25 volunteers, 92% declared that their skin was soft and looked matte, and 80% that their pores appeared smaller. For daily use, there is also a 390 mL presentation.

Oily skin does not need a more aggressive cleanser. Over-washing or scrubbing hard leaves it tight without resolving the shine, because the sebum will return regardless. Oiliness and dehydration can coexist on the same face. To complete your routine, take a look at the Blemishes collection.

If your skin changes with the climate: all skin types

There are skin types that are shiny in Barranquilla and feel tight in Bogotá. For them, two cleansers declared for all skin types work well.

The Microalgae Refreshing Cleansing Gel cleanses without drying. In a satisfaction study with 26 volunteers, 92% declared that their skin felt hydrated and 81% that it removed makeup residue, impurities, and pollution particles in one go.

The Brightening Cleansing Facial Foam from Bright Botanical has a creamy foam texture. It removes pollution, sunscreen, and makeup residue without drying. Apply morning and night to a damp face, massage gently, and rinse.

If your skin is dry

None of our cleansers are presented as exclusively for dry skin. The sensible choice is one for all skin types, such as the microalgae or creamy foam, which cleanse without drying. Use lukewarm water: very hot water strips more lipids from the barrier and leaves you feeling tighter. Pat dry, do not rub.

Eyes should be cleaned separately

Gels and foam should be applied avoiding the eye contour, where the skin is thinner. For eye makeup, there is the Express Eye Makeup Remover from Pur Bleuet, which is bi-phase and fragrance-free. Bi-phase means it has an oily phase that dissolves waterproof makeup and an aqueous one; that is why it must be shaken before use.

Place two soaked cotton pads over closed eyes for 10 seconds and remove without rubbing. In a 21-day satisfaction study with 26 women, 85% declared that makeup, even waterproof, was perfectly removed.

What complements cleansing

The Brightening Toner is used morning and night after cleansing, for all skin types. The Brightening Facial Scrub is used 2 to 3 times per week, not daily, and never on damaged or irritated skin: exfoliating every day wears down the very barrier the cleanser is trying to respect. For combination to oily skin, the Charcoal Pore-Cleansing Mask is used 1 or 2 times per week on clean skin, leave for 5 minutes, and rinse.

The entire range is in the Facial cleansing collection.

Frequently asked questions

How many times a day should I wash my face?

Twice: in the morning and at night. This is how we recommend using the Refreshing Cleansing Gel and the Brightening Cleansing Facial Foam. The night wash is more important because it removes makeup, sunscreen, and the day's pollution.

Which facial cleanser is best for oily skin?

The Purifying Cleansing Gel from the Pure Menthe line, recommended for combination to oily and/or blemish-prone skin. It eliminates impurities without drying and leaves the skin looking matte; there is no need for a stronger one.

Does the facial cleanser remove eye makeup?

It is not advisable: gels and foam are applied while avoiding the eye contour. For that area, use a specific makeup remover, such as the bi-phase Express Eye Makeup Remover, which removes even waterproof makeup.

Can men use these cleansers?

Yes. Skin type matters more than gender, and the satisfaction study for the Refreshing Cleansing Gel was conducted with 14 women and 10 men.

How often should I exfoliate my face?

The Brightening Facial Scrub should be used 2 to 3 times per week, not every day. Do not apply it on damaged or irritated skin and avoid the eye contour.