WHICH CLEANSER IS RIGHT FOR ME?
Choosing the right cleanser can make the difference between clear, dewy skin and dried out, parched or unbalanced skin. Some cleansers are too harsh and leave the skin stripped, while others may have the wrong ingredients for your skin type and leave you prone to breakouts. So how do you choose the right cleanser?
The first step is to identify your skin type. Oily skin tends to have larger pores, especially in the T-zone (the nose, chin and forehead). Higher production of sebum can lean to clogged pores in the form of open and closed comedones (whiteheads and blackheads). Dry skin has smaller pores and produces less sebum, and is more prone to flaking and fine lines and wrinkles. Combination skin has larger pores in the T-zone, where there is greater oil production, and is drier towards the edges of the face where the pores are smaller. Normal skin has medium sized pores and balanced oil production (the lucky folks who have this skin type are relatively rare!).
Here’s where it gets tricky: sometimes our skin type doesn’t match our skin condition. Our skin type is determined by our genetics and biology, while our skin condition can be influenced by many factors. Your skin type may be dry, for example, but hormonal shifts, diet or stress may trigger overproduction of sebum leading to breakouts. Conversely your skin type may be oily, but harsh products may strip it of oils and unbalance your pH, leaving it looking or feeling dry (even if you’re breaking out!). To identify your actual skin type, look at your pore size closely in a mirror (a mangifying mirror if you have one) and also think about the typical appearance of your skin.
If you have oily skin, water based cleansers are best. Earth Harbor’s Deep Pore Gel Cleanser with chlorophyll and BHA botanicals is specially designed for oily and acne-prone skin. The combination of plant extract, seaweed, sea minerals, and white willow bark BHA deeply cleanse and restore the skin’s natural barrier without leaving the skin stripped. BHAs are beta-hydroxy acids that are ideal for leaving oily skin cleansed and balancing moisture and hydration.
If you have oily skin but really want to jump on the skin oil trend, some oils such as Rosehip, Jojoba and Neem oils are non-comedogenic, meaning they provide moisture while not blocking the pores. You can add a little Tea Tree essential oil to these if you’re experiencing breakouts. At Bella Mina, you can find a specially blended turmeric, blueberry and cloudberry seed oil called Not Another Face Oil by Clean Mundi. This skin protecting, balancing and moisturizing blend is ideal for all skin types, including oily skin.
If you have normal to combination skin, Earth Harbor’s Ahoy Love Nourishing Cream Cleanser with botanical AHAs with hibiscus and red seaweed will help balance oil production and rid the skin of impurities. This cleanser designed for all skin types is also ideal if your skin type and condition are different, as the combination of seaweed and lipids hydrates while purifying. Sensitive skin is also a condition, and Ahoy Love is designed with you in mind. You can leave it on as a mask and remove with a warm towel for a deep yet hydrating cleanse. The combination of hibiscus and bergamot also makes for a pleasing citrus scent. Follow this up with a toner — Earth Harbor’s Rose Toner balances pH with a fabulous rosy scent.
I have dry skin, so I go for oil based cleansers. My go-to is Earth Harbor’s Sunshine Dew Papaya Cleansing Oil. Papaya enzymes rid the skin of impurities while sea kelp leaves skin hydrated, soft and bright. I follow it up with Rosehip Oil or Earth Harbor’s Cloudburst Gel Hydrator with herbal hyaluronic acid and botanical probiotics to balance the skin’s microbiome. It’s important to keep dry skin moisturized AND hydrated — boosting the oil and water content. And don’t forget SPF! Earth Harbor’s Eclipse Sheer Mineral Sunscreen with SPF 30 gently hydrates with green tea extract and is ideal for all skin types including sensitive.
I hope this information helps you choose the best cleanser for your skin type, and that you’ll try out Earth Harbor products and love them as much as I do. Come to Bella Mina for a facial and to check out the lovely array of products. I hope to see you soon!
Joanna Stamatakos
Owner & LST, Bella Mina Studio
