Moyo Studio
//
Getty Images
Our editors handpick the products that we feature. We may earn commission from the links on this page.
Here’s a hot take: cleansing is single-handedly the most important step in your skincare routine. Yes, it matters more than the serums that fade lines and wrinkles, more than the exfoliants that smooth, and more than the hydrating lotions and creams. This is because all of those steps are pointless when they can’t penetrate dirty skin. Cleansing removes the blockade of makeup, oils, dirt, and debris to ensure a clean canvas so the skincare that follows can absorb. Now that we’ve established that, let’s get into the details: how much does the type of cleanser, from a thick, oil-based balm to a light-as-air foam, matter? A lot, it turns out.
The type of formulation determines how the cleanser removes oil, debris, dead skin cells, and product residue from the skin’s surface, which can impact skin types differently, explains Brendan Camp, MD, a board-certified dermatologist of
MDCS Dermatology
. For example, “foams tend to rely on stronger surfactants (the cleansing ingredients that lift oil and debris) to provide a deep clean, while creams use milder surfactants closer to skin’s natural pH and are often paired with emollients and humectants to support the barrier,” says
Mona Gohara
, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Connecticut. “Ultimately, the texture of your cleanser is your first hint at whether it will leave you refreshed, replenished, or even in some cases, stripped.” So, how do you figure out which one to choose? Keep reading.
What are the benefits of foam cleansers?
That satisfying sudsy experience that happens when you rub your hands together with a little water and cleanser is due to strong cleansing agents. “Through the formation of many small bubbles, these cleansers are able to remove more oil, residue, dirt, and debris than other cleansers,” says Camp. If you have oily, congested, or blemish-prone skin, these formulas are great for dialing down sebum and cleansing acne-causing bacteria, explains Gohara. Similarly, if you wear a lot of makeup, they offer a deep clean. (However, Gohara says the best way to remove long-wear makeup is an oil-cleanser followed by a foam or cream cleanser.)
The one downside of these types of cleansers is that they can leave already dry or sensitive skin feeling worse, because they’re almost too good at removal. In addition to excess oil, sweat, and buildup, they can also remove the little moisture these skin types have. Some of the latest foaming cleansers counteract their moisture-zapping side effects with hydrating ingredients. “Modern formulations often contain hyaluronic acid or glycerin to offset potential dryness,” says Gohara. There are even new categories of oil-to-foam and gel-to-foam formulas that are great because they tend to be more hydrating and less stripping, too, adds Camp.
Foam Cleansers Worth Trying
CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser
$17 at Amazon
Best for normal to oily skin types, this foaming cleanser is a budget-friendly classic that keeps sebum production in check without stripping the skin thanks to ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide.
Round Lab Dokdo Cleanser
Now 10% Off
$15
$13 at Amazon
$13 at Target
This cleanser starts off as a cream and as you rub it into your hands you get a rich lather that effectively removes dirt and makeup. It’s an editor-favorite and great for combination skin.
Deinde Purifying Whipped Cleanser
$32 at Amazon
Camp recommends this pick because it has hydrating ingredients like polysaccharides and
fermented vegetable-based glycolipids. “It’s a whipped, fragrance-free,
micro-foam cleanser ideal for all skin types, including sensitive,” he says.
Revision Gentle Foaming Cleanser
$52 at Amazon
$39 at SkinCeuticals
$57 at fragrancenet.com
Striking the perfect balance between clean and soothed skin, this foaming formula lifts away makeup, dirt, and daily impurities while calming and comforting your complexion, says Camp. It contains ingredients like chamomile, aloe vera, and allantoin.
ANUA 8 Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Gentle Foaming Cleanser
$13 at Ulta Beauty
“This is a favorite K-beauty pick for combination and oily skin,” says Gohara. “It gives you that satisfying foam
plus
a boost of hydration from hyaluronic acid—a rare and welcome balance.”
What are the benefits of cream cleansers?
Cream cleansers are better suited for those with dry and sensitive skin because they have mild surfactants that are gentle on sensitive, dry, reactive, and mature skin types, as well as ingredients that maintain moisture and support the skin barrier. “Moisture retention declines as we age; these formulas help replenish the lost hydration,” says Gohara.
Some people complain that cream cleansers don’t
feel
like you’re getting a deep clean because you’re left with a layer of moisture. But the truth is, the “squeaky clean” feeling you’re likely thinking of is a sign your barrier is disrupted. “A cream clean

Book Your Appointment

Ready to transform your skin? Visit Candy Beauty Skin Care at 32 Pell St, Chinatown, NYC.

Call (646) 691-8273 or book online at candybeauty.store.

Our expert estheticians are ready to create your personalized treatment plan.

Source: https://www.oprahdaily.com/beauty/skin-makeup/a71163889/foaming-vs-cream-cleanser/