Great skin is one of your best assets, so it's essential to use the right cleanser for your skin type. Get it wrong and you could cause unnecessary oil slicks, pimples or dry patches. Here's how to identify your skin type and the best way to cleanse:
Normal skin
Normal skin feels smooth, has small pores and an equal balance of oil and water. "Wash with a soap-free cleanser or pH-neutral product," advises Sydney dermatologist Dr Tanya Gilmour. You'll also need two cleansers for different seasons, changing from a gel/foam cleanser to a richer milk cleanser during colder months, the National Skin Institute says.
Dry skin
Characterised by patchy and flaky skin, even if you're face isn't usually dry, it can dehydrate during winter or summer months if you sit in a heated or air-conditioned office. "It's due to heating or air-con in offices and cars — also people don't drink as much water as they should," the National Skin Institute says, explaining why so many of us have dehydrated skin.
Try QV Face Gentle Cleanser ($11.99) for mild cleansing. Because dehydrated skin has more dead skin cells attached to the surface of the skin, scrub them away with a gentle cleanser and exfoliator in one.
Acne-prone skin
"Acne affects a large proportion of the population — even adults," Sydney cosmetic surgeon Dr Fabian Baez says. "It's not just something that affects teenagers." Try cleansing with a medicated clearing gel that sloughs off dead skin and helps reduce oil, which can clog follicles and lead to breakouts, avoiding products with soap or perfume.
Remember that the most effective treatments for acne are prescription-based and can only be prescribed by a dermatologist. If your skin suddenly breaks out, head straight to a skin doctor's clinic.
Ageing skin
Dr Gilmour says you can wipe 20 years off your skin's age with a great skincare regime. "Nothing is more true than the saying 'prevention is better than cure' when it comes to limiting the signs of early aging," she says. "Starting a good skin care regime early is vital to keep yourself looking good as you become older." That means using a cleanser containing anti-ageing ingredients, such as Nu Skin's ageLOC Gentle Cleanse & Tone ($70) and wiping your skin gently with a cotton wool pad.
Sensitive skin
With a tendency to be either oily or dry, sensitive skin is easily disturbed by the use of incorrect skincare products. Choose cleanses containing natural ingredients such, which will condition and smooth. Try Dermalogica's UltraCalming Cleanser ($53) with a complex of red hogweed, oat kernel, ginger, bisabol and essential oils.
