To keep your skin healthy, nourished, and protected, a proper skincare routine is a vital factor. And when I say a proper skincare regime, it all starts with a cleanser or a face wash right in the morning which goes a long way to make you feel refreshed. But, most of us get confused about whether to choose a face wash or a cleanser. While both these skincare products help cleanse your skin, there are quite a few differences between the two.

In the past people used soaps to wash their face but now face washes or face cleansers are preferable over regular soap as regular soap does more harm than good to your skin. With the use of regular soap, the skin's natural oils might get disrupted which may lead to premature aging or other skin problems or infections.

Depending on your skin type you will have to find a product that can keep your skin clean of dirt and bacteria or something that alleviates oily or dry skin. With that in mind, it’s important to make sure you’re using the right product that fits your skin needs.

To help you do that, in this article we’re outlining the benefits and some guidance on which one you should use.

What is Face Wash?

As the name suggests, face wash is a skincare product that is specifically designed to clean your face. Cleaning your face regularly is important to keep up with your fundamental well-being and beauty. The face washes deeply cleans your skin, clears the pores, removes all kinds of impurities like sweat, dust, soot, oil, breakdowns, and even makeup previously applied to your skin. With its enhanced cleaning formula, face washes refresh your skin, enhancing your complexion and thus, leaving your skin soft & smooth.

It’s necessary to clean your face at least twice a day, once in the morning to remove all the overnight sweat that’s deposited in the pores and just before going to in the night to wash off all the dirt of the day, hence your skin can renew & breathe itself overnight.

Benefits of using a face wash:

• Boost blood circulation
• Hydrates your skin
• Exfoliates your skin
• Helps in cleansing all the dirt, oil, and debris

What is a Face Cleanser?

A facial cleanser is a skincare product used mainly to remove oil, dirt, make-up, dead skin cells, and other types of pollutants, thus, helping keep pores clear and prevent acne or breakouts. Finding the best cleanser can be a tough task as there are so many options available in the market which includes gel cleansers (ideal for oily, acne-prone skin), cream cleansers (ideal for dry or sensitive skin), and foam cleansers which are lightweight solutions (ideal for combination skin type).

How do cleansers work?

Normally, the ideal pH of the skin is between 4.5 and 6.5. When you use a face cleanser, there happens a reaction between the cleanser, the skin’s moisture barrier, and the skin pH which is potentially more effective than regular soaps that can be harsh to your skin. Face cleansers with salicylic acid help prevent acne and other blemishes by removing pore-clogging material from your face. For most skin types, washing your face with a cleanser twice a day is enough but if you have oily or acne-prone skin, you may be tempted to wash your face multiple times a day.

Benefits of using a Face Cleanser:

• Purify the face & avoid skin complications
• Maintain skin hydration
• Segregate dead skin cells 
• Works as an anti-aging and a skin rejuvenator
• Treat skincare issues such as pimples, sun spots, blackheads, whiteheads, sun damage, acne, dryness, inflammation, & redness

What is the difference between a face wash & a cleanser?

1) Skin Type: Face washes are found to be a bit harsher on the skin, while face cleansers are fairly mild & gentle. Cleansers work well for dry, sensitive, and normal skin types while face washes are usually combination skin types or oily skin types.

2) Usage Time: In a normal scenario, the face wash is recommended for use in the morning, and on the other hand, face cleansers can be used in the evening or at night during bedtime. In both cases, just one pump of the product is more than enough. Never apply too much product on the skin as it will affect the face’s natural oils.

3) Foam Production: Most face washes produce foam as it is essential to keep your face hydrated, refreshed, and simply clean. But, in the case of face cleansers, these products do not produce foam; which means that they do not give that instant feel of hydration and refreshment after use. The primary purpose of a cleanser is to remove deep-seated dirt and oils.

4) Scent: Most face cleansers are commonly known to have a specific scent that is either dominant with fruity flavors or other mild scents. On the other hand, face washes; generally don’t come with a particular flavor or scent.

5) Gentleness: When compared to a regular bathing soap, a face wash is more gentle and mild to remove dirt from the face. But, on the other hand, a face cleanser is gentler than a face wash, and regular bathing soap in removing dirt and oils on the face.

Final Verdict: Face Wash vs. Face Cleanser, which one is better?

Every skin is different, and so depending on your skin type, you need to make a choice. When the face cleanser keeps the pores squeaky clean and hydrated, face washes deeply clean your skin from all sorts of impurities. But, make sure, when you shop, look beyond pretty packaging and brand name and pay attention to the ingredients listed. Make sure you avoid face wash with ingredients like sodium lauryl sulfate, parabens, and alcohol, and avoid cleansers with phthalates, isopropyl myristate, sodium hydroxide, and triclosan. Your face is the soul of your body, so know how to take good care of it.

Are you in search of the best face wash or face cleanser? Aesthetic Today, a premium beauty product website in UAE provides the best, high-quality affordable beauty and skincare products.