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Cleansers & toners
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What cleansers do you like? Is there such a thing as a cleanser that removes makeup but doesn't leave your skin feeling dry and tight? Do you use toner? I'm never sure exactly what toner is supposed to do and wonder if it's really necessary.
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Cream cleansers can be less drying, but I think they also leave residue which is counterproductive. I use and olay facial cleanser and then the ponds pore minimizing toner (witch hazel based). I love the toner because it has a cooling effect which totally refreshes me.
After this I immediately put on my day moisturizer (vaseline lotion) or night moisture mask (currently using the boots mask) so that my skin doesn't remain dry. -
Also from what I've hear toning does three things: it removes residue that your cleanser didnt already take care of; it restores the pH level of your skin (though I'm skeptical) and it prepares your skin to receive the moisturizer you are about to put on it.
I can agree with the first point, I notice some grime on my cotton ball after toning nearly every time.
I don't know about the other two from a scientific standpoint, but I use toner so I've given in. -
Paula Begoun says "not all toners are created equal and many are poorly formulated, meaning they have a real capacity to cause irritation, redness, and drying." She says the key is to find irritant-free toners. She goes into a long explanation of what ingredients to avoid so they aren't irritating. Her summary of toners in general is this:
"Many irritant-free toners are a fine alternative as an extra cleansing step after cleaning the skin with a water-soluble cleanser. Toners won't close pores and they won't deep-clean, but depending on the formulation, they can leave the face feeling soft and smooth, remove the last traces of makeup or oil, reduce or eliminate irritation, provide antioxidant protection, soothe and the skin, and lightly moisturize skin. For some skin types, a toner can be the only moisturizer you need to use."
PurpleRules: I personally use DHC toner sometimes. I find that DHC Cleansing Oil, followed by Olay Foaming Face Wash for Sensitive Skin is the right combination for me. By using both, my skin is completely clean and soft.
Anonymousblonde: It sounds like you're right to be skeptical on toners restoring pH levels. Paula says toners do NOT balance the skin. Like you, I like Olay facial washes, too, They seem to get high marks from everyone! -
You use the Cleansing Oil and a Face Wash? Is the Cleansing Oil to remove makeup? Do you use both in the morning too? In the morning, I just use Cetaphil. In the evening, I use an Elizabeth Grady cleanser. It's not bad but I feel like it leaves a residue. The toner doesn't seem to do much at all, which is why I'm wondering if I could just skip it.
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as usual, i think paula is right on. i use cetaphil because it is cheap and effective at cleansing dry skin. i follow that with simple rosewater from a health food store either spritzed or on a cotton pad. when trying to remove stubborn eye makeup i use nuetrogena's oil free eye makeup remover. i am most pleased with the results and the savings since switching from high priced boutique products.
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PurpleRules: I use the DHC Cleansing Oil, followed by Olay Foaming Face Wash at night but only the Olay face wash product in the morning.
The Cleansing Oil is fantastic to remove make-up. You can rub it all over your face (even over your eyes and lips) but you don't wet your face first; when you're done rubbing it in, you rinse it all off with water. At that point it turns white and a bit foamy as you're rinsing and no longer feels like oil. In fact, it doesn't leave oil behind at all. It's really a unique product! It's intended to be used as a two-step process, though. DHC has other cleansing products that they recommend to follow the Cleansing Oil, of course. They're a bit pricey. DHC really emphasizes how all their products are returnable if you're not satisfied. The pump-style bottle of the Cleansing Oil lasts me a long time.
I really like the way my skin feels after using the Olay Foaming Face Wash for Sensitive Skin. It says it is soap-free on the front so maybe that's why I feel no residue. It's really reasonably priced, too. -
Add another vote to DHC's Cleansing Oil! I follow that up with their mild soap at night, and I use their pure soap in the morning. The mild soap really just gets rid of any oil residue that I didn't rinse off.
As for using toner, here's a Brain's article on using toner from back in April: What's the difference between skin toners and astringents
It's pretty in depth.
Now I have yucky oily skin, so I do use toner/astringent after I wash my face. I look for one with Salicylic Acid for its antimicrobial activity since I have acne. I find that when I do skip toner, my face just doesn't feel as skin. It could be a mental thing, but I was taught at a really young age to use toner. -
I use cream cleansers on my dry skin and I've found two that remove makeup very easily: Liz Earle's Cleanse and Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser and Green People's Gentle Cleanse. I prefer the former because it's thicker and feels better on my skin, but the GP one is fab as well. I don't use a toner because they're too drying, but I do use rosewater sometimes as fauxmccoy said - usually if I'm too lazy to go through the whole cleansing routine in the morning! I buy mine from the local chemist as well and it's dirt cheap. I also tried witch hazel direct from the chemist, but it was too drying.
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Since I am probably the oldest person here, LOL, I use a Salicylic Acid wash called SalAc. It cleanses well and slows the signs of aging. When I use a toner it is the apple cider vinegar solution that I make...too easy and very inexpensive.
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SageMotherRaven: How do you make it? I'm sure this is a stupid question.
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SageMotherRaven, you probably are not the oldest person here....
For cleansing I use a mild, creamy, sensitive cleanser that is on sale...Olay...Dove...and for toner I use Longs (a West Coast drugstore) house brand which is inexpensive and not irritating. I think that I really only use the toner to be sure my skin is cleansed of all the "cleanser" so I am not expecting any "toning". -
I have read a lot about the ineffectiveness of toner. I personally don't use it, and find that my skin seems more calm without that extra step. Be catious when buying an expensive toner at any point - they are all most alcohol, witch hazel, or other similar ingredients. Hey SageMotherRaven - what's your recipe for the apple cider vinegar?? It sounds interesting...
I like Cetaphil and Philosophy Purity (my fav) cleansers a lot. Even for oilier skin, a balanced, creamy cleanser is so beneficial. Lots of products made for oily skin tend to be somewhat drying or tightening - which ends up being counterproductive, because the skin pumps out more sebum to replenish.
I honestly believe though that cleansers are maybe the MOST specialized element of skin care - in other words, something different works for people individually. I recommend trying different products until you find one that works - but EVERYONE can benefit from sticking to gentle formulas. -
I use Clean and Clear's Foaming Facial Cleanser for Sensitive Skin. I don't actually have sensitive skin, but I wanted something that was gentle (and hopefully, would not sting too much if I accidentally got it in my eye). It works - I don't feel any residue afterwards, and it gets all the gunk off my face (plus it smells nice too - very plant-y).
I rarely use toners, and if I do, it's the stuff I make myself - just plain old room temperature green tea that actually worked quite well, but again, I usually don't bother. I find it's not really necessary. -
Cleansers?
The bane of my existence. I switch constantly, but I have aggravated (aggravating?) skin.
In the summer in can be: red, touchy, sensitive, broken out, dry, painful, sunburnt (for no good reason, I'm almost a vampire about sunshine)... In the winter, my skin is red, touchy, sensitive, dry, cracked, and painful.
So I try everything that comes out.
IF I use Cetaphil, I get huge painful subcutaneous zits.
The best glycol cleanser I've used was the SErious Skin Care, but its so expensive.
I've tried the over the counter cleansers for rosacea, but they don't make a dent.
And toners...? don't make me laugh. -
I use the "Oil Cleansing Method" If you google it you will find lots of information on it...It is comprised of Castor Oil, olive oil, and I add almond and jojoba oils....it is the best cleansing method I have ever used and my skin loves it! No breakouts, no blackheads, smoothe, soft skin....as for a toner, I mix each morning a little Vit. C powder and a bit of water and apply with a cotton ball all over my face...
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I used the oil cleansing method for a while. It worked at first, but stopped working after a while. :(
Now I use Juice Organics Brightening Cleanser in the morning, which I gently scrub in with a facial brush from The Body Shop. At night I use Neutrogena's Fresh Foaming Cleanser, which removes makeup without drying out my skin it even removes mascara!
As far as toner, the very best toner I have ever used is Thayer's Witch Hazel toner with aloe and lavender:
http://www.thayers.com/store/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=3
It's helped control my oily, sensitive, breakout-prone skin without leaving it dry or stripped. I get it at the Vitamin Shoppe. -
This is all the stuff that I use:
Apricot Scrub: Invigorating: ~$4.00
Boots No7 Soft & Soothed Toner: ~$8.00
Neutrogena Clear Pore Cleanser/Mask: ~$8.00
Neutrogena Oil Free Acne Cleanser with Microclear Technology: ~$8.00
Aveeno Clear Complexion Correcting Treatment: Regularly ~$14.00, but I had gotten it on sale for about $4.00.
The Boots No7 Soft and Soothed Toner is very good because even though my scrub, cleanser, and mask dry my face out, the Toner seems to restore the moisture without tightening, but it has also reduced my acne. I used to need to use a Moisturizer all the time, but now I just use the Toner and I don't need one!
So, use whatever cleanser you regularly do, then just use Boots No7 Soft & Soothed Toner afterward on a slightly damped Cotton Pad.
Every product on my list above I got at Target.
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