Glossary
Cleanser vs face wash
Mostly the same thing. What matters is pH and whether it foams, not the word on the bottle.
In practice the two words are used interchangeably, and the distinction people argue about is not the one that matters.
What matters is pH. Healthy skin sits around pH 4.7 to 5.5, slightly acidic. A cleanser that pushes it alkaline — most bar soaps, and many foaming washes — disturbs the barrier and leaves that squeaky-tight feeling. 'Low pH' on a label means the formula is closer to your skin's own, and that is the single most useful thing to look for.
The second thing is texture, which should follow your skin rather than the marketing:
- Gel, usually foaming: oily and combination skin - Cream or milk: dry and reactive skin - Oil or balm: a first cleanse to remove sunscreen and makeup, followed by one of the above
A 'face wash' that is really a body wash in a smaller bottle is the common mistake. Body skin is thicker and oilier; the same formula on a face leaves it tight.
Twice a day is the ceiling for either. Clean skin should feel like nothing at all — not tight, not squeaky.
This article is general information, not medical advice. Skincare products are not medicines. Speak to a dermatologist about persistent or worsening skin conditions.