Can Cleansing Balms Replace Face Wash?
The short answer is NO. Cleansing balms are meant to remove your makeup and impurities, while face wash will wash off all the residue and clean your pores. Even though cleansing balm feels more nourishing and gentle on the skin. It is not recommended to replace your face wash. Keep on reading to find out why I do not recommend you to replace your face wash with a cleansing balm.
What is a Cleansing Balm?
First of all, a cleansing balm usually comes in a jar form. It has a waxed texture but when you warm it on your dry palm, it turns into oil form. It is formulated to remove your makeup and impurities without stripping off your skin’s natural moisture. Your skin will not feel tight and dry after using it.
Unlike cleansing oils, cleansing balms are lightweight and less messy to use. Due to its waxed texture, you can easily scoop your desired amount on your hand without making a mess. However, don’t underestimate this little jar, it can dissolve all your makeup including eyeliner and lipstick.
It is suitable for all skin types, especially dry and sensitive skin.
What is Face Wash?
Simply put, a face wash is a product that removes all the impurities, dirt, pollutants on your skin. A good face wash will be formulated without harsh chemicals that will not strip off your skin’s moisture barrier. Face wash comes in different forms such as gel, cream, and foam cleansers.
Cleansing is definitely the most important step in your skincare routine. Many have underestimated the power of cleansing. It is essential to clean your skin properly and remove all the impurities and excess sebum away every day. By doing so, you are preventing problems like acne, whiteheads, and blackheads.
You can pick a cleanser with low pH and mildly acidic that is close to your skin. Cleansers with higher pH are more harsh and harmful to your skin. It caused dryness and sensitivity on the skin.
What About Cleansing Oil? Can it Replace Face Wash?
Cleansing oil works differently with a regular face wash. Generally speaking, a face wash contains surfactants that clean your face. Cleansing oil works as solvents (source) and moisturizes our skin at the same time. Cleansing oil attracts the oils on our skin such as sebum and oil-based makeup. With that being said, it melts away our makeup while still keeping our skin supple and soft.
Cleansing oil should not replace a face wash as there’s a high chance that it will clog your pores when it’s not used properly. The good news is cleansing oil is generally compatible with most facewash on the market. You can pair it with any regular face wash as long as it’s suitable for your skin type.
Do I Really Need to Double Cleanse My Skin?
Double cleansing is a method of cleansing your face twice. It started in Korea and Japan for a more thorough and deep cleansing to make sure your skin is properly clean without leaving any makeup residue. The concept of getting your skin double cleansed is not widely recognized all over the world but the method was approved by some dermatologists.
According to Dr. David Lortscher, a board dermatologist in New Mexico:
“First, with an oil-based cleanser and again with a water-based cleanser. It can help remove stubborn, pore-clogging and acne-causing impurities that can remain on the skin even after washing your face once,” (source)
The main reason that you should practice double cleansing is to thoroughly clean your skin. Most cleansing balm and oil products do not require cleaning your skin with a separate face wash. However, there are many of us that do not emulsify or wash off the product thoroughly. The residue ended up trapped and clogged our pores.
It’s best to invest in a low pH and gentle face wash that won’t strip off your skin rather than switching your face wash to cleansing balm.
You do not have to practice double cleansing your skin twice daily. Overwashing your face will do more harm than good. You can use water or a gentle cleanser to wash off your face but double cleanse your face especially if you have your sunscreen on and out for the entire day.
My Personal Experience: What Works Best on My Skin?
I’ve tried using both cleansing oil and balm with and without face wash. The results are different when you use it differently.
First of all, here’s a list of products that I used.
Both cleansing oil and balm effectively remove all my makeup including eyeliner and lipstick. The main difference is their textures. I do feel that cleansing oil is thicker and balm is more refreshing after washing them off with water. Cleansing oil definitely breaks me out if I do not double cleanse it with a face wash. Small bumps like whiteheads will quickly form within a few usages. On the contrary, if I double cleanse my face after cleansing oil, it does not cause the same problem.
When it comes to cleansing balm, it has a lighter texture that I’m able to emulsify in a few seconds. It dissolves all my makeup smoothly. Unlike cleansing oil that might cloud and irritate your eyes, cleansing balm actually does not cloud nor irritate my eyes. I think it’s because you can easily control the amount when using a cleansing balm. With cleansing oil, you might end up using too much product around your eyes. My skin around the nose will form some blackheads if I don’t double cleanse after cleansing balm.
I personally get the best result when I use a cleansing balm and double cleanse with a face wash. My face feels clean without getting irritations. Moreover, all the skin care products that followed after also penetrate better.
Source:
Dermstore: How to Double Cleanse
Paula Choice: What is Cleansing Oil
Dermcollective:Low pH Cleansers: Benefits and How to Choose One
