cleansing

10 mins read

why cleansing is the important first step to healthy skin

age bright clearing serum bottles
cleansing
skin health

why is cleansing important?

Put simply, great skin starts with clean skin.


The best cleansers will help remove these layers while also nourishing the skin. At Dermalogica, we've always been proponents of the double cleanse. As the name may suggest, the process involves cleansing the skin twice: first to remove make-up and debris followed by a second cleanse to remove any remaining build-up. Oil-based cleaners are often used as a first step as they easily breakdown naturally-occurring oil secretions, make-up and sunscreen


The Dermalogica cleansing routine is broken down into two simple steps.

  1. The first cleanse targets the larger particles removing make-up, pollutants, and SPF after your daily activities, or nightly excreted toxins when you wake.
  2. The second cleanse delves deper in the skin, removing smaller particles at a level a single cleanse won't reach.

Ever wiped over your skin with a cotton pad after cleansing and noticed how much residue remains?


That's what the second cleanse takes care of.


Think of it like vacuuming and mopping your floor. You wouldn't mop the floor before vacuuming up all the dirt and dust first. A two-step cleanse will help you achieve a whole new level of clean!


For perfect cleansing results, we recommend you begin with one of our first step cleansing solutions, such as PreCleanse Oil or Micellar Prebiotic PreCleanse, followed by a cleanser that is tailored to your specific skin condition.

what can a cleanser help with?

At Dermalogica you can expect our cleansers to target dullness, texture, dehydration, redness, oil and much more.


We generally use a gel-based, sudsy/foamy, or milky cleanser, which provides a deep cleansing action to target debris and pollutants, wherever they're hiding.

the role of the skin's microbiome in the cleansing process

If we enhance our skincare routine through effective cleansing, our skin will thrive


Our skin becomes balanced by working with the microbiome. These are the good bacteria on your skin that keep it functioning properly.


Our microbiome acts like a protective shield and when functioning properly, it allows better moisture retention and protects us by repelling irritants and other pathogens.


With a happy, healthy microbiome our skin is not only hydrated, but secondary products, like targeted serums, are able to penetrate further. This is also an important reason to choose cleansers to complement our routine, like the Dermalogica range that are all pH-balanced and free from harsh chemicals, to help preserve and protect our skin.

faqs

do i need a cleanser?

Absolutely! A facial cleanser is a non-negotiable in every skincare regimen. Unlike make-up wipes that contain alcohol and drying ingredients, or soap that is alkaline and disrupts the skin's natural acidic barrier, Dermalogica's range of face washes are pH-balanced, soap-free and effectively remove dirt, make-up, and impurities while respecting the skin's barrier and prepping the skin for deeper penetration of subsequent products in your routine.

so which dermalogica cleanser is right for you?

Choosing the right cleanser comes down to your skin concerns and your personal preference. Everyone's skin is different and so are our cleansers.


A gel-based, foamy cleanser is great for a normal to combination skin type, whereas a milky/cream cleanser is for those with drier, sensitive, and ageing skin types. Oily, congested skin types should lean towards clay-based cleansers. We even have a cleanser that's a make-up remover and cleanser, with a two-in-one cleansing action that saves you time and effort.

top dermalogica cleansers for your consideration

Micellar Prebiotic PreCleanse


Nourishing micellar milky precleanse lifts away dirt, oil, and make-up while helping to balance skin's microbiome with prebiotics. A prebiotic blend and Amino Acid-rich Cotton seed protein, conditons and reinforces skin's barrier, balances the microbiome and boosts its capacity for water retention. Formulated with Oat Milk and cleansing micellar Murumuru Butter, to help dissolve impuriries and prepare skin for the second step of cleansing.

Skin Resurfacing Cleanser


Dual-action exfoliating cleanser helps retexturise ageing skin. Achieve smooth, ultra-clean skin with this highly-active, two-in-one cleanser and exfoliant. Lactic Acid helps to retexturise skin showing signs of skin ageing by removing dulling surface debris, and helping to accelerate skin cell turnover. Antioxidants condition skin while Rose Flower Oil refreshes the senses. Use daily to dramatically improve skin texture and properly prepare it for maximum penetration of AGE Smart products.

Daily Glycolic Cleanser


Brightening and conditioning cleanser renews dull, uneven skin tone and helps remove buildup caused by environmental factors. Glycolic Acid brightens by ungluing dulling, dead skin cells for radiant, healthy-looking skin. A blend of soothing Calendula Extract and nourishing Jojoba Seed Oil helps condition and replenish skin, while maintaining the skin's lipid barrier.

UltraCalming Cleanser


Gentle cleansing gel/cream helps to calm and cool reactive, sensitised or overprocessed skin. Delicately fortifies skin's protective barrer without leaving any residue, and easily rinses away or wipes off, making it ideal for sensitive skin. Formulated with Oat Kernel and Cucumber Extracts to help soothe inflammation and maintain skin's natural moisture levels.

Active Clay Cleanser


Dual-action, mineral-rich clay and charcoal formula actively cleanses and purifies. Kaolin Clay absorbs excess oil, and Activated Binchotan Charcoal powerfully absorbs impurities to help balance skin. Botanical lipids and Murumuru Seed work together to attract and remove excess oil from the skin while helping protect its natural lipid barrier and promote a healthy microbiome. A bioflavonoid-rich complex of Citrus, Aloe and Broccoli Extract helps purify pores while leaving skin smooth, refined and revitalised.


Find the right cleanser for your skin here or visit your local Dermalogica Professional Skin Therapist for an in-person skin analysis and expert advice.