How to choose a clean face wash for women

What does 'clean' mean on a face wash?

The word 'clean' has no set skincare standard, so the front of the bottle is doing more branding than explaining. Natural ingredients generally come from sources such as plants rather than being made in a laboratory, but their origin does not tell you whether they suit your skin. Natural oils and other ingredients can cause allergic reactions. Treat 'clean' as a shopping preference, not a substitute for reading the formula and directions.2

In the United States, FDA has not defined 'natural' for cosmetic labeling. USDA regulates 'organic' for agricultural products, while FDA does not have cosmetic regulations for that term. All cosmetics still have to meet the same safety and labeling requirements, whatever their ingredients' source. An organic claim and a suitable face wash answer different questions: one concerns how ingredients are produced; the other concerns what you can comfortably use.3

Which face wash suits your skin?

A 'gentle' label is not a regulated term, so the adjective does not get to inspect its own work. Liquid soap is generally gentler than bar soap, and a cleanser without fragrance is a gentler choice. Do not let the word on the front replace checking the rest of the label.4

For acne, cleansers containing salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide can help. Glycolic acid and salicylic acid can also gently resurface skin and make it look brighter. Acid cleansers can irritate sensitive skin, so an active ingredient is not automatically an upgrade from a plain cleanser.4

Which label claims are useful?

'Fragrance free' and 'unscented' are not interchangeable. Fragrance free products contain neither natural nor synthetic fragrance. Unscented products often contain ingredients that mask other smells. If fragrance bothers your skin, choose fragrance free rather than assuming that a product with no noticeable scent contains none. Fragrance ingredients can include plant derived substances such as eugenol from clove oil.2

'Hypoallergenic' does not mean a product cannot cause an allergic reaction; FDA does not define the term. Read the entire label, including ingredients, warnings and directions. Check whether the product is meant for use around the eyes before using it there. A face cleanser is not automatically suitable for every part of the face. Follow any specific restrictions rather than treating the product name as its complete instructions.5

Most cosmetics do not need FDA approval before sale, so 'on the shelf' is not an approval stamp. Color additives are an exception. Manufacturers remain responsible for safe products and proper labeling. Products intended to treat or prevent disease are regulated as drugs, and some products are both cosmetics and drugs. That makes the intended use and claims more informative than a broad clean beauty slogan.3

How should you wash your face?

1. 1Wash your hands before using the cleanser, and read its directions.
2. 2Wet your face with lukewarm water. Avoid hot water, which can dry and irritate skin.
3. 3Gently massage cleanser over your face, jaw and neck with your fingertips. Avoid harsh scrubbing with a washcloth or brush.
4. 4Rinse with lukewarm water until bubbles and cleanser residue are gone.
5. 5Pat dry with a clean cotton towel rather than rubbing.
6. 6Apply moisturizer after washing to replenish moisture removed during cleansing.

Wash your face daily to remove the dirt, oils, pollution and dead skin cells that build up. Choose the cleanser for your skin type and apply it gently rather than trying to scrub away the buildup. Moisturizing belongs after cleansing, including for oily skin. Leaving skin a little damp before applying moisturizer can make that next step more effective.1

What should you expect after washing?

Cleansing removes dirt, pollutants and excess oil. Water alone is less effective because many particles on skin are oil based. Washing also removes some natural oils, which can leave skin feeling tight, especially with medicated cleansers. Apply moisturizer afterward rather than treating tightness as the result you are trying to achieve.4

Keep the container clean and tightly closed between uses, and protect it from temperature extremes. Discard a cleanser if its color or smell changes. Cosmetics do not legally need an expiration date, so the absence of a date is not a reason to ignore changes in the product. Marking the opening date on the container can help you track its age.5

When should you stop using a cleanser?

Stop using the product if you develop a rash, redness, burning or another unexpected reaction, and contact your healthcare provider for advice. You can also report cosmetic reactions and product problems to FDA. Do not keep using a cleanser through a reaction just because its label says natural, organic or hypoallergenic.5

Contact dermatitis, an itchy inflammatory skin reaction, can cause blistering, flaking, pain or swelling. It can take up to three weeks to clear after the offending product is removed. Seek medical care if a rash worsens, lasts longer than three weeks, affects your eyes or mouth, or disrupts sleep or concentration. A clinician can arrange patch testing to identify an allergy.2

If you receive targeted cancer therapy, use a gentle cleanser without fragrance formulated for sensitive skin. Many cleansers can irritate skin during treatment. Report new skin changes to your cancer care team immediately, even if they seem mild, rather than assuming a new cleanser is the only cause.6