Choosing the correct cleanser for your skin is one of the first steps to creating an effective skincare routine. Using a high-quality cleanser will pave the way for your “high active” products to get into the skin.  I am mostly going to touch on what happens when you choose a cleanser that contains fatty acids and how that interferes with the effectiveness of your routine.

Wax build-up on the skin from fatty acid cleansers can lead to several issues. Let’s start with clogged pores.  One of the primary concerns with wax build-up is the potential for clogged pores. When the wax accumulates on the skin, it can trap dirt, oil, and bacteria, leading to the formation of blackheads, whiteheads, acne and resulting in a dull and lackluster complexion. For some individuals, a build-up of wax can lead to skin irritation, redness, itching and bacterial growth. This is especially true for those with sensitive skin or those who are allergic to certain ingredients in the cleanser.

What happens if I don’t address the fatty acids in my cleanser? The short answer—a film or residue is left on the upper layers of the skin, which slows the efficacy of your high actives and decreases bioavailability.  Why is bioavailability so very important you might be wondering?  First and foremost, it allows the products that you put on your skin to actually deliver at the intended depth in the skin for best results.  If there’s occlusion on the skin, the bioavailability of active ingredients like anti-aging serums, calming serums, and products that combat acne can be reduced. Not to mention all of the money you are throwing away because your products cannot deliver!

So, what type of cleanser do you need to be using? Cleansers can be categorized into foaming cleansers, cleansing creams, and scrubs. Foaming cleansers usually do not leave residue on the skin. However, cleansing balms and scrubs more often than not leave some type of occlusion from fatty acids. When using these types of cleansers your skin will feel soft even though it is not clean. Ultimately, you want your face to feel squeaky clean and prepped for the next step. If the skin feels soft, then you can bet that something (an ingredient) has been deposited on it, which can potentially occlude and reduce the bioavailability mentioned previously. For better results, it’s recommended to use a clear, foaming cleanser to remove occlusions and enhance your overall skincare program AND your wallet!