And when time comes to take the mask off, follow the product’s instructions. For instance, sheet masks usually don’t require any cleansing afterwards—just pat the remaining goop into your skin and let it absorb. But if you’re using something like a clay mask that needs to be removed, do so by just gently wiping it away using lukewarm water. Make sure your face towels are clean. Overall, if you're looking for an effective yet gentle deep-cleaning facial wash then La Roche Posay Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel Cleanser is a perfect choice. It'll give your complexion some much-needed TLC without breaking the bank. The short answer is there’s no exact rule book for how often everyone should wash their face because a lot of factors play into it. It can depend on your skin type, the time of day, and your activity level. There’s nothing like the feeling of clean skin after washing your face—but dermatologists know not every facial cleanser is crafted for the same type of skin. Some facial cleansers can contain overly drying ingredients, while others are oil-based to replenish moisture, but may be too much for someone with oily skin. Washing your face may be the most basic of skincare steps, but dermatologists and skincare experts know that using the right cleanser for your skin is key for a clear, radiant complexion. Face wash helps remove debris, including makeup, dirt and pollution, and excess oil that can dull skin, clog pores, and cause discoloration and breakouts. But don’t grab any old soap: “A sulfate- and soap-free cleanser for the face will be pH-balanced and gentle to maintain skin’s barrier without stripping,” says Whitney Bowe, M.D., a New York City dermatologist and author of The Beauty of Dirty Skin.

Before treating your clogged pores, knowing what causes them is important. "Pore sizes and numbers vary largely by gender, locations on the body, and by ethnicities," Dr. Libby explains. "Like many other traits, they are a result largely of genetics."People who have oilier skin may discover that they need to wash their face more frequently than those who have dry and sensitive skin,” says Dr. Mitchell. Anyone with normal to dry skin can actually cause damage by washing their face too much. “Excessive washing can cause the skin barrier to be compromised, resulting in red, itchy, dry, or irritated skin,� Combination skin is exactly what it sounds like: A combination of dry and oily. Gel cleansers, like KraveBeauty Matcha Hemp Hydrating Cleanser can help balance out the inconsistencies, to keep your skin feeling comfortable. Editor Tip: One of our testers previously called out this award-winning gel cleanser for its gentle, non-stripping feel on skin, which was a savior for her sensitive and acne-prone skin. "Gels can sometimes leave my skin super dry, but not so with this — must be the aloe leaf juice powder they blended into the formula," she said. These celeb-loved two-step pore cleansing pads from Dr. Dennis Gross will have you hooked after the first use. Each pad is soaked in seven pore-sloughing acids, including glycolic, salicylic, and lactic acids. The two-step pads are meant to be used one after the other. The first step gently exfoliates and removes dead skin cells (the salicylic acid is key for a clearer complexion, FYI), while the second step encourages skin cell renewal, smoothing wrinkles and other signs of aging.

Misumi Pore Purifying Toner is a great choice for those looking to reduce pore size and refine skin texture. It contains witch hazel extract, which helps tone and tightens the skin while removing excess oil and dirt from the surface. This toner can be used by all skin types, however, it is particularly beneficial for those with oily or combination complexions as it helps to regulate the natural oils in their skin. The optimal pH level for deep clean face wash should be between 4.5 and 5.5, as this range is best suited to maintain the natural balance of the skin's acid mantle without disrupting its protective barrier or causing irritation.

Have a separate product just for exfoliating.

It might seem like a pain to have to toss a washcloth in the hamper after just a use or two (especially if you have to hike to your laundromat to do laundry). But experts say that reusing the same washcloth over and over again is spreading more bacteria to your face, which can contribute to acne. Many makeup brands are smudge-proof or waterproof, so basic cleansers will not remove them thoroughly,” Dr. Nazarian says. For this reason, it’s important to use a gentle makeup-removing wipe, micellar water, or oil-based makeup remover before you wash—especially when removing long-wear makeup. If you have enlarged pores, it’s vital to find the right cleanser that can go deep to clean them out and tighten them up once and for all. We found that the Tula Purifying Cleanser, with its turmeric, white tea, and blueberry infused-formula, does a great job at rebalancing skin texture. The probiotic extracts help maintain an even texture across your complexion, while hydrating ingredients simultaneously moisturize and tighten skin. The lightweight gel successfully removes stubborn dirt found deep in those pores and leaves behind a clean slate. “My skin feels clear and lightly hydrated,” says our tester. This is also the thinking behind the concept of double cleansing, in which you use an oil-based cleanser or balm to remove makeup, followed by a water-based cleanser to remove any remaining dirt. But today’s cleansers are surprisingly effective, so whether or not you want to use two separate products to wash your face every night is up to your skin type, your budget, and your general preferences. Do not consider a makeup wipe your whole cleansing routine.

She notes that “gel cleansers are best for removing excess oils and cleaning out pores,” meaning that they’re often best for people with oily or combination skin. If you’re looking for a gel formula, we recommend the iS Clinical Cleansing Complex because it’s suitable for all skin types and does an excellent job of thoroughly cleansing the skin. I’ve been using these for years and I find even just a few times a week makes a big impact,” says Shannon Bauer, Shape senior beauty editor. “The blend of exfoliating acids helps with skin texture, evenness, and clearing the gunk out of my pores. Plus, it delivers an immediate, unbelievable glow.” Testers use the products in their regular skincare routine, then evaluate them on criteria including ease of application, texture, scent, how effectively they wash away makeup, impurities and excess oil and how skin feels and looks after use (including any irritation). In the most recent GH Beauty Lab face washes test, 4,512 data points were tallied to find the best facial cleanser formulas on the market. Get cleansing wrong and it’s very hard to get skincare right,” says skincare expert Dr Sam Bunting. “And you can tell you’ve got it wrong by looking for one – or all – of three warning signs that will indicate your cleansing routine isn’t ideal.” If your skin is dehydrated (think, dry, tight and that tell-tale “squeaky clean” feeling), irritated (bumpy, sore and stingy), or you’re suffering from breakouts, then you might be using the wrong cleanser.

Enjoy your first purchase.

Make sure you’re following the instructions to get the best results possible from this high-tech pore cleanser. Start your pore cleansing routine with steam or a shower to prep your skin. Mist your face frequently to keep it wet while using, and press firmly into the skin. When you have oily skin, finding a face wash that fully removes excess oil without completely drying out your skin can be challenging, but this one does the job. It has a unique gel texture that’s pretty viscous without being heavy, making it really easy to lather. Our tester raved about the consistency, saying it was incredibly easy to work with and totally enjoyable to apply. While she noted that it took a bit of effort to fully remove makeup, she praised how well the formula cleansed her skin when going in a second time with it, and she loved that it left her oily complexion feeling balanced—free of grease yet not dried out.

Misumi Pore Purifying Toner is an excellent choice for those looking to deep clean their face while keeping skin hydrated and refreshed.Discover Garnier's NEW Cryo Jelly Anti-Fatigue Jelly Sheet Mask. Discover the power of Cryo Jelly, a second-skin like jelly mask that cools skin’s temperature by -7°C* and instantly minimises signs of fatigue. All Garnier products internationally are approved by Cruelty Free International under the Leaping Bunny Programme. Our mask has a vegan formula, containing no animal-derived ingredients or by-products. *Based on instrumental test immediately after mask removal, 30 women. In addition to the texture, our tester loved how well it removed her foundation and concealer and left her skin feeling clean and moisturized rather than stripped and tight. She also noted that it felt gentle and non-irritating around her eyes, a real plus if you’re sensitive in that area.