Skincare 101: What you need to know about moisturisers and cleansers

Whether you are relatively new to the idea of skincare or have the odd bit but aren’t quite sure what the products do or the order you’re meant to apply, you’ve come to the right place.

Anoushka Sinha
Written by Anoushka Sinha , Skincare Coach & Writer
Updated on Jul 26, 2023 | 04:05 PM IST | 525.4K
Photo by Fleur Kaan on Unsplash
Here is Skincare 101: What you need to know about moisturizers and cleansers
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Whether you are relatively new to the idea of skincare or have the odd bit but aren’t quite sure what the products do or the order you’re meant to apply, you’ve come to the right place. 

Skincare can get quite complicated, to say the least. There’s a product to address any issue related to your skin, whether you suffer from dry skin, black head spots, oily skin, or just more prominent and noticeable pores. But as with many things in life, you need to understand the foundations to diagnose the problem and find the solution, which is what we’re here to help you with. 

I’m sure you’ve at least heard of moisturiser before - there’s no harm done if you haven’t because you’ll know everything you need to know by the end of this article. Well, the two things you need to learn about are cleansers: what they are used for, when to use them, and how they differ depending on your skin type. And then moisturisers: the difference between night and day moisturises, how often you should apply them, and how SPF and hyaluronic acid can be used in its formula to protect and plump up your skin. 

Don’t be intimidated by what you’ve just ready; it’s straightforward if you take it step by step. We’ve broken this infromation down so it’s easier to digest, and we’ve even linked our recommendations if you’re shopping for new products to add to your skincare routine.

Cleanser

You should cleanse your face daily, either in the shower or when you wash your face first thing in the morning. If you can’t bring yourself to do it in the morning, then just before you go to bed also does the job. Firstly, with a flannel, wash and lightly scrub your face with lukewarm water; this will open your pores in the skin. Once clean, dab a small amount of cleanser onto your face or flannel and scrub it in; this will help remove any gunk buried within your pores. Once you’ve covered all the surface area on your face, the next step is to wash off the cleanser and use slightly colder water, as this will close the pores, stopping small bits of unwanted grit from going back into it.

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Which cleanser to buy:

Calendula Deep Cleansing Foaming Face Wash

Calendula Deep Cleansing Foaming Face Wash

Buy it here

Normal-to-Oily Skin

Paraben-free and sulfate-free.

Buy it here

The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser

The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser

Buy it here

Vegan and cruelty-free.

Gentle formula, suitable for sensitive skin. 

Buy it here

Youth To The People Superfood Antioxidant Cleanser

Youth To The People Superfood Antioxidant Cleanser

Buy it here

Won allure 2021 Best of Beauty Award Winner.

Suitable for all skin but is particularly good with oily skin.

The bottle can be refilled. 

Buy it here

Tatcha The Rice Wash Skin-Softening Cleanser

Tatcha The Rice Wash Skin-Softening Cleanser

Buy it here

It rids dryness from your skin and uses hyaluronic acid to leave the skin glowing. 

Good for sensitive skin, it can be used daily and is generally gentle on the skin.

Buy it here

Moisturiser:

Now you’ve removed the dirt buried within the pores on your face, you can use a moisturiser to rehydrate the skin, replenishing and balancing out the oil levels and protecting it. You only need a couple of pea-sized dabs of moisturiser, which should be applied twice a day, first thing in the morning before you leave the house and another when you wash your face before bed. Depending on how dry or oily your face naturally is, you’ll need to check the label of the moisturiser to see which product will work best in addressing your issue. Some people opt for two separate moisturisers for each application, a lighter one with SPF in the moisturiser formula that won’t leave your skin looking overly hydrated but balanced and a thicker one that sits in your skin overnight is slowly absorbed. 

Which moisturiser to buy:

Ultra Facial Moisturizer SPF 30

Ultra Facial Moisturizer SPF 30

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Buy it here

SPF 30 inside the formula - perfect for a daytime moisturiser. 

Suitable for all skin types.

Buy it here

24-7 Moisture Intense Ultra Hydrating Day & Night Cream

 

24-7 Moisture Intense Ultra Hydrating Day & Night Cream

Buy it here

Suitable for applying in the daytime or at night. 

It’s thick, rich and non-greasy and has been formulated with MoistureLock Pressed Oil Blend to provide you with intense moisture levels. 

Buy it here

Drunk Elephant Protini Polypeptide Firming Moisturizer

Drunk Elephant Protini Polypeptide Firming Moisturizer

Buy it here

Anti ageing properties. 

Addresses dullness and uneven textured skin. 

Buy it here

Charlotte Tilbury Magic Cream Moisturizer with Hyaluronic Acid

 

Charlotte Tilbury Magic Cream Moisturizer with Hyaluronic Acid

Buy it here

An age-defying moisturiser that uses hyaluronic acid to leave your skin looking plump.

Skin is left visibly glowing and ready for makeup. 

Not suitable for oily skin, only normal or dry. 

Buy it here

Why Trust Select?

Our skincare connoisseur Anoushka conducted a thorough research on moisturizers and cleansers, as she considers them to be basic in every skincare routine. She delved into the differences between various formulations, considering ingredients, skin types, and potential benefits. She even reviewed some of the best moisturizers and cleansers such as Calendula Deep Cleansing Foaming Face Wash, Ultra Facial Moisturizer SPF 30 and many others and compiled a comprehensive guide that will educate her readers on selecting the right moisturizers and cleansers for their individual skincare routines.

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Our product experts study the specifications of every product we suggest and try them out to bring what’s proven to be worthy of your money, time, and energy. We also have subject matter experts from various fields like Fashion, Skincare, Haircare, Home Decor, and Health & Fitness onboard to make sure our suggestions are credible and trustworthy. You can trust Select to be your faithful shopping guide for all the right reasons!

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About The Author
Anoushka Sinha
Anoushka Sinha
Skincare Coach & Writer

Anoushka is certified in Professional Skincare and is a Mass Media (Journalism) graduate from Mumbai University. As an experienced

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Credits: Photo by Fleur Kaan on Unsplash,
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