The Perfect Cleanser

Cleansing is arguably the most important step in your daily skin care regimen. A good cleanser not only removes the daily grime from your skin, it provides the perfect basis for further treatment steps. If you're still cleaning your face with a bar of soap, it's time to update. Here's a few suggestions.

Amino Genesis Really, Really Clean Cleanser features a blend of 17 amino acids to hydrate, nourish and defend your skin in one refreshing step. This moisturizing cleanser helps to rebuild collagen and elastin for a more youthful appearance.

Formulated with aloe and algae, Astara Botanical Cleansing Gele is a gel-based cleanser designed for all skin types. Its natural softening properties helps to diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and also makes it excellent for shaving.

For oily and acne-prone skin, try Avene Diacneal Gel Cleanser. This fragrance-free cleanser uses lactic acid, an AHA derived from milk, to gently remove pore-clogging debris and bacteria without exacerbating flare-ups.

For those with sensitive skin, try Bioelements Sensitive Skin Cleanser or Caudalie Gentle Cleanser. Each is formulated with natural ingredients that nourish the skin, and don't have any alcohol content, which can dry and irritate the skin.

Beneficial Bar Soap

You’ve read it in more than one place – bar soap is bad for the skin. Not true! Certain types of bar soap can actually be quite beneficial to the skin. Over time, bar soap has evolved. Nowadays bar soap has been formulated to be pH balanced and contains ingredients that address skin concerns and skin conditions.

Cetaphil Antibacterial Gentle Cleansing Bar works well for acneic skin types or for those who experience occasional breakouts. Active ingredient triclosan diminishes surface bacteria while reducing excess sebum.

Gently exfoliate, while cleansing with Phytomer Seaweed Soap. Natural marine elements resurface and soften the skin.

If you suffer from extremely dry or chapped skin, consider Lipikar Surgras Cleansing Bar from La Roche-Posay to hydrate and enrich dry skin. Sweet almond oil soothes extremely sensitive skin.

Address cellulite with Bliss Serious Seaweed Cellulite Soap. Stimulate anti-cellulite lymphatic drainage with this bar soap's unique shape while removing normal body debris.