I think we all owe face wash an apology—or at least I do. I considered my cleanser the least important part of my skincare routine for years. I’d splash some water on my face, slather on the cheapest drugstore face wash, mush it around for a good 10 seconds, and then rinse. But I know better now! For one, most experts say we should spend at least one full minute massaging our cleanser into our face, a time frame that ensures we get every last crumb of naughties expunged from our pores. So set a timer, listen to half your favorite tune, or count to 60 in your head.
Second, the formulation of your face wash can and will make a significant difference in the health and look of your complexion. (Take it from someone who learned the hard way that her cleanser was solely responsible for a never-ending cycle of breakouts.)
Additionally, some face washes are equipped with strategic, higher-quality ingredients for those looking to boost their skin with an extra dose of anti-aging perks. While your cleanser won’t be as important as your serums and moisturizers (those are the products that spend the most amount of time on your skin), every little bit helps, and using a face wash with the right ingredients can definitely encourage a plump, balanced, hydrated, all-around youthful-looking complexion.
To get the scoop about anti-aging face washes, I spoke to celebrity facialist Renée Rouleau and dermatologist Joshua Zeichner, MD, FAAD. Ahead, they’ll break down what to avoid and what to look for when shopping for a face wash. Plus, they share the specific products they recommend. Keep scrolling for the lowdown.
