How to Use a Foaming Cleanser

Cleansers are one of the most critical steps in a skincare routine. When you get home from a long day,  you need a trusted cleanser to wash away your makeup, dirt, and grime. If you don't have one in your routine, impurities can accumulate in your pores, leading to irritation and inflammation. 

However, when shopping for a cleanser, you may be overwhelmed by the number of options on the market. Whether it's a gel cleanser, a cleansing balm, or an oil, each cleanser provides your skin with different benefits. A foaming face cleanser is one of the most popular options on the market.

We're here to provide the information you need to determine if a facial foam face wash is the right choice for your skin type and individual skin concerns. So, let's delve into the details together.

The Different Types of Cleansers 

Before jumping into the details of a facial foam face wash, it's good to have a basic rundown of the other types of cleansers. Here's a breakdown of the different cleansers:

● Oil Cleanser: Oil-based cleansers can help gently unclog pores without drying out your skin.

● Gel Cleanser: Great for individuals with acne-prone or oily skin. They are great for a deep cleanse and commonly have exfoliating properties.  

● Cream Cleanser: These are water-based cleansers with a creamy texture. These formulas are ideal for dry or sensitive skin types. 

● Cleansing Balms: These oil-based cleansers remove oil, makeup, and dirt from your skin. These are ultra hydrating and work to literally melt the makeup off of your skin.

● Foam Cleansers: These have a rich, foamy lather and are the happy medium between a gel and cream cleanser.  

Each cleanser provides a different benefit for your skin and can help you achieve a refreshed complexion. 

Why Foam?

You've probably tried makeup wipes at least once or twice for convenience, but did you know they can be harsh on your skin? To remove makeup and SPF, they tug and pull at your skin, which can cause micro-tears and irritate the delicate skin around your eyes. Other cleansers may contain alcohol, sulfates, and other harmful ingredients that can dry out your skin.

In contrast, foaming face cleansers are a much gentler option than your typical makeup wipe or drugstore cleanser. These formulas are kind to your skin and give you a refreshed, revitalized complexion. The foaming element acts as a protective barrier, preventing your skin from drying out. The foamy consistency also makes removing makeup, SPF, dirt, and impurities easy without excessively pulling or tugging at your skin.

What Causes The Foam?

The main difference that sets a foam cleanser apart is the foaming agents and the ingredients that help it achieve the foaming consistency. A foaming face wash bubbles on your skin into a foamy texture that eliminates bacteria, leftover makeup, or residual SPF.

Many drugstore foam cleansers foam because they contain surfactants, which are molecules with hydrophilic and hydrophobic properties. Together, these properties create a light and airy foam lather that gently removes impurities on your skin's surface, but they can irritate some skin types. 

If you want that foamy experience without surfactants, try The Foaming Cleanser. Our formula contains Soapbark Extract, a natural foaming agent that eliminates excess oil without overly stripping your skin.

How to Use a Foaming Face Wash

A foaming face cleanser is the perfect first step in your skincare routine. Before you apply your serums or lather on your moisturizer, start with a clean, fresh face, which ensures the ingredients in your favorite skincare products penetrate deep into the skin. Here’s how to use a foaming cleanser in your routine. 

1. Start by applying a small dime-sized amount to damp skin.

2. Gently massage the foaming cleanser into your skin in circular motions.

3. The foaming face cleanser will create a rich lather and a foamy texture.

4. Gently massage your skin for 30 seconds to two minutes, then rinse the foaming cleanser off your face with water.

5. Gently pat your skin dry with a towel and apply face serums.

6. Rub in your daily moisturizer and complete the rest of your skincare routine as usual.

How Often Should You Use a Foaming Face Cleanser?

To get the most out of a foam cleanser, it's best to use it at least once a day as part of your nighttime skincare routine. This process will help lift impurities and remove long-wear makeup from your skin. 

Additionally, a foam cleanser is a good second step in the popular Double Cleanse Method. If the formula is gentle enough, consider using it twice a day. However, the frequency of use ultimately depends on your personal preference and skin type.

For example, avoid over-washing your face if you have sensitive skin because it may dry it out, causing an increase in sebum production, oily skin, blackheads, and whiteheads. 

When incorporating a new product into your routine, always listen to your skin and how it reacts. When you have a gentle formula like The Foaming Cleanser, you shouldn't run into issues when washing twice daily. 

Secret Benefits of Foaming Cleansers

A foaming face cleanser can help you eliminate excess oil or sebum without stripping your skin or disrupting the skin’s microbiome.

Foam cleansers are a gentler alternative to bar soap or makeup wipes. While makeup wipes are convenient and easy to use, they usually contain harsh ingredients that can disrupt your skin's natural pH balance. 

The foamy texture is gentle yet effective at removing makeup, sunscreen, grime, and other impurities. 

Foaming facial cleansers can improve your skin texture. The cleansing agents eliminate dead skin cells building up on your skin. When left on the skin’s surface, these dead skin cells can dull your skin’s appearance.

Whether you have a combination or dry skin type, a foaming facial cleanser is a great option. These formulas contain nutrient-rich ingredients that help you target specific skincare concerns for your unique skin type. The cleanser is also gentle enough to use on sensitive skin.

Some foaming cleansers contain hydrating components that can support your skin's moisture barrier and hydrate the skin. 

If you have oily or acne-prone skin, be mindful of the ingredients in your cleanser. An oil-based cleanser can clog your pores or cause unwanted breakouts. Conversely, water-based formulas cleanse your face without disrupting your skin barrier. Always consider your skin type and goals when shopping for a cleanser to add to your routine.

If you want to try the double cleanse method, the foaming cleanser is an excellent second step. The double cleanse method involves cleansing your face with an  oil or balm and then a water-based cleanser. The first cleanser removes SPF, makeup, and dirt on your face, while the second deeply cleanses and rehydrates your skin.

The Double Cleanse duo features The Cream Cleansing Gel and The Cleansing Balm, two products you can use together or separately to cleanse your face while preserving your skin barrier.

Ingredients to Look for in a Foaming Face Wash

Niacinamide is a type of vitamin B commonly used in skincare products for its ability to calm skin and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. 

Packed with antioxidants, vitamin C can brighten your complexion, stimulate collagen production, and give your skin a vibrant glow.

This oil contains abundant oleic acid, an ultra-hydrating essential fatty acid known for its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. Foaming facial cleansers contain Oleic acid to help you achieve a clear, cleansed complexion and combat signs of aging. 

Which Ingredients to Avoid

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) are commonly added to foaming cleansers to create that foamy lather and eliminate excess oil. However, they can also be overly drying and strip the skin of its natural oils. 

You'll find parabens in various beauty products that stop bacteria from forming and increase product shelf life. However, studies also link parabens to cancer and other diseases. 

Synthetic fragrances don't have any good foaming facial cleanser benefits. Plus, many contain chemicals not clearly labeled on your cleanser. 

Augustinus Bader Alternative Cleansers 

The Cleansing Balm features a solid balm texture that melts into a luxurious milky cleanser when mixed with water. The formula dissolves your daily build-up of dirt, oil, and stubborn makeup while decongesting the skin for a clear, refined complexion.

This is our water-based dual cream-gel cleanser. It's a revitalizing daily cleanser containing gentle botanicals, essential fatty acids, minerals, and antioxidants formulated to eliminate impurities while hydrating and nourishing your face.  

Infused with clean super-hydration and TFC8® technology, The Foaming Cleanser is a gentle formula that will not strip the skin or disrupt the skin’s microbiome to leave you with a healthy, clear, clear complexion. During our 4-week clinical trials, participants felt skin hydration improved by 165%, and pores looked 91% less noticeable. 

The Essence is a 3-in-1 innovation: part hydrating essence, part exfoliant, and part toner. It features a refreshing, lightweight texture that gently dissolves, removes impurities, and works well when applied after cleansing. During our user trials, 100% agreed that their skin felt softer, smoother, and hydrated. 

Which Cleanser Is Right For You?

There is no right or wrong answer when choosing a cleanser to incorporate into your daily routine. Each cleanser contains a different potent blend of ingredients and provides additional benefits for different skin types. Here are some tips to consider when shopping for a new cleanser:

● Skin Type: If you have oily or acne-prone skin, it's best to stick with water-based cleansers. The Foaming Cleanser is ideal for normal to oily skin types.

● Skin Concerns: Worried about dry skin or inflammation? Struggling with enlarged pores or excessive sebum secretion? A foaming face cleanser is a go-to solution for any of these concerns. However, you may find that other solutions like The Cleansing Balm are better suited for your skin type. 

● Texture: Each cleanser has a different consistency. Some people enjoy the refreshing feeling of a facial foam wash while others prefer the richness of a balm or oil. 

Experience Augustinus Bader's The Foaming Cleanser

Whether you decide on The Foaming Cleaner or The Essence, you can always feel confident in Augustinus Bader's products. We formulate all our cleansers with TFC8® technology, which guides ingredients to cells and supports cellular renewal.

The Foaming Cleanser is the newest addition to our collection of cleansers and exfoliants. It's gentle, clean, and formulated without irritants, allergens, or synthetic fragrances. 

Explore our cleansers today to experience the Augustinus Bader difference.