How to Choose the Right Cleanser for Your Skin Type

By Georgia Doherty

How to Choose the Right Cleanser for Your Skin Type

Most people are using the wrong cleanser. It might be too harsh, too oily, or just not right for their skin goals. This guide helps decode what your skin actually needs and how to choose a cleanser that supports, not sabotages, your routine.

Step 1 – Know Your Skin Type

Before choosing a cleanser, it's essential to understand your skin type:

  • Oily Skin: Looks shiny and feels greasy shortly after cleansing.
  • Dry Skin: Feels tight, rough, or flaky, especially post-wash.
  • Combination Skin: Oily in some areas (usually T-zone) and dry in others.
  • Sensitive Skin: Reacts easily to new products with redness or stinging.
  • Acne-Prone Skin: Frequently breaks out with pimples, blackheads, or clogged pores.

Step 2 – What to Avoid Based on Your Skin Type

    Picking the wrong ingredients can easily make your skin worse. Here’s what to avoid:

    • Dry or Sensitive Skin: Stay away from foaming cleansers with sulphates.
    • Oily or Acne-Prone Skin: Avoid rich balms and thick oils that can clog pores.
    • All Skin Types: Avoid alcohol, fragrance, and unnecessary filler ingredients.

    Step 3 – What to Look For in a Good Cleanser

    A well-formulated cleanser should be:

    • Non-comedogenic
    • pH-balanced
    • Fragrance-free
    • Filled with skin-supportive ingredients like glycerin, panthenol, and chamomile

    Why the Gentle Cleanser from Bloc Works for Every Skin Type

    The Bloc Gentle Cleanser was created with all skin types in mind, especially sensitive and reactive skin.

    • Non-foaming and cream-based to protect the skin barrier
    • Fragrance-free and alcohol-free
    • Suitable for twice-daily use
    • Calms and hydrates while cleansing gently
    • Whether your skin is dry, oily, or somewhere in between, this cleanser keeps it balanced and clean without irritation.

    When to Use Bloc’s Deep Cleanser Instead

    Bloc’s Deep Cleanser is designed for more active skincare needs. Use this formula if your skin is:

    • Breakout-prone
    • Oily or congested
    • In need of exfoliation

    Because of its active ingredients (like salicylic, lactic, and glycolic acid), the Deep Cleanser should be used a few times per week, not daily, and is not recommended for sensitive skin.

    What Happens When You Use the Wrong Cleanser

    Using the wrong product can cause:

    • Damage to the skin barrier
    • Breakouts, redness, or flaking
    • Dryness or overproduction of oil
    • Increased skin sensitivity

    Frequently Asked Questions

    • The Gentle Cleanser from Bloc is fragrance-free, non-foaming, and dermatologist-designed. It is ideal for sensitive and easily irritated skin.

    • Yes. Its formula is gentle enough for twice-daily use without causing dryness or irritation.

    • No. The Deep Cleanser is best used 2 to 4 times a week because of its active exfoliating ingredients.

    • Bloc’s Deep Cleanser is designed to target congestion and excess oil with acids that clear pores and reduce breakouts.

    • Yes. Many people need a gentler cleanser in winter and a more active one during warmer, oilier months.

    • Usually not. If your skin is both acne-prone and dry, a very gentle, non-stripping cleanser like Bloc’s Gentle Cleanser is best.

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