Cleansers and Exfoliators FAQ

What's the difference between foaming, gel, lotion/milk, cream and exfoliating cleansers?

Foaming cleansers won’t remove makeup but are great for cleansing away surface dirt and often leave you with that ‘squeaky-clean’ feel. Most foaming cleansers on Saffron Rouge have tight bubbles without too much foam because we don’t allow the Black List™ ingredients needed to create big foam. Can be used morning and night. Typically used for more combination, oily or acne-prone skin. Often foaming cleansers tend to be slightly drying.

Gel cleansers also don’t remove makeup effectively and are typically used for more oil or acne-prone skin. Gel cleansers can sometimes be slightly drying if you have skin that’s less oily. Can be used morning and night.

Lotion or milk cleansers usually remove makeup and are light to mid-weight formulas perfect for combination, normal and sometimes-dry skin types. Can be used morning and night.

Creamy cleansers are the thickest surface cleansers and are the most effective for removing makeup. Can be used morning and night.

Makeup Removers are either creamy cleansers or formulas designed specifically to remove makeup even in the eye area. Used as needed.

Exfoliants are quite different from any of the above mentioned and are generally scrubs or peels. They should never be used to remove makeup and used no more than a few times a week. Use them gently on your skin to prevent unwanted irritation. Never scrub hard or for long. Many of our exfoliators –such as the Dr.Hauschka Cleansing Cream –suggest you actually use a press-and-release rolling motion with your fingers rather than scrub at all. Best used in the morning after cleansing with a surface cleanser.

How do I find the right cleanser for my skin type?

For dry skin types, try a creamy or heavier lotion cleanser that will double as a makeup remover. The plant oils in the cream-based cleanser will moisturize your skin while cleansing it. Also try exfoliating 1-3 times a week.

Normal and combination skin types have more options, but most typically will need a lotion or milk cleanser. However feel free to try foaming or creamy cleansers. Also exfoliate 1-3 times a week.

For oily or acne-prone skin types, foaming cleansers and gel-based cleansers are your best bet. Look at the product descriptions for key words such as pre-tightening, antibacterial and antimicrobial. A few good plant ingredients for healing to look for include Tea tree and Manuka honey. For acne-prone skin, be gentle with exfoliation or avoid it all together to prevent irritating the skin. For oily skin, exfoliation is important, particularly using the press-and-release rolling motion to suction sebum from the pores for a deeper cleanse. Avoid over-washing and limit to twice daily. Exfoliate 2-4 times a week.

Those with sensitive skin need to read product descriptions to learn which cleansers are specific for your needs. Lotions or creamy cleansers are usually your best bet. Avoid exfoliants or use a delicate exfoliator applying it with the gentle press-and-release rolling method. If exfoliating irritates your skin, stop using it immediately.

Mature skin types should use a creamy cleanser to help add essential moisture and quench parched, or papery dry skin. Exfoliating 2-4 times a week is essential to help shed dulling dead skin cells for a more youthful, glowing complexion.

What is exfoliation and how often is it recommended?

Your skin renews each day as cells push upwards until they reach the outer layer of skin. These dead cells can sit on the skin clogging pores and causing a dull complexion. Exfoliating helps physically remove these dead skin cells to reveal more radiant, fresher skin.

Especially with dry skin, extra layers of dead skin cells won’t allow your moisturizer to effectively penetrate the deeper skin layers to truly hydrate and treat your skin. That’s why regular exfoliation allows your moisturizer to do its job much better. Try exfoliating 1-3 times a week in the morning after a quick surface cleanse.

Normal and combination skin types will benefit from regular exfoliation by achieving softer, smoother and glowing skin. However avoid over-exfoliating and only use these products between 1-3 times a week in the morning after a quick surface cleanse.

Sensitive and acne-prone skin types should avoid exfoliation. If you must use one, make sure it’s extremely gentle and exfoliate only once every other week to once a week in the morning depending on how your skin is reacting.

Oily skin types should exfoliate using the press-and-release rolling cleansing method to pull all of the sebum and other debris out of your pores. Try exfoliating 2-4 times a week in the morning after a quick surface cleanse.

The press-and-release rolling method of exfoliating should be used when applying an exfoliant paste such as Dr.Hauschka’s Cleansing Cream. It encourages the lymph system’s cleansing functions for radiant skin. Dampen your face with warm water and mix 1/2" Cleansing Cream with a few drops of water. Beginning at the forehead, press the product, rolling outward from the center and lifting as you roll. The mild suction created helps remove dead cells, dirt and oil. Work downward and outward with this press and roll motion for 1-3 minutes. Rinse with warm water and finish with a cool splash.

Is there anything wrong with using a bar of soap to cleanse my face?

There are different tools for different jobs. Although some bar soaps are designed specifically for your face and are pH-balanced as such, others aren’t. It is not recommended that you use a body soap to cleanse your face.

Is it better to use one type of cleanser in the AM vs. PM?

Yes and no. It’s best to use your surface cleanser at night to remove dirt followed by a makeup remover if necessary. In the morning, after your skin has gone through its renewal process you can use that same surface cleanser. If you’re exfoliating, use it after your surface cleanser in the morning. After cleansing always apply a facial toner to hydrate your skin.

How often should I wash my face?

In general it’s recommended that you wash your face 1-2 times a day, typically in the evening, and if needed in the morning. And exfoliate 1-4 times a week depending on your skin type.

Do I need a specific cleanser to remove eye makeup?

It depends on the type of cleanser you use. Creamy cleansers not only remove dirt, oil and face makeup, they also typically remove mascara and other eye makeup. Lotions and milk cleansers can also sometimes remove eye makeup. Whereas lighter formulas such as gels and foams will remove dirt and face makeup but don’t have enough oil to effectively remove ‘stubborn’ makeup around the eye area. Check the product’s description for warnings against using it around the eye area.

A good indicator of makeup-removing power is a high plant oil content and thick formula. Another trick for very effectively removing eye makeup is to use a pure and gentle base oil such as Almond oil or an unscented lip balm. The next step is hydrating your skin with a facial toner.

What's the difference between a surface cleanser and a deep cleanser?

Surface cleansers remove the dirt, and makeup from the top layers of your skin. And deep cleansers pull gunk from within the pores giving a deeper cleanse. Deep cleansers do not (and should not be used to) remove makeup, and aren’t as effective as removing surface dirt. Follow by hydrating your skin with a facial toner.

How long will my cleanser last? And how much should I use?

For a surface cleanser use a quarter-sized amount (or 2mL) per application. You’ll find you use more when removing makeup. Depending on the size of the bottle, how frequently you use it and how much you use, a cleanser should last you 2-4 months. With an exfoliating paste like the Dr.Hauschka Cleansing Cream only use an inch of product thinned with water. After cleansing, follow with a hydrating facial toner.

How do I remove the cleanser from my face?

We recommend using water to remove your cleanser. Sometimes people recommend using a tissue to remove your cleanser, but this will only smear dirt and debris around your skin instead of properly removing it.

If I wear makeup, do I need a separate cleanser to remove makeup?

Depending on your skin type you may need a separate makeup remover. If you use a gel or foaming cleanser you’ll need to wipe away eye makeup with different product formulated to specifically remove eye makeup or pure Almond oil.

If you use a heavier creamy cleanser you may not need another product. This is because the more oil in the cleanser, and the more effective at removing eye makeup. Follow by hydrating your skin with a facial toner.