Cleanser is the first step in your skincare regimen, and it's very important. It removes oil, dirt, make-up and debris on the skin’s surface. If you’re unsure whether or not your current facial cleanser is working, the following pointers are geared to help you determine if your product has earned its rightful place on your sink counter, or if it’s time to retire the bottle. After cleansing, skin should look and feel:

• Clean
• Nourished
• Not too oily or dry

After cleansing, skin should NOT look and feel:

• Unwashed
• Stripped
• Too oily or dry
• Painfully tight
• Irritated

Knowing your skin type is a crucial part of choosing the best and most effective products for your complexion’s needs. Once you know yours, it will be easy to choose an appropriate facial cleanser. There are a variety of options geared toward meeting each skin type’s specific needs. Fortunately, some cleansers are created to benefit ALL skin types, which can make choosing a product simple and painless. How does your skin feel after a good face washing?