![cream cleansers waiting in rows after being filled to be capped. the drawing on the bottle is a cat high-fiving a rabbit.](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0171/5114/files/meow-meow-tweet-cream-cleanser.jpg?v=1615293428)
There are a million-and-one types of facial cleansers out there and it can be tricky figuring out what will work best for you. And! Sometimes your skin changes, or goes through a seasonal shift, and it wants a different thing, kicking off the cleansing confusion all over again.
It’s a perplexing world of oil cleansers, gel cleansers, cream cleansers, foam cleansers and more out there. So, we’re breaking down our most common FAQs about our everyday Face Cleanser to help you parse this skincare puzzle.
WHAT IS A “CREAM CLEANSER”?
A cream cleanser is a cleanser that is, ehem, creamy, typically containing moisturizing ingredients that won’t strip your skin of its natural oils. Ours is lightweight and lotion-like in texture. It forms a light (vegan!) milk on the skin when water is massaged into it. We think of it as an introductory oil cleanser because it rinses off (no washcloth required). It's made of plant oils with a teeny bit of castile soap that thoroughly and gently cleanse and lift impurities from the skin.
The goal of our cream cleanser is that as it cleanses, it also adds nutrients, balances and tones—all without drying skin out. A cleanser (or any skin care product) that strips natural oils from facial skin can actually trigger your skin to overcompensate and produce more oil. This may lead to breakouts and creates a vicious cycle of—drying out skin, skin overproducing oil, breakouts, and then we over-cleanse again. By retaining vital oil and moisture, your skin has better cell turnover and feels more comfortable and will be less likely to break out.
WHAT SKIN TYPE(S) IS FACE CLEANSER RECOMMENDED FOR?
We recommend this especially for oily or combo skin types, because it does a great job of combatting blemishes and balancing oil in the skin. That said, because it's not overly drying, it can work for other types, too. But if your skin is especially dry, we recommend our Lemon Rose Oil Cleanser.
CAN YOU TALK ABOUT THE PLANTS USED IN THE FORMULATION AND THEIR PURPOSE?
Witch hazel hydrosol, with its gentle astringent properties, is a classic for combatting blemishes and encouraging blood circulation. Juniper and basil are also mildly astringent, and, like many essential oils, they are also antiseptic. When diluted, they are helpful in treating acne and can be anti-inflammatory, which is encouraging for blemish-prone skin. Our combination of non-clogging organic plant lipids (sunflower, coconut, castor and jojoba) balances oil production and binds with the dirty oils in our skin when cleansing.
WHAT’S THE BEST WAY TO APPLY THIS PRODUCT?
Massage the Face Cleanser like a lotion all over dry facial skin. Then wet your hands and rub them into the cleanser to form a light milk. Rinse with lukewarm water. You don’t need to use a washcloth to remove it, but you can use one if you like the way that feels!
WHAT TO DO IF YOUR FACE DOESN’T FEEL FULLY RINSED AFTER USING
Okay, ready for a shocker? That fully rinsed, tight feeling is your skin telling you it’s too dry! That squeaky clean-ness that some folks crave could be an indication that too much oil has been lifted from the skin.
We love that with this cleanser, your face feels slightly moisturized even before adding a toner and face oil. If you feel like you aren’t fully cleansing, we recommend using it like an oil cleanser—massage a small amount over a dry face and eyes. Place a very warm, wet washcloth over your face for 30 seconds. Gently wipe away oil until the face is clean.
WHAT’S THE ORIGIN STORY OF THIS PRODUCT?
Co-founder Tara was inspired by their grandmother’s Pond’s cold cream, but wanted to make something more nourishing and rich, from plants. Like our cream cleanser, cold cream goes right on dry skin and is celebrated for its moisturizing qualities. However, cold cream contains mineral oil and mineral wax, and our face cleanser is packed with organic plant oils and botanicals that truly feed the skin while cleansing.
The Meow Meow Tweet Blog Is A Collaborative Thought Project Between The Founders Of Meow Meow Tweet And Our Editorial Team. This Post Was Written By Vera Kachouh and Tara Pelletier.