The most important skincare product is an oil-to-milk cleanser

The Most Important Skincare Product In Your 40s

January 24, 2024

What is the most important skincare product in your 40s? We see discussions and articles and ads about products that promise to smooth the fine lines and make us look younger. I'd love that too! The most important skincare product, however, is an unsexy, often forgotten cleanser. Let me explain.

Why is a cleanser the most important skincare product?

In a world filled with environmental pollutants, makeup residues, SPF, and daily grime, our skin is constantly exposed to a variety of impurities. Cleansers play a crucial role in daily detoxification, effectively removing these substances and providing a clean surface for further skincare steps.

It's important to cleanse your face at least once a day - in the evenings - to protect your skin from impurities and breakouts. The grime, dirt and makeup will clog your pores and cause impurities and irritation. Your skin might start appear more dull and textured.

What's the best cleanser to use in your 40s?

The best cleanser to use in your 40s is one that doesn't strip the skin's protective barrier. We often want the skin feel squeaky clean, but in fact you should avoid that.

An easy way to spot if your cleanser is too harsh and stripping for your skin is to check how it feels after cleansing, before applying any other products. Does your skin feel tight? Is it itchy? If yes, your cleanser is also stripping away all the good oils from your skin.

The best cleansers that are gentle yet effective in removing makeup, SPF and grime from the skin are usually milks, balms or oils. An oil-to-milk cleanser works as a gentle 3 in 1 products removing all your makeup, dirt and grime while leaving the skin barrier untouched. Smooth Oil-to-Milk Cleanser contains Nordic oat lipid that further helps protects your skin barrier.

Why is protecting the skin barrier important?

The skin's outermost layer protects the skin. When the barrier is compromised the skin is more prone to irritation, breakouts and infections. Signs of ageing are more prominent on compromised skin barrier. A healthy skin barrier protects you from infections, chemicals, toxins and allergens.

Is double-cleanse necessary?

Double-cleansing means washing your face first with an oil cleanser to remove make-up and SPF and to use a foaming, water based cleanser as a second step to cleanse the skin. Double-cleansing is not necessary for everyone. If your skin is sensitive, or the barrier compromised double-cleansing can further irritate the skin.

Double-cleansing can be beneficial for those who use heavier makeup, sweat a lot or after an day when you have reapplied SPF multiple times. However, a gentle oil-to-milk cleanser works well in these situations as well. You can test what works the best for your skin - there's not one skincare rule that fits all.

The take-out

A cleanser, preferably a gentle oil-based cleanser is the most important skincare product in any skincare routine. Without cleansing your skin none of your other products will work as promised. You can also end up with dull-looking, blemished skin with clogged pores.

Opt for a gentle cleanser that doesn't irritate your skin and your skin barrier. Usually oil-based cleansers or balms work the best, as the oils in them attract grime and SPF on your skin but won't strip your skin's natural oils.