Powder Cleansers aka cleansing grains are powdered face washes which are dry in nature. They can act as a gentle exfoliator (optional). Powder Cleansers are usually made with one or more base ingredients such as oatmeal, gram flour, barely, rice starch powder etc.
It can also contain ingredients such as herbs, floral powder and/or essential oils. When all of this is blended together a powder cleanser is formed. Although the blend can also be made into a very fine powder to meet your needs. Let’s look at ten things to keep in mind while using a powder cleanser.
What are powder cleansers?
Powder Cleansers are generally non foaming in nature. Some brands also make a foaming powder cleanser with the addition of SCI i.e. Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, which is nothing but a coconut derived foaming powder.
Versatility of Powder Cleansers or Cleansing Grains is that they act as a three in one product.
- Face Cleanser
- Face Mask (optional)
- Exfoliating Scrub
Now that we know the what and how of powder cleansers, let’s look at ten things to keep in mind while using a powder cleanser.
Ten things to keep in mind while using a Powder Cleanser
Powder Cleansers are combined with milk, normal water, aloevera gel, hydrosol, or rose water to cleanse and gently exfoliate the skin. What you use to make a paste depends on your skin type.
Ingredients’ list of the powder cleanser
Checking the ingredients list of any skincare product has become the norm these days and powder cleansers are no exceptions. Check the ingredients list and then proceed with the purchase or usage to avoid using the ingredients which don’t suit you.
With Essential oils or without essential oils
While essential oils lend their therauptic and healing properties to the skin, some might be interested in an essential oil free powder cleanser. This again refers to the point where we need to check the ingredients of the powder cleanser before using.
Do a patch test
There is no skincare product which is, one size fits all, of a kind. This holds true in case of powder cleansers too. We recommend a patch test when you start using a new product. Some people experience itchy or bumpy skin every time they use a powder cleanser and can’t use powder cleansers no matter how much they would love to use it!
Keep in mind your skin type
Using products meant for your skin type is an unsaid rule in skincare. Use a powder cleanser meant for your skin type. Some powder cleansers are suitable for all skin types and you may proceed with such products and check how it goes for your skin type.
The packaging of the product
Many brands are switching to eco friendly mode by using a glass jar or a paper pouch. If your powder cleanser is housed in a paper pouch you need to transfer it to an airtight container. If using a glass jar, take due care each time you use, or transfer some amount to a small plastic jar. Always use a spoon to scoop out the powder cleanser or dispense it directly onto a dry palm and then add liquid to activate it. So not dispense the powder cleanser on a wet palm (I have been there done that, and have wasted a full jar).
Do not store them in your bathroom
The biggest mistake one can make to access the powder cleanser easily, is store it in the bathroom. Storing it in bathroom not only increases the chances of getting moisture inside the powder cleanser jar but also dropping the jar on your wet bathroom floor especially if it a glass packaging.
When to use a powder cleanser?
Most powder cleansers are gentle and provide gentle cleansing which is suitable for morning cleanse or day time routine. However with a foaming version you can use it in evening too. It also depends on how many times you wash your face and whether you use a sunscreen or not. Keep in mind, if you are using any actives in your routine, be gentle with your powder cleanser consistency as well as frequency of usage.
Check the date of making and expiry date or shelf life
The date of making is of utmost importance to make sure the product is fresh and you will be able to use it fully till the expiry date. Powder cleansers are freshly made in small batches. It is recommended to check the dates before you use them.
Power of Powder Cleansers lies with you!!
Yes, you read that right! The amount of liquid added decides how the product works for you. A paste with little liquid, the cleanser acts as a scrub where as a runny paste means the cleanser acts as a mask. Normal consistency paste, the cleanser acts as a face wash. Not all powder cleansers are meant to be used as a mask, especially if it is a foaming powder cleanser.
Powder Cleanser alone can’t remove sunscreen
Many people ask this question whether powder cleanser can remove the sunscreen and the answer is NO! Even if the powder cleanser is a foaming one, it can’t fully remove the sunscreen. Powder Cleansers are meant to be mild cleansers meant for daily basis usage. So do not try to remove the sunscreen with a powder cleanser.
It will take a few trials and errors for you to easily use a powder cleanser into your skincare routine. In order to find your holy grail powder cleanser you will have to try out a few of them and decide which one your skin likes the most.
We hope to have covered some important points regarding powder cleansers in this post. As promised, here are ten things to keep in mind while using a powder cleanser. Drop us a ️comment if you love using powder cleansers or comment below if you have any questions.
Author Bio
This is a guest post by Sonali, a skincare aficionado who tackles one skin problem at a time. She has been blogging at Skincare Villa since 2016 and also makes powder cleansers at Instagram @skincarevilla.shop
I’m participating in #BlogchatterA2Z in collaboration with Blogchatter.
Sonali says
Thank you for the opportunity Pratibha
Pratibha says
Thank you for the lovely and informative post Sonali!
Harshita Nanda says
I was actually clueless about powder cleanser. Thank you for the post