How to Choose a Face Wash for Your Skin Type

A face wash is the one skincare product almost everyone in Bangladesh already uses. It's also the one most people choose almost at random: whatever's on offer, whatever a friend uses, or whatever promises "instant fairness". But the wrong cleanser can leave your skin tight, shiny, irritated or all three, and no serum can fully undo that twice a day.

This guide shows you how to work out your skin type, what to look for in a face wash for each type, and which cleansers we stock that match.

Step 1: Find your skin type

Try this simple test. Wash your face with a mild cleanser, pat it dry, and don't apply anything for about an hour. Then look in the mirror and notice how it feels.

• Oily: shiny all over, especially on the forehead, nose and chin. Pores may look larger.
• Dry: feels tight, may look dull or flaky, little or no shine.
• Combination: shiny T-zone (forehead, nose, chin) but normal or dry cheeks. This is very common in Bangladesh.
• Normal: comfortable, not tight, only slight shine by the end of the day.
• Sensitive: any of the above, plus it stings, turns red or itches easily with new products.

Blemish-prone isn't a skin type on its own, but if you get frequent clogged pores or breakouts, it affects your choice too.

Remember that skin changes with the seasons. Many people are oily from April to October and drier in the winter months, so it's normal to switch cleansers during the year.

Step 2: Understand cleanser textures

Step 3: Know a few key ingredients

Salicylic acid (BHA). An exfoliating ingredient that's oil-soluble, so it's popular with people who have oily skin or blemish-prone areas. Start once a day.

Ceramides and glycerin. Help skin feel comfortable after washing. Good for dry and sensitive skin.

Gentle surfactants and amino acid cleansers. Clean without that squeaky, stripped feeling.

What to be careful with: strong fragrance if you're sensitive, gritty scrubs used every day, and anything that leaves your face feeling tight. Tightness is a sign the cleanser is too harsh for you.

Face wash picks by skin type

All products below are in stock at the time of writing. Prices change with offers, so check the product page.

For oily and blemish-prone skin

The Derma Co 1% Salicylic Acid Gel Face Wash 100ml: a gel face wash with 1% salicylic acid that lathers lightly, suited to oily, combination and acne-prone skin. Massage for 30 to 60 seconds, then rinse. Start once a day and increase if your skin is comfortable. Currently around ৳898.

COSRX Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Cleanser 150ml: a gentle foaming face wash with salicylic acid, a BHA. It's a nice everyday cleanser for oily and combination skin, especially in hot, humid weather. Currently around ৳980.

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel 400ml: from La Roche-Posay's Effaclar range, a line designed for oily and blemish-prone skin. It suits teens and adults who want a fresh, clean feel after washing, and the 400ml size is great value for daily use. Currently around ৳3,325. See more from La Roche-Posay.

Lavino Neem Purifying Face Wash with 0.5% Salicylic Acid 100ml: a budget-friendly option that combines neem extract with salicylic acid, which mildly exfoliates the skin and helps keep pores clear. Currently around ৳229, so it's easy to try.

For dry and normal skin

CeraVe Hydrating Cream-to-Foam Cleanser for Normal to Dry Skin 237ml: starts as a creamy lotion and turns into a light foam with water. It's made for people who like a foaming wash but don't want their face to feel stripped. Currently around ৳1,960.

Dot & Key Barrier Repair Gentle Hydrating Face Wash 100ml: a mild, hydrating cleanser designed with the skin barrier in mind, cleansing gently instead of leaving the face tight. It's also a good partner if you use exfoliating acids or retinoids elsewhere in your routine. Currently around ৳481.

For sensitive skin

Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser 237ml: a gentle everyday cleanser from a brand widely associated with simple care for sensitive skin. It suits people whose skin feels easily irritated, dry or tight after harsher face washes. Currently around ৳2,220. Browse Cetaphil.

CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser for Normal to Dry Skin 236ml: a non-foaming lotion cleanser with ceramides and hyaluronic acid that cleanses without stripping. A good choice for sensitive, dry or easily irritated skin, and for anyone who wants a mild, uncomplicated cleanser. Currently around ৳1,950.

For combination skin

Combination skin is the trickiest. Two approaches work well:

1. One gentle cleanser for the whole face, such as the Dot & Key or CeraVe, then target oily areas with other products.
2. Switch by season or time of day. Use a BHA cleanser like the COSRX Salicylic Acid cleanser in the evening in summer, and a gentler one in the morning and through winter.

Explore all options in our face wash and cleanser collections.

How to wash your face properly

1. Use lukewarm water. Hot water can leave skin dry, and cold water doesn't dissolve oil well.
2. Use a small amount, about the size of a chickpea for gels and foams.
3. Massage gently for 30 to 60 seconds with your fingertips. Don't scrub.
4. Rinse thoroughly, including along the hairline and jaw.
5. Pat dry with a clean towel, then apply your next steps while skin is slightly damp.

How often should you wash your face?

For most people, twice a day is enough: morning and night. In very hot weather, or after the gym or a sweaty commute, a third gentle rinse with water is fine. Washing more often than that, especially with a strong cleanser, can make oily skin feel irritated and dry skin feel worse.

If you wear sunscreen or makeup, consider a double cleanse at night: an oil or balm first, then your face wash. Our Korean skincare routine for beginners explains how.

Signs your face wash isn't right for you

• Your face feels tight or "squeaky" after washing.
• You get redness or stinging.
• Your skin looks shinier a couple of hours after washing than it did before.
• Dry patches appear around your nose or mouth.

If you notice any of these, switch to something gentler. If you have persistent or painful breakouts, it's worth seeing a dermatologist.

The bottom line

The right face wash leaves your skin clean and comfortable, never tight. Match the texture and ingredients to your skin type, adjust with the seasons, and keep it gentle. Then build the rest of your routine with a good moisturiser and a sunscreen that suits oily skin, or a richer moisturiser for winter.