The Power of Powder Face Washes

We’re all familiar with cream cleansers, soap cleansers and foaming cleansers. And hey, a lot of us know a thing or two about micellar water and oil cleansing, too. But how much do you know about powder cleansers? As in, cleansers that start out dry and require the addition of water in order to create a nice, foamy lather. That’s our skincare topic du jour, so let’s hop right into it.

How to Use a Powder Cleanser

Though powder cleansers may seem very different from their ready-to-use counterparts, you use them exactly the same way. First, dispense a dime-sized amount of the powder into the palm of your hand and then add a little bit of water. Next, mix and lather in your hands and watch the powder transform instantly into a proper cleanser. Finally, massage it into your skin – just like a regular cleanser – and then rinse away with lukewarm water. Follow up with your standard post-cleansing skincare routine.

Depending on what kind of powder cleanser you buy, you’ll find that some are more soap-leaning while others have a creamier or foamier consistency. You can also choose a powder cleanser based on your particular skin needs. For example, some help treat acne, others have anti-aging benefits, and others place an emphasis on moisturizing.

The Perks

Though we’re fans of all sorts of cleansers and believe all have their merit, powder cleansers have their fair share of perks, as well. Just to name a few…

• They’re travel friendly. The TSA won’t confiscate it since it’s not a liquid, and even if it happens to spill during your commute – which is unlikely — it’s not going to be a devastating, messy fiasco.
• They’re free of preservatives and alcohol, making them a gentle, natural option.
• They last a very long time. The reason powder cleansers don’t contain preservatives is because the product doesn’t go bad. It won’t separate, grow mold or fester with bacteria.
• They gently exfoliate while they cleanse. This helps even skin pigmentation, nix dry patches, and keep acne and breakouts at bay.
• You’re in full control of the cleanser’s consistency. If you want it thicker, add less water. If you want it thinner, add more.

Try it Yourself

Sold on the idea of a powder cleanser? Well, you have a number of options to choose from. Innisfree Green Barley Powder Wash is a barley-based cleanser made out of barley grown in Jeju Island as well as papain enzymes.

Another good option is the AmorePacific Treatment Enzyme Peel Exfoliator. It is formulated with green tea leaf extracts that help protect the skin from free radical damage and papain enzymes to exfoliate gently without causing irritation.

Have you ever tried a powder cleanser? If not, do you think you’d give one a go after reading this? Let’s talk!