Cammie Cannella, head of Education and Customer Relations, travels the globe educating Kiehl's Skincare Experts worldwide. Cammie takes a moment to answer some questions from Kiehl's fans like you.
Cammie:Facial cleansers are formulated to break down dirt, oil and/or make-up. Both facial wipes or toners can substitute for a facial cleanser in a pinch, but they will not generally be as effective nor as gentle.
Cammie:Soap contains sodium stearate, which when mixed with hard water becomes calcium stearate and creates the undesirable “film” that soap is known to leave on the skin (and which can leave it feeling itchy and/or irritated). Using a soap-free cleanser ensures that the product does not contain ingredients that are either potentially harsh on the skin and/or that can leave an uncomfortable residue.
Cammie:The benefit of using a scrub or exfoliator is to remove the top layer of dead skin cells to reveal smoother, more even, younger-looking skin underneath. The trick to proper exfoliation is to not overdo it. Exfoliating too much can cause dryness, flakiness and even break-outs due to over-stimulation.
Cammie:Yes. The purpose of a highly effective cleanser is to gently yet thoroughly cleanse, without stripping. Over-washing can occur by using a product that is too strong for your skin or by washing too frequently (i.e. more than twice a day).
Cammie:While it is perfectly fine to use the same cleanser both morning and night, you can use different products if desired. Just as you may switch to a milder cleanser in the colder months and use a more cleansing product in the warmer months, you may enjoy and benefit from a milder cleanser in the morning and a deeper cleansing face wash in the evening.
Cammie:Washing the face too frequently or with too strong of a cleanser for your skin type can result in stripping away the skin's natural, essential moisture. Your skin reacts by increasing its oil production to try and re-establish its natural balance. The over-production of oil can often lead to breakouts.