Plastic shampoo bottles, a kind of cleanser.
In the broadest application, cleaners are any type of cleaning agent used to remove dirt, grime, or oil buildup from a surface. However, when most people think of a cleanser, they tend to focus on cleaning agents designed to help with personal hygiene. This includes products used to remove make-up, wash hair and body, or clean teeth or nails.
Facial cleansers usually come in liquid form.
Basic hygiene involves the use of several different types of cleaning products. Soap and shampoo are easily the most common examples. The soap can be in the form of a traditional bar, or the cleanser can be in the form of a liquid, which quickly interacts with water to form a thick lather that lifts dirt and grime from your skin. The shampoo is a liquid cleanser that is applied directly to damp hair, lathering and gently removing the build-up of oil and dirt that tends to collect in the hair follicles and on the scalp.
Some cleansers are specifically designed to treat acne.
There are also special cleaning products designed to address specific hygiene concerns. Acne cleansers are used to help remove oil and other impurities from the skin’s pores, helping to reduce the appearance of acne, blackheads, and other skin problems that result from clogged pores. Such a cleansing agent is usually applied after washing your face with soap and water and is capable of capturing the oil and dirt that soap tends to leave behind.
Facial cleansers are available for specific skin conditions.
Another form of facial cleanser is make-up remover products. They range from simple products like baby oil to makeup removers made with a proprietary cleansing formula. These products are used to remove make-up from the skin, allowing the pores to breathe and deep cleansing of the face. Makeup removers are usually used before applying soap and water to the face.
Facial cleansers are normally applied after washing your face.
There are also cleaning products formulated for specific types of applications. Actors and actresses often use cleansers formulated not only to cut through makeup, but also to remove any residue from chewing gum or other products used to create a role-specific look. Likewise, the mimes will use some type of cleanser formulated to remove heavier makeup applied before a performance. Others may use cleansers that work both as cleansers and toners to achieve a more youthful appearance.
Many types of cleaning products are available at retail stores such as supermarkets and discount retailers. Natural cleaning agents are often sold at health food and vitamin stores, while prescription cleansers are available at most drugstores. The cost of different cleansers varies depending on the ingredients used in the formula. However, a less expensive cleaner is not necessarily inferior; many people find that inexpensive cleaners work just as well as their more expensive counterparts.