ISCA's product recommendations for a Beginner "Cleanse, Moisturise, Sun Protect" Routine
Notes / Disclaimers :
- This list is complied based on the common suggestions and reviews available in this sub.
- ANYTHING IN THIS LIST CAN BREAK YOU OUT. High or Low comedogenicity ratings don't mean a thing. Skincare is subjective. And there is simply no product in existence that will suit everyone on earth. So patch test. Guide on Patch testing here. If you have known triggers use incidecoder to look at ingredients lists to figure out if a product will work for you.
- When I say something is okay for all skin types, I mean only Oily, Dry, Normal / Balanced. Not sensitive skin because that is a skin issue. People with sensitive skin will have to tread lightly as always. Though I will mark some products as "recommended for sensitive skin".
- Recommendations are listed Category wise and then sub-category wise because imo, different things should be key considerations for different products, may edit this if it causes confusion.
- I'm sticking to products easily available either online or offline in India.
- Products are listed in order of lower MRP to higher.
- This list is definitely not exhaustive. But adding more recommendations simply causes decision paralysis, so I'm trying to limit products (and not always succeeding).
Cleanser Recommendations
This amazing post in our wiki goes into detail on cleansing, types of cleansing, why you need to cleanse / double cleanse and how to cleanse properly.
If that's too much detail for you, Use this simple chart to decide whether you need a First Cleanser.
First Cleaner Product Recommendations
First Cleanser are generally oil based / high on emollients. They need to be, to draw out excess sebum and break down skincare, makeup, dirt and dust. The exception is Micellar waters. So the following categories are not skin type dependent. They are your personal preference dependent. Choose as per the criteria important to you, consistency, price, convenience etc
- Emulsifying Cleansing Oils
- Inveda Cleansing Oil | MRP 695 (always discounted on Amzon)| 100 ml
- The face shop bright light / rich cleansing oil | MRP 1190 | 150 ml
- Non- Emulsifying Cleansing Oils If you're on a budget, this category is your best best.
- Johnson and Johnson Baby Oil (Mineral oil) | MRP 165 | 200 ml
- Carrier oils like jojoba, olive, avocado, hempseed, grapeseed, argan, marula. The list is endless. Use the cleansing wiki post to choose an appropriate oil. Skin type wise suggestions are mentioned there along with benefits. BUT be careful. While comedogenicity ratings are bogus, straight up oils can definitely break you out. Always patch test.
- Micellar waters
- Garnier Skin Naturals Micellar Cleansing Water | MRP 225 | 125 ml
- Garnier Skin Naturals Oil Infused Micellar Cleansing Water | MRP 249 | 125 ml
- Bioderma Sensibio H2O Micellar Water | MRP 395 | 100 ml | "recommended for sensitive skin"
Things to Note:
- If you're using non-emulsifying oils, wipe it off with a cloth first, then use the second cleanse or you'll end using more second cleanser than necessary or your second cleanser may not remove it all in a single wash.
- While there maybe be good products in other categories that are not mentioned here, if you're going for Micellar waters, stick to the ones here. They are the best.
- It is definitely not necessary to double cleanse twice a day. Unless you exercise early in the morning before your AM routine and have gotten grime on your face mixed with the sunscreen, and you feel icky, skip it.
- If you're in a pinch, any cold cream or highly emollient moisturiser (ie ones that are heavy, thick, creamy) will work as a non-emulsifying first cleanser.
Second Cleaner Product Recommendations
This is skin type / skin issue based.
- Category A face washes are saviors when your skin burns, itches or is barrier damaged but they may not give you a squeaky clean feeling.
- Some of them are formulated specifically for very dry skin and can feel like they've left behind a residue.
- If all you've used so far is drugstore / commonly available face washes in supermarkets and such, and you're looking for recommendations, try category B face washes.
- It might be difficult to transition from the harsh / stripping cleansers to Category A. You'll just feel like your skin still has something on it and you might have an urge to wash again and again. Which is detrimental. So even if you have dry skin and ideally should be choosing from Category A, go for Category B.
A) Very, gentle face washes
- Recommended primarily for Sensitive skin / Dehydrated skin / Barrier-damaged skin and Dry Skin.
- Dermaessentia cleansing lotion | MRP 225 | 125 gm | gentlest of the ones listed here
- Moiz Cleansing Lotion | MRP 187 | 125 ml
- Cleanse me gentle cleansing lotion | MRP 250 | 125 ml
- Minimalist Aquaporin Booster 05% Cleanser | MRP 299 | 100 ml
B) Non-stripping but doesn't leave any residue
- Recommended for oily to combination skin types
- Himalaya Purifying Neem Face Wash | MRP 190 | 150 ml
- Re'equil Oil Control & Anti Acne Face Wash | MRP 490 | 200 ml
- Recommended for all skin types
- Joy Revivify pH 5.5 Face Wash | MRP 225 | 150 ml
- Simple Kind To Skin Refreshing Facial Wash | MRP 385 | 150 ml
- Bioderma Sensibio Gentle Soothing Micellar Cleansing Foaming Gel | MRP 449 | 100 ml
- Bioderma Sebium Moussant Purifying Cleansing Foaming Gel | MRP 840 | 100 ml
D) Face washes with exfoliants
- Recommended primarily for very mild PIH / Grade 1 Acne, or if you have no skin issues but would like mild exfoliating action for maintaining your skin
- Rejuglow face wash | MRP 269 | 100 ml | Glycolic acid, Salicylic acid
- Saslic / Saslic DS foaming face wash | MRP 399/435 | 60 ml | 1%/2% Salicylic acid
- AHAglow Advanced Skin Rejuvenating Face Wash | MRP 495 | 100 gms | 1% Glycolic acid
Moisturiser Recommendations
I chose not to make this skin type based because oily skin = gel moisturisers, dry skin = cream is simplifying things too much. For example, If you have oily skin but are also on Rx actives, you , might prefer B) or C).
General suggestions to help you choose
- If you're clog / acne prone, and have oily skin, choose from A. if you have dry skin, choose from B.
- If you're dehydrated, choose from category C. It will be heavy / sticky on your face. Deal with it. It'll help repairing your skin. Once your skin is all healed up, you can prioritise consistency.
- If you have sensitive skin choose Sebamed clear face gel if your skin is oily or one of the barrier repair saviours in C, if your skin is dry.
A) Gel Consistency
- Pond super light gel | MRP 90 | 50 ml | Heavily Fragranced. Patch test
- Sebamed clear face care gel | MRP 476 | 50 gms | "recommended for sensitive skin"
- Netrogena Hydro boost water gel MRP 1000 | 50 gms
- Clinique Moisture Surge | MRP 2950 | 50 ml
B) Lotion / Light Cream Consistency
- Acnemoist | MRP 340 | 60 gms
- Physiogel Calming AI Lotion | MRP 660 | 100 ml
- Neutrogena Oil-Free Moisturiser SPF 15 | MRP 525 | 115 ml
C) Heavy Moisturiser
- Physiogel Calming AI Cream | MRP 665 | 50 gms | Barrier repair saviour
- Venusia max intensive moisturising cream | MRP 555 | 150 gms
- Aveeno Dermexa Emollient cream | MRP 1320 | 200 ml | Barrier repair saviour
- Bioderma Atoderm Intensive Baume | MRP 1375 | 200 ml | Barrier repair saviour
Sunscreen Recommendations
Basics on sunscreens here
Let me state it explicitly. While it's easy to find products in other categories that are 'perfect' for you, as far as sunscreens are concerned you will have to compromise. Either on the white cast front, or degree of siliconeness, greasiness, difficulty in reapplying, quantity for price, sun protection, pilling, tint making you look too red or gray etc. There is no unicorn, so lower your expectations. Having said that, the following are pretty good. I'll mention the cons below (for most, it's the price) but search the sub for detailed reviews before purchasing.
A) Non-Silicone-y Sunscreens
- Episoft AC Moisturiser with Sunscreen SPF 30 Boots **** | MRP 599 | 75 gms | One and done product
- Neutrogena Ultrasheer Dry touch Sunblock SPF 50 PA++++ | MRP 675 | 88 ml | Nothing about this product's name is true. Its heavy and greasy (skip moisturiser), has whitecast. But excellent protection and a good budget buy.
- Minimalist SPF 50 PA++++ | MRP 399 | 50 ml | Demi matte finish, Not Sweatproof
- Derma co 1% Hyaluronic Tinted Sunscreen Gel SPF 50 PA++++ | MRP 499 | 50 gms
- Cos Iq Sunscreen SPF 50 | MRP 999 | 100 ml
- Minimalist SPF 60 PA++++ | MRP 599 | 50 ml | Not Sweatproof
B) Silicone-y Sunscreens
- UV Doux Silicone Sunscreen Gel SPF 50 PA+++ | MRP 699 | 50 gms
- Re'equil Ultra Matte Dry Touch Sunscreen Gel SPF 50 PA++++ | MRP 780 | 50 ml
- Acne UV SPF 50 PA+++ | MRP 875 | 50 gms
- Bello Photostable Sunscreen Gel SPF 55+ Pa+++ | MRP 722 | 75 ml
C) Tinted Sunscreens
- Re'equil Sheer Zinc Tinted Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 PA+++ | Mousse texture
D) Heavy duty Sunscreens
- Cetaphil Sun SPF 50+ Light Gel SPF 50 PA very high protection | MRP 1080 | 50 ml | Whitecast
- Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence Sunscreen SPF 50+ PA++++ | MRP 1270 | 50 gms
- Bioderma Photoderm Max Aquafluide SPF 50+ High Protection | MRP 1550 | 40 ml | Whitecast
- Heliocare 360º Water Gel SPF 50 PA++++ | MRP 2100 | 50 ml
If you want more suggestions here's a product library compiled u/MightyyThor.
And this is a list of fungal acne safe products complied by u/unevenhanded
We also have Megathreads based on product categories and skin types, that you might want to go thorough.
Posted Oct 23, 2022, 6:01 AM UTC · edited