The common wisdom around cleansers is that they exist solely to wash off the dirt, oil, makeup, and sunscreen you layer on each day. They are a workhorse product that’s only real benefit is cleaning. Well, we’re here to tell you that school of thought is just plain wrong.

Your cleanser is just as important of a treatment as any moisturizer, essence, or ampoule. “Think of your skin like a canvas,” says NYC dermatologist Dr. Dendy Engelman, “you need a clean canvas to start painting. The purpose [of cleanser] is to aid in the penetration of the products you will be applying afterwards.” So it makes sense to choose a cleanser that aligns with your skincare needs for a power-punch of beneficial ingredients.

With the right formulas, cleansers can help brighten, smooth, tone, nourish, and hydrate — in addition to cleaning your skin. They have the ability to be multi-tasking marvels, provided you know what to look for on the label.

Here are the five most powerful ingredients that can take your cleanser to the next (cleaning) level.

Antioxidants 

Antioxidants provide skin with a first line of defense against the elements — strengthening its defenses against UV rays, weather changes, and aging free-radicals. Superfruits, like Blueberry, are some of the strongest. Blueberries contains resveratrol, a potent antioxidant known to protect the skin’s barrier, as well as soothe redness and irritation.

AHAs

These skin-brightening acids can be synthetic or natural (i.e. fruit-derived, like papaya enzymes), and are seriously multitasking exfoliators. Though we tend to associate exfoliation with stripping the skin, AHAs actually help skin stay hydrated. Their main benefit, however, is gently resurfacing the skin’s top layers, leaving it smoother and tighter. Consistent use of AHAs can help pores appear smaller, as AHAs work to speed up the skin’s shedding of dead skin cells, de-gunking the accumulated dirt and pollution that can make us look dull instead of glowy.

Hyaluronic Acid

You’ve likely heard the specs about this skincare star — Hyaluronic Acid is known for holding up to 1000x its weight in water. We’re born with high levels of it, which is part of why babies have such plump, dewy skin. As we age, though, we lose our naturally occurring HA. By applying this powerful humectant topically, we’re able to give our skin tons of hydration, and even a subtle plumping effect. 

Brightening Ingredients

One of our favorite skin brighteners is Peony. According to traditional Chinese medicine, Peony is the “king of flowers” — and for good reason. In skincare, this ingredient has been used to help virtually erase oxidative damage (think pesky sunspots) to reveal a more luminous complexion. 

Nourishing Ingredients

If you want to take care of your skin, you need to get yourself some Seaweed. This aquatic plant is an ultra-powerful, multi-tasking ingredient that’s anti-inflammatory; to reduce redness; antibacterial, to help fight acne and other harmful bacteria; and packed with amino acids and vitamins that help skin look youthful. And, it not only removes dirt and grime, but it also gives back to the skin by providing nourishment to keep your complexion healthy and hydrated.

Ready to add an overachieving cleanser to your daily routine? Good news: Our newly reformulated Blueberry Bounce Gentle Cleanser has not one, not two, but ALL five ingredients for maximum skin pampering. Step up your cleansing routine today!