What's the difference between cleanser and moisturiser?

[schnapps]

I know they've obviously got different functions; one is to cleanse and one it to moisturise (der!), but is there really anything scientifically different between the two different types of cream, or is it really the same stuff but packaged/advertised differently?

If I cleansed my face but didnt moisturise, it would feel 'tight'- moisturisng gives it that soft feeling.

you do realise its Sunday Morning don't you?

(emollients in moisturiser / astringents in cleanser I would assume)

Thanks for the replies

Hmm, I think astringents would be more likely to be found in toners rather than cleansers, but anyway, I guess there is difference.

Not sure what your point is about it being sunday morning. Have you started a new rule on behalf of all mumsnetters that certain posts can only be posted at certain times of the day or something? [hmmm]

cleansers open the pores and remove dirt, make up, excess oil. Toner then closes the pores, as if left open, will clog with afore mentioned crap. Moisturisers add moisture to skin, also provide protection with SPF etc... Always follow 3 steps

So it's not all just fancy packaging then? . Just wondering because I was out of cleanser to used my moisturuser to remove my make-up and it seemed to do exactly the same as my cleanser.

brains don't work on sunday mornings

hence my wild stab in the dark at astringents got neatly deflected into toners

anyhoo vaseline does both jobs

i have used baby lotion as cleanser before

The ingredients in the stuff I cleanse with and moisturise with are pretty well identical.

I've often wondered what the difference is between bubble bath and shower gel. Dh thinks I'm wierd if I use buuble bath to clean myself in the shower. But surely it's all soap?

Not sure about the difference btw cleanser and moisturiser, though there's a difference in what you'd want them to do - you'd want a cleanser to dissolve all the gunk/grime on your face, and then wipe/rinse off, whereas you'd want a moisturiser to sink in a bit, and have something that will do your skin good. Not sure they actually work like this though.

And on bubble bath/shower gel - maybe bubble bath is more concentrated, and they don't expect you to put it directly on your skin, but for it to be diluted by the bath water, whereas shower gel is expected to go directly onto the skin?