Choosing a Facial Cleanser

By Pia-Maria Norris

In addition to keeping the skin moisturized and protected from the sun, cleansing is the first and most important step in your skin care routine and in the quest for maintaining a healthy and youthful-looking complexion.

Picking the right cleanser for your skin type is also essential. For example, oily skin should stay away from thick cleansing balms to avoid potential breakouts and clogging. Considering all the different options and textures among facial cleansers, choosing one can be tricky. So we put together a list of 11 types of cleansers to help you choose the one that might be best for your purpose and skin type. 

Gel Cleansers

Gel cleansers are light face washes that are deep-cleansing. They are typically clear, with a gel-like consistency, and need to be rinsed off with water. Gel cleansers remove makeup, and some of them also have antiseptic and exfoliating properties, which make them effective at removing excess oil, decongesting clogged pores, and eliminating acne-causing bacteria. Gel cleansers tend to be suitable for normal, combination, oily, and acne-prone skin. 

Natura Bisse – Facial Cleansing Gel + A.H.A.

Cream Cleansers

Cream cleansers are creamy and thick, with moisturizing ingredients like botanical oils. They gently but effectively cleanse and remove traces of makeup without stripping the skin of its natural oils, leaving skin soft and beautiful. Most of them require rinsing, whereas some need to be wiped off with a cloth. Cream cleansers are suitable for dry, normal, mature, and sensitive skin. In cold weather, they are ideal for all skin types. If you have mature skin that is dry, then this is the perfect cleanser.

Dr Sebagh – Rose de Vie Cream Cleanser

Milk Cleansers

Milk cleansers don’t contain milk, contrary to popular belief. They are called so because of their milky texture. They are thinner than cream cleansers, and they gently but effectively cleanse and break down makeup, dirt, sweat, and oils. Milk cleansers are moisturizing but don’t leave a creamy feel as cream cleansers do, and they can typically be either wiped off with a cloth or face wipe or rinsed away with water. Milk cleansers are ideal for dry, normal, and sensitive skin.

Avène – Gentle Milk Cleanser

Foam Cleansers

Foam cleansers start out as cream or gel and burst into a foamy, rich lather when combined with water. They are perfect for removing layers of makeup, oil, and hard-to-wash-off sunscreens. Foam cleansers tend to be more drying than gel cleansers, making them more suitable for combination, oily, or acne-prone skin. For dry or sensitive skin, make sure to get one that is free of sulfate, the ingredient that creates the foaming effect.

La Prairie – Foam Cleanser

Oil Cleansers

Oil cleansers are usually used to remove makeup, including waterproof types, and they mostly serve as the first step in double-cleansing. After rinsing off the oil cleanser, make sure to use a regular deep-cleansing type to get rid of any residue. Oil cleansers are gentle and nourishing to the skin and are suitable for all skin types.

La Mer – The Cleansing Oil

Balm Cleansers

Balm cleansers are similar to oil cleansers, but with a rich balm-like consistency that simply melts on the skin. They are mainly used to remove makeup. Cleansing balms typically contain botanical extracts that are deeply moisturizing and nourishing. They are ideal for dry and normal skin, but they are too heavy for combination, oily, and acne-prone skin. Just like cleansing oils, cleansing balms should be applied with dry hands on dry skin.

EVE LOM – Cleanser (balm)

Clay Cleansers

Clay cleansers purify your skin by drawing out excess oil and toxins from your pores. They are also known for their detoxifying benefits. Clay cleansers are often used as the second step of a double-cleansing routine, as they are not very good at removing makeup. They are suitable for combination, oily, and acne-prone skin, as they can be too drying for dry skin.

Micellar Cleansers

Micellar water features tiny micelles—oil molecules—that act as a magnet to lift dirt, oil, and makeup from your skin. They are usually applied with cotton pads and don’t need rinsing. Micellar waters are one of the lightest forms of facial cleansing. They are mostly used to remove makeup rather than deep cleansing, so you might want to use a second cleanser after this one. They are free of soap, oil, and alcohol and can be used on your face, eyes, and lips. Micellar waters are ideal for all skin types, including sensitive skin.

Lancôme – Eau Fraiche Douceur Micellar Cleansing Water

Powder Cleansers

Powder cleansers come in a powder form that turns creamy or foamy upon contact with water, thoroughly cleansing your skin while providing gentle exfoliation. Common ingredients found in powder cleansers are enzymes, making these powder cleansers work like exfoliators, sweeping off impurities and dirt inside clogged pores. Some powder cleansers are suitable for all skin types, whereas others are recommended for combination, oily, and congested skin.

Tatcha – The Rice Polish – Classic

Bar Cleansers

Regular soaps can be harsh for the skin, but the new breed of solid cleansing bars tend to be formulated without the harsh ingredients of regular soaps. They also offer skin-friendly pH levels and nutrient-rich, moisturizing ingredients, such as essential oils and glycerin. They are perfect for removing makeup and cleansing the skin, and there are cleansing-bar options for all skin types.

Sisley Paris – Soapless Facial Cleansing Bar

Cleansing Towelettes and Wipes

Cleansing towelettes and wipes are perfect for times when you need a quick superficial makeup-removal or cleansing for on-the-go or lazy days. You simply wipe your face with a towelette to remove all makeup and impurities, with no need to rinse. They lack the ability to deep cleanse, so make sure to follow up with a face wash when you can. They are typically suitable for all skin types.