How To Pick The Best Face Cleanser for Your Skin Type?

Are you having trouble finding the perfect facial cleanser for your skin? Here is a complete skincare guide on how to choose the best facial cleansers for every skin type and need!

Understanding different face cleansers and their benefits

Struggling to find the perfect facial cleanser for your skin type? You're not alone! Choosing the right facial cleanser can feel like navigating a maze with so many options on the market, from traditional soaps and cleansing oils to foaming cleansers and luxurious cleansing milks. Each type of cleanser promises different benefits, making it difficult to determine which will truly meet your skin's unique needs.

Understanding the differences between these products is essential to maintaining healthy, glowing skin. In this blog post, we've put together a comprehensive cheat sheet to demystify all types of facial cleansers.

Learn which cleansers are best for dry, oily, combination, or sensitive skin, and discover our top product recommendations to help you achieve the best results. Dive in and find your perfect match to elevate your skincare routine!

⭐ Foaming cleansers

What is a foaming facial cleanser?

A foaming cleanser typically creates a rich, foamy lather that acts as a cushion to protect your skin from abrasion, harsh rubbing and dryness while washing away makeup, oil and dirt from the surface of your face.

What skin type is foam cleanser best for?

In general, foaming cleansers are ideal for oily and acne-prone skin as their deep penetration capabilities allow them to do wonders in deep pore cleansing that helps get rid of the bulk in pores, reduce pimples, and get rid of pesky black and white heads.

💜 Best daily foaming cleansers for face

Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Low-ph Cleansing Foam

Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Low-pH Cleansing Foam is your go-to for gentle yet effective cleansing. This low-pH formula helps maintain your skin’s natural balance while removing impurities and excess oil.

Infused with hyaluronic acid, it hydrates and soothes, leaving your skin feeling fresh and supple without any dryness. Ideal for all skin types, this cleansing foam ensures your complexion stays healthy and radiant.

OLEHENRIKSEN The Clean Truth Foaming Cleanser

Olehenriksen Cleanser is a thick, foaming cleaner that creates a rich lather to gently remove makeup and impurities. It is rich in African red tea extract and vitamin C and makes every application a stimulating spa experience.

Klairs Rich Moist Foaming Cleanser

Klairs Rich Moist Foaming Cleanser is designed to provide a deep, yet gentle cleanse. This rich foaming cleanser is packed with hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid and ceramides, ensuring your skin stays moisturized even after cleansing.

Its low-irritant formula is perfect for sensitive skin, effectively removing dirt and makeup while maintaining your skin’s moisture barrier.

Torriden DIVE-IN Low Molecular Hyaluronic Acid Cleansing Foam

Torriden DIVE-IN Low Molecular Hyaluronic Acid Cleansing Foam provides a deeply hydrating and refreshing cleanse.

This foam cleanser is formulated with low molecular weight hyaluronic acid, which penetrates deeply into the skin to deliver intense moisture while effectively removing dirt, makeup, and impurities.

Its gentle yet effective formula ensures that your skin remains balanced and hydrated, making it perfect for all skin types, including sensitive skin.

Origins Checks and Balances™ Frothy Face Wash

A gentle daily cleanser washes away make-up, impurities and excess oils easily and leaves the skin feeling pleasantly clean. Formulated with broadleaf kelp extract, wheat protein and tourmaline, leaving skin feels clean, refreshed and balanced.

⭐ Cleansing gels

What is a gel cleanser for face?

A gel cleanser is a water-based formula that has the consistency of a gel. It is generally designed for deep cleansing, unclogging pores, and removing dirt, excess sebum, and acne-causing bacteria.

What skin type is gel cleanser best for?

Gel cleansers are perfect for normal, combination, oily, and acne-prone skin, and even work well on sensitive skin that is prone to irritation and redness.

💜 Best cleansing gels for deep pore-cleansing

I'm from Mugwort Gel Cleanser

I'm from Mugwort Gel Cleanser harnesses the power of mugwort extract to deliver a soothing and purifying cleansing experience.

This gel cleanser effectively removes impurities, excess oil, and makeup while calming and revitalizing the skin. Its gentle formula makes it suitable for all skin types, especially sensitive and irritated skin.

Fresh Soy Fresh Cleanser

A cleansing gel with soy proteins, rich in amino acids, that removes dirt and make-up without removing essential moisture from the skin. It consists of soothing cucumber extract and skin balancing rose water that hydrates and refreshes your skin.

Cosrx Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser

This K-Beauty cleanser is formulated with betaine salicylate (BHA), birch sap and other botanical ingredients to dissolve dead skin cells and clogged impurities, make the skin clean and soft.

This vegan face product effectively balances the optimal pH value and is made without any animal ingredients. It is cruelty-free and dermatologically tested.

Glossier Milky Jelly Cleanser

A hypoallergenic daily cleanser will not irritate or tighten your skin while it cleanses your face. Formulated with Allantoin, Pro-Vitamin B5, and Poloxamer, the same gentle cleansing ingredient found in contact lens solutions that makes them safe for the eyes (while removing eye makeup, mascara).

Needly Mild Cleansing Gel

Needly Mild Cleansing Gel offers a gentle yet thorough cleansing experience. This mild gel formula effortlessly dissolves makeup, dirt, and impurities without stripping the skin of its natural moisture.

Infused with soothing and hydrating ingredients, it leaves your skin feeling clean, soft, and refreshed. Perfect for sensitive skin, this cleansing gel ensures a smooth and comfortable cleanse every time.

Huxley Cleansing Gel Be Clean Be Moist

A pH-balancing gel cleaner gently removes dirt and clogs impurities from the pores. Enriched with organic prickly pear seed oil, cactus extract, hyaluronic acid, Centella asiatica to hydrate, soothe, protect the skin and reveal a supple and radiant complexion.

⭐ Cream cleansers / Cleansing lotions

What is a cleansing cream /cleansing lotion?

A cream cleanser has a luxuriously thicker texture and is often composed of heavier, more occlusive oils and waxes, such as natural oils that help the skin retain moisture and protect the skin's natural protective function. A cleansing lotion sometimes has a lighter, gentler formulation.

What skin type is cream cleanser best for?

Cleansing cream cleansers are excellent choices for normal, dry, and sensitive skin. Thanks to the moisturizing and hydrating agents in the products, they're also a great option for mature skin and those with eczema and rosacea.

💜 Best moisturizing cream cleansers / cleansing lotions

Murad Renewing Cleansing Cream

A moisturizing cleansing cream turns into a luxurious foam to remove impurities and exfoliate gently without over-drying the skin. An encapsulated blend of lactic acid, a peptide, and an antioxidant helps brighten and renew the complexion.

La Roche Posay Toleriane Purifying foaming cream cleanser

A French skin care product gently removes impurities and make-up from combination skin to oily sensitive skin without drying out the skin. This cleansing cream is dermatologically tested and formulated without fragrances.

First Aid Beauty Face Cleanser

A fragrance-free, gentle cleanser that effectively removes makeup, dirt and grime, leaving skin soft and supple. The whipped texture transforms into a sumptuous cream when blended with water and very gentle on skin.

⭐ Cleansing milks

What is a facial cleansing milk?

A cleansing milk is very gentle, lightweight cleansers that take a more gentle approach to cleansing the skin without stripping it of its natural oils. They are typically produced from the natural emulsion of fats and water that has a smooth and pleasant texture.

What skin type is cleansing milk best for?

Cleansing Milk is a super gentle, hydrating cleanser that is perfect for people with dehydrated, dry, sensitive and / or mature skin. If you have dehydrated skin (that needs moisture) this is ideal for you, as cleansing milk formulas hydrates and moisturizes your skin while cleansing it.

💜 Best gentle cleansing milks for face

Caudalie Gentle Cleansing Milk

Thanks to a high proportion of nourishing and soothing active ingredients—jojoba and almond oil, it protects the skin from drying out and ensures immediate and lasting well-being.

Regardless of your skin type, this gentle milk cleanser will work wonders on your skin, even on the most sensitive skin. The aromatic scent mixes notes of lemon tree leaves, bergamot, lavender and sandalwood.

Avene Gentle Milk Cleanser

Formulated with the thermal water, the signature of this French cosmetic brand, this gentle cleanser with its liquid and velvety texture melts quickly on the skin and removes dirt at the end of the day without the risk of irritation.

This non-drying formula is completely hypoallergenic, fragrance-free and is great for dry, sensitive skin.

Aesop Gentle Facial Cleansing Milk

Not only does it smell wonderful, the milky texture makes your face so soft and refreshed. Enriched with grape seeds, panthenol and sandalwood, which are known for their soothing and moisturizing properties, this milk cleanser is exceptionally gentle on your skin.

Sioris Cleanse Me Softly Milk Cleanser

A 100% natural facial cleanser is made with organic green plum water, which is full of nutrients and minerals to invigorate the skin.

Macadamia seed oil, which is rich in antioxidants and fatty acids, along with natural plant-based surfactants, effectively cleanses and moisturizes the skin.

This low pH product is vegan, cruelty free, and made without parabens, artificial fragrances, additives, or harmful chemicals.

⭐ Cleansing oils

What is a face cleansing oil?

As the name implies, a cleansing oil typically uses a blend of several types of beneficial oils that penetrate the pores to dissolve buildup, makeup, debris, excess oil and other contaminants on the surface of your skin.

What skin type is cleansing oil best for?

All skin types - and yes, even those with oily skin and acne-prone skin. Using an oil-based product can sound counterintuitive if your skin has problems with oiliness or is prone to acne.

However, it can be one of the most effective ways to balance sebum production and can help alleviate acne outbreaks with its healing properties if you use the right formula.

💜 Best makeup-removing facial cleansing oils

Ma:nyo Pure Cleansing Oil

Manyo Pure Cleansing Oil is a luxurious, deeply cleansing oil that effortlessly removes makeup, sunscreen, and impurities. Formulated with natural oils, it nourishes and hydrates the skin while providing a thorough cleanse.

This cleansing oil emulsifies upon contact with water, leaving your skin feeling clean, soft, and moisturized. Suitable for all skin types, it ensures a fresh and radiant complexion without any greasy residue.

DHC Deep Cleansing Oil

A Japanese cleanser melts makeup and loosens impurities, leaving your skin clean, soft and glowing. Its botanical formulation features organic olive oil that softens and protects the skin against free radical damage and rosemary oil that invigorates and refreshes the skin.

Urang Natural Cleansing Oil

A 99.9% natural cleaner is only made with EWG-verified natural and organic ingredients. Formulated with nourishing seed oils—organic jojoba oil, organic sunflower oil and other natural essential oils to gently remove makeup, waste and dead skin cells while soothing redness and irritation.

Anua Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil

Anua Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil is a powerful yet gentle cleanser designed to deeply cleanse and purify your pores.

Enriched with heartleaf extract, known for its soothing and anti-inflammatory properties, this cleansing oil effectively dissolves makeup, sunscreen, and impurities while controlling excess sebum and preventing clogged pores.

Its lightweight formula leaves your skin feeling fresh, clean, and balanced without any greasy residue. Perfect for all skin types, especially those with oily or acne-prone skin, this cleansing oil ensures a clear, smooth, and radiant complexion.

Tatcha Pure One Step Camellia Cleansing Oil

This 2-in-1 makeup remover and face cleanser made from camellia oil gently dissolve impurities, even waterproof makeup, leaving your skin clear and silky smooth. Enriched with Japanese camellia oil, green tea, rice and algae to restore a healthy looking, youthful radiance.

⭐ Cleansing balms

What is a cleansing balm?

A cleansing balm is similar to a cleansing oil, but it has a soft yet solid and creamy sorbet-like texture. It's usually packaged in a convenient tube with a spatula, making it a fantastic alternative to regular facial cleansers.

This revolutionary makeup remover instantly transforms from a buttery solid to a silky smooth texture to effortlessly remove a full face of makeup and stubborn formulas like waterproof mascara and sunscreen.

What skin type is cleansing balm best for?

Cleansing balms can be used for all skin types, but at most normal, very dry skin and sensitive skin can be beneficial. However, some balm cleansers can be too heavy for oily or breakout-prone skin, so choose the right formula for your skin type.

💜 Best nourishing cleansing balms for soft skin

Beauty Of Joseon Radiance Cleansing Balm

Beauty of Joseon Radiance Cleansing Balm is a silky, balm-to-oil cleanser that melts away makeup and impurities with ease.

Enriched with nourishing ingredients like rice bran oil and chrysanthemum extract, it hydrates and brightens the skin while providing a deep cleanse. Its gentle formula is perfect for all skin types, leaving your skin clean, soft, and glowing.

Peter Thomas Roth 24K Gold Pure Luxury Cleansing Butter

 

Enriched with pure 24 carat gold in a solid-to-oily texture, this luxurious cleansing butter gently melts away makeup, sun protection cream and impurities and gives an opulent glow. Chamomile butter and honey provide intense moisture as Kasturi turmeric helps soothe the appearance of dry, sensitive skin.

Heimish All Clean Balm

A gentle oil-based cleanser / make-up remover effectively removes waterproof mascara, debris and excess sebum without drying out the skin. Enriched with natural essential oils such as coconut oil and shea butter that helps nourish and soften skin.

Banila Co Clean It Zero Original

The best-selling Korean cleanser has a gel-cream texture that melts into your skin, even removing waterproof makeup and any impurities that clog your pores in the process.

Formulated with acerola extract and spring water, which is rich in vitamins and minerals that help hydrate and brighten the skin.

⭐ Cleansing waters/micellar waters

What is a cleansing water / Micellar Water?

Cleansing water is purified water infused with various components such as essential oils and botanical ingredients, giving it cleansing properties that clean the skin's surface, remove makeup and balance the skin without over-stripping it or leaving it feeling tight and dry.

Micellar water—a French pharmacy staple—is composed of oily micelles that are attracted to dirt, oil and makeup residue like a magnet, while moisturizing elements leave the skin hydrated. Both products offer a very convenient way to cleanse your face, like a face wipe, because they work without the need to lather the product on your skin.

What skin type is cleansing water/micellar water best for?

When it comes to skin types, micellar water and cleansing water are universally friendly products that are suitable for all skin types.

They're generally alcohol-free, which means dry skin and sensitive skin can benefit from them, but some of the products can leave oily residue on your skin.

If you have oily or clogged skin that is prone to breakouts, we recommend washing again with a water-based face cleanser, like cleansing milk or foam.

💜 Best cleansing waters/micellar waters

Garnier SkinActive Micellar Cleansing Water All-in-1

This all-in-1 cleaner is surprisingly powerful and yet gentle on the skin. Designed to effectively cleanse, remove makeup and refresh the skin effectively.

Like a magnet, micelles trap and remove dirt, oil and makeup, leaving the skin perfectly clean and refreshed without drying it out.

Klavuu Pure Pearlsation Marine Collagen Micro Cleansing Water

A micro-cleansing water that contains microparticles to thoroughly cleanse pore-clogging impurities, makeup and dead skin cells without drying out the skin. Enriched with pearl extract, marine collagen and fermented yeast to brighten, soften and moisturize the skin.

Bioderma Sensibio H20

This facial cleanser contains micelles, which are molecules with fatty acid esters that trap impurities while respecting the balance of your skin and its phospholipids.

In contrast to similar products, the micellar water from Bioderma contains neither alcohol nor parabens and soothes the skin with a cucumber extract..

Benton Tea Tree Cleansing Water

A vegan cleanser contains only 10 natural ingredients to gently remove makeup, impurities and excess sebum.

Enriched with 70% tea tree water and oil to soothe, irritated, blemished, reddened skin with its antibacterial ingredients and leaves the skin refreshed and relaxed.

⭐ Clay cleansers

What is a clay cleanser for face?

A clay facial cleanser is formulated with clays such as kaolin, bentonite and Moroccan lava clay, which is designed to provide heavy-duty cleansing of facial pores and purify the skin while respecting the skin's moisture barrier.

What skin type is clay facial cleanser best for?

Clay cleansers are suitable for all skin types, but especially perfect for oily or combination, and acne-prone skin, a clay cleanser can be a holy grail in clearing breakouts, relieving redness, and preventing blackheads and whiteheads. 

Clay-based skin care products are also great for sensitive skin as they usually do not contain harsh acids or scrubs, which are gentle enough for everyday use, but have similar benefits to exfoliating from salicylic acid (BHA).

💜 Best detoxifying clay facial cleansers

Dermalogica Dermal Clay Cleanser

A skin-perfecting formula provides deep cleansing for oily, congested skin. Water-soluble kaolin and green clays combine with cleansing extracts to remove excess oils and refine the complexion.

Anti-inflammatory cucumber and healing sage soothe irritation, while refreshing menthol revitalizes even the most tired skin.

Heimish All Clean Whtie Clay Foam

This clay cleaner is formulated with Amazon's white clay kaolin, which has its sebum-absorbing properties that remove all waste, excess sebum and impurities from your pores.

This Korean product helps control oil production, detoxifies and rebalances the skin, leaving your skin moisturized and refreshed.

L'Oréal Pure Clay Detox & Brighten Cleanser

A daily clay-to-mousse cleaner is powered by 3 different clays in their pure form and enriched with an ingredient from nature to remove everyday blemishes without drying them out. After regular use of the product, dull skin appears more radiant and radiant.

⭐ Cleansing bars / Soaps

What is a face cleansing bar?

Soap for the face or body has historically had a bad reputation, but today there are gentle, well-formulated cleansing bars on the beauty market that gently cleanse the skin and support an acidic pH level, which means they help maintain the optimal pH of facial skin.

What skin type is bar cleanser best for?

If you have oily skin, you can reap the biggest benefits from soap cleansers, especially those made with clay or charcoal. Normal and combination skin are also suitable, depending on the ingredients, but make sure you find a product without synthetic chemicals and fragrances. 

💜 Best hydrating gentle face bar cleansers

Herbivore Botanicals Pink Clay

French Pink Clay, a gentle clay known for removing impurities, cleanses without drying out your skin. A silky smooth foam helps to soften both face and body skin with a light citrus and floral scent. Each bar is unique and handcrafted with love.

Some By Mi AHA BHA PHA 30 Days Miracle Bar

A chemical peeling soap provides a gentle yet effective exfoliation that removes dead skin cells and impurities from the surface of the skin and pores.

Enriched with exfoliating acids, niacinamide, and 10,000 ppm tea tree extract to soothe redness, inflammation, and refine and brighten your skin.

The nourishing natural oils, Ecocert-certified organic olive oil and argan oil, help to soften the skin and provide it with moisture.

Shea Moisture African Black Soap Bar with Shea Butter

A bar of natural soap is made from palm and plantain peel ash and a combination of different oils that have been used in Africa for centuries to balance oily skin.

Shea Moisture's African Black Soap combines Cocoa Pod Potash, Coconut Oil and Shea Butter and should be used daily to help even out dry skin.

⭐ Powder cleansers for face

What is a powder cleanser for face?

A facial cleansing powder is a finely-grained powder usually made from rice bran or oat kernels, natural enzyme-based cleansing ingredients for a gentle keratolytic effect.

You can simply think of this product as a dehydrated or concentrated version of your usual facial cleansers but just come in powder form. However, when mixed with a small amount of water, it turns into a soft lather and cleanses deeply without harsh beads.

What skin type is powder cleanser best for?

Powder cleansers are likely to be suitable for most skin types, depending on the ingredients. However, anyone with sensitive skin type would benefit from this foam of exfoliating product as it is likely to be gentler than other abrasive exfoliants.

💜 Best exfoliating powder cleansers for face

Cosrx Low pH Centella Cleansing Powder

A mild peeling power cleaner made from two water-activated enzymes (protease and lipase) that gently remove excess sebum, dead skin cells and debris from pores.

Formulated with Centella asiatica to soothe irritated, blemished, and redden skin. This Cosrx facial cleaner is vegan and cruelty free.

By Wishtrend Green Tea & Enzyme Powder Wash

By Wishtrend Green Tea & Enzyme Powder Wash combines the exfoliating power of enzymes with the soothing properties of green tea for a unique cleansing experience.

This powder-to-foam cleanser gently exfoliates dead skin cells, unclogs pores, and removes impurities, leaving your skin smooth and revitalized.

Rich in antioxidants, it also helps calm and protect the skin. Ideal for all skin types, this innovative cleanser ensures a fresh, clear, and radiant complexion.

Clinique Fresh Pressed Renewing Powder Cleanser with Pure Vitamin C

Ultra-fine powder is activated with water and provides an intoxicating cleansing experience with visible benefits with fresh vitamin C for brightening and retexturing.

Immediately the skin is awakened, cleansed, with a refined texture and a more radiant appearance. The non-drying, non-stripping formula is gentle enough to use every morning.

Biore Baking Soda Cleansing Scrub

This original Japanese scrub gently exfoliates your skin and then naturally dissolve all of unwanted waste from your face so you don't have to scrub too much.

This innovative powder activates with water to thoroughly cleanse the pores and make your skin visibly smoother in just one week.