Caring for your skin is a journey that starts with understanding your skin type and mastering a basic self-care ritual. Within your ritual should also sit a skincare routine that supports your skin’s health and wellbeing.
The first step of any skincare routine, cleansing, is often the most important. Why? A good, gentle cleanser reveals freshly clean skin, creating a base that helps the rest of your skincare products absorb fully so you can reap their maximum benefits.
That said, certain cleanser formulas work best for different skin types. To support your skincare and wellbeing journey, we’ve done a deep dive into the best face cleansers that address your skin’s unique needs.
what does facial cleanser do?
Facial cleansers create the foundation for radiant, healthy-looking skin by removing excess oil, impurities, sunscreen and makeup from your skin’s surface. By providing a freshly cleansed base, subsequent products like toners, serums, eye creams, masks and moisturisers can better absorb into the skin. The result is a plump, hydrated and refreshed complexion.
Moreover, regularly cleansing your skin can help reduce skin conditions like acne, clogged pores, dry skin, dehydration and more.
how to use face cleansers
- If you use a water-based cleanser like a foaming cleanser, wet your face with lukewarm water.
- Apply a small amount to your hands and rub them together to create a lather before applying the product to your face.
- Gently rub in circular motions for at least 30 seconds to 1-minute before rinsing off with water.
how to double cleanse
Oil-based cleansers are best for double cleansing. Double cleansing is when you use an oil-based cleanser to break down products and impurities on your face, which makes these easier to remove when you go in with your favourite cleanser.
- Apply a small amount of the oil-based cleanser to dry skin first and spread the product with gentle circular motions using your hands. Add a bit of water to emulsify the oil cleanser and turn it into a milky emulsion, then gently rub the product in with your hands.
- Rinse off with water or use a soft cloth to remove the product.
- Proceed with a second cleanse with your water-based cleanser to effectively remove any remaining impurities and prep skin for the rest of your skincare products.
how to double cleanse
Oil-based cleansers are best for double cleansing. Double cleansing is when you use an oil-based cleanser to break down products and impurities on your face, which makes these easier to remove when you go in with your favourite cleanser.
- Apply a small amount of the oil-based cleanser to dry skin first and spread the product with gentle circular motions using your hands. Add a bit of water to emulsify the oil cleanser and turn it into a milky emulsion, then gently rub the product in with your hands.
- Rinse off with water or use a soft cloth to remove the product.
- Proceed with a second cleanse with your water-based cleanser to effectively remove any remaining impurities and prep skin for the rest of your skincare products.
what are the different types of cleansers?
The best facial cleanser for you is the one that addresses your skin’s specific concerns. Below is a breakdown of the different types of cleansers to choose from:
milk cleanser
Best for: Normal, dry and sensitive skin
Milk cleansers have a creamy texture and contain gentle ingredients that care for even the most sensitive skin.
These facial cleansers will often have ingredients like aloe vera, calendula, colloidal oatmeal and cucumber, as well as hydrating ingredients like cocoa butter that form a protective barrier on your skin to help it retain moisture and prevent excess dryness.
Use this cleanser to damp skin and gently rub the product into your face and neck with circular motions.
our picks for the best milk cleansers
milk cleanser
Best for: Normal, dry and sensitive skin
Milk cleansers have a creamy texture and contain gentle ingredients that care for even the most sensitive skin.
These facial cleansers will often have ingredients like aloe vera, calendula, colloidal oatmeal and cucumber, as well as hydrating ingredients like cocoa butter that form a protective barrier on your skin to help it retain moisture and prevent excess dryness.
Use this cleanser to damp skin and gently rub the product into your face and neck with circular motions.
our picks for the best milk cleansers
cream cleanser
best for: Dry and sensitive skin
Cream cleansers have a slightly thicker texture than milk cleansers, but they function similarly in thoroughly cleaning skin while gently replenishing it with nourishing nutrients.
These cleansers are excellent for dry and sensitive skin as most formulations contain hydrating oils and ingredients that prevent the skin from excess dryness. Glycerin, sweet almond oil, vitamin E and avocado oil are typically used in the best cream cleansers, as these are all shown to maintain your skin’s natural moisture barrier and bring moisture to the skin.
Use this cleanser by lathering it on your hands and then applying it to a damp face and neck, cleansing your face with an upward circular motion.
our picks for the best cream cleansers
cream cleanser
best for: Dry and sensitive skin
Cream cleansers have a slightly thicker texture than milk cleansers, but they function similarly in thoroughly cleaning skin while gently replenishing it with nourishing nutrients.
These cleansers are excellent for dry and sensitive skin as most formulations contain hydrating oils and ingredients that prevent the skin from excess dryness. Glycerin, sweet almond oil, vitamin E and avocado oil are typically used in the best cream cleansers, as these are all shown to maintain your skin’s natural moisture barrier and bring moisture to the skin.
Use this cleanser by lathering it on your hands and then applying it to a damp face and neck, cleansing your face with an upward circular motion.
our picks for the best cream cleansers
gel foaming cleanser
best for: All skin types, especially normal, oily or combination skin
Gel cleansers have a medium viscosity, with their texture easily transformed into a foam once mixed with water.
This cleanser is perfect for oily and combination skin types, as it purifies skin and effectively clears out dirt, bacteria, excess oil and other impurities that may clog your pores. Skin is left feeling refreshed, renewed and clean. To help your skin’s natural renewal process, some gel cleansers include exfoliating ingredients like alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) to remove dead skin cells on your skin’s surface.
To use, lightly lather in hands and then apply to a damp face and neck, cleansing with an upward circular motion.
our picks for the best foaming cleansers
gel foaming cleanser
best for: All skin types, especially normal, oily or combination skin
Gel cleansers have a medium viscosity, with their texture easily transformed into a foam once mixed with water.
This cleanser is perfect for oily and combination skin types, as it purifies skin and effectively clears out dirt, bacteria, excess oil and other impurities that may clog your pores. Skin is left feeling refreshed, renewed and clean. To help your skin’s natural renewal process, some gel cleansers include exfoliating ingredients like alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) to remove dead skin cells on your skin’s surface.
To use, lightly lather in hands and then apply to a damp face and neck, cleansing with an upward circular motion.
our picks for the best foaming cleansers
oil-based cleanser (cleansing balm)
best for: All skin types, especially dry and dehydrated skin
Oil-based cleansers are best for dry skin or if you regularly wear sunscreen and makeup daily. This is because oil cleansers work best in a double cleanse routine – a process where you use the oil-based cleansers as a ‘pre-cleanse’ followed by your regular cleanser to thoroughly clean skin. As for its texture, it’s a two-in-one – starting as a balm and transforming into a milky emulsion once water is added to it.
As the name implies, an oil-based cleanser contains nourishing natural oils that break down the build-up of impurities, sunscreen, makeup, excess oil and more. For example, our Ceramide Cleansing Balm contains ingredients like Ceramide NG, Australian Cannabis sativa seed oil and willow bark extract that all work together to break down impurities, gently exfoliate excess dead skin cells and bring hydration back for healthy skin barrier function.
To use, apply a grape-sized amount of the oil cleanser to dry skin, adding water to emulsify as you massage the product in circular motions. Remove by using warm water and a damp cotton cloth for best results.
oil-based cleanser (cleansing balm)
best for: All skin types, especially dry and dehydrated skin
Oil-based cleansers are best for dry skin or if you regularly wear sunscreen and makeup daily. This is because oil cleansers work best in a double cleanse routine – a process where you use the oil-based cleansers as a ‘pre-cleanse’ followed by your regular cleanser to thoroughly clean skin. As for its texture, it’s a two-in-one – starting as a balm and transforming into a milky emulsion once water is added to it.
As the name implies, an oil-based cleanser contains nourishing natural oils that break down the build-up of impurities, sunscreen, makeup, excess oil and more. For example, our Ceramide Cleansing Balm contains ingredients like Ceramide NG, Australian Cannabis sativa seed oil and willow bark extract that all work together to break down impurities, gently exfoliate excess dead skin cells and bring hydration back for healthy skin barrier function.
To use, apply a grape-sized amount of the oil cleanser to dry skin, adding water to emulsify as you massage the product in circular motions. Remove by using warm water and a damp cotton cloth for best results.
our picks for the best oil cleansers:
exfoliating cleanser
best for: Oily skin prone to acne and breakouts
Exfoliating cleansers work best for oily skin prone to breakouts, pimples and acne. That’s because these cleansers will often have active ingredients like exfoliating acids, typically in the form of alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) and beta-hydroxy acids (BHA).
AHAs like glycolic acid and lactic acid work by exfoliating your skin’s surface, whereas BHAs like salicylic acid work to exfoliate deep into the pores to remove impurities and acne-causing bacteria. The best exfoliating cleansers will pair these active ingredients with hydrating oils to balance out their potency on the skin. In other words, while the exfoliating acids remove dead skin, nourishing oils like jojoba, avocado and apricot will help smooth out signs of ageing while helping skin retain moisture to prevent it from drying out.
To use, lightly lather in hands and then apply to a damp face and neck, cleansing with an upward circular motion.
our picks for the best exfoliating cleansers
exfoliating cleanser
best for: Oily skin prone to acne and breakouts
Exfoliating cleansers work best for oily skin prone to breakouts, pimples and acne. That’s because these cleansers will often have active ingredients like exfoliating acids, typically in the form of alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) and beta-hydroxy acids (BHA).
AHAs like glycolic acid and lactic acid work by exfoliating your skin’s surface, whereas BHAs like salicylic acid work to exfoliate deep into the pores to remove impurities and acne-causing bacteria. The best exfoliating cleansers will pair these active ingredients with hydrating oils to balance out their potency on the skin. In other words, while the exfoliating acids remove dead skin, nourishing oils like jojoba, avocado and apricot will help smooth out signs of ageing while helping skin retain moisture to prevent it from drying out.
To use, lightly lather in hands and then apply to a damp face and neck, cleansing with an upward circular motion.
