There are many different cleansers, and the best way to choose one is to relate it to your skin type- dry, normal, or oily.

Please take a look at my article, “Skin Types and Recommended Products,” to learn more about how your skin type influences the best products to use.

WHY YOU SHOULD USE A CLEANSER, NOT SOAP

• Cleansers are made to clean your skin while not stripping away the essential oils
• Properly formulated cleansers balance your skin’s natural ph
• A good cleanser preserves the skin’s natural moisture
• A good cleanser removes excess oil, makeup, and dirt thoroughly, which reduces chronic irritation and aging.

By removing impurities while retaining the skin’s natural moisture, a pH-balanced cleanser is good for people with sensitive and acne-prone skin.

GENERAL ADVICE ABOUT USING CLEANSERS

(I describe the oil-based and water-based cleansers below)

The acidity of your skin, and of the cleanser you use, makes a big difference:

• The ideal pH range is 5.5-6.5 as this is similar to your skin’s pH
• High pH cleansers (8-10) which are too alkaline, can disrupt barrier function- such as using normal OTC soap
• Low pH cleansers maintain a healthy skin ecosystem

I have Oily Skin, Why Do I need a Cleanser?

This is a frequent comment, and the answer is that if you use a strong soap to wash your face- even worse with hot water- you will remove so many oils that your skin will be temporarily dried out, and it responds by… producing MORE oil, and so the cycle continues.

After using a gentle, usually foaming, cleanser for a few days you will notice your skin feels much more comfortable and will be less irritated.

How Often Should You Use a Cleanser?

If you have Dry Skin:

• Morning: Water rinse or micellar water
• Evening: Gentle cleanser

Normal Skin:

• Morning: Gentle cleanser
• Evening: Regular cleanser or double cleanse

Oily Skin:

• Morning: use a foaming cleanser
• Evening: Deep cleansing or treatment cleanser

What are the Best Cleanser Ingredients for Different Skin Types?

Best for Dry Skin:

• Ceramides (bio-identical fats): Restore barrier function
• Hyaluronic acid: Attracts moisture
• Glycerin: a humectant moisturizer- it attracts moisture from both the air and deeper skin layers.
• Squalane: Lightweight oil
• Niacinamide: Reduces water loss

Beneficial for Normal Skin:

• Antioxidants: Vitamin C, green tea- strong skin protective & anti-inflammatory
• Gentle acids: Lactic acid, mandelic acid
• Peptides: Anti-aging benefits
• Botanical extracts: Chamomile, aloe- for their anti-inflammatory and soothing effects.

Beneficial for Oily Skin:

• Salicylic acid: Penetrates pores, exfoliates- gets rid of dead and damaged skin cells
• Benzoyl peroxide: Antibacterial properties
• Clay: Absorbs excess oil
• Zinc: Controls sebum production
• Tea tree oil: Natural antibacterial

WHAT YOU SHOULD AVOID

People with Dry Skin Should Avoid:

• Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) which is a component of normal soap
• High concentrations of alcohol (in the skin care product- and probably in a bottle or can too!)
• Cleansers with strong fragrances
• Harsh physical scrubs

People with Oily Skin Should Avoid:

• Over-cleansing (no more than twice daily)
• Too harsh cleansers that tend to trigger more oil production
• Heavy oils that may clog pores

All Skin Types Should Avoid:

• Soap-based cleansers (high pH)
• Products with long ingredient lists- especially if you have sensitive skin
• Expired products (can contain harmful bacteria)

DRY SKIN CLEANSERS

Dry skin feels tight and rough with little oil production. It is easily irritated and sensitive.

Here are some recommended cleansers that will clean your skin while improving the dryness:

CREAM CLEANSERS

CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser

• Rich, creamy lotion
• Benefits: Maintains moisture barrier, provides 24-hour hydration
• Best for: Very dry, sensitive skin
• Price range: $12-15

Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser (Creamy Formula)

• Texture: Mild, creamy consistency
• Benefits: Soap-free, fragrance-free, low allergy potential
• Best for: Sensitive, dry skin
• Price range: $6-8

La Roche-Posay Toleriane Caring Wash

• Key ingredients: La Roche-Posay thermal spring water, ceramide-3
• Texture: Creamy,
• Benefits: Probiotic effects restore the skin barrier and your skin’s natural ecosystem.
• Best for: Very sensitive, dry skin
• Price range: $15-18

CLEANSING BALMS

What’s the difference between a Balm and a Cream?

Balms have a wax and oil base but no water. This means they are more effective at sealing in moisture and providing long-lasting effects. They are more stable and less likely to be contaminated with harmful bacteria, and so they need fewer preservatives.

Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm

• Key ingredients: Safflower seed oil, wheat germ extract
• This is a solid balm that melts to oil when applied to the skin
• Best for dry skin needing makeup removal
• Price range: $30-35

Farmacy Green Clean Makeup Removing Cleansing Balm

• Key ingredients: Sunflower oil, ginger root oil, turmeric
• Texture: Sherbet-like balm
• Benefits: Antioxidant-rich, removes waterproof makeup, strong anti-inflammatory effects ( tumeric)
• Best for: Dry skin with heavy makeup use
• Price range: $34-38

CLEANSING OILS

DHC Deep Cleansing Oil

This contains olive oil, rosemary leaf oil and vitamin E. It dissolves makeup and other skin creams without drying. Good for dry skin and can be used for the double cleansing method I described earlier.

Price $28-$32

The Face Shop Rice Water Bright Light Cleansing Oil

• Key ingredients: Rice bran oil, jojoba oil, sunflower oil
• Texture: Light, non-greasy oil
• Benefits: Brightening, gentle removal of impurities
• Best for: Dry, dull skin
• Price range: $15-18

NORMAL SKIN CLEANSERS

Normal skin has balanced oil and moisture levels, is not very sensitive so can tolerate most products without irritation.

GEL CLEANSERS

CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser

This multipurpose cleanser contains fats, niacinamide and hyaluronic acid. It forms a light foam, and the niacinamide and hyaluronic acid lock in moisture. It is best for normal to slightly oily skin. Price $12-$15

Fresh Soy Face Cleanser

Contains soy proteins, borage seed oil and cucumber extract.

So this cleanser has extra anti-inflammatory and anti-aging effects (exfoliation) provided by the borage seed oil and cucumber extract.

Best for normal to sensitive skin. Price $38-$42

Remy Beauty G Hydra Cleansing Gel

The G Hydra Cleansing Gel changes into a light foam when applied to your skin. It removes excess oil, dirt and impurities without removing moisture.  It is pH balanced and water-based.

The G-Hydra Cleansing Gel was a finalist for the “Pure Beauty Global Awards” in the Best New Indie Brand category.

Some people have found it too light for removing heavy makeup and other skin products, requiring a double cleanse.

CREAM-TO-FOAM CLEANSERS

Olay Regenerist Cream Cleanser

• Key ingredients: Amino-peptides, niacinamide, glycerin
• Texture: Cream that becomes a light foam when applied to your skin.
• Double effect-cleansing and anti-aging
• Best for: Normal, mature skin
• Price range: $7-10

Aveeno Ultra-Calming Foaming Cleanser

• Key ingredients: Feverfew extract, glycerin
• Texture: Creamy foam
• Benefits: Calms and soothes while cleansing- feverfew effect
• Best for: Normal, sensitive skin
• Price range: $6-8

A note about Feverfew in skin care products:

Feverfew is a botanical ingredient with potent anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties. It’s known for its soothing effects- feverfew can reduce irritation and redness, making it a valuable ingredient for sensitive and reactive skin. The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties make it especially suitable for treating skin sensitivity and irritation. Feverfew has been used in herbal medicine products for centuries for its calming effects in skin conditions such as eczema and rosacea.

The only caution is that people who are sensitive to ragweed and related plants may have allergic reactions to feverfew.

MICELLAR WATERS

Micelles are small molecules made of surfactants, which have both a water-attracting head and an oil-attracting tail. This double effect allows them to attract both water-based and oil-based impurities, like dirt, makeup, and excess sebum, lifting them away from the skin without harsh rubbing.

Bioderma Sensibio H2O

• Key ingredients: Micelles, cucumber extract, mannitol
• Texture: Clear, water-like
• Benefits: No-rinse cleansing, removes makeup, effective but gentle
• Best for: Normal, sensitive skin, travel
• Price range: $15-18

Garnier SkinActive Micellar Cleansing Water

• Key ingredients: Micelles, no sulfates or alcohol
• Texture: Clear liquid
• Benefits: 3-in-1 cleanser, toner, makeup remover
• Best for: Normal skin, quick cleansing
• Price range: $4-6

CLEANSERS FOR OILY SKIN

Oily skin tends to have excessive sebum production, with enlarged pores (oil glands), a tendency to thicker skin texture, and is prone to acne and blackheads. The most affected areas are the T-zone of forehead, nose and chin.

The Best Types of Cleansers for Oily Skin:

• Foaming or gel formulations
• Oil-controlling ingredients
• Deeper pore cleansing
• May include salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide
• Mattifying effects

FOAMING CLEANSERS

Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash

• Key ingredients: Salicylic acid 2%, glycerin
• Texture: Clear gel with strong foam
• Benefits: Treats and prevents acne, deep pore cleansing
• Best for: Oily, acne-prone skin
• Price range: $4-6

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel

• Key ingredients: Zinc picolate, thermal spring water
• Texture: Clear gel with rich foam
• Benefits: Removes excess oil, purifies pores; zinc
• Best for: Oily, sensitive skin
• Price range: $15-18

Zinc has significant anti-inflammatory properties, as well as regulating and normalizing oil production, while reducing the size of enlarged pores (oil glands). Zinc also supports and strengthens the natural skin barrier.

CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser for Oily Skin

• Key ingredients: Ceramides, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid
• Texture: Gel that creates abundant foam
• Benefits: Controls oil while maintaining barrier
• Best for: Oily skin without over-drying
• Price range: $12-15

CLAY-BASED CLEANSERS

Origins Checks and Balances Frothy Face Wash

• Key ingredients: White China clay, tourmaline, bergamot
• Texture: Creamy cleanser with clay particles
• Benefits: Absorbs excess oil, refines pores
• Best for: Very oily skin
• Price range: $25-28

Boscia Luminizing Black Mask

• Key ingredients: Activated charcoal, volcanic ash
• Texture: Black clay cream
• Benefits: Deep pore detox, oil absorption
• Best for: Oily, congested skin
• Price range: $34-38

SALICYLIC ACID CLEANSERS-

 (Please refer to my article “AHAs & BHAs “if you want more information about how salicylic acid works on your skin.)

Paula’s Choice CLEAR Pore Normalizing Cleanser

• Key ingredients: Salicylic acid, ceramides
• Texture: Lightweight gel
• Benefits: Exfoliates inside pores, reduces blackheads
• Best for: Oily, acne-prone skin
• Price range: $18-22

CeraVe Foaming Salicylic Acid Smoothing Cleanser

Key Active Components

• 5% Salicylic Acid à BHA exfoliation
• 3 Essential Ceramides (natural fats) à Barrier restoration
• Hyaluronic Acid à Hydration
• Niacinamide – Anti-inflammatory, pigment-reducing
• This cleanser is effective yet gentle enough for daily use.

Price range $20 -$25

Salicylic Acid Based Cleaners are Best For:

• Normal to oily skin
• Mild to moderate acne
• Clogged pores
• Those new to salicylic acid
• Sensitive skin (due to lower concentration)

How to Use Salicylic Acid based cleansers:

1. Start every other day, build up to twice daily then
2. Wet face, apply small amount of the cleanser by gently massaging into your skin for about 30 seconds then
3. Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water then
4. Follow with moisturizer (AM/PM) and SPF 50+ sunscreen in the morning

Things to Remember when using salicylic acid cleansers:

• Don’t over-cleanse – 30-60 seconds is enough
• Always moisturize after use
• Introduce gradually to avoid irritation
• Pair with a gentle, fragrance-free moisturizer

BENZOYL PEROXIDE CLEANSERS

PanOxyl Acne Foaming Wash

• Key ingredients: Benzoyl peroxide 10%
• Texture: White, foaming wash
• Benefits: Kills acne bacteria, prevents breakouts
• Best for: Severe oily, acne-prone skin
• Price range: $8-12

Neutrogena Clear Pore Cleanser/Mask

• Key ingredients: Benzoyl peroxide 3.5%, kaolin clay
• Texture: White cream
• Benefits: Daily cleanser or weekly mask
• Best for: Oily skin with frequent breakouts
• Price range: $6-8

The Best Affordable Cleansers:

CeraVe cleansers ($12-15) – Excellent formulations

Neutrogena ($4-8) – Reliable, dermatologist-recommended

Aveeno ($6-8) – Gentle, effective ingredients

Mid-Range Options:

• La Roche-Posay ($15-18) – European pharmacy standards
• Paula’s Choice ($18-22) – Science-based formulations
• The Ordinary ($7-12) – Simple, effective ingredients

You Could Try the Double Cleansing Method

Step 1: Use an oil-based cleanser (removes makeup, sunscreen, excess sebum) then

Step 2: Use a water-based cleanser (removes remaining impurities, sweat)

This is a good method for people of all skin types wearing makeup/sunscreen daily

The key is finding a cleanser that effectively removes impurities while maintaining your skin’s natural balance and addressing your specific concerns, without being too harsh or irritating.