You’ll hear it again and again, but the foundation of a good skincare routine is a great cleanser. The best way to cleanse your face is by using a gentle cleanser that won’t strip away your natural oils. The wrong cleanser could lead to a whole lot of issues like dryness, barrier impairment and irritation. Finding your holy grail cleanser doesn’t need to be a lifelong task. We’ve simplified it to the 8 most effective cleansers for your skin type.
Gel Cleanser
Most often a gel cleanser is the ideal choice for oily, acne-prone skin or those that need purifying and skin detoxing. Not all gel cleansers are created equal, and our Lernberger Staftsing Gel Cleanser is a bestseller for a reason. Never drying thanks to the addition of aloe vera, the Gel Cleanser removes makeup, dirt and impurities without disturbing the skin’s balance. Citrus bioflavonoids, broccoli sulforaphane and aloe polyphenols helps to detoxify, reduce sebum and tighten the pores.
A fabulous solo cleanse, this also doubles as a fantastic second cleanse for those that prefer to pre-cleanse with an oil or balm. An intoxicating scent, light foaming action and easy removal with water, what’s not to love? Get your skin in order with this Swedish cleanser.
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Foaming Cleanser
They might’ve tried to scare you away from any cleanser with “foaming” in the label but fear not – this one is very different. A luxurious, creamy cleanser that lathers rather than foams, Nuori’s Vital Foaming Cleanser is a worldwide bestseller and beloved by those with normal and combination skin types. Without stripping the skin of moisture, it effectively removes makeup, sunscreen and urban grime from the face.
With all the sensorial satisfaction of a foaming cleanser, Nuori’s Vital Foaming Cleanser is great for a really thorough cleanse or can be used as a second cleanse following an oil, balm or milk. Made in Denmark with all-natural ingredients and now available in a mini that’s making our travel bag dreams come true.
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Milk/Cream Cleanser
If your skin is dry, dehydrated or just a little delicate, a milk cleanser is the one. In fact, a milk cleanser is the go-to for all skin types as it provides such a gentle cleanse – consider this the goldilocks if you’re unsure where your skin type lies or your skin state changes week to week.
The common hesitation in a milk cleanser is the more difficult removal and after-feel compared with a foam or gel product. Nuori kill that misconception with their Protect+ Cleansing Milk that cleanses the skin and helps alleviate dryness and dehydration without leaving a weighty after-feel. Your skin is left calm, soothed, soft and hydrated. This Nuori cleanser takes it a little further by offering daily protection against environmental stress and extreme temperature changes and even helps prevent the visible signs of collagen breakdown.
We love that it diminishes the appearance of redness, inflammation and is a gentle cleanser for irritated skin.
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Oil Cleanser
An oil cleanser works by breaking-down and dissolving excess oils, makeup, sunscreen and dirt while providing a moisturising, cushion on the skin. They’re ideal for people with dry or mature skin, or those that wear heavy makeup and SPF. An oil cleanser is also a great choice as a first cleanser, and can be followed with a second cleanse that’s suited to you skin type.
We love Swedish indie skincare brand OM-SE and their Face Cleansing Oil as a decadent, nourishing wipe-off cleanser. Suitable for all skin types but especially beloved by those with dry skin, this melts away all traces of the day and protects the skin barrier and microbiome. 7 cold-pressed organic oils, omega 6 & 9 and antioxidant vitamin E provide deep moisture, protection and nurturing to skin, lashes, brows and beards. The accompanying linen face cloth allows for a true spa-like experience at home and thorough removal.
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F. Miller Cleansing Oil is a making a play for poutine as our favourite Canadian export. This gorgeous oil cleanser in luxurious glass bottle is a silky blend of botanicals that dissolves pore-clogging debris and lifts impurities, while supporting a healthy skin barrier. Those that prefer a rinse-off cleanse will love that this oil cleanser transforms from oil to milk with water, easily rinsing off and leaving the skin feeling soft and hydrated.
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Balm Cleanser
A balm cleanser is a a go-to for those that like to incorporate facial massage into their skincare routine. We love a balm as the first cleanse to dissolve makeup and SPF, but also reach for a balm when our skin is feeling dehydrated or dry, or just needing a little extra TLC. Despite rumours, even those with oily skin can use an oil based or balm cleanser, just be sure to remove all traces of cleanser thoroughly and follow with a balancing toner or essence if necessary to avoid excess oil sitting on the skin’s surface.
Ipsum Best Skin Cleansing Oil Balm has to be one of the dreamiest balm cleansers we’ve ever used. This effortless balm is as practical as it is luscious, in convenient tube packaging with a gorgeous, uplifting scent. The Cleansing Oil Balm glides beautifully over the skin and is perfect to incorporate some long massage strokes or works equally well as a quick but thorough cleanser. Native Australian ingredients work to nourish, calm and soothe skin while preserving the skin’s delicate barrier. It even emulsifies with water to a lightweight milk for easy removal.
Discover Ipsum Best Skin Cleansing Oil Balm
The Inbetweeners
So you don’t quite want an oil, but the milk isn’t for you either? Your skin doesn’t suit a foam, or gel, or cream for that matter. We have a few special cleansers in our repertoire that don’t fall under one of the traditional categories above and we think they suit just about anyone.
The VENN Moisture Balance All In One Face Cleanser is a game-changing cleanser with a hybrid texture between gel, milk and balm. It is as effective as a classic balm cleanser at makeup removal, yet easily rinses off with water and has a light-weight feel on the skin. A gentle enzymatic action delicately exfoliates the skin providing a very thorough cleanse and mild pore refining benefit.
Discover VENN Moisture Balance All In One Face Cleanser
Josh Rosebrook Complete Moisture Cleanse is another little marvel that is ultra-gentle on skin (perfect for those sensitive souls). This pH-balanced cleanser delivers potent herbal actives, rich plant oils, and ethically sourced honey to clear dirt, impurities, make up, and excess oil for a moisturising, effective cleanse.
Discover Josh Rosebrook Complete Moisture Cleanse
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Explore our complete range of skincare or try our online skincare consultation The Skincare Ten for personalised recommendations customised to your skin type.
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