Different Types of Cleansers: A Dermatologist-Approved Guide
There's no better feeling than being bare-faced and clean. The first step in any good skincare routine is cleansing the skin to remove every trace of dirt, sweat, and makeup so the skin can properly breathe, repair, and renew itself. Plus, clean skin means your skin is ready to absorb the products that will be layered on, allowing everything to work its magic.
Not just any old face wash will do when it comes to cleansing the skin. Different types of cleansers are suited for different skin types and concerns and knowing what your skin needs is step number one to getting to a healthy state. Still, with numerous different cleansing options available, understanding the main differences between the types of cleansers will make it much easier to find the right one for your skin type.
How to Choose the Right Type of Cleanser
If you want to reap all the benefits your cleanser offers, it's essential to use one that is compatible with your skin type and boasts active ingredients that tackle your most pressing skin issues. As board-certified dermatologist Dr. Whitney Bowe says, the right cleanser can have a real impact on reaching your skincare goals. "During the day, the skin is exposed to pollutants in the air that can cling to skincare and makeup. We also sweat and apply SPF, so if you don't thoroughly cleanse at the end of the day, that buildup can accelerate signs of aging and trigger acne and rosacea flares. At night, your cleanser should remove excess oils, debris, pollution, sunscreen, and makeup while supporting the skin barrier. Your skin should feel soft, supple, and refreshed after cleansing—not tight or dry." Here's what to look for among the different types of cleansers.
Oil Cleansers
ISDIN Isdinceutics Essential Cleansing Oil
2 reviews
$60.00
Rich with Mediterranean olive oil, sunflower oil, and clary sage, this oil-to-milk cleanser whisks away everything from sunscreen to eye makeup and even dirt and oil lingering on the skin at the end of the day, all while leaving the skin feeling soft and supple.
Eminence Organic Skin Care Stone Crop Cleansing Oil
100 reviews
$59.00
Glycolic Acid Cleansers
SkinCeuticals Glycolic Renewal Gel Cleanser
183 reviews
$42.00
Gentle enough to use every day, this foaming glycolic acid gel cleanser lifts away the day without stripping the skin of moisture. By ridding the skin's surface of dead skin cells, the skin emerges with a brighter, smoother, and clearer complexion.
Jan Marini Bioglycolic Face Cleanser
231 reviews
$48.00
If your skin needs a serious boost in fighting pigment and lingering acne scars, then this soap-free cleanser is a must. Formulated with a non-irritating type of glycolic acid that rinses clean, it leaves the skin refreshed and looking oh-so clean and renewed.
Glytone Mild Gel Cleanser
333 reviews
$36.00
This mild yet super-effective gel cleanser is rich in glycolic acid, perfect for normal to oily skin. It lessens the appearance of dead skin cells while gently resurfacing the skin without irritation or redness. Whether you use this cleanser daily or a few times weekly, your skin is balanced and has a nice, healthy glow.
Salicylic Acid Cleansers
Salicylic acid, a beta hydroxy acid (BHA), is best known for ridding the pores of dirt, oil, debris and acne-causing oil while dissolving dead skin cells. Cleansers with salicylic acid, which range in concentration from 0.5 to 2%, also have anti-inflammatory properties and act as chemical exfoliators, helping to clear up mild acne and preventing future breakouts. While salicylic acid is most commonly known as an anti-acne ingredient, it has other benefits too, such as psoriasis, keratosis pilaris, rosacea, enlarged pores, excessive oil production, and blackheads all without drying out the skin.
When using a salicylic acid cleanser, it's best to let it sit on the skin for at least one minute to allow the acid to work its magic. There's also no need to overload the skin with a salicylic acid cleanser if you are new to it. Start by using it every other day and then work your way up to daily use if your skin can tolerate it. Always follow up with moisturizer and sunscreen.
CeraVe SA Body Wash with Salicylic Acid for Rough and Bumpy Skin
2 reviews
$13.99
Developed with dermatologists, CeraVe SA Body Wash for Rough & Bumpy Skin cleanses and exfoliates while helping to restore the protective skin barrier with 3 essential ceramides. This gentle, non-irritating shower body wash helps to exfoliate dead skin cells to improve skin texture without harsh microbeads or grains that can scratch or injure the skin.
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Medicated Gel Cleanser with Salicylic Acid
8 reviews
$16.99
Developed with the help of dermatologists, this facial wash boasts 2% salicylic acid to help with excess oil, pimples, blackheads, and whiteheads, leaving the skin looking clearer but not dry. Perfect for acne-prone skin and those dealing with clogged pores, we like that the cleanser specifically targets oily areas while removing dead skin cell buildup.
Eminence Organic Skin Care Acne Advanced Cleansing Foam
28 reviews
$49.00
It's rare to find a salicylic acid cleanser that's a liquid-to-foam format, but that's just what this one is. In addition to pore-cleansing salicylic acid, this botanical-based face wash also contains a blend of herbs, green tea and panthenol to keep the skin calm and balanced so it always looks fresh and clean.
Acne-Based Cleansers
Acne-prone skin needs to stick exclusively to cleansers suitable for acne cleansers, so the best types of cleansers to look for are those that reduce oil on the skin’s surface while gently exfoliating the skin. Most acne cleansers contain proven anti-acne and pore-reducing ingredients like benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, tea tree oil, glycolic acid, and niacinamide that help regular oil production, cleanse deeply, reduce inflammation, and keep the pores clear. Since acne-prone skin is easily instigated to break out, it’s essential to steer clear of thick, creamy cleansers and those with alcohol, fragrance, comedogenic ingredients, harsh, physical exfoliating agents, and sulfates. To reap the benefits of acne-based cleansers, make sure to use them morning and night and moisturize as needed to keep the skin from becoming overstripped.
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
400 reviews
$66.00
Acne-prone skin needs some exfoliation, and this unique rice-based enzyme exfoliating powder gently lifts away skin-dulling cells to leave the skin noticeably smoother and brighter.
COSRX Low PH Good Morning Gel Cleanser
109 reviews
$14.00
Rich in tea tree and beta hydroxy acids, this mild cleanser helps control oil production while refining the pores. With regular use, skin appears softer, smoother, and less congested.
Glowbiotics MD Probiotic Acne Treatment Cleanser
18 reviews
$36.00
Perfect for controlling current skin breakouts and preventing new ones, this gel-based salicylic acid-rich face wash removes pore-clogging impurities for radiant-looking skin. Plus, it contains anti-irritating ingredients like ginger and bisabolol to help stimulate healing, clearing up whatever may be between you and good skin days.
Foaming Cleansers
EltaMD Skin Recovery Amino Acid Foaming Cleanser
3 reviews
$35.00
Safe enough for even the most sensitive skin, this super gentle foaming cleanser strengthens the skin's barrier while cleansing and calming it. Thanks to a trio of amino acids, red, irritated skin is a thing of the past each time you wash your face.
Kate Somerville ExfoliKate Cleanser Daily Foaming Wash
21 reviews
$45.00
Some foaming cleansers just cleanse while others, like this one, go the extra mile. Gentle enough to use daily, this ultra-luxe foaming cleanser relies on lactic and glycolic acids and a blend of fruit-based enzymes to clear out the pores and exfoliate the skin’s surface. You’ll see smoother skin, more refined pores and a health, glowing complexion thanks to this miracle worker.
Exfoliating Cleansers
SkinMedica AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser
506 reviews
$48.00
Eminence Organic Skin Care Mangosteen Daily Resurfacing Cleanser
131 reviews
$48.00
At the end of the day, a good wash is necessary. And when your cleanser has resurfacing abilities that make it safe to use every day, that's just a plus. Washing with this natural and organic facial cleanser removes dead skin cells and buildup to improve pore size.
PCA SKIN Daily Exfoliant
27 reviews
$46.00
Ideal for all skin types, this moisturizing exfoliant sloughs away dead skin cells while helping to diminish breakouts and defend against free radical damage. Green tea, aloe vera, and essential oils, plus modified cellulose derived from wood pulp, act like polishers for the skin.
Gel Cleansers
Gel cleansers give the skin a light, clean, refreshed feeling, yet they are equally effective at removing dirt, oil, and sweat without compromising the skin's barrier or moisture content. Most gel cleansers are formulated with moisturizing active ingredients, such as glycerin, inulin, or aloe vera, to keep the skin well-hydrated so it feels soft post-cleansing.
"If you have oily or combination skin, consider using a gel cleanser and look for one with active ingredients that help with acne and oil control," Dr. Bowe says. "Ingredients that can help regulate oil production by either decreasing oil production or removing excess oil from the skin's surface include salicylic acid, niacinamide, green tea, and azelaic acid."
When using this type of cleanser to wash the face, always apply it to damp skin and massage the gel into the skin for at least one minute. This will allow the cleanser's actives to work their magic so that the skin emerges clean and renewed, not tight or stripped.
Obagi Medical Obagi-C Rx System C-Cleansing Gel
87 reviews
$45.00
Loaded with vitamin C, this gel cleanser lifts away pore-clogging dirt, makeup and oil for clean, clear skin. The addition of vitamin C provides antioxidant protection and diminishes the signs of aging so that the skin appears healthy and glowing.
Epionce Lytic Gel Cleanser
229 reviews
$40.00
One of our all-time favorite gel cleansers, this one, which tingles ever so slightly, cuts through debris on the skin that can mar your complexion. It also contains menthol and willow bark extract to reduce inflammation related to acne, dermatitis, eczema, and psoriasis.
Cream Cleansers
Cream cleansers are like the secret sauce for sensitive and dry skin types due to their mild, gentle formulations that still clean the skin sans irritation. Most cream cleansers don’t foam or turn sudsy and only need a small amount of water to be activated. Still, these types of cleansers work well for reinstating moisture into the skin while helping to soothe it.
Dr. Bowe likes cream cleansers for dry, sensitive and mature skin. "Look for ingredients in them like ceramides and niacinamide to help support a healthy skin barrier and hyaluronic acid and glycerin to help trap water in the skin, keeping it hydrated."
While cream cleansers are good at removing the day from the face, pair them with makeup remover to really make it do a disappearing act. These thick and creamy formulations are usually formulated with petrolatum, waxes, mineral oils, and water to make the overall cleansing process gentle while leaving behind a protective layer of moisture.
Dr. Loretta Gentle Hydrating Cleanser
40 reviews
$40.00
Void of sulfates, this hydrating cleanser whisks away dull skin, causing impurities, leaving the skin soft and smooth and never stripping away from its natural oils. Use it to cleanse normal, dry, sensitive, and even post-procedure skin.
Milk Cleansers
Milk cleansers have emollient bases, which makes them nourishing without drying out the skin. Although milk cleansers are effective enough to remove makeup because they veer on the gentle side, they don’t feel like the skin is being pulled or tugged when washing with them. Best suitable for sensitive, dry and mature skin, milk cleansers, which don’t foam up like other types of cleansers still need to be followed with a hydrating serum or moisturizer after each use.
Epionce Milky Lotion Cleanser
49 reviews
$36.00
We like this gentle milk cleanser for dissolving makeup, impurities and pollutants without stripping away the skin's moisture. It’s also loaded with marshmallow and date fruit extracts to help strengthen the skin cells barrier and zinc to soothe inflammation and protect the skin against environmental damage.
Sanitas Skincare Milk and Honey Cleanser
22 reviews
$33.00
Perfect for thoroughly cleansing dry and sensitive skin, this shea butter and hyaluronic acid rich milk cleanser deep cleans the pores without leaving behind a tight, uncomfortable feeling.
Kate Somerville Goat Milk Moisturizing Cleanser
15 reviews
$45.00
Embryolisse Lait-Crème Fluid+
$36.00
Yon-Ka Paris Skincare Lait Nettoyant Cleansing Milk
47 reviews
$50.00
Cleansing milk that doubles as an eye makeup remover is a win-win. Reach for this one when soft skin, gentle exfoliation and improved moisture sit high on your skin wish list.
Sisley Paris Lyslait Cleansing Milk with White Lily
$150.00
A super creamy cleansing milk that feels like silk on the skin, this good-for-all-skin type one relies on white lily extract to dissolve makeup in seconds while keeping the skin balanced.
Balm Cleansers
Nothing melts away stubborn makeup quite like a balm cleanser. Perfect as the first step in a double cleansing routine, balm cleansers are usually oil-based to break down oils in makeup, are super moisturizing, and are a great cleansing option for dry and mature skin. While Dr. Bowe shares that double cleansing is a more deep, thorough cleanse that's great for people who wear heavy long-wear makeup or water-resistant sunscreen, she says it does not have to be done in the morning or every day. "Just don't use a cleansing oil or balm as your only cleansing product because this can leave an oily residue on the skin, which can clog pores and prevent your skincare from fully absorbing into your skin."
Since balms lift away dirt, oil, and makeup without any elbow grease, they keep the skin's natural oils intact, never damaging the skin barrier.
ClarityRx Balm It Off Nutrient Rich Pre-Cleanse
$41.00
Think of this balm cleanser as a cleanse before you actually cleanse. Enriched with plant extracts and vitamins that cleanse the skin, it melts into the skin and emulsifies on contact, leaving behind a clean slate that's perfectly hydrated.
Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm
1 reviews
$69.00
There's a reason why this balm cleanser is a viral sensation and a must-have cleanser for all skin types and tones: it erases even the most stubborn makeup and nourishes the skin so that it looks and feels soft, smooth, healthy, and glowy.
Water-Based Cleansers
Unlike cleansers that contain an oil base, water-based cleansers are fueled by water. This type of cleanser has a much higher water content, making it the perfect format for cleansing gels, foaming face washes, and micellar waters, all of which are suitable for most skin types.
If you choose to use a water-based cleanser, make sure to find one that caters to your skin's needs. You'll also want to use it properly when implementing it as part of a double cleanse routine, so make sure to use it as the second step after washing with a cleansing balm or oil.
Bioderma Sensibio H2O Micellar Water
31 reviews
$18.99
One of the easiest ways to get the skin clean without worrying about post-cleanser irritation is with micellar water. This popular one gets rave reviews thanks to its ability to lift away dirt, oil, makeup, and pollution without causing redness or skin sensitivities. Instead, the skin is left clean and soothed.
The Bottom Line
No one type of cleanser works across the board for every skin type and concern because we all have different skin needs. No matter if you prefer a gel cleanser daily, an exfoliating one a few times a week, or a cleansing balm followed by a hydrating cleanser as part of a double cleanse routine, the best way to findone that works for your skin and routine is to test out a few different types of cleansers and see which formula and ingredients you like best. And no need to worry if you like a few—switching it up in your skincare routine is perfectly fine, too!
Elise Minton Tabin is an award-winning beauty journalist, editor, and beauty expert with more than 16 years of experience. She previously held the title of Executive Beauty Editor at NewBeauty magazine, where she reported on beauty, plastic surgery, anti-aging, health and wellness. She was also instrumental in the launch of the beauty supplement brand Hush & Hush. A self-professed beauty junkie and retinol and sunscreen pusher, Elise knows what’s new, what works and who’s the best to go for every procedure under the sun. Follow Elise on Facebook, Instagram, and on her beauty blog, elisetabin.com
