Cleaning our face is a daily routine that is essential for removing sweat, dirt, and makeup, and using these different types of facial cleansers is what we use for that.
You need to choose the right type of facial cleansers for you depending on your skin type.
There are a lot of different types of facial cleansers that are perfect for different kinds of skin types, whether you have dry skin, combination skin, oily skin, or sensitive skin.
Although there are different types of facial cleansers there are three main popular types.
There are gel cleansers, cream cleansers, and foam cleansers. What is common in these three is they are water-based cleansers.
This means that they clean water-based impurities like sweat and dirt on the skin.
HOW TO KNOW GOOD FACIAL CLEANSERS
- Good facial cleansers will effectively clean while keeping your skin’s natural lipids and your skin barrier protection intact.
- It will not be irritating or drying to your skin.
- Good facial cleansers will not leave your skin feeling sticky or greasy after washing your face.
These are some of the essential qualities of a good facial cleanser.
So let us head straight to the different types of facial cleansers and the best one for you to pick depending on your skin type.
Table of Contents
11 Different Types of Facial Cleansers
1. Gel cleansers
These types of facial cleansers are great for all skin types because they are gentle, and they usually have a clear, lightweight consistency to them.
Gel cleansers are effective in removing dirt, oils, and debris, and they are recommended for those with oily skin and acne-prone skin.
examples of gel cleansers
COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser
This Korean gel cleanser is gentle and has a mildly acidic pH level of 5.3-6.3. It deeply cleanses your skin of pollutants, dirt, and oil.
It also helps to control oil and reduces the appearance of pores.
Key Ingredients
- Tea Tree Oil: This helps to keep your pores clear with antibacterial properties
- Beta Hydroxy Acid: That dissolves pore-clogging dead skin and sebum
- Primrose Oil: Softens, hydrates, and nourishes the skin
SHOP NOW: AMAZON
Fresh Soy Face Cleanser
This fresh soy face cleanser will melt away any makeup, dirt, and mascara on your face, it removes impurities & tones for clean and balanced skin.
It has a pH level of 5.5 which is close to the skin’s pH and it does not strip your skin.
Key Ingredients
- Soy proteins help improve skin elasticity, it also helps build a healthy skin barrier
- Cucumber extract helps to keep your skin cool & calm
- Aloe vera to immediately soothe & keep your skin hydrated
- Borage seed oil helps to nourish & soften your skin
SHOP NOW: AMAZON
Krave Beauty Matcha Hemp Hydrating Cleanser
This Krave beauty matcha hemp hydrating cleanser is a very effective gel cleanser. It has a pH level of 5.0-6.0
It has a bouncy gel formula that creates a silky lather to lift away dirt and light makeup with sunscreen. The best part is that there is no dry, tight after-feeling like the conventional cleansers, and it is fragrance-free.
Key Ingredients
- Matcha is high in antioxidants
- Hemp seed oil, Vitamin B5 and Sodium PCA to help restore hydration and moisture
SHOP NOW: AMAZON
2. cream cleansers
Cream cleansers tend to leave your skin feeling nourished and hydrated due to plant oils.
These types of facial cleansers are good for all skin types but it is recommended for people with dry skin because dry skin types tend to have compromised skin barriers due to a lack of oils.
examples of cream cleansers
The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser
The ordinary squalane cleanser does a good job of taking all the dirt out of your skin without stripping it.
You can use this cleanser as the first step to removing light makeup and sunscreen. It has a pH level of 5.5-6.5.
It contains 100% plant-based squalene which helps to nourish your skin. It turns into oil once massaged into the skin and then turns milky when mixed with water.
SHOP NOW: AMAZON
First Aid Beauty Pure Skin Face Cleanser
First aid beauty pure skin face cleanser is a gentle cleanser that removes makeup, impurities, and dirt, thereby leaving your skin soft and supple. It is also fragrance-free and non-stripping.
Key Ingredients
- Aloe helps to calm, soothe, and nourish the skin.
- Allantoin helps calm and soothe skin.
- Glycerin is a natural humectant that helps hydrate and smooth skin’s appearance.
- FAB Antioxidant Booster which helps stave off environmental aggressors with Licorice Root, Feverfew, and White Tea extracts.
SHOP NOW: AMAZON
3. foam cleansers
Foam cleansers are excellent in removing excess oils, and makeup and unclogging pores due to the surfactant contained in them.
These types of facial cleansers are often formulated for combination skin and oily skin types. the pH is normally around 6 so it gives more like a clean finish.
examples of foam cleansers
NEOGEN Dermalogy Real Fresh Foam Cleanser Cereal
The NEOGEN Cereal Real Fresh Foam Cleanser is a gentle and hydrating foam cleanser, it has a pH level of 7.0.
It contains fermented rice seeds and Oryza saliva (rice) seed which helps hydrate, soften and brighten skin tone for a glowing look.
I will recommend this for those days you want a deep clean like you feel your face has a lot of products and you want to get rid of them.
SHOP NOW: AMAZON
Caudalie Instant Foaming Cleanser
Caudalie Instant Foaming Cleanser gently cleanses and softens the look of your skin. It contains grape water and sage extract.
This blend works together to gently provide hydration, boost radiance and purify the skin.
Key Ingredients
- Grape Water which provides antioxidant hydration and visibly increases radiance
- Sage Extract visibly purifies, tones, and reduces the appearance of impurities
- Chamomile Extract calms soothes, and visibly reduces the look of redness
SHOP NOW: AMAZON
4. scrub cleansers
These types of facial cleansers are cleansers that contain micro granules to act as physical exfoliates to buff and polish the skin.
Depending on the scrub cleanser and brand the micro granules can dissolve with the skin’s temperature so they will not irritate your skin.
There are different types of micro granules like sugar or powder rice. I love these types of facial cleansers.
examples of scrub cleansers
Fresh Sugar Strawberry Exfoliating Face Wash
Fresh Sugar Strawberry Exfoliating Face Wash is a very soft cleanser that melts into your skin when applied.
It removes everyday dirt and dullness from your skin without stripping your skin.
Key Ingredients
- A customized blend of white sugar crystals that helps to smooth and soften your skin.
- Strawberry and black currant fruit extracts help to maintain a healthy-looking complexion.
- Grapeseed oil helps to maintain hydration.
- Soapberry peel extract helps to gently cleanse.
SHOP NOW: AMAZON
9wishes Rice Foaming Cleanser
9 wishes Rice Foaming Cleanser is a gentle exfoliating cleanser, it contains finely milled rice powder and that is what helps with the exfoliation.
The Korean rice bran water & rice powder & rice extract will help soften, moisturizes, and nourishes your skin.
And also help in boosting the natural radiant glow of your skin.
SHOP NOW: AMAZON
5. enzyme cleansers
Enzyme cleaners are another type of exfoliating cleanser, they are linked to chemical exfoliating. When you use enzyme cleansers you see your dead skin cells coming out right away.
Unlike the scrub cleansers that exfoliate with micro granules, these types of facial cleansers exfoliate with a chemical reaction when in contact with water.
They come in powder and cream form and contain fruit enzymes. Most enzyme facial cleansers contain cornstarch which helps deep cleanse.
- Bromelain – Found in pineapple juice as well as the pineapple stem
- Actinidin – Exists in kiwi, pineapple, mango, banana, and papaya
- Papain – Found in papaya
examples of enzyme cleansers
wishful yo glow enzyme scrub
Wishful yo glow enzyme scrub is an exfoliating scrub with a combination of pineapple and papaya enzymes, BHAs, and AHAs that leave the skin with a healthy glow.
It has a lightweight, milky texture that gently buffs away dead skin cells and impurities.
Key Ingredients
- Papaya Fruit Extract: Known to smooth and increase skin clarity leaving a radiant glow.
- Pineapple Fruit Extract: Helps to gently exfoliate, reduce dark spots and soothe skin.
- BHA & AHAs: Alpha hydroxy acids and beta hydroxy acids help to exfoliate dead skin cells, reduce dark spots, and even skin texture and complexion.
- Cellulose: A soft, gentle exfoliant that evens skin texture and complexion
SHOP NOW: AMAZON
By WISHTREND Green Tea & Enzyme Powder Wash
By Wishtrend Green Tea & Enzyme Powder Wash is a low-irritant cleanser suitable for sensitive skin
It cleanses oil and dust on the skin without dryness. It can also be used as a hydrating daily facial cleanser.
Key Ingredients
- Papain: Effectively exfoliates the skin without any irritation
- Green Tea Powder: A powerful antioxidant, rich in Vitamin A, C, and E, that calms and improves the skin tone & effective in purifying and clearing the skin
- Sodium Bicarbonate (Baking soda): A soft and gentle exfoliating agent that is effective in deeply penetrating and cleansing the pores to remove blackheads and improve the skin’s texture
SHOP NOW: AMAZON
6. cleansing oils
These types of facial cleansers do not contain surfactants, they work by attracting sebum, oils, and oil-based products like makeup on the skin.
So that they can be easily wiped off or washed away. They are often less irritating and moisturizing than most cleansers.
Although they work very well for dry skin they can be used as the first step in the double cleansing process.
This cleansing oil will help dissolve all your makeup and dirt then you go in with your normal face washes.
examples of cleansing oils
DHC Deep Cleansing Oil
DHC Deep Cleansing Oil will melt away makeup and dissolves impurities, leaving your skin clean, soft, and radiant.
It is 100% organic olive-oil based and will effortlessly break down sunscreen, sebum, and stubborn makeup, like waterproof mascara and eyeliner, without clogging your pores.
Key Ingredients
- Organic olive oil: Rich in antioxidants, it maintains the skin’s moisture barrier and helps fight free radical damage without clogging pores
- Rosemary leaf oil: Invigorates and imparts a refreshing aroma
- Tocopherol (vitamin E): Natural skin conditioner and antioxidant that protects against free radical damage
SHOP NOW: AMAZON
Go-To – Fancy Face Natural Nourishing Oil Cleanser
Go-To-Fancy Face Natural Nourishing Oil Cleanser is a luxurious cleansing oil for very clean, nourished, supple, and super soft skin.
This cleanser effortlessly melts away makeup, sunscreen (even zinc!), and excess sebum and dirt, to leave the skin lovely and feeling clean.
Key Ingredients
- Camellia Oil: Camellia oil is rich in fatty and essential fatty acids that deeply nourish and rejuvenate the skin.
- Sunflower Oil: A lightweight oil with high levels of vitamins A, D, and E, as well as essential fatty acids helping that deeply soothe and replenish skin.
- Sweet Almond Oil: A gentle, nourishing oil suitable for all skin types (especially dry and sensitive ones). It is rich in essential fatty acids, vitamins, and amino acids, it helps to soften and nourish the skin.
SHOP NOW: AMAZON
7. cleansing balms
Cleansing balms work similarly to cleansing oils the only difference is they are in solid form.
They melt on the skin and emulsify when in contact with water. These types of facial cleansers will help dissolve all your makeup and dirt then you go in with your normal face washes.
examples of cleaning balms
Versed Day Dissolve Cleansing Balm
Versed Day Dissolve Cleansing Balm melts away your makeup and bacteria without stripping away moisture from your skin.
It’s especially beneficial as a first cleanse in a double-cleansing routine. It has Vitamin E, Jojoba Oil, Avocado Oil, Eucalyptus Oil, and Clove Leaf Oil.
SHOP NOW: AMAZON
Good Molecules Instant Cleansing Balm
Good Molecules Instant Cleansing Balm melts on contact with skin to dissolve makeup, dirt, environmental pollutants, and other impurities.
It rinses away with just water, leaving your skin comfortably clean and not tight, dry, or stripped.
Key Ingredients
- Nourishing Sea Buckthorn Oil, Camellia Oil, & Shea Butter effectively remove makeup while ensuring that skin isn’t stripped of its essential moisture.
SHOP NOW: AMAZON
8. cleansing waters
Just like the name cleansing waters, these types of facial cleansers are in water form a good example is micellar water cleansers.
They contain micelles or tiny molecules suspended in water that attracts oil, dirt, and makeup residue.
This is another good first step in your double cleansing routine if you don’t want to use cleansing balms and oils.
examples of cleansing waters
Rael Calming Cica Cleansing Water
Rael Calming Cica Cleansing Water will remove all traces of makeup and impurities while leaving your skin feeling soft and supple.
It contains Centella Asiatica or “Cica” extract and H3O Hyaluronic Acid Complex for calming and hydrating your skin.
SHOP NOW: AMAZON
Garnier SkinActive Micellar Cleansing Water
Garnier SkinActive Micellar Cleansing Water is a very popular cleansing water, it is an oldie but a goodie.
It will lift away dirt, makeup, and excess oil from your skin. You shake it and use it with cotton pads to remove dirt from your skin.
SHOP NOW: AMAZON
9. bar cleansers
These types of facial cleansers contain very little soap, they are skin-friendly and have moisturizing ingredients( glycerin and oils).
These ingredients preserve the skin’s normal pH or at least keep it close to normal.
examples of bar cleansers
Drunk Elephant Juju Bar – Exfoliating Face Wash and Moisturizing Bar Cleanse
This cleanser effectively cleanses while gently removing dead skin cells from the surface of the skin.
It is infused with a blend of thermal mud, marula, bamboo, and superfruit, it dissolves excess oil, pore-clogging surface debris, and impurities while gently exfoliating dead skin cells.
Key Ingredients
- Bamboo Powder: Tiny, smooth spheres gently exfoliate away dead, dry skin.
- Heilmoor Clay: Thermal mud that tones and detoxifies the skin.
- Virgin Marula Oil: This super-absorbable oil, helps moisturize, nourish, and rejuvenate skin for a youthful glow.
SHOP NOW: AMAZON
10. clay cleansers
As the name sounds these are cleansers in form of clay, they act as a magnet and soak up all the dirt, oils, and impurities on your skin.
Clay cleansers are recommended for people with oily skin because they help control the oils from your face. I love these types of facial cleansers
examples of clay cleansers
L’Oreal Pure Clay Facial Cleanser
This cleanser removes everyday impurities without overdrying your skin. Your skin will be clean, clear healthy-looking, and revitalized with a fresh glow.
This facial cleanser is made with 3 pure clays and charcoal to detox and brightens dull tired skin leaving your skin looking clear.
SHOP NOW: AMAZON
11. cleansing wipes
Cleansing wipes were like everyone’s favorite cleansers back in the day especially for removing makeup.
Although we still use them as a first step to removing our makeup before going in with other cleansers.
For me, I still go in with these types of facial cleansers before any other cleansers.
example of cleansing wipes
Neutrogena Makeup Remover Cleansing Face Wipes
These makeup remover face wipes dissolve dirt, oil & makeup for fresh, clean-looking skin.
It is designed with the earth in mind, the compostable face wipes are made with 100% plant-based fibers.
These types of facial cleansers are always a must-have for me.
SHOP NOW: AMAZON
Summary
There you go with the 11 different types of facial cleansers you can use depending on your skin type.
- Gel Cleansers
- Cream Cleansers
- Foam Cleansers
- Scrub Cleansers
- Enzyme Cleansers
- Cleansing Oils
- Cleansing Balms
- Cleansing Waters
- Bar Cleansers
- Clay Cleansers
- Cleansing Wipes
So for me, I have oily skin so I love clay cleansers and gel cleansers, let me know which of these types of facial cleansers you have tried or you are using.
PLEASE PIN !!
Leave a Reply