There are so many cleansers to choose from, but do you know what’s best for your skin? Every night I personally double cleanse (oil cleanser then use a foam cleanser) my skin to make sure all of my makeup is washed off. But below are the types of cleansers you should use based on your skin type.

FOAMING CLEANSERS

-High in surfactants and low in emollients

-Produce a lot of lather

-Remove dirt and waterproof makeup well

-Leaves no residue behind

-They can be drying if left on the skin too long

-Best for oily skin

Mario Badescu Glycolic Foaming cleanser $16

CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser $6

Neogen Green Tea Foaming Cleanser $19

Dior Hydra Life Lotion to Foam Face Cleanser $42

 

CLEANSING MILKS

-Low in surfactants and high in emollients

-Don’t product much lather

-Remove dirt but struggle with waterproof makeup

-Can leave a residue behind

-Gentle on the skin

-Best for dry skin

L’Occitane Cleansing Milk $24

Caudalie Cleansing Milk $28

Clinique Cleansing Milk $28

 

CLEANSING OILS

-High in emollient oils that cleanse and moisturize

-Don’t lather

-Remove dirt and waterproof makeup well

-Leave a residue behind

-Gentle on the skin

-Best for dry skin

BOSCIA MakeUp-BreakUp Cool Cleansing Oil $32

Lancome Énergie de Vie The Smoothing & Purifying Cleansing Oil $42

Shiseido Oil Cleanser $24

 

CLEANSING BALMS

-High in emollient oils that cleanse and moisturize

-Turn into oils when massaged on the skin

-Don’t lather

-Remove dirt and waterproof makeup well

-Leave a residue behind

-Gentle on the skin

-Best for dry skin

 Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm $29.50

 Sunday Riley Blue Moon Tranquility Cleansing Balm $50

IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Makeup™ 3-in-1 Makeup Melting Cleansing Balm $38 

 

MICELLAR WATER

-High in gentler surfactants and low in emollients

-Don’t lather

-Remove dirt but struggle with makeup

-Don’t leave residue behind

-Don’t need to be rinsed off

-Gentle on the skin

-Best for sensitive skin

Guerlain Eau de Beauté Micellar Cleansing Water $59

Caudalie Micellar Cleansing Water $28

Dr. Jart+ Dermaclear™ Micro Water $32 

CLEANSING WIPES

-Low in surfactants and emollients

-Cloths infused with cleansing lotion

-Don’t cleanse and remove makeup well

-Their cleansing power is due to frictional force of rubbing the cloth to the skin

-May leave a residue behind

-Can be drying

-Best for emergencies

OLEHENRIKSEN So Nurturing™ Cleansing Cloths $15

Korres Pomegranate Cleansing & Make-Up Removing Wipes for Oily and Combination Skin $15

Shiseido Pureness Refreshing Cleansing Sheets Oil-Free Alcohol-Free $18.50

SOAP:

-Alkaline base (ie: high ph) can disrupt the skin’s protective barrier

-Drying and irritating

-Best to avoid

 

EXFOLIATING, ANTI-AGING, ANTI-ACNE CLEANSERS:

-Active ingredients don’t stay on long enough to work

-Exfoliating cleansers with small particles are irritating

-Best to avoid

Tatcha Rice Enzyme Powder $65

Algenist GENIUS Ultimate Anti-Aging Melting Cleanser $38

Kate Sommerville EradiKate® Daily Cleanser Acne Treatment $38