Product Recommendations: Cleansers

Product Recommendations for Cleansers |

Here is a list of facial cleansers organized by the type of cleanser. It is broken down into product recommendations for bar soaps, foaming cleansers, non-foaming cleansers, cleansing balms, micellar cleansers, and cleansing oils. With the below chart, you can also see which type of cleanser is best for which skin type, pros and cons of using the particular type of cleanser, and both expensive and cheap product recommendations.

CLEANSERS

Type	Skin Type	Pros/Cons	Expensive	Cheap
Bar Soap	Oily, tough skin	PROS: Cleans thoroughly CONS: Cleans too thoroughly; Can be overly drying and irritating	Clinique Facial Soap – Extra Mild Avene Cold Cream Ultra-Rich Soap-Free Cleansing Bar La Roche-Posay Toleriane Gentle Cleansing Bar	Cetaphil Gentle Cleansing Bar Cetaphil Antibacterial Gentle Cleansing Bar Dove White Beauty Bar Aveeno Moisturizing Bar Purpose Gentle Cleansing Bar
Foaming (Cream or Gel)	Oily	PROS: Cleans thoroughly; Lasts a long time; Feels good while washing because of all the bubbles CONS: Can be too drying; May not remove makeup well	Avene Cleanance Soap-Free Gel Cleanser Boscia Purifying Cleansing Gel La Roche-Posay Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel Clarins Gentle Foaming Cleanser	Alpha Hydrox Foaming Face Wash Aveeno Ultra-Calming Foaming Cleanser Clean & Clear Sensitive Skin Foaming Facial Cleanser Olay Sensitive Skin Foaming Face Wash Cerave Foaming Facial Cleanser Purpose Gentle Cleansing Wash
Non- Foaming (Cetaphil- type cleansers or lotions)	Dry, sensitive	PROS: Gentle; Light; Good as morning cleaners or cleansers for days you don’t wear makeup and/or sunscreen CONS: Doesn’t remove makeup and/or sunscreen well; May leave a film	Avene Extremely Gentle Cleanser for Intolerant Skin La Roche-Posay Toleriane Dermo-Cleanser Shiseido The Skincare Rinse-Off Cleansing Gel	Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser Neutrogena Extra Gentle Cleanser Spectro Derm Aquanil Cleanser Mary Kay Creamy Cleanser 2 Aveeno Baby Soothing Relief Creamy Wash
Cleansing Balms (Cream or Oil)	All skin types	PROS: Not stripping; Removes makeup, sunscreen, and waterproof products well CONS: Feels oily or greasy; Leaves a film; May make oily skin oilier	Clinique Take the Day Off Balm Darphin Aromatic Cleansing Balm	Albolene Moisturizing Cleanser (Fragrance Free) Pond's Classic Cold Cream Boots Botanics Organic Cleansing Balm
Micellar (Cleansing Waters)	All skin types, esp. dry and sensitive	PROS: Cleans without using water; Very gentle; Does not strip skin; Removes makeup and sunscreen CONS: Have to use a lot of product to remove makeup and/or sunscreen; Tissuing off can be irritating for some people; Feels weird to not wash face with water; May leave a film	Bioderma Sensibio H20 Vichy Calming Cleansing Solution Avene Micellar Lotion Cleanser and Make Up Remover La Roche-Posay Rosaliac Gelee Micellar Make-up Removal Gel La Roche-Posay Physiological Micellar Solution Caudalie Cleansing Water
Cleansing Oils	All skin types	PROS: Removes makeup, sunscreen, and other waterproof items; Rinses off with water; Helps improve complexion because of "likes dissolve likes" CONS: May be drying; May cause breakouts; Must apply on dry skin with dry hands; Can make eyes cloudy if you get some into your eyes; Cheap in Asia (found easily in drugstores), harder to find in the US	Shu Uemura Cleansing Beauty Oil Premium A/O Advanced Formula DHC Deep Cleansing Oil Fancl Mild Cleansing Oil Boscia MakeUp-BreakUp Cool Cleansing Oil	Lumene Lift Touch Revitalizing Cleansing Oil Shiseido Perfect Liquid TISS Deep Off Oil Kose Softymo Deep Cleansing Oil Kanebo Naive Cleansing Oil Homemade Cleansing Oil

Finding your holy grail cleanser may take some trial-and-error. But whatever you do, make sure your cleanser does not over-dry or over-strip your skin!

This is a growing list of cleanser recommendations and will be continually updated when there are new products. Please check back often!

Last updated: February 27, 2011