At the end of a day of makeup, city grime and general grit, cleansing the skin of oils and dirt is a daily must-do.
And while cleansing can seem like a useless task—while we juggle serums, eye creams, moisturisers, etc—we also can’t deal with the oil or excessive dryness that comes from not cleaning our skin properly at the end of the day.
The best facial cleanser is one that works with your skin type. Whether you have oily skin, dry skin or combination, finding a product that removes make up and cleanses the skin without stripping it of its natural oils is key.
Whether it’s a gel, cream, foaming water, or even an oil, there are several brands out there that have specially created products that do the job with minimal damage to your skin.
Skincare technology has come a long way, so below, we’ve rounded up some of the best facial cleansers in Australia to help you make the right choice.
Creams and Milks
Clarins Gentle Foaming Cleanser
One of the great things about Clarins’ Gentle Foaming Cleanser with Cottonseed is that it’s available for all skin types. No matter whether you have oily, dry, normal or combination skin, they’ve got you covered.
The light milk turns into a pillow-y foam so you only need a tiny amount but it removes make up without a trace. The floral scent is fairly strong so if you prefer fragrance-free products this won’t be for you.
Hydrating Gentle Foaming Cleanser by Clarins, $47 at Adore Beauty
Kiehl’s Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleanser
Formulated with mineral-rich ingredients sourced from the mouth of the Amazon River, this daily exfoliating face wash helps remove dirt and oil to detoxify pores while visibly minimising their appearance. Surface oil is absorbed while bacteria, toxins and dead skin cells are removed to leave skin soft, healthy-looking and less prone to breakouts.
Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleanser by Kiehl’s, $54 at Kiehl’s
Dermalogica Intensive Moisture Cleanser
Intensive Moisture Cleanser by Dermalogica, $67 at MECCA.
Kate Somerville Goat Milk Moisturising Cleanser
Goat Milk Moisturising Cleanser by Kate Somerville, $71 at MECCA.
Gels And Foaming Cleansers
Neutrogena Deep Clean Foaming Cleanser
Neutrogena Deep Foaming Cleanser is a water-based cleanser that strips your skin of dirt and grim but leaves the natural oils intact.
If you’re prone to acne and want a product that contains salicylic acid, you can mix it up with Neutrogena’s Acne Oil-Free Acne Wash. Great when you have breakouts it can dry out your skin if it’s not oily so use interchangeably with the regular cleanser.
Deep Clean Foaming Cleanser by Neutrogena, $13.99 at Chemist Warehouse.
Drunk Elephant Beste No.9 Jelly Cleanser
NB: No elephants were harmed in the making of this cruelty-free cleanser.
Drunk Elephant Beste No.9 Jelly Cleanser contains nourishing marula oil, soothing cantaloupe and hydrating glycerine which deliver a gentle and non-irritating cleanser that’s perfect for oily and combination skin.
Beste No.9 Jelly Cleanser by Drunk Elephant, $54 at MECCA.
Go-To Properly Clean
Give your skin an exceptional clean with this vegan foaming cleanser that gently removes makeup, dirt and excess oil without irritating or stripping the skin. Instead, each cleanse will leave your skin feeling smooth, balanced and hydrated. This cleanser is gentle enough for all skin types including mature and sensitive.
Properly Clean by Go-To, $33 at MECCA.
Tatcha The Rice Wash
Harnessing the centuries-old Japanese practice of using rice as an essential ingredient in daily diet and beauty rituals (resulting in clear, bright and dewy skin), this pillow-soft cream cleanser helps to soften, smooth and hydrate the face while clearing away impurities. Like many of Tatcha’s bestsellers, the cream cleanser is formulated with Hadasei-3, a fermented antioxidant-rich essence of Japanese superfoods, which floods the skin with moisture, replenishing the skin barrier for a softer, smoother complexion.
The Rice Wash by Tatcha, $64 at MECCA.
Oils and Balms
Dr Lewinn’s Daily Cleansing Balm
Along with its Polishing Powder, Dr Lewinn’s Cleansing Balm is among the brand’s first dermatologically tested range for sensitive skin, and can be used daily for results. The cleansing balm’s nurturing benefits comes from the formula of shea butter, hyaluronic acid and jojoba seed oil that deliver a flawless and dewy glow. A solid balm-to-oil cleanser that can be used with and without water.
The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser
Believe us, there’s nothing ordinary about The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser. Squalane is something the body produces naturally and is essentially a type of skin sebum (oil).
What’s different about this non-soap, water-based cleanser is you warm it up in your hands where it changes from a balm texture to an oil. Somehow, like magic, the oil melts away mascara, foundation and eyeliner in seconds. Simply remove the excess with a warm facecloth and voila – a dewy glow is all that’s left.
Squalene Cleanser by The Ordinary, $18.30 at Adore Beauty.
Aesop Parsley Seed Facial Cleansing Oil
An exceptionally mild Parsley Seed Facial Cleansing Oil to cleanse effortlessly, leaving skin feeling refreshed, balanced and remarkably supple.
Containing a sophisticated blend of anti-oxidant and vitamin-rich ingredients, Aesop’s latest addition to the Parsley Seed range is designed to appeal to all skin types, especially combination, sensitive and dry.
Parsley Seed Facial Cleansing Oil by Aesop, $70 at Adore Beauty.
Eve Lom Cleanser
A multi award-winning cleansing balm that melts on contact with the skin and removes makeup without stripping the skin. Formulated with four aromatic plant oils, this cleanser also decongests the skin, tones and lightly exfoliates, leaving skin smooth and radiant.
Cleanser by Eve Lom, $175 at MECCA.
Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm
Take the Day Off Cleansing Balm effortlessly dissolves even the most tenacious makeup and sunscreen, leaving no trace behind. Its non-greasy, non-drying, lightweight formula nourishes skin, cleanses thoroughly, and rinses off completely, so all that’s left is a fresh, dewy glow. Suitable for all skin types: normal, oily, combination, dry, and sensitive.
Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm by Clinique, $68 at Sephora.
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