If you are new to skincare or planning to restart your skincare journey, you must be wondering where to start. Well you have the answer for your own question!
When you come back home, what is the first thing you will do? You will be cleaning your arms, feet and your face – isn’t it!!! When you are outside, be it at the office the whole day, or spending some quality time with your friends or your beloved shopping or at a cafe, you are accumulating a lot of dust, dirt, pollution, sweat and harmful UV rays if it is in the daytime.
The moment you step in your home, you will clean your face, getting rid of all the dirt from your skin to get a squeaky clean face. So yes, that is how you start your skincare routine everyday with a good face cleanser.
This cleanser will remove dirt, dust, oil, sweat, pollution, makeup and all other impurities. It will unclog your pores and prevent breakouts, acne, large pores, dullness and premature ageing. Choosing the best cleanser for skin type specific to different individuals is the most crucial step in your whole routine.
Moreover there is an ample amount of cleansers available in the market from different brands for different skin issues. This surely will confuse you from choosing the right one for yourself. This guide will be your holy grail to choose the right cleanser for your skin type and its specific needs.
Understanding Your Skin for the Best Cleanser for Skin Type
Before talking about different cleansers and their purposes, you need to identify your skin type. This will help you choose the right cleanser to keep your skin clean and treat specific issues. The primary categories are :-
- If you have oily skin then your skin produces excess sebum which leads to a shiny appearance, enlarged pores and frequent breakouts.
- Dry skin lacks sufficient moisture. This results in tightness, flaky and itchy skin, and rough texture.
- If you have combination skin, then you have both oily and dry skin. You most probably have an oily T-zone (forehead, nose and chin) with dry cheeks.
- Sensitive skin gets irritated very easily by certain ingredients and environmental factors. This leads to redness, itching and burning sensation on all over the face or on specific parts.
- If you have normal skin, you have a well-balanced skin without excessive oil secretion and dryness. This skin type has fewer imperfections with smooth texture.
Best Cleanser for Skin Type – A Guide to Choose Based on Your Skin Type
Oily Skin Cleanser:
- Gel Cleanser
- Foaming Cleanser
The best cleanser for skin type for oily skin is mostly gel and foaming cleansers. The formulas that this oily skin cleanser have effectively remove excess oil and unclog pores. And all this happens without stripping the skin of its natural moisture. You get squeaky clean and soft skin.
Gel cleansers are extremely lightweight and jelly-like as they are mostly water-based. The Cetaphil Oil Cleanser has a gel texture and is extremely light weight. The Neutrogena Oil Free Acne Cleansing Face Wash has a gel texture along with 2% Salicylic Acid. They have deep cleansing properties.
Foam cleansers are lightweight and airy. The foam lifts off the dirt easily, leaving a non-sticky finish. There is niacinamide, hyaluronic acid and ceramides in the CeraVe Foaming Cleanser Face Wash for Oily Skin.
When you are buying facial cleansers, you should look for ingredients like salicylic acid or tea tree oil, known for their acne-fighting properties. You should avoid cleansers that are too harsh. They can trigger the skin to produce even more oil, increasing the problem. An oily skin cleanser should leave your skin feeling clean and refreshed, not tight or dry.
Dry Skin Cleanser:
- Cream Cleanser
- Oil Cleanser
- Micellar Water
If you have dry skin, the best cleanser for skin type is a cream and oil-based cleanser. They have gentle formulas. These cleansers hydrate the skin while removing impurities. They typically contain moisturizing ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, or ceramides.
Creamy cleansers are perfect for dry and mature skin. Ideal to use in both your am and pm routine, especially when the skin feels tight. It leaves the skin feeling soft and supple and nourish and soothes dry flaky skin.
A cream cleanser like Quench Rice Water & Vitamin E Face Wash, gently cleans while not stripping away the moisture. It also removes dirt, light makeup and impurities.
The Beauty of Joseon Ginseng Cleansing Oil breaks down heavy makeup, sunscreen, and excess sebum. It also works as the first step for double cleansing maintaining the natural moisture barrier of the skin.
Micellar water is another great option. Bioderma Sensibio H2O Soothing Cleanser is a very good micellar water that cleans the skin, removes makeup, dirt, sunscreen and impurities without rinsing. Ideal for on-the-go usages.
Avoid foaming cleansers for dry skin types. Harsh sulfates can further strip the skin of its natural oils. A dry skin cleanser should leave your skin feeling soft, supple, and hydrated.
Combination Skin Cleanser:
- Gentle Foaming Cleansers
- Balancing Cleansers
If you have combination skin then it requires a balanced approach as you have an oily forehead, chin and nose and dry cheeks. The best cleanser for skin type is one that effectively cleanses oily areas without drying out the drier parts of your face.
You have to look for gentle foaming cleansers or balancing cleansers that contain ingredients like hyaluronic acid or aloe vera. This helps to maintain moisture levels. Best practice would be to use a micellar water, like the one from Bioderma or a cleansing oil, like The Face Shop Rice Water Bright Rich Cleansing Oil as the first step. Follow it with a gentle foaming cleanser.
Sensitive Skin Cleanser:
- Hypoallergenic Cleansers
- Fragrance-free Cleansers
- Cream Cleansers
If you have sensitive skin then your skin needs extra care and attention every day. The best cleanser for your sensitive skin is a hypoallergenic, fragrance-free formula. This is specifically designed for sensitive skin to offer respite from skin irritants.
Many suffer from skin irritation with just a little fragrance in the cleanser which might lead to sudden dryness, itchiness and breakouts. Minor chemicals bring out rashes in the face. So you have to be extra careful with what you apply on your face.
Cream cleansers are often a good choice. Avoid cleansers containing harsh chemicals, alcohol, or strong fragrances, as these can trigger irritation. Always patch-test a new cleanser on a small area of your skin before applying it to your entire face. Ingredients like chamomile or aloe vera suits the best in cleansers for sensitive skin types.
Normal Skin Cleanser:
- Gel Cleansers
- Cream Cleansers
- Foaming Cleansers
You are blessed if you have normal skin. You can use different types of cleansers and stick to the one that suits you. Gel, cream and foaming cleansers – all work equally good in cleaning the skin from dirt, dust, pollutants, impurities, sweat, excess sebum and makeup. It is also easy to find in the market. The one from Simple Kind to Skin Moisturising Facial Wash is one such product.
Understanding the Best Cleanser for Skin Type – Based on Ingredients
The best way to decode the suitable cleanser for your skin would be to understand which ingredients suit you or not through this list –
| Ingredient | Type | Function |
| Hyaluronic Acid | Humectant | Attracts and retains moisture in the skin. |
| Glycerine | Humectant | Helps keep skin hydrated by drawing moisture from the air. |
| Ceramides | Lipid | Restores and protects the skin’s natural barrier. |
| Salicylic Acid | Exfoliant/BHA | Unclogs pores and reduces acne. |
| Tea Tree Oil | Antimicrobial | Fights acne-causing bacteria. |
| Benzoyl Peroxide | Acne Treatment | Kills acne bacteria but may cause dryness. |
| Sulphates | Detergent/Cleanser | Can strip natural oils.
Dry or sensitive skin should be avoided. |
| Fragrance | Additive | May irritate sensitive skin.
Choose fragrance-free if prone to irritation. |
| Alcohol | Solvent | Can dry out the skin.
Best avoided for dry skin types. |
Cleansing Tips For Best Results
- Always wash your hands before cleansing your face.
- Start the morning skincare routine with brushing your teeth followed by using a water-based face cleanser.
- Try to use lukewarm water instead of hot water.
- Always massage the cleanser in a circular motion.
- Remember to emulsify your cleansing oil, once massaged on your face to remove all impurities.
- Pat your skin dry with a tissue paper or a clean towel.
- Always use a toner after cleansing your face.
- Cleanse twice a day – once in the morning after waking up and then at night. Dry skin types can skip cleansing in the morning.
Cherryontopblog
If you’re starting your skincare journey or looking to rebuild it, Cherry On Top Blog brings you a detailed guide on choosing the best cleanser for skin type. From understanding your unique skin needs to decoding ingredients and product types, this article simplifies the process. Whether you have oily, dry, sensitive, or combination skin, you’ll find personalized tips and trusted product recommendations to help you achieve clean, healthy, and glowing skin.
Final Thoughts
All this information might be overwhelming. Take it slow. The first step is to start the routine step by step. Next is to be consistent in your regime. You need to remember that being consistent and patient is the key to achieve healthy and glowing skin.
It is not easy to find the best cleanser for skin type of your choice. There are hundreds of cleansers doing rounds and to find the one that suits you will take some experimenting. But you will get there and this blog will be your guide in this journey. So keep cleansing your face and get rid of all impurities to glow!