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Every good skincare routine starts with finding a really good cleanser that suits your needs and your skin type. Cleansing is one of my favourite parts of my regime, so I wanted to round up the best of the best that work for a range of skin types across different budgets. Check out my Best Cleansers for 2023 list.
Why are Cleansers Important?
It doesn’t matter how much money, time and effort you put into skincare if you don’t get your cleanse right, it’s all a big waste. Achieving thoroughly cleansed, but not stripped skin, is the ultimate foundation for keeping your skin barrier in the best shape possible.
Once you have removed all makeup, dirt, SPF and excess oil, your skin can effectively absorb all your other skincare products including serums, moisturisers, oils and more.
Cleansing doesn’t have to be a chore, and if you find the right ones for your needs, you will reap the benefits and get your skin soft, smooth and glowing.
Best Cleansers 2023 for Dry & Sensitive Skin
Dry and sensitive skin needs care and attention when it comes to cleansing and it’s super important to make sure that the skin barrier isn’t compromised. You will need a cleanser that’s super gentle, yet cleanses the skin effectively. Here are my top recommendations.
Clinique Take the Day Off Cleansing Balm
This cleansing balm is an oldie but a goody and I pretty much always have it in my stash. It is a brilliant cleanser for removing every scrap of makeup and impurities.
It is fragrance-free and non-comedogenic which means it’s good for sensitive skin and won’t clog pores. The formula uses safflower seed oil which is rich in linoleic acid, which breaks down makeup and natural oils, whilst leaving skin nourished and soft.
Buy it at:
Tatcha Camellia Cleansing Oil
This luxurious, silky cleansing oil is suitable for all skin types but I think it’s particularly good for dryness.
It’s a beautiful oil that is super effective at removing makeup and breaking down excess oil in the skin, whilst maintaining the skin’s natural moisture and helping to increase hydration.
It emulsifies effortlessly with water, and doesn’t leave residue behind, just soft, pampered skin.
Marie Reynolds Goji Mallow Cleanse
This is an absolutely gorgeous creamy facial wash with a texture like marshmallow, where it gets its name.
It is super hydrating and nourishing and is enriched with a natural super antioxidant blend of Goji Berries, Acai Berries and Oat Silk. The Goji Mallow Cleanse is great for red or sensitised skin as it reduces inflammation and helps to restore calm to the complexion. It’s also great for increasing elasticity and improving general skin health.
Curel Makeup Cleansing Oil
This is a super affordable, yet absolutely brilliant oil cleanser that removes every scrap. It has the most beautiful, silky texture and while it is ultra-gentle and nurturing on the skin, it literally melts away makeup and impurities in seconds.
Read about Curel Double Cleansing.
Use code REALLYREESPH for 15% off via the link below.
Biossance Squalane and Elderberry Jelly Cleanser
This brightly coloured jelly is really fun and sensorial and it smells amazing!
It starts off as a jelly than transforms to a silky oil and then a soft milk when you add water. It gently cleans the skin and it great for if you like a bit of facial massage. It rinses away nicely and leave a light moisturised feel and a good glow.
Murad Prebiotic 4-in-1 MultiCleanser
Murad’s Prebiotic 4-in-1 MultiCleanser is perfect for winter skin. It’s a super luxurious gel-to-oil, makeup-removing cleanser that not only melts all makeup, SPF and impurities, but it also works to nourish the skin with prebiotics, hyaluronic acid and squalane.
It leaves my skin completely clean, super soft and really plumped and hydrated.
Best Cleansers 2023 for Oily Skin
When it comes to cleansing oily skin, it is crucial that while excess oil is removed, the skin isn’t stripped and left dehydrated. These cleansers respect the skin barrier while effectively treating oily skin types.
Dermalogica Active Clay Cleanser
This cleanser has been formulated to gently cleanse complexions prone to oiliness without disrupting the skin’s natural barrier. It’s the perfect solution for if my skin is feeling congested, if I can feel a spot coming or if one has suddenly arrived.
Whilst giving the skin a deep clean, you can feel how gentle this formula is because it doesn’t strip, and in fact leaves the complexion comfortably hydrated.
Read Dermalogica Active Clay Cleanser Review.
CeraVe Foaming Cleanser
All CeraVe products are great for sensitive skin because they are packed with ceramides, and this one is particularly good for oilier skin types.
It’s a refreshing gel that gently removes dirt, oil and makeup. It removes excess oil without stripping the skin and is enriched with niacinamide to help to calm any blemishes and breakouts.
Elemis Clarifying Clay Wash
Elemis have a range of products formulated to address oily skins, and this clay wash is really good.
This is a great deep cleanse, that cleans out the pores and lifts away excess oils. It works on blackheads and blemishes without drying out the skin. It has a lovely creamy texture that rinses away effortlessly.
Shop it at:
Best Cleansers 2023 for Combination Skin
I have combination skin and I find cleansing such an important part of my regime to keep my skin as balanced as possible. Light exfoliation helps to deal with t-zone issues, and maximise the absorption of hydrating ingredients.
Naturium Purple Ginseng Cleansing Balm
If you love a balm but have combination skin, this is a great one because it has ingredients that help to reduce oil over time and also uses a range of nourishing ingredients to leave skin feeling soft and smooth.
It’s great for melting off makeup effortlessly, it emulsifies well and then I tend to use a face cloth to remove all traces of the balm.
Read Naturium Purple Ginseng Cleansing Balm Review.
CeraVe Hydrating Foaming Oil Cleanser
Again, this oil to foam cleanser is great for combo skins because you get a lovely luxurious oil phase, which with added water turns to a light foam stage.
It melts off makeup if you use it on dry skin to start, and with the soft foaming action when water is added, it actually feels a bit like two cleanses in one.
Read CeraVe Hydrating Foaming Oil Cleanser Review.
Buy it at:
Allies of Skin Molecular Silk Amino Hydrating Cleanser
Although this is a hydrating cleanser, I think this is actually a great one of combination skins because it’s great for dealing with excess oil, and has a gentle exfoliating action without stripping.
It can be left on the skin for an extra minute or two to allow the lactic acid to vitamin c to exfoliate and brighten up the skin. I have combination skin and i It leaves my skin feeling super clean and silky soft.
Read Allies of Skin Molecular Silk Amino Hydrating Cleanser Review.
Glossier Cleanser Concentrate
This is a great one for purifying and visibly refining pores. When mixed with water, the cleanser creates a lovely silky lather that feels soft and gentle on the skin.
You need to work it on for at least 60 seconds for the ingredients to activate. I love how it leaves my skin looking. It seems to instantly refine the pores and makes my skin look smooth, bright and glowing. It makes my skin feel tight and toned, but not dry which is key when it comes to a clarifying face wash.
Read Glossier Cleanser Concentrate Clarifying Face Wash Review.
Elemis Pro-Collagen Energising Marine Cleanser
This is probably my favourite gel cleanser. I have been through bottles and bottles of it. This one has a gentle acid blend for mild daily exfoliation and it always leaves my skin feeling smooth and hydrated.
It feels soft and silky on the skin and is a perfect morning cleanse. Read Elemis Pro-Collagen Energising Cleanser Review.
Best All Round Luxury Cleansers 2023
Elemis Pro-Collagen Rose Cleansing Balm
The original cleansing balm from Elemis is a true skincare icon, and it’s about to celebrate it’s 10th birthday! My favourite iteration is the Elemis Pro-Collagen Rose Cleansing Balm.
It has the same luxurious skin-loving texture as the original, with that same spa-like feel, but instead is infused with beautiful infused with English Rose Oleo Extract which is great for sensitive skin.
Buy it at:
Sarah Chapman Skinesis Ultimate Cleanse
This is a really beautiful cleanser that makes the task of taking your makeup off a real treat. It is rich in Omegas and peptides to strengthen the skin and boost collagen, plus vitamins and antioxidants to boost radiance and provide protection.
It also has a great balancing and decongesting action on the skin and all skin types can use this.
Augustinus Bader The Cleansing Balm
This balm uses a true skincare formula and it’s as much about nourishing the skin as it is about cleansing. It uses Augustinus Bader’s TFC8 complex supports cellular renewal and guides key nutrients to the cells.
It turns into silky, lightweight oil texture upon application and a super soft milky emulsion when you add water, and leaves skin smooth, hydrated and super clean.
Read the full Augustinus Bader The Cleansing Balm Review.
Best All Round Budget Cleansers 2023
CeraVe Micellar Cleansing Water
If you want a really quick and effective first step to get off your makeup, or a light morning cleanse, you will be interested in this 2022 launch from CeraVe.
This is a really gentle and hardworking micellar water that effectively removes makeup including eye makeup and mascara. A couple of soak pads is enough to break down makeup and get everything off, ready for a second cleanse. And if you are in a rush and can only manage one step, this will tick the box as long as you keep going until the pads come away clean.
It has niacinamide and ceramides in to strengthen the skin barrier and minimise inflammation and sensitivity.
Read CeraVe Micellar Cleansing Water Review.
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The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser
For £5.50, this cleanser is a major superhero. It is super gentle and has been formulated to thoroughly clean the skin of makeup and impurities. It has a transformative texture and you warm a small amount between your fingers until you feel it turn into an oil-like texture and then it’s ready to go on the face. This is key for getting the best out of it.
It glides over the skin, melting everything off, and emulsifies and rinses away easily. Read The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser Review.
The Inkey List Oat Cleansing Balm
This was a new discovery for me, as I haven’t used too many products from The Inkey list. This is a good quality balm cleanser designed to melt away makeup and impurities, and also moisturise and condition the skin with Oat Kernel Oil and Colloidal Oatmeal.
It’s a great first cleanse with a rich thick texture, and you can also leave it on the skin for 10 minutes if you feel you need a moisture boost.
Read the full review – The Inkey List Oat Cleansing Balm Review.
Buy it at:
CeraVe Hydrating Cream-to-Foam Cleanser
This is the newest cleanser from cult high street skincare brand CeraVe and it’s absolutely lovely.
This cleanser is designed to deliver the benefits of a double cleanse in one easy step. It works to gently removes oil, dirt, and makeup and uses a combination of ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and gentle, amino-acid based surfactants.
Read the full CeraVe Hydrating Cream-to-Foam Cleanser review.
Beauty Pie Japanfusion Pure Transforming Cleanser
This is a beautiful oil-gel cleanser that melts into the skin and gives the most luxurious cleanse. It feels fairly thick at first, but as you work it into the skin, it gets thinner and more slippy as it effortlessly melts away makeup, SPF and impurities. It has a tonne of antioxidants in so it really looks after the skin too.
USE CODE REALLYREESENTME for £10 off your first month.
Curel Foaming Facial Wash
If you have worried that facial washes can be too stripping on the skin, you can worry no longer with the Curel one. It contains liquorish root extract and glycerin for a super gentle cleanse that leaves skin impeccably clean without any dryness.
Use code REALLYREESPH for 15% off via the link below.
I hope you find this Best Cleansers for 2023 round up useful. I would love to hear your favourites too! I am always around to chat on Instagram.
Make sure you check out my Best Skincare 2022 post if you’re looking for serums, moisturisers, oils, eye creams and SPF recommendations. It is being updated constantly.
Source by reallyree.com