The Best Facial Cleansers For Every Skin Type
July 6 | 5 minute read
Words by Christie Sinclair
Cleansing isn’t just about removing your makeup and SPF at the end of the day; the right formula can help keep excess oil in check, support your skin barrier, boost hydration and even help the products you apply next work harder. The catch? What works for one skin type might not work for others – which is why understanding your skin type and what it needs makes all the difference.
Ahead, we’ll help you identify your skin type, explain what to look for in a formula and match you with the right type of cleanser.
What does a facial cleanser actually do?
A facial cleanser removes all the things your skin doesn’t need, of course! In the evening, this means makeup, excess oil, sweat, pollution, SPF and anything else your skin picks up throughout the day. The best facial cleansers, however, should do much more than simply clean your skin. Depending on the formula, they might help support hydration, exfoliate, or include active ingredients to brighten or firm your skin.
Ensuring you use the proper technique to cleanse your skin is also crucial; it means you’ll get the most out of your chosen formula.
How to identify your skin type
The better you understand your skin, the easier it is to find a formula that works with it, not against it. But what if you have no idea what skin type you have? Well, you can start by looking for clues! Take a look at your complexion – does it look shiny as the day goes on? Does it feel 'tight' or sensitive? Do you get breakouts? Does your skin seem to ‘drink up’ your foundation – or does it seem to split or slide off quickly? All of these can indicate your skin type.
To decode the signs, start with our guide to identifying your skin type here. And if you're still not sure, book yourself some time with our in-store MECCA Skin Specialists. Either way, once you know what your skin is trying to tell you, finding the right cleanser becomes much simpler.
How to choose the best cleanser for your skin type
If you’ve figured out your skin type, you’re ready to start perusing MECCA's cleanser selection. Find your match below.
Best facial cleansers for dry skin
Cleansers to avoid: Foams
Cleansers for dry skin:
Emma Lewisham Supernatural Crème Cleanser
Allies of Skin Molecular Silk Amino Hydrating Cleanser
Dry skin often feels tight, rough or uncomfortable after cleansing, so it's best to skip foaming or clarifying formulas and opt for nourishing, lipid-rich cream, milk or balm formulas with ingredients like ceramides and glycerine. These formulas purify your skin without stripping away its natural oils (dry skin produces less oil, so the goal is to maintain what it does have). They help remove makeup, SPF and impurities while supporting your skin barrier and topping up moisture.
Best facial cleansers for oily skin
Cleansers to use: Foams and gels
Cleansers to avoid: Oil-based formulas
Cleansers for oily skin:
Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta AHA/BHA Daily Cleansing Gel
Glow Recipe Blueberry Bounce Gentle Cleanser
Oily skin produces excess sebum (the skin’s natural oils) which can leave it looking shiny and more prone to congestion and breakouts – but that doesn’t mean it needs a harsh cleanse! Gel and foam formulas with niacinamide and exfoliants like AHAs (think lactic acid and glycolic acid) and BHAs (such as salicylic acid) will help regulate oil production while removing SPF, pollution and makeup without over-stripping.
Best facial cleansers for combination skin
Cleansers to avoid: Balms, oil-based cleansers, and formulas with more than one exfoliating acid
Cleansers for combination skin:
kit: Mineral Water Cleanser
Go-To Properly Clean
Combination skin can be oily in some areas and dry in others, so the goal is balance. Look for low-foam gels and micellar water that remove excess oil, makeup and SPF from the T-zone without leaving your cheeks feeling stripped or tight. It’s best to avoid richer cleansing balms and oils – these can be too thick and pore-clogging for oil-prone areas. Meanwhile, cleansers with multiple exfoliating acids (such as AHAs and BHAs) may leave your drier areas feeling sensitised and stripped.
Best facial cleansers for sensitive skin
Cleansers to avoid: Formulas with fragrances, exfoliating acids or active ingredients
Cleansers for sensitive skin:
Kate Somerville DeliKate Soothing Cleanser
Glow Recipe Avocado Ceramide Moisture Barrier Cleanser
Redness, irritation and discomfort are the hallmarks of sensitive skin, so gentle, fragrance-free cream and milk formulas are best. Look for soothing, barrier-supporting ingredients like ceramides, glycerine and oat extract that help nourish and protect during cleansing. And be sure to steer clear of foaming cleansers, heavily fragranced cleansers and cleansers with exfoliating acids (such as AHAs and BHAs), which will only sensitise the skin more and compromise its barrier function.
Best facial cleansers for ageing skin
Cleansers to avoid: Harsh foaming or exfoliating formulas
Cleansers for ageing skin:
Eve Lom Cleanser
ELEMIS Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm
As skin ages, it naturally becomes drier and more prone to dehydration, making a nourishing cleanser essential. Your skin will love cream or balm formulas with hydrating ingredients like ceramides and hyaluronic acid that take away everything you don't want while helping support the skin barrier. It's best to avoid harsh foaming cleansers which can strip away too much moisture and leave skin feeling tight (and not in a good way!).
Best facial cleansers for breakout-prone skin
Cleansers to avoid: Harsh physical and chemical exfoliants
Cleansers for breakout-prone skin:
Kate Somerville ExfoliKate® Cleanser
Dermalogica ClearStart Breakout Clearing Foaming Wash
Breakout-prone skin benefits from cleansers that help keep excess oil and congestion in check, while being gentle enough not to add to the redness and irritation from active flare-ups. Try gels and lightly foaming cleansers with ingredients like salicylic acid, niacinamide or zinc to help clear out pores and balance oil production. It can be really tempting to reach for stronger formulas, but harsh cleansers, physical scrubs and too many exfoliating acids can disrupt the skin barrier and even make your breakouts worse!
Is double cleansing necessary?
Firstly, double cleansing isn’t cleansing twice a day (though you absolutely can, if that’s what your skin needs!). It’s using two different cleansers in the same routine: typically, an oil or balm cleanser first to break down makeup, SPF and excess oil, followed by a milk, gel or foaming cleanser to wash away anything that’s left over.
“If you’re wearing makeup and SPF every day, a nourishing oil cleanser is great for removing those thick SPF particles, primer, and all of the oil and water-based ingredients that come from your products. If you’re applying six or seven makeup products a day, you’ve got to get that off!” explains Zoë Foster Blake, founder of Go-To Skincare, adding, “So that cleanser, followed by our water-based cleanser Properly Clean, gives you a stunning clean that allows your skincare products to absorb better and work better, and all that money you’re spending is actually going to give you results.” And the very best way to make sure nothing’s left behind, is by making it a double (cleanse)!
