Decoding The Types of Facial Cleansers: Which One Is Best For You?

Here’s how to choose what’s suitable for your skin.

Nov 28, 2022

Washing your face and removing the gunk off your skin at the end of a very long day can be so satisfying. Cleansing, after all, is the first step in an effective skincare routine. But before you grab just any cleanser from the beauty aisle or your fave online store, heads up: Not all cleansers are created equal, and knowing your skin type is vital in choosing the right formula for your skin’s needs.

Here, we’ve made a quick guide to the different types of cleansers, how they work, and which skin types they can benefit most.

1. Foam Cleansers

Ideal for oily, combination, and acne-prone skin

Made to deliver a rich, foamy lather on skin, foam cleansers are great at removing excess oil and delivering a deep cleanse—all without being heavy. The foamy substance helps unclog pores, making it excellent for acne-prone skin. Tip: Make sure to choose one that’s non-comedogenic, non-acnegenic, non-irritating, and non-allergenic.

Some picks to try: The Mesoestetic Brightening Foam is a creamy cleansing foam with AHAs to help exfoliate and renew skin, improving texture and brightness. Grease-prone skin types can also benefit from the Evenswiss Purifying Cleansing Foam, which helps refine pore appearance while addressing sebum hypersecretion.

Mesoestetic Brightening Foam, P2,000

Evenswiss Purifying Cleansing Foam, P2,400

 

2. Gel Cleansers
   

Ideal for oily, combination, and sensitive skin

Gel cleansers are generally milder compared to foam cleansers and boast a super light, gel-like consistency. And since the formula is very thin, it can penetrate deeply and effectively remove pore-clogging bacteria, oil, and other impurities.

Try: Biretix Purifying Cleansing Gel, an intensive yet gentle daily cleanser for  acne-prone, oily skin. It controls sebum production and removes dirt and bacteria without irritation. Got irritated skin? Try the Kamedis Sebo Skin T-Zone Cleanser, which is mild enough for sensitive skin but also works well on oily skin.

For those looking for anti-aging benefits, you might want to try the Neostrata Mandelic Clarifying Cleanser, which has mandelic acid to gently exfoliate as it unclogs pores. Also one to try: ZO Exfoliating Cleanser, a purifying gel formulation that provides both physical and chemical exfoliation benefits without leaving skin feeling stripped or dry.

Biretix Purifying Cleansing Gel P1,000	Kamedis Sebo Skin T-Zone Cleanser, P1,300
Neostrata Mandelic Clarifying Cleanser, P2,360	ZO Exfoliating Cleanser, P3,850

3. Oil-Based Cleansers
   

Ideal for all skin types

Great for melting away dirt and stubborn makeup, oil cleansers—or balm cleansers—are popularly used as the first step in the famous Korean double-cleanse. And while it may sound counterintuitive to use an oil cleanser on oily or combination skin, it’s actually suitable for any skin type. Tip: For a truly fresh finish, take your cue from K-beauty experts and follow up your oil-based cleanser with a water-based one, like your foaming, cream, or gel formula.

A good option for makeup users is the Mesoestetic Micellar Biphasic, which combines an oil formula with a micellar water base. It can remove even the most stubborn makeup while also strengthening the skin barrier function, thanks to its post-biotic active ingredient, Lactobacillus Ferment. What’s more, it contains Urban D-tox, an active ingredient that removes particulate pollutants and reduces signs of skin aging.

 

 

4. Soapless Cleansers

Ideal for all skin types, including sensitive skin

This type of cleanser has little to no suds—meaning, they don’t lather—and is known to be very gentle so they are recommended for people with dry and/or sensitive complexions. Under this category are milk, cream, and micellar water formulas.

“Many soapless cleansers are made with natural ingredients and do not contain harsh chemicals that can dry out the skin or irritate the eyes,“ explains Dr. Maximin Navarro, resident dermatologist at Bella Pelle Skin Solutions. “They are also very effective in removing dirt and makeup from the pores and minimizing their appearance.” When used regularly, they can help to improve the overall appearance of the skin by making it look softer, smoother, and more radiant.

• Milk / Cream
  Milk and cream cleansers typically work by using fats, emollients, or natural oils to wash away impurities while soothing irritation and redness. And since they’re rich in fats, they usually have a very rich, luxurious texture.

  Two to try: The Evenswiss Facial Cleansing Milk, a moisturizing formula that nourishes as it washes, and the Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser, which gently removes makeup, dirt, and oil without the use of harsh ingredients. Both are gentle enough for all skin types but are especially effective on dry and sensitized skin.

Evenswiss Facial Cleansing Milk, P1,870

Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser, P2,100

 

• Micellar Water
  Micellar water is a gentle, alcohol-free cleanser that removes oil, dirt, and makeup and is perfect for when you’re on the go or don’t have access to a sink—you can simply pour some product on a cotton pad and wipe all over the face (no need to rinse!). For a more thorough cleanse, though, you can follow up with a cream, gel, or foaming cleanser afterwards especially if you’re wearing heavy makeup or tend to sweat a lot.

  For those with sensitive skin, you can try the Ivatherm Lotion Micellaire, a gentle cleanser for the face, eyes, and lips, and one that’s formulated to calm the skin—even those suffering from conditions such as seborrheic dermatitis and rosacea. Also available: Ivatherm Ivapur Micellar Lotion for combination or oily sensitive skin, and Ivatherm Rosederm Anti-Redness Micellar Lotion, for reactive skin that’s prone to rosacea.

Ivatherm Lotion Micellaire, P1,100

Ivatherm Ivapur Micellar Lotion, P1,050

Ivatherm Rosederm Anti-Redness Micellar Lotion, P1,250

 

5. Cleansing Bars

Ideal for all skin types

Perhaps the most basic option—and one that many of us start with—is the cleansing bar, a.k.a. a solid formula that cleanses skin as it melts into a lather, washing away gunk, oil, and buildup. It’s gotten a bad rap in the past for being harsh and drying, but thankfully there are now plenty of gentle and moisturizing formulas worth seeking out.

If you’re pimple-prone, try the Bella Pelle Skin Solutions Tea Tree Bar Soap that’s powered by tea tree extract, giving it natural antiseptic, antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-viral properties to clear acne and minimize blemishes. Biretix Dermatological Bar also has bacteria-fighting and sebum-regulating active ingredients that improve blemished skin while providing a deep clean.

Want brightening benefits? A good bet is the MD Therapy Glutatone Whitening Soap with Ceramide, a premium cleansing and moisturizing soap bar that features a double whitening formula to improve your glow

Bella Pelle Skin Solutions Tea Tree Bar Soap, P195

Biretix Dermatological Bar, P600

MD Therapy Glutatone Whitening Soap with Ceramide, P800

When it comes to cleansing, there are no hard and fast rules. What’s important is that you choose a formula that’s compatible with your skin’s needs, and that you use it consistently—in the a.m. and p.m. For best results, talk to your dermatologist to explore your options.

For customized skin care recommendations, you can book a virtual or face-to-face dermatological consultation with Dr. Maximin Navarro, our resident dermatologist and a Philippine Dermatological Society (PDS) fellow, here. You can also inquire at the Bella Pelle Skin Solutions Center via (+63) 999-887-1944. View our full treatment menu here.

 

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SHOP OTHER PRODUCTS:

Biretix Purifying Cleansing Gel, P1,000	Evenswiss Moisturizing Cleansing Foam, P2,400
Glowbiotics MD Probiotic Revitalizing Cleanser, P2,150	Infracyte Cyto Clean, P2,930

 

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