12 Facial Cleansers Guaranteed To Make You Glow

Cleansers are the cornerstone of every great skincare routine.

On a daily basis your skin faces external aggressors such as pollution and bacteria irritants causing disruption to cutaneous microbiota, ie skin flora. Protection of these microbiota is fundamental to skin physiology and immunity. The ABSOLUTE NUMBER ONE WAY to care for your skin is through daily facial cleansing to remove dirt, excess oil, pollution and dead skin cells.

According to famed French facialist Joelle Ciocco, cleansing is so important you should be doing it not once, but twice. “Forty years ago, I formulated the Double Cleansing technique – an essential step in your beauty routine to rid your skin of toxins accumulated daily, allow it to breathe and activate the natural anti-aging presents in the skin flora.” Cleanse 1 rids the skin of impurities including sunscreen, sweat, makeup, and top layer pollution. Cleanse 2 cleans your skin directly on the membrane. If not cleansed properly, dirt and pollution accumulate at the surface of your skin and could potentially contribute to breakouts, dehydration and ageing.

Fortunately when it comes to cleansing we have many options from oil to milk to foam, each with a difference purpose and designed to meet your unique skin needs. And as always, I only recommend products I’ve personally found to be tried and true.

12 Facial Cleansers to Ensure Your Skin is Clean, Fresh, and Glowing

Best All-Around Cleanser
Joelle Ciocco Sensitive Cleansing Milk
Description: City life disturbs your cutaneous flora and endanger its natural defenses causing an unbalanced skin ecosystem./ To fight this imbalance, I formulated Sensitive Cleansing Milk suited for all skin types./ By respecting your cutaneous flora this cleansing milk brings all necessary supplements to strengthen your defenses and boost its natural anti aging capacity./ I chose Neroli essential oil and Pure Orange Blossom Water to sooth, purify and regenerate devitalized tissues together with Calendula, Horsetail and Arnica to strengthen your cutaneous flora./ For over 20 years Sensitive Cleansing Milk has been a must, permanently reformulated to respond to the most demanding skins.
Cost: 49,58€ – 70,42€
Skin Type: All

CLEANSE 1 OPTIONS

Best Oil Cleanser
KIehls Midnight Recovery Botanical Cleansing Oil
my daily Cleanse 1
Description: Our aromatic, lightweight cleansing oil melts away dirt, makeup and impurities. This gentle, yet effective formula transforms to a cleansing milk when it emulsifies with water. Formulated with a blend of botanical oils, this makeup-removing oil cleanser removes impurities without over-drying skin. Melt the day away with our indulgent, nighttime cleansing oil. Non-comedogenic. Ophthalmologist-tested.
Cost: $32
Skin Type: All

Best Balm Cleanser
Fa rmacy Green Clean Makeup Removing Cleansing Balm
my favorite clean option
Description: This holy grail cleansing balm instantly melts makeup, removes impurities, and gently exfoliates. It transforms from a sorbet-like balm to silky oil to milky lather to remove makeup effortlessly with zero residue. With a blend of essential oils, this balm smells like vacation. Green Clean Makeup Meltaway Cleansing Balm does not contain polyethylene microbeads. The polyethylene is not in a solid form and melts with water as it is washed down the drain.
This product is vegan, cruelty-free, and gluten-free, and comes in recyclable packaging.
Cost: $34
Skin Type: All

Best Makeup Removal Cleanser
Shiseido Perfect Cleansing Oil
Description: A comfortable, lightweight cleansing oil with Shiseido original Gentle Quick-Removing Technology that can be used on wet or dry skin. Rapidly reaches deep down into the pores to thoroughly remove dirt and makeup. Quickly lifts base makeup and waterproof eye makeup. Rinses off quickly, leaving a non-greasy, dewy finish. Dermatologist-Tested. Ophthalmologist-Tested.
Cost: $50
Skin Type: All

Best Sunscreen Cleanser
Joelle Ciocco Sunscreen Cleanser
my vacation cleanser
Description: Sunscreen filters included in your creams and make-up are necessary for your skin protection but are wrongly used./ A poor cleansing of these protecting agents disturb skin ecosystem leading to imperfections, dehydration, and tightness feeling./ That is why I formulated Sunscreen cleanser, perfectly suited to fully cleanse sunscreens without arming your cutaneous flora balance./ I chose Saponin Flower and Marshmallow to deliver your face a tender emulsion with emulsifying and emollient properties./ Your skin is totally purified, reveals its freshness and is ready to receive your lotion.
Cost: 51,67€
Skin Type: All

CLEANSE 2 OPTIONS
If you do not wear makeup or sunscreen you can use the following to perform your double cleanse (minus the exfoliant as you may find it to be too irritating when used everyday)

Best Milk Cleanser
Darphin INTRAL Cleansing Milk with Chamomile
my daily Cleanse 2
Description: This ultra-gentle facial cleansing milk is formulated to lift away impurities and make-up while soothing and calming skin. Follow the Darphin Intral Cleansing Milk application with your appropriate Darphin Toner.
Free from parabens, mineral oil, phthalates, formaldehyde.
Cost: $54
Skin Type: Normal to Sensitive

Best Foam Cleanser
Cle de Peau Beaute Softening Cleansing Foam
my pre-Wedding cleanser
Description: Luxuriously rich, divinely textured cleansing foam that gently lifts impurities while delivering captivating translucency. Formulated with precious diamond, silk and pearl powders that leave skin exquisitely smooth. Helps counteract the effects of air pollution on skin’s surface that can lead to visible signs of aging. For normal to dry skin types.
Dermatologist-Tested.
Cost: $75
Skin Type: All

Best Gel Cleanser
Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel
my favorite for a deep cleanse
Description: Dermalogica’s Special Cleansing Gel is a soap-free, naturally-foaming cleanser that gently rinses away toxins and debris to leave skin feeling smooth and clean. Lightweight and mild enough to use every day, it also features calming balm mint and lavender extracts to soothe the skin and clear pores.
Free of formaldehydes, formaldehyde-releasing agents, phthalates, mineral oil, retinyl palmitate, oxybenzone, coal tar, hydroquinone, triclosan, and triclocarban, and contains less than one percent of synthetic fragrances. This product is also vegan, cruelty-free, and gluten-free.
Cost: $39
Skin Type: All

Best Cult Cleanser
Glossier Milk Jelly Cleanser
Description: A gentle-yet-effective creamy gel face wash for all skin types. Why it’s special: A pH-balanced daily cleanser with five skin conditioners that won’t leave your skin irritated or feeling tight./ The same gentle cleansing agents found in contact lens solution make it safe for eyes./ Use it on dry skin to remove dirt and makeup, or on wet skin for a refresh
Dermatologist-Tested. Ophthalmologist-Tested.
Cost: $18
Skin Type: All

Best Bargain Cleanser
Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser
Description: Designed for normal to oily skin./ Removes excess oil without drying./ Rinses clean for an all-day fresh feeling./ Non-comedogenic and fragrance-free.
Cost: $7.99
Skin Type: Normal to Oily

Best Exfoliating Cleanser
Tata Harper Regenerating Cleanser – Daily BHA Exfoliator
Description: This creamy cleanser is your daily exfoliating treatment. Our best selling cleanser provides gentle physical and chemical exfoliation with apricot microspheres and BHA from white willow bark to give you a healthy looking, radiant glow. This award winning formula buffs and polishes with 4 sources to dissolve buildup, 4 sources to refine pores, and 8 sources of plumping hydration.
100% of the total ingredients are from natural origin.
80% of the total ingredients are from Organic Farming.
Natural Cosmetic certified by Ecocert Greenlife according to Ecocert Standard.
Cost: $84
Skin Type: Dull

Best Dry Skin Cleanser
La Roche-Posay Hydrating Gentle Soap Free Cleanser
Description: La Roche-Posay Hydrating Gentle Soap Free Cleanser is a daily face wash for normal to dry skin. This cream cleanser gently rids skin of makeup, dirt and impurities, while maintaining skin’s natural moisture barrier and pH. A gentle formula helps to restore skin comfort and retains essential moisture, leaving skin feeling comfortable and hydrated.
Cost: $14.99
Skin Type: Sensitive Dry