The Best Cleansers for Every Skin Type
Everything you need to know to (finally) find the cleanser of your skincare dreams.
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Cream, oil, foam, gel: with so many options, how do you know that you're using the right cleanser for your skin's particular needs? Better yet, how do you know what your skin's needs even are? It's okay, we're here to break down the secrets of your skin type so you can find the cleanser you've always wanted.
First, The Basics
Of course, the most effective way to determine your skin type is simply to have a sit down with your dermatologist, but if you’re looking to DIY the issue, dermatologist Annie Chiu suggests running a little test to figure out which way your skin leans.
Start by washing your face first thing in the morning, then resist every skincare-loving urge and don’t apply any products. Really. Leave your skin along until midday, then take a peek in the mirror. If your face is mimicking an oil slick, with enlarged pores to boot, congratulations, you have oily skin. Shine on your T-zone but matte across the cheeks? That's combination. Normal skin types can expect a little bit of oil through the T-zone (there are more oil glands there than in the rest of your face, no matter what your skin type is) but mostly the skin will look the same as it did at the start of the day. Meanwhile dry patches or a persistent tight feeling or redness are all indicators that you've got dry or sensitive skin.
Find Your Type
Still not sure? Try the same test overnight. When you wake up in the morning, use separate blotting papers on your forehead, T-zone, cheek area, and jaw then examine the papers: the more oil they've absorbed, the oiler your skin type.
Normal
So-called “normal” skin really means skin that produces a moderate amount of sebum all over the face. Since one of sebum’s major functions is to keep skin healthy and comfortable, normal skin types are middle-of-the-road on the cleanser front. Look for a simple version that doesn’t go too heavy on the exfoliants or the moisturizers.
Youth to the People Kale + Green Tea Spinach Vitamins Age Prevention Cleanser, $36, nordstrom.com.
Normal
This cleanser has enough power to wash away stubborn makeup and oil and replaces any lost moisture with hyaluronic acid and ceramides.
Paula's Choice Resist Perfectly Balanced Foaming Cleanser, $19, nordstrom.com.
Normal
Purple "Forbidden" rice brings an antioxidant boost to this dual-phase cleansing oil.
Origins Modern Friction, $29.50, nordstrom.com.
Combination
Finding products that are friendly to combination skin's dry patches and still tough enough to clear up their shiny spots can be a struggle. Make peace with your paradoxical tendencies by looking for cleansers that use natural ingredients to balance your skin out.
Caudalie Instant Foaming Cleanser, $28, nordstrom.com.
Combination
This cream-mousse makes a rich foam that will melt away T-zone oil but still coddle less resilient skin.
Clinique Rinse-Off Foaming Cleanser, $20, nordstrom.com.
Combination
Soap-, alcohol-, and pretty much everything scary-free, this cleanser zaps oil with exfoliating apricot seed powder and kaolin clay, while also restoring moisture with sunflower oil and aloe.
Tata Harper Regenerating Cleanser, $78, nordstrom.com.
Dry
Chiu suggests a richer cleanser for dry skin types who already struggle to hold on to moisture. Keep an eye out for creams and balms that use oils to lift away dirt and dead skin cells without stripping your natural moisture barrier.
Korres Greek Yoghurt Foaming Cream Cleanser, $26, sephora.com.
Dry
The OG of luxe cleansing balms, this cleanser will leave your face baby soft.
Eve Lom Cleanser, $80, nordstrom.com.
Dry
Putting mud on your skin may seem like the opposite of cleansing, but the rich lather that forms when you mix this cleanser with water brings omega-rich coconut water and plumeria flower extract to your parched complexion.
Glamglow Thirsty Cleanse, $29, sephora.com.
Oily
To make sure excess oil doesn't hide out in pores and develop into acne, oily types can go for a more intense cleansing experience. Chiu recommends looking for versions with exfoliants like salicylic or lactic acid and then let it sit on skin for a few minutes (the perfect time to brush your teeth) before rinsing it off like a mini-mask session.
Aesop Parsley Seed Facial Cleanser, $43, nordstrom.com.
Oily
Papaya and grapefruit extracts break down dead skin cells and oil to free up your pores.
Mario Badescu Skincare Enzyme Cleansing Gel, $14, nordstrom.com.
Oily
Clay-to-foam may sound like sci-fi, but the only thing otherworldly will be how smooth and clean your face feels after using this oil-absorbing weekly cleanser.
Neogen Canadian Clay Pore Cleanser, $27, sephora.com.
Sensitive
"Sensitive skin is characterized by being easily irritated, prone to redness and flushing, and generally can easily be inflamed," says Chiu. "I recommend non-stripping cleansers to keep the skin barrier intact with naturally protective oils."
Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser, $14, ultra.com.
Hydrating squalane, vitamin E, and avocado oil make this cleanser particularly skin-loving.
Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cleanser, $19.50, nordstrom.com.
Sensitive
Blue tansy and chamomile oils team up for a skin-calming wonder duo in this buttery cleansing balm.
Sunday Riley Blue Moon Tranquility Cleansing Balm, $50, sephora.com.
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