Top 5 facial cleansers highly appreciated by the skincare world in 2024

Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleaner

What makes Cetaphil the national facial cleanser and always at the top of the list of best-selling facial cleansers?

In terms of design, the 500ml type is designed like a shower gel bottle with a convenient pump head, while the 125ml type uses a sturdy flip cap. Colorless, odorless and non-foaming gel texture helps cleanse gently and does not cause dry skin.

This is the shower gel with the simplest ingredient list I have ever seen: Cetyl Alcohol helps smooth and soften the skin, Propylene Glycol helps increase skin moisture, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate reduces skin surface tension.

One minus point in this product’s ingredients is that it contains Parabens, although at an acceptable level, people with sensitive skin need to consider using it.

Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser helps cleanse the skin gently, moisturizes well while maintaining the ideal pH balance of 5.5 for the skin. The product is suitable for normal, sensitive and especially dry skin.

This product is too light, so if you have oily or acne-prone skin, it won’t be thoroughly cleaned. Besides, those who often wear heavy makeup should be careful to remove makeup thoroughly before using Cetaphil to ensure the skin is cleaned effectively.

Cetaphil Face Wash, Hydrating Gentle Skin Cleanser for Dry to Normal Sensitive Skin, NEW 20oz, Fragrance Free, Soap Free and Non-Foaming: Buy it now

Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser, Hydrating Face Wash for Dry to Normal Sensitive Skin, With Hydrating Glycerin, Vitamins B5 and B3 – Fragrance Free and Parabens Free – 16 oz Bottles (Pack of 3).: Buy it now

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel

Surely those of you who suffer from oil are already familiar with this product. Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel has 3 capacities: 50ml, 200ml and 400ml for you to choose from.

This product is a foaming gel and has just enough foam for a clean massage to help remove excess oil and dirt from the skin. The product has a light chrysanthemum scent, if you don’t pay attention you won’t smell it.

Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel contains main ingredients such as La Roche Posay mineral water to help soothe the skin and reduce irritation, zinc PCA to help cleanse, remove excess oil and disinfect for acne-prone skin and Citric Acid to help treat mild acne, Improve skin pigmentation…

Although the product is for oily, acne-prone skin, when I use it on my dry skin, it feels quite soothing. After cleansing, my skin doesn’t feel dry or tight.

A plus point for this product is that it is soap-free, alcohol-free, colorant-free and paraben-free. Can be used for all skin types, especially oily skin. The price is quite high but completely worth it for its uses.

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel Cleanser for Oily Skin, Alcohol Free Acne Face Wash, Oil Absorbing Deep Pore Cleanser, Oil Free, Light Scent and Safe for Sensitive Skin: Buy it now

Naruko Tea Tree Purifying Clay Mask and Cleanser in 1

My first impression of Naruko Tea Tree is the cool mint scent, it feels very relaxing when applied to the skin.

This product has a creamier consistency than other cleansers, containing small scrub particles. Perhaps because the product also has the ability to exfoliate and make a mask. The product has the ability to foam, but very little.

Ingredients contain Glycolic Acid to help exfoliate, Kaolin to absorb oil, Zinc Pca to help reduce aging and especially tea tree essential oil to help fight inflammation, antibacterial and Hectorite to help shrink pores.

According to the advertisement, the product can be used for sensitive skin or severe acne skin. However, the ingredients include Fragrance which is a flavoring agent, Camphor and Menthol which are not good substances. People with sensitive and easily irritated skin should take note.

My skin is usually dry, using this product feels very clean, my skin is a bit tight and uncomfortable. I have to use toner to soothe my skin and balance moisture. People with dry skin will not be suitable for long-term use.

My sister with oily skin commented that the product cleansed well, her pores were as dry as if she had just exfoliated, and her blackheads were also improved. In addition, the product also has quite good oil control ability. People with oily, combination, and acne-prone skin will suit this product very well.

COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser

This one has a very monotonous design and is not at all eye-catching. The downside of the design is that the lid is loose and breaks quickly.

COSRX facial cleansing gel contains a list of safe and gentle ingredients such as tea tree essential oil, lotus leaf, cedar leaf, cassava root,… which has antibacterial effects, supports acne treatment, cleans pores, and brightens skin and promote collagen production.

Although the texture is gel-like, it can foam quite well and is very gentle when washing. If you only apply sunscreen and don’t do much makeup, the product is very suitable. If you have a thick layer of makeup, you should double cleasing with makeup remover oil to ensure your skin is cleaned effectively.

In my opinion, the product has the ability to clean well while still retaining a certain amount of moisture on the skin. After washing, the skin does not feel sore or dry or uncomfortable.

Another minus point of the product is the strong scent. I feel like it smells like pine needles. When I wash my face, it hits my nose and makes me a bit uncomfortable.

COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser, Daily Mild Face Cleanser for Sensitive Skin, PH Balancing, Anti Breakouts, No Parabens, No Sulfates, Korean Skincare (5.07 fl.oz/150ml): Buy it now

COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser +Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Cleanser SET: Buy it now

COSRX Morning Skincare Routine- Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser + Low pH Good Night Soft Peeling Gel, Cleanse and Exfoliate Sensitive Skin, PHA, Korean Skincare: Buy it now

Hada Labo Advanced Nourish Hyaluron Cleanser

I have used up 2 tubes of Hada Labo Advanced Nourish Hyaluron Cleanser and am really impressed. The product is simply designed with 2 eye-catching blue and white tones.

The texture is a thick cream so I only need a small amount each time. The foaming ability is extremely high, I just rubbed it with my hands with a little water and created quite a lot of foam.

Even though there is a lot of foam, after rinsing, it doesn’t leave the skin feeling dry and tight, but the skin is very moist and smooth. This product leaves a very nice finish on the skin, with an extremely soft membrane. When I use toner to wipe again, the makeup remover cotton is completely white, proving that the product’s cleaning ability is quite good.

What I like most about this product is the pH 5.5. This is the reasonable pH for facial skin. In addition, the product is alcohol-free, fragrance-free, mineral oil-free, and colorless, so it is gentle and suitable for all skin types.

Although there is no fragrance, I can feel the scent of the ingredients being a bit strong. Besides, the product contains paraben. Those who are too sensitive to scent or irritated by parabens should consider this issue.

If you are looking for a facial cleanser that has all the basic functions, is gentle on the skin, does not cause dry skin and is especially cheap, then this is a product worth trying.

Hada Labo Tokyo Gentle Hydrating Foaming Facial Cleanser, Fragrance-Free Sensitive Skin Face Wash with Hyaluronic Acid and Conditioning Agents Soften Skin, Locks In Moisture, 5.0 oz: Buy it now

Hada Labo Tokyo Gentle Hydrating Cleanser 150ml, White: Buy it now

Why should you use a facial cleanser?

Facial cleansers often contain skin-cleansing active ingredients such as Sodium Lauryl Saulfate, Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate, Lauric Acid, and moisturizers. The product is trusted by ladies as it brings many of the following outstanding uses:

1. Facial cleanser thoroughly cleans the skin

If using water to clean your skin only removes about 10% of dirt, sebum, and bacteria, then washing your face helps you remove up to 99% of harmful agents. Therefore, you will always feel airy and clean after using the facial cleanser for a gentle massage.

2. Facial cleanser prevents the aging process

The anti-aging effect of facial cleansers has been recognized by many specialists. According to many studies, facial cleansers can remove dead skin cells. The product helps moisturize and replenish many essential nutrients for the skin, stimulating the production of collagen and new cells.

Just use facial cleanser regularly, dark spots, crow’s feet and age spots on the skin will gradually improve.

3. Facial cleanser protects the skin against harmful agents

In particular, facial cleansers can strengthen skin structure and bring necessary health. This is an important factor that helps your skin increase its resistance to environmental factors.

4. Facial cleanser helps the skin easily absorb nutrients

By completely removing dirt, bacteria, sebum, and dead cells, facial cleanser helps clear pores. Thanks to that, the absorption of nutrients inside the cream is increased 5 times compared to normal.

Classification of facial cleansers

The types of facial cleansers available on the market are often grated in many different textures. Based on this, people will divide facial cleansers into the following categories:

1. Oil cleanser

Oil cleansers often contain a lot of oil-based ingredients. The abundant amount of oil inside the product easily dissolves cosmetics used in make-up. At the same time, it dissolves all types of dirt that are difficult to dissolve in daily water.

However, people need to clean their face several times after using an oil cleanser. Because that is the best way for women to minimize the adhesion of excess oil on the skin.

2. Cream cleanser

Cream cleansers contain water-based ingredients. The oil content in the cleanser begins to gradually decrease. Using a cream cleanser feels the same as using a moisturizer. The product can clean impurities that are insoluble in water.

3. Gel cleanser

It can be said that gel cleanser is the product line with the highest water ratio among the product lines. Therefore, this is the best choice for skin that is dehydrated and needs moisture.

I love gel cleansers because the product feels comfortable, pleasant, and completely non-irritating. But I also warn you that this facial cleanser is not 100% effective in removing makeup.

4. Milk cleanser

While gel cleansers have a higher proportion of water than oil, milk cleansers have a balance between oil and water.

Products are often produced using modern technology to remove thick layers of powder on the face and many insoluble dirt particles. Milk cleanser is suitable for many skin types, especially oily and dry skin.

5. Foam cleanser

Foam cleansers are often prepared as milk essence or packaged into soap-like blocks. The active ingredients in facial cleansers can go deep into each pore thanks to thousands of tiny foam particles.

But everyone needs to know that the product is quite alkaline. Therefore, you need to use more rose water to balance the PH level of your skin.

Criteria for choosing to buy a facial cleanser

Similar to when using other skin care product lines, women also need to choose to buy facial cleansers according to their quality criteria. In my opinion, you should immediately refer to previous users’ experiences in choosing facial cleansers, which are summarized below:

1. Choose to buy a facial cleanser with a pH <7

Using facial cleansers that contain too high a pH regularly causes women’s skin to lose moisture balance. The facial skin will become weaker and secrete more oil. This is one of the leading causes of acne, excess oil, and enlarged pores.

To avoid similar mistakes, you should choose a cleanser with a pH <7. Accordingly, the product line containing an average pH of 5.5 is the perfect choice for women to have healthy skin.

2. Choose a facial cleanser that does not contain 7 harmful ingredients

Another issue that you need to keep in mind is that you must carefully read the ingredients of the facial cleanser before choosing to buy it.

You should buy a safe facial cleanser that does not contain 7 ingredients that are harmful to the skin such as Mineral Oil, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Talc, Parabens, Propylene Glycol, Diethanolamine, and Fragrance. These are all active ingredients that make facial skin susceptible to irritation, dryness, and even skin cancer.

3. Choose a facial cleanser extracted from nature

Products extracted from nature often ensure high safety for sensitive skin. So, Eva sisters, look for products extracted from green tea, jojoba, avocado essential oil, aloe vera, or rose extract,…

4. Choose a facial cleanser according to your skin’s characteristics

For oily skin: Oily skin needs to be cleaned with a foam cleanser. Because the product can remove excess oil and all dirt particles stuck deep inside large pores.

For combination skin: Combination skin is often difficult to care for because it has both oily and dry skin characteristics. In this case, people should use foam or gel cleanser to both clean and moisturize dry skin areas.

For dry skin: Dry skin is often dehydrated, so you need to use a cream cleanser. The product contains a high proportion of water and moisturizers to bring softness to dry skin.

For acne-prone skin: Acne-prone skin often produces a large amount of lubricant, so you need to use foam and gel cleansers. The best product should be extracted from green tea to increase its ability to disinfect, kill bacteria, and effectively treat acne.

For sensitive skin: You should choose a milk or gel cleanser extracted from natural ingredients such as aloe vera, mineral mud sea salt, etc. The cleanser gives maximum cleansing effectiveness but still Does not irritate sensitive skin.

For pregnant women’s skin: The most ideal facial cleanser for pregnant women is a natural product line containing many vitamins, Salicylic Acid or BHA, etc. The selected product should have little foaming ability to minimize allergic conditions for sensitive skin.

For normal skin: This is the healthiest of all skin types, so you can use many different types of facial cleansers. But it’s best to only choose product lines with gentle formulas so as not to damage your skin.

5. Choose a special facial cleanser according to your needs

Acne treatment cleanser: The selected product should contain about 2% of the active ingredient Salicylic Acid. This is an active ingredient that both cleans oil and moisturizes the skin and effectively treats inflammatory acne.

Anti-aging whitening facial cleanser: You should choose a product line that contains whitening and anti-aging ingredients such as Vitamin E, Vitamin, B, Vitamin C, and Isoflavone,…

Things to keep in mind when using a facial cleanser

Although facial cleanser is widely used, I realize that many women do not know how to use the product properly. Therefore, I would like to note some important issues below when using facial cleansers to avoid mistakes:

Wash your hands thoroughly before washing your face to limit the spread of bacteria and dirt from your hands to your skin. Only then can you avoid infection.

Do not wash your face with a cleanser for too long because it will cause your skin to become easily irritated and seriously damaged.

Women should create foam with facial cleanser on the palm of their hand and only apply it to facial skin after moisturizing. This helps your skin avoid direct contact with harmful active ingredients when the facial cleanser has not been foamed.

Do not overuse facial cleanser and use it too many times a day. Because overuse will cause your skin to get itchy rashes or stimulate the sebaceous glands to work strongly. It’s best for people to only wash their face with cleanser twice a day.

Which facial cleanser should I choose?

After experiencing all the products above, Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleaner is my favorite facial cleanser.

The product has a colorless, odorless, and non-foaming gel texture that helps cleanse gently and does not cause dry skin.

This product also contains ingredients that help smooth and moisturize the skin. The product is very suitable for people with dry skin like me.

Another plus point for the product is that the ideal pH level is 5.5, so I can use it with complete peace of mind.