No matter how extensive your skincare regime is, cleansing is the most basic yet important step to achieving a good complexion. It may not be the most exciting step, but it is one you should definitely pay close attention to. Picking out a cleanser isn’t as simple as choosing the right lip balm for your puckers or the perfect mascara for your lashes. The most important thing to know when choosing your cleanser is your skin type.
Why then, is cleansing so important? Well for one, not cleansing properly can lead to a build-up of oil and sebum — resulting in clogged pores. Over time, pores will continuously get more congested, resulting in breakouts.
Apart from that, it is essential to remove all makeup at the end of the day, otherwise skincare products will not be able to penetrate the skin properly due to a layer of residue, preventing them from being absorbed.
Air pollution is also a prevalent problem and after being out for an entire (or even half a) day, dust, bacteria and other unwanted and harmful particles would have come in contact with our skin. These environmental aggressors may eventually damage and irritate our skin.
Here, we pick out the best cleansers suited for the different skin types to help you get started on your journey to a clearer complexion.
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Anti-Pollution
One of the fluffliest cleansing foams you’ll ever try, this luxurious cleansing foam has a rich and dense texture to effectively reach into skin crevices and pores and lift away residual dirt and grime. Thanks to its Advanced Cleansing Technology Softening Formula, it is also able to eliminate particulate matter from air pollution to give skin a renewed glow. After rinsing it away, you’ll notice that your skin feels balanced and refreshed as the formula contains amino acids and hyaluronic acid to replenish lost moisture.
Brightening
Not only does this create a luxurious foam to thoroughly and gently cleanse your skin, it is also enriched with skin-renewing ingredients to speed up the process of cellular turnover. Expect brighter, smoother skin with continued use.
For sensitive skin
Formulated with maple water, green tea, chestnut and blackcurrant extracts, this all-natural formula is gentle on skin while thoroughly removing all traces of sebum and dirt. Skin feels refreshed and revived after just one use and it perfect for all skin types, even sensitive, irritation-prone ones.
Hydrating
Infused with the brand’s signature ingredient Pitera, it effectively removes excess sebum and impurities while dousing skin in its rich cocktail of vitamins, minerals and amino acids. In addition, it also contains willow bark extract, which is a source of salicylic acid to help decongest pores and refine skin texture over time. Skin feels soft and smooth, without any tightness or discomfort, making it perfect for those with dry skin.
For oily skin
Formulated with walnut tree leaf extracts and salicylic acid to improve skin texture, this antioxidant-rich cleanser gently removes impurities and makeup to reveal a softer, smoother and more radiant complexion. The airy, velvety texture of the foam is super lightweight and perfect for those with oily skin, while still retaining moisture without stripping away essential oils.
For oily skin
Enriched with iris flower extracts, this multi-action cleansing foam helps control oil levels in skin for a balanced and even complexion. It also removes makeup and dead skin cells to reveal a clearer and brighter skin tone.
For combination skin
Gel cleansers are great for those with combination skin as it is lightweight and hydrating at the same time. Laneige’s Fresh Calming Line is catered to those with combination skin and this gel cleanser contains deep sea water and litchi extract to effectively moisturise skin without drying it out. It also helps to remove excess sebum and oil. What else we love about it? It’s refreshing scent.
For combination skin
With a formula that combines coconut extracts with AHA (alpha hydroxy acid) and BHA (beta hydroxy acid), this deeply cleanses pores and removes impurities without stripping skin’s natural moisture. Sage and aloe vera extracts also help to soothe and moisturise skin while balancing skin’s pH levels.
For combination skin
With a formula that contains antioxidant-rich white lotus and Japanese cedar bud, this penetrates deep into the pores to gently liberate the skin from toxins while also preserving skin’s youth.
For dry skin
What those with dehydrated or delicate complexions should use. Milk cleansers are extremely soothing and leave skin feeling soft and smooth. It also works for those who use light or no makeup. This is made with ingredients that support blood circulation and provide anti-inflammatory benefits.
For dry skin
This milky-oil cleanser gently, yet effectively detoxifies and cleanses skin while removing surface impurities, makeup and purifying pores. It soothes, comforts and infuses skin with essential moisture, leaving skin feeling hydrated, soft and refreshed.
For dry skin
This soothing cleansing milk contains a blend of softening and toning plant extracts such as Alpine herbs, sweet almond and linden, which help maintain skin’s perfect moisture balance for optimum comfort and radiance.
Anti-Blemish
Perfect for those with oily skin, this clarifying face wash also contains plant-derived extracts like chamomile flower to regulate sebum production, fight redness and soothe breakouts. The dense foam doesn’t strip skin of moisture and restores the delicate moisture-lipid balance.
Multi-Purpose
Not all foaming cleansers are created equal and this is a prime example of one that is a cut above the rest. Beyond thorough cleansing and skin-conditioning ingredients that help balance moisture-lipid levels, this cleanser produces a foam that’s so uniquely rich, each tiny foam bubble is less than 0.1mm in size, which forms a cushion-like layer over the skin to minimise the friction produced from rubbing the skin vigorously. Moreover, it contains quasi-drug ingredients to keep bacteria growth and inflammation at bay for clear and supple skin.
Pore-Refining
Two types of enzymes lie at the heart of this deep cleansing formula. All you have to do is dispense a small amount between your palms and work into a rich lather to activate the enzymes. They soften oil plugs and dissolve dead skin cells to reduce pore congestion. Collagen, hyaluronic acid and royal jelly extract also help to hydrate the skin to keep it plump.