The 5 Best Facial Cleansers
Would you apply body milk or body oil without having showered first? Probably not. So, do the same with your face. You must deeply clean it before applying moisturizer. Especially at night, because that’s when the skin regenerates.
No matter whether you’ve put on makeup or not, pores trap all the dirt that’s in the environment. So, if you want to keep your face skin healthy, don’t go to bed without having cleaned it.
Moreover, it’s important to remind you that facial cleansing helps the cosmetic products you use to penetrate better and more deeply. Therefore, their effectiveness increases.
In the market, you can find facial cleansers of all prices, for all skin types, and with very different textures: gel, cream, foam, bar, aqueous…
Finding the one that best suits you can be an intense trial/error task. To make the comparison easier for you, we have selected what we consider to be the 5 best facial cleansers today.
What have we taken into account? Mainly, two aspects: their effectiveness/price ratio and the active ingredients included in their formulation.
No.1 – Nezeni Cosmetics Micellar Water
Buy on Amazon or on Nezeni’s website cheaper
“All in 1”. That’s how Nezeni advertises its micellar water, the best from our point of view. Why? Because it’s suitable for all skin types, because it barely contains preservatives, because the ingredients used are of quality, because it does not contain irritants, parabens, or alcohol…
Need more reasons? We have them:
- It not only cleanses the impurities of the complexion, but also effectively removes makeup from the face and eyes.
- It’s a cleanser, but at the same time acts as a toner and as a moisturizer.
- Its active ingredients revitalize the complexion, giving it a healthier and more rested appearance.
- It is hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic.
If we look at the ingredients, we see that many of them are natural. For an in-depth analysis you can see its complete INCI in the review we did in this article. However, it is important to highlight the role played by some of them.
Nezeni’s micellar water contains a high proportion of aloe vera, whose regenerative, moisturizing, healing, and anti-inflammatory effects are well known.
Its benefits are reinforced with apple extract (it’s antioxidant, provides vitamin C, and accelerates blood circulation), ginger (stimulates collagen production) and oats (provides firmness and nutrition to the complexion). Meanwhile, salicylic acid is an excellent exfoliant.
Special mention also goes to its packaging (150 ml), as it includes a dispenser and is airless. What’s special about it? On one hand, it’s more hygienic because you don’t have to touch the product you’re not going to use with your hand.
This way, you avoid staining it. On the other hand, the air cannot enter, so the remaining product does not oxidize easily.
Even so, it should be emphasized that Nezeni’s micellar water hardly contains preservatives, so once opened, it will expire in 6 months. Unopened, it lasts for two years. In the short term, the fact that it does not contain preservatives will not affect you, but in the long run, it will.
Think about the number of creams and makeup you apply to your face throughout the day. Now, add up the preservatives each one contains and multiply them by two years, three, four… The possible harmful consequences are what is known as the combined effect of cosmetics.
The manufacturer recommends applying it twice a day, in the morning and at night. Let it dry before applying the cream.
ORO24KARAT Exfoliating and Foaming Facial Cleanser
It removes impurities, excess oil, dead cells, and makeup. ORO24KARAT includes in its product catalog this facial cleanser enriched with gold, aloe vera, and witch hazel.
Thanks to its exclusive combination of vitamins (A and C) and essential oils, it leaves your face ready to start the daily beauty ritual. After several applications, you will notice your complexion brighter, more hydrated, and nourished.
It’s a good product, but when applying it a foam is formed that you must rinse off with lukewarm water to remove it. This extra step can be a nuisance for some people, who prefer the convenience of micellar water.
The ORO24KARAT is sold in a convenient 150 ml container and does not contain parabens. However, on very sensitive skins, it may leave a slight tingling sensation.
It should also be noted that its cost is somewhat higher than other brands.
Clarins Gentle Foaming Cleanser with Shea Butter
Clarins is one of the great cosmetic brands, and among its products, a good cleanser could not be missing to remove its fantastic makeup. This foam is especially formulated for the driest and most sensitive skins.
When analyzing its ingredients, we see it does not contain soap, although the truth is that it cleans as if it did. What has been included is shea butter, a regenerating active that provides a good number of vitamins (A, D, E, and F) and minerals.
It moisturizes, nourishes, repairs, acts as a sun filter… Its benefits for the complexion are numerous.
Another ingredient worth mentioning is gypsophila root, a herb that has been used for years for its diuretic effects.
Applied on the epidermis, it is a superb cleansing and purifying agent. It also contains cottonseed, which acts as an emollient.
Since a lot of foam is formed, to remove the cream it is necessary to wash the face with water, a slight inconvenience that is compensated by the softness it provides to the complexion.
Its presentation is a plastic container of 125 ml similar to the typical hand cream container. From our point of view, the product is not used as much as with dispensers.
It should also be noted that with certain makeups you need to insist, which can irritate the skin.
Biotherm Biosource Hydra-Mineral Cleanser
Now let’s move on to a makeup remover with a mousse texture. For its formulation, an active complex has been used which includes 70 minerals, among which zinc stands out.
Thanks to this, it manages to clean dirt and sebum but without drying out or irritating the skin.
To apply this facial cleanser, it is necessary to mix it with water. Once the foam comes out, you should gently rub your face with circular movements. Then you must rinse with plenty of lukewarm water.
This process will take you a bit longer than with other products, something you should consider especially since it is recommended for use in the mornings.
It is especially indicated for normal and combination skins, but it also works well for oily complexions.
It is sold in a 150 ml container that lasts quite a while, although you must be careful when dispensing the product because it does not have a dispenser.
Navi Facial Cleansing Gel by Doris Wagner
Alpine water, cucumber juice, elderflower extract, vitamin E, coconut derivatives, provitamin B5, glycerin, lemon peel oil…
This gel has the ingredients to leave your face free of residues, but at the same time fresh and hydrated.
It is even capable of freeing the pores from impurities, removing blackheads and pimples, and diminishing dark circles and wrinkles. All without irritating your skin.
It is a vegan product, not tested on animals, that does not contain parabens, silicones, paraffins, phthalates, aluminum, gluten, lactose, or GMOs. Therefore, it is indicated for all skin types.
Its scent is very pleasant, although it may be too strong for some people. The container (125 ml) is one of its weak points, as the cap is the kind that ends up breaking from opening and closing so much.
What to consider when buying a facial cleanser?
Now that you know the importance of cleaning your face so that unhygienic substances do not accumulate and to prevent pore clogging, you may be thinking of buying this product.
When making the comparison, you should take into account a series of characteristics. Below, we will explain the most important ones.
Skin type
The first thing you should consider is your skin type: dry, oily, combination, sensitive, etc… Look for the most suitable formula for you, as well as the texture that best adapts to your complexion.
In this regard, you should know that gels are usually more effective on oily complexions, as the foam they create manages to remove excess sebum. The same applies to mousses and clays.
Cleansing milks, on the other hand, are ideal for sensitive and dry skin because they use gentle surfactants and hydrating and nourishing ingredients. They usually do not carry irritants. Other cleansers suitable for dry and dehydrated skins are oils and micellar water.
There are also powder cleansers (all skin types), bar cleansers (combination), and exfoliants (combination and oily). Meanwhile, gloves, sponges, and cloths work better for combination and oily skins.
Ingredients
Make sure that the active ingredients used by manufacturers are of quality.
A good facial cleanser should include emollients (lanolin, mineral oil, ceramides, etc.), humectants (glycerin, hyaluronic acid, oats, olive oil, jojoba oil…), exfoliants (salicylic or citric acid, for example), and antibacterials (such as honey, tea tree oil, or benzoyl peroxide).
For dry skin, moisturizing ingredients are recommended, which provide an extra dose of hydration. Glycerin, hyaluronic acid, fatty acids, and essential oils will be your best allies.
On the other hand, you should avoid soaps, alcohol, and aggressive surfactants, such as SLES or SLS.
Is your skin oily? Choose a gentle cleanser with a low pH (between 4.5 and 5.5) that includes exfoliating ingredients. Look for salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide in the INCI.
No matter your skin type, try to avoid soaps, alcohol, parabens, and an excess of preservatives.
Packaging
The presentation is more important than it