Natural face cleansers & cleansing balms
A natural face cleanser for every skin type, with cream cleansers, cleansing balms, kaolin clay cleansers and powder-to-foam formats. A cream cleanser suits dry or sensitive skin, while clay and foaming formats suit oily skin and the second step of a double cleanse.
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Choosing a natural face cleanser
A natural face cleanser lifts makeup, sunscreen and the day's grime without stripping the skin's own oils. Water alone removes a lot, so a cleanser earns its place on gentleness and how skin feels afterwards. Look for a soft cleansing base, no harsh scrubbing grains and a texture that suits your skin. Baie Botanique makes rose and cupuaçu enzyme cleansers and a regenerating rose face wash, Bouclé makes natural cleansing kaolin clays, and SKNFED makes an organic cleansing lotion. Every cleanser here met our standard on ingredients and transparency.
Cleansing balm and natural cleansing balm
A cleansing balm melts into an oil on contact with skin, so it dissolves makeup and sunscreen before you rinse it away with a warm cloth. Sintra Naturals makes a soothing cleansing balm, and Maysama makes a green rooibos gel-balm cleanser. A natural cleansing balm uses plant oils and butters rather than mineral oil. Use one as the first step of a double cleanse at night, then follow with a gentle wash. Wash your cloth often, or use a fresh one each night, so it stays clean.
Cream cleanser and clay cleansers
A cream cleanser suits dry and sensitive skin, because it cleans without foam and leaves skin soft. Wild Rising Skincare makes a canvas cream cleanser, Douvalls makes an organic argan nourishing cream cleanser, and Silvan Skincare pairs a cream cleanser with an organic muslin square. For oily skin, Flawless makes a kaolin and oat clay facial cleanser, and Wild Rising Skincare and BristolMade make powder-to-foam cleansers you activate with water. Powders travel well and last a long time, as you only wet what you need. Clean U Skincare makes a soapnut face cleanser for a gentle, low-foam wash.
Building a simple routine
Cleanse once in the morning and twice at night if you wear makeup or sunscreen. A cleanser for dry skin should be cream or balm based, and a gentle cleanser for sensitive skin should be unscented or lightly scented. Take makeup off first with pads from Makeup Removal, follow with Toners & Mists and a moisturiser from Face Creams, and find more for your routine in Healthy Skin.
Common questions
Which cleanser is gentlest on sensitive skin?
A cream cleanser or cleansing balm with no added fragrance is usually the gentlest choice. Patch test a new cleanser and avoid scrubbing.
How do you use a cleansing balm?
Massage a small scoop onto dry skin to melt makeup, add a little water, then wipe away with a warm, damp cloth. Follow with a second cleanse if you wear heavy makeup.
What is double cleansing?
Double cleansing means using an oil or balm cleanser first to lift makeup and sunscreen, then a gentle wash to clean the skin. It suits evenings, and once is enough in the morning.
Should you use a different cleanser for oily skin?
Oily skin often prefers a clay or light foaming cleanser, used morning and night. Avoid harsh, squeaky-clean washes, which can leave skin tight.
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