Best Facial Cleanser Australia: Our Top Face Wash Products

12 Of The Best Facial Cleansers For Every Skin Type

At the end of a day of makeup, city grime, and general dirt, cleansing the skin of oils and dirt is an essential daily must-do.

And while cleansing can seem like a useless task—while we juggle serums, eye creams, moisturisers, etc—we also can't deal with the oil or excessive dryness that comes from not cleaning our skin properly at the end of the day.

The best facial cleanser is one that works with your skin type. Whether you have oily skin, dry skin or combination, finding a product that removes make up and cleanses the skin without stripping it of its natural oils is key.

Whether it's a gel, cream, foaming water, or even an oil, there are several brands out there that have specially created products that do the job with minimal damage to your skin.

Skincare technology has come a long way, so below, we've rounded up some of the best facial cleansers in Australia to help you make the right choice.

Creams and Milks

Clarins Gentle Foaming Cleanser

One of the great things about Clarins' Gentle Foaming Cleanser with Cottonseed is that it's available for all skin types. Oily/Dry/Normal/Combination, they've got you covered.

The light milk turns into a pillowy foam so you only need a tiny amount but it removes make up without a trace. The floral scent is fairly strong so if you prefer fragrance-free products this won't be for you.

'Gentle Foaming Cleanser with Cottonseed' by Clarins, $40 at MECCA.

Kiehl's Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleanser

Formulated with mineral-rich ingredients sourced from the mouth of the Amazon River, this daily exfoliating face wash helps remove dirt and oil to detoxify pores while visibly minimising their appearance. Surface oil is absorbed while bacteria, toxins and dead skin cells are removed to leave skin soft, healthy-looking and less prone to breakouts.

'Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleanser' by Kiehl's, $38 at Adore Beauty.

Dermalogica Intensive Moisture Cleanser

A light, creamy cleanser that removes impurities while actively nourishing dry, depleted skin. The emollient formula cleanses skin while minimising damage of vital proteins and lipids that defend against dryness. Combined with coconut and murumuru seed butter, the formula preserves the skin's natural resilience for a smoother feel after cleansing. Rinses away easily, leaving skin cleaner, softer and more luminous.

'Intensive Moisture Cleanser' by Dermalogica, $95 at MECCA.

Kate Somerville Goat Milk Moisturising Cleanser

This moisturising cleanser thoroughly purifies the skin without stripping it, providing gentle skincare in both the morning and night-time routine. The gentle, creamy formula is enriched with goat milk proteins to help soothe dry and sensitive skin, while vitamin rich manuka honey provides intense nourishment without irritating or drying the skin. Dirt, oil, makeup and other impurities are gently lifted away, leaving the skin feeling clean and pampered.

'Goat Milk Moisturising Cleanser' by Kate Somerville, $61 at MECCA.

Gels And Foaming Cleansers

Neutrogena Deep Clean Foaming Cleanser

Neutrogena Deep Foaming Cleanser is a water-based cleanser that strips your skin of dirt and grim but leaves the natural oils intact.

If you're prone to acne and want a product that contains salicylic acid, you can mix it up with Neutrogena's Acne Oil-Free Acne Wash. Great when you have breakouts it can dry out your skin if it's not oily so use interchangeably with the regular cleanser.

'Deep Clean Foaming Cleanser' by Neutrogena, $8.99 at Priceline.

Drunk Elephant Beste No.9 Jelly Cleanser

NB: No elephants were harmed in the making of this cruelty-free cleanser.

Drunk Elephant Beste No.9 Jelly Cleanser contains nourishing marula oil, soothing cantaloupe and hydrating glycerine which deliver a gentle and non-irritating cleanser that's perfect for oily and combination skin.

'Beste No.9 Jelly Cleanser' by Drunk Elephant, $51 at MECCA.

Go-To Properly Clean

Give your skin an exceptional clean with this vegan foaming cleanser that gently removes makeup, dirt and excess oil without irritating or stripping the skin. Instead, each cleanse will leave your skin feeling smooth, balanced and hydrated. This cleanser is gentle enough for all skin types including mature and sensitive.

'Properly Clean' by Go-To, $31 at MECCA.

Tatcha The Rice Wash

Harnessing the centuries-old Japanese practice of using rice as an essential ingredient in daily diet and beauty rituals (resulting in clear, bright and dewy skin), this pillow-soft cream cleanser helps to soften, smooth and hydrate the face while clearing away impurities. Like many of Tatcha's bestsellers, the cream cleanser is formulated with Hadasei-3, a fermented antioxidant-rich essence of Japanese superfoods, which floods the skin with moisture, replenishing the skin barrier for a softer, smoother complexion.

'The Rice Wash' by Tatcha, $56 at MECCA.

Oils and Balms

The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser

Believe us, there's nothing ordinary about The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser. Squalane is something the body produces naturally and is essentially a type of skin sebum (oil).

What's different about this non-soap, water-based cleanser is you warm it up in your hands where it changes from a balm texture to an oil. Somehow, like magic, the oil melts away mascara, foundation and eyeliner in seconds. Simply remove the excess with a warm facecloth and voila - a dewy glow is all that's left.

'Squalene Cleanser' by The Ordinary, $13.90 at Adore Beauty.

Aesop Parsley Seed Facial Cleansing Oil

An exceptionally mild Parsley Seed Facial Cleansing Oil to cleanse effortlessly, leaving skin feeling refreshed, balanced and remarkably supple.

Containing a sophisticated blend of anti-oxidant and vitamin-rich ingredients, Aesop's latest addition to the Parsley Seed range is designed to appeal to all skin types, especially combination, sensitive and dry.

'Parsley Seed Facial Cleansing Oil' by Aesop, $63 at Adore Beauty.

Eve Lom Cleanser

A multi award-winning cleansing balm that melts on contact with the skin and removes makeup without stripping the skin. Formulated with four aromatic plant oils, this cleanser also decongests the skin, tones and lightly exfoliates leaving skin smooth and radiant.

'Cleanser' by Eve Lom, $177 at MECCA.

Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm

Take the Day Off Cleansing Balm effortlessly dissolves even the most tenacious makeup and sunscreen, leaving no trace behind. Its non-greasy, non-drying, lightweight formula nourishes skin, cleanses thoroughly, and rinses off completely, so all that’s left is a fresh, dewy glow. Suitable for all skin types: normal, oily, combination, dry, and sensitive.

'Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm' by Clinique, $56 at Sephora.

Hannah Hempenstall

Hannah Hempenstall is a Writer, Life Coach and Meditation Facilitator, based in Byron Bay. She loves the art of storytelling and is obsessed with understanding human behaviour.

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