Cleansing is the first and most important step in your skin care routine, as it helps clean out dirt, excess oil and fine dust on your face. As cleansers get rinsed off skin, their additional non-cleansing benefits (such as brightening, anti-aging and soothing ingredients) may not penetrate as deep into skin compared to other products that remain on skin such as toners, ampoules and creams. When choosing the perfect cleanser for your skin needs, focus more on its cleansing power and suitability for your skin type above all else.
You don’t have to spend a fortune on cleansing products as there are many powerful and affordable cleansers in the market. Just make sure the facial cleanser suits your skin type or skin concerns in terms of ingredients, texture and formulation. Below are ten budget-friendly recommendations that get much love from YesStyle customers. Pick the cleanser that suits you the best!
For Oily Skin
Those with oily skin may deal with skin concerns associated with excess sebum production like enlarged pores and greasy skin later in the day, so a lightweight cleanser that removes excess oil and dead skin cells is most beneficial for this skin type. Exfoliant ingredients like BHA help unclog pores and remove blackheads, while kaolin, volcanic ash and tea tree oil absorb sebum and regulate oil secretion.
As YesStyle’s bestselling facial cleanser for at least five years, COSRX’s Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser is perfect for oily skin. It contains tea tree oil and natural BHA to soothe and exfoliate skin, leaving a smooth, supple and healthy finish. Transforming from gel into refined foam upon lathering, the gentle and refreshing cleanser is especially designed to be used in the morning but can also be used at night.
Another cult-favorite is innisfree’s Volcanic BHA Pore Cleansing Foam formulated with Jeju volcanic clusters and BHA to rid skin of the daily buildup of grime. Infused with Jeju hot spring water and madecassoside, the cleanser further purifies and hydrates skin. The formula changes from a smooth paste into soft foam upon lathering.
For Dry Skin
If you have dry skin, it’s essential to choose a hydrating facial cleanser that doesn’t leave skin feeling taut post-cleanse. Gel cleansers are good options for this skin type, as are cleansing milks and cream-based cleansers. Avoid harsh soaps that may sap too much moisture from dry skin. In terms of active ingredients, look for cleansers with humectants like hyaluronic acid to draw moisture to skin, and occlusives like plant oils and ceramide to support the skin barrier. Emollients like shea butter help seal in moisture.
One of the top three bestselling facial cleansers at YesStyle since 2022, B.LAB’s Matcha Hydrating Foam Cleanser is formulated with a pH of 5.5 for optimum affinity with skin. Using only EWG green-grade ingredients such as matcha extract, centella extract, hyaluronic acid and ceramide, the foam cleanser restores skin’s natural oil-water balance. The creamy paste gently dissolves into rich foam upon contact with water.
Isntree’s Yam Root Vegan Milk Cleanser comes in a generous 220ml pump bottle which should last quite a while. The vegan and cruelty-free cleanser is formulated with amino acid-rich andong yam root extract, alongside coconut, rice, soybean, sweet almond and oatmeal extracts to calm skin, boost skin’s hydration levels and reinforce the skin barrier.
For Acne-Prone Skin
The accumulation of sebum and dead skin cells in pores can lead to inflammation and the formation of acne. Apart from using exfoliators like AHA and BHA to remove excess oil on face and pores, those with acne-prone skin may also look to anti-inflammatory agents like tea tree oil to tame troubled skin.
A perennial bestseller at YesStyle, COSRX’s Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Cleanser contains salicylic acid to unclog pores and smooth uneven skin texture, as well as tea tree oil to deliver antibacterial and soothing effects. It’s perfect for soothing redness from acne and fostering healing.
A lightweight alternative would be Rohto Mentholatum’s Acnes Foam Wash. Coming in a pump bottle that directly dispenses foam onto the palm of your hand, the foam face wash from Rohto Mentholatum’s evergreen Acnes line is packed with isopropyl methyl phenol to fight acne-causing bacteria, and dipotassium glycyrrhizinate to calm skin and protect it from blemishes. Added with Vitamin C and coconut ingredients, the Acne Foam Wash helps to nourish and moisturize skin.
For Sensitive Skin
Those with sensitive skin should avoid potential irritants in facial cleaners like artificial fragrances, ethanol, parabens and sulfates. If you’re dealing with a flare-up, go for soothing ingredients like centella and oatmeal. Avoid over-exfoliation to keep skin healthy and irritation-free.
heimish’s All Clean Green Foam contains a combination of soapbark tree, centella and witch hazel extracts to rid skin of excess oil and dirt, while amino acids replenish moisture. Containing only EWG green-grade ingredients and made free of parabens, the formula boasts an optimum pH of 5.5, and it leaves a non-irritating finish. The clear gel melts into soft foam for a thorough but gentle cleanse. Although witch hazel is good for acne, it may worsen rosacea so anyone who has this skin condition should avoid products with witch hazel.
SKIN 1004’s Madagascar Centella Ampoule Foam is packed with 100% EWG green-grade ingredients, including 84% Madagascan cica extract, baking soda and natural coconut oil. The gentle cleansing foam removes impurities from face to help keep skin clear and prevent acne formation. It leaves skin calm with a supple finish.
For Uneven Skin Tone
Although the brightening effect of cleansers may be less prominent than other products in your skin care routine, you may still look for formulas with brightening ingredients to help achieve radiant and healthy skin. Ingredients like rice water, Vitamin C and niacinamide help even skin tone and enhance skin radiance.
THE FACE SHOP’s Rice Water Bright Cleansing Foam comes in a whooping 300ml tube, and it’s formulated with rice water to brighten complexion. Another recommendation is FRUDIA’s Citrus Brightening Micro Cleansing Foam which has a whipped cream texture that dissolves and lathers into micro-bubbles when combined with water. It contains Dust Zero Complex (made of cypress leaf, eucalyptus leaf, bamboo and moringa leaf extracts) to absorb impurities and rid skin of fine dust and makeup residue. Vitamin C-rich citrus ingredients like citrus unshiu peel extract and grapefruit seed oil help brighten dull skin.