Cleansing is the first, and most important step in your skincare routine allowing you to remove dirt, makeup or anything else your skin has been exposed to throughout the day.
With that said, it’s also a skincare product that’s on your skin for the least amount of time so it’s often better to splurge on your favourite serums and masks. Nonetheless, there are plenty of fantastic cleansers that come in many different forms (gels, creams, foams and oils), for every skin type and budget.
We have rounded up some of the best face cleansers in Australia to help you get ultra-clean, fresh and glowy skin that’s primed and ready for your next skincare step.
What type of face cleanser should I use?
The type of facial cleanser you should use depends on your skin concern.
- If you have oily skin, you should look for a facial cleanser that is oil–free and non–comedogenic.
- If you have dry skin, you should look for a facial cleanser that is hydrating and gentle.
- If you have combination skin, you should look for a facial cleanser that is both hydrating and oil–free.
- If you have sensitive skin, you should look for a facial cleanser that is free of fragrances and dyes.
No matter what your skin type is, it is important to choose a cleanser that will be most effective for your skin. Cleansers that are too harsh can strip away natural oils and cause irritation, while cleansers that are too gentle may not be effective in removing dirt and impurities.
It is also important to look for cleansers that are free of harsh chemicals, such as sulphates, parabens, and phthalates. Additionally, look for cleansers that contain natural ingredients such as aloe vera, tea tree oil, and jojoba oil, which can help soothe and nourish the skin.
Best Cream Cleansers
Kissed Earth Enzymatic Cream Cleanser
Best for Congested, Dehydrated Skin Types
The Kissed Earth Enzymatic Cream Cleanser is the perfect choice for anyone looking for a luxurious, effective, and gentle cleanser.
It is packed with active botanicals and skin–loving nutrients like squalene, organic coconut oil, salicylic acid, and papaya extract that work together to exfoliate and effectively cleanse your skin without leaving it feeling tight.
Squalene is an emollient oil that creates a soft yet rich feeling on your skin, while organic coconut oil melts away makeup, grease and grime with a rich, melting texture. Salicylic acid exfoliates while cleansing, revealing brighter, fresher skin, and papaya extract enzymes lift and dissolve dead skin cells.
This cream facial cleanser adds a little luxury to your skincare routine and has a subtle fresh botanical fragrance.
- 100ml
- Packed with hydrating and nourishing ingredients
- Luxurious, lightweight texture
- Easily melts away makeup and dirt
The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser
Best for Dehydrated, Sensitive Skin Types
The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser is an ideal choice for anyone looking for a gentle, hydrating cleanser that won‘t strip the skin of its natural oils.
It features squalane, which is known for its hydration and anti–inflammatory capabilities, and it removes makeup and stubborn build-up without leaving the skin feeling tight. It also softens and hydrates the skin, and is suitable for all skin types at a pH of 5.5–6.5. It‘s free from harsh alcohol and soap, oil and silicone free, vegan and cruelty-free, gluten-free, and has no added fragrance. Plus, it won‘t give you that ‘squeaky clean‘ feeling that can be irritating to dry, cracked skin.
This no-frills cleanser is really affordable, yet still great quality. The only downside is that you can use it up pretty quickly. There is a supersize version you can purchase.
- 50ml
- No fragrance
- Very affordable
- Contains Squalane for hydration benefits
- Gentle and non-irritating
- Lightweight consistency
Alpha H Balancing Cleanser
Best for Normal to Dry Skin Types
185ml
Alpha–H Balancing Cleanser is a luxurious, non–greasy, gently fragrant lotion that effectively cleanses the skin without drying or irritating it. This makes it an ideal cleanser for sensitive and rosacea-prone skin types.
It is formulated with Vitamin E and Aloe Vera to ensure fresh, velvety, hydrated skin. The creamy, non–foaming texture leaves skin feeling soft, fresh hydrated and would be suitable for anyone looking to repair their skin barrier.
Unlike the Squalane Cleanser from The Ordinary, we found a little goes a long way with this facial cleanser and the product lasted for months.
Overall, this facial cleanser is perfect for those looking for a gentle, yet effective way to cleanse their skin.
- 185ml
- Ideal for rosacea-prone and sensitive skin types
- Contains calming Aloe Vera
- A little product goes a long way
- Vegan, Cruelty-Free
Best Balms & Gel Cleansers
Skinstitut L–Lactic Cleanser
Best for Acne Prone Skin Types
The L–Lactic Cleanser from cosmeceuticals brand, Skinstitut is a gentle yet effective facial cleanser that is suitable for all skin types. It contains lactic acid to exfoliate and decongest the skin, and a blend of raspberry, goji berry and seaweed extracts to add moisture, radiance, and even out the skin tone.
This gel cleanser is enriched with soya bean oil, vitamin E and panthenol to nourish and strengthen the skin‘s integrity. This facial cleanser leaves the skin feeling cleansed, hydrated, and nourished. It is a great choice for those with sensitive, acne-prone skin types.
- 200ml
- Cosmeceutical grade skincare
- Lathers up easily
- Decongesting, yet gentle and hydrating
- Neutral fragrance
Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm
Best for Dry, Ageing and Combination Skin Types
The Elemis Pro–Collagen Cleansing Balm is a luxurious and effective cleanser that will give you a home spa feeling.
This best-selling facial cleanser is popular amongst skincare influencers and makeup artists due to its effectiveness in giving your skin a deep clean.
It is infused with nine essential oils and hydrating algae that melt into a rich cleansing oil to dissolve makeup and impurities, leaving your skin looking more radiant and youthful.
Some of the ingredients highlights include Elderberry oil, which contains essential fatty acids and other micronutrients to keep skin healthy, Starflower oil, a natural source of Gamma Linolenic Acid grown and pressed in the UK to maintain the skin‘s metabolism, and Padina pavonica, found off the Mediterranean Coast, this brown algae supports skin hydration.
The Elemis Pro–Collagen Cleansing Balm also comes with a luxury cleansing cloth to add to your home spa ritual.
The downside of this facial cleanser is that it also comes at a luxury price. At almost $100 AUD it’s easily one of the most expensive cleansers on the market.
- 100g
- Deeply cleans skin from makeup, grease and oil and dirt
- Infused with nine relaxing essential oils and hydrating algae
- 3 in 1 transformative formula
- Leaves skin incredibly smooth and soft
Best Foaming Cleansers
KORA Organics Turmeric Glow Foaming Cleanser
Best for Combination to Dry Skin Types
One of the best-rated foaming cleansers comes from the leading clean beauty skincare brand KORA Organics, founded by Australian businesswoman and model Miranda Kerr. The Turmeric Glow Foaming Cleanser is a certified organic, pH-balancing gel cleanser that transforms into a foamy lather to cleanse away dirt, oil and other impurities.
It reveals a more radiant–looking complexion and is rich in nourishing signature ingredients such as turmeric, noni and aloe vera juice to nourish and protect the skin. It is energised with citrine, a crystal known to promote confidence and success.
This facial cleanser is free from GMO’s, artificial colours, artificial fragrance, sulphates, parabens and is cruelty–free.
- 150ml
- Certified organic skincare
- Foams and lathers beautifully
- Subtle cooling after feeling
- Effectively cleanses while hydrating
- Refreshing peppermint scent
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Cleansing Foaming Gel
Best for Sensitive, Oily, Acne-Prone Skin Types
Another standout foaming facial cleanser comes from French pharmacy fave, La Roche-Posay. The Cleansing Foaming Gel is a gentle yet effective cleanser designed specifically for sensitive, oily, and acne-prone skin.
It eliminates impurities, excess sebum, and lifts away dirt without disrupting the skin‘s natural balance. The formula contains Thermal Spring Water to soothe and reduce inflammation, as well as Zinc PCA to provide anti–inflammatory, anti–bacterial, and antifungal properties.
The gel foams well and creates a rich lather that leaves your skin feeling ultra-clean yet still soft. This cleanser is perfect for those with sensitive skin who want to keep their skin clean and clear without irritating it.
Best of all, at under $30 AUD for a 200ml tub, it’s fantastic value for money.
- 200ml
- A little goes a long way
- Free of alcohol and parabens
- Deeply cleans oily skin without leaving it too dry
- Contains Zinc PCA to fight against acne-causing bacteria
CeraVe Foaming Cleanser Normal to Oily Skin
Best for Normal to Oily Skin Types
CeraVe Foaming Cleanser Normal to Oily Skin is a gentle foaming facial cleanser that deeply cleanses the skin, removing dirt, makeup and excess sebum without disrupting the skin’s natural barrier.
Suitable for normal to oily skin types, this cleanser can be used on both the face and body to improve skin tone and texture while also reinforcing the skin‘s protective barrier.
It is free from artificial fragrances, sulphates, alcohol and parabens, and contains 3 essential ceramides, hyaluronic acid and niacinamide.
Affordable and great value for money, this face wash is a must–have for anyone with normal to oily skin.
- 473ml
- Fragrance-Free
- Free of nasties (sulphates, parabens and alcohol)
- Breaks down makeup, oils and sunscreen easily
- Formulated with hydrating ingredients (HA and 3 essential ceramides)
- Fantastic value for money
Best Oil Cleansers
Hunter Lab Lipid Vitamin Cleansing Oil
Best for Mature, Dry and Sensitive Skin Types
Hunter Lab Lipid Vitamin Cleansing Oil is a luxurious cleansing oil that helps to cleanse, hydrate and refresh the skin in one step.
It is supercharged with 10 natural oils, including Kakadu Plum Seed Oil, Papaya Enzyme, Hemp Seed Oil and Rosemary, Thyme and Patchouli Essential Oils.
It melts away impurities such as pollution, excess sebum and daily grime with ease while making light work of makeup and SPF.
Suitable for all skin types, this cleansing oil is made in Melbourne and is cruelty-free, sulphate-free, mineral oil-free, alcohol-free and paraben free.
- 150ml
- No nasties (Sulphates, Mineral Oil, Alcohol and Parabens)
- Formulated with 10 natural oils
- Made in Australia
- Melts away dirt, oils and grime without stripping the skin
Shiseido Perfect Cleansing Oil
Best for All Skin Types
Shiseido Perfect Cleansing Oil is an award–winning cleanser that gently removes excess oil, impurities, and even the most stubborn face, lip, and eye makeup from the skin.
Its lightweight formula reveals comfortable, clean skin with a dewy (not greasy) finish. Shiseido’s gentle quick–removing technology creates a versatile, hassle–free formula that can be applied to wet or dry skin and rinses off easily without feeling greasy on the skin.
Glycerin hydrates and softens the skin, helping to strengthen the natural moisture barrier for smoother, more comfortable and more resilient skin. Grape seed oil richly nourishes and soothes skin, keeping it smooth and firm while combating aging-free radical damage.
- 180ml
- Dewy, not greasy finish
- Contains Gylcerin for hydrating and strengthening the natural skin barrier
- Lightweight consistency
- Easily removes makeup
- A little goes a long way
Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Botanical Cleansing Oil
Best for Sensitive Skin, Mature Skin and Dry Skin Types
Kiehl‘s Midnight Recovery Botanical Cleansing Oil is a gentle, yet effective cleanser that melts away makeup, dirt, oil and sunscreen on the face and eyes. It is non–comedogenic, mineral oil–free, and ophthalmologist tested for sensitive eye areas.
Suitable for normal to dry skin, it is infused with an aromatic essential oil blend highlighting Lavender to soothe skin while reducing blotchiness and irritation. Added Squalane and Evening Primrose to hydrate and nourish skin, promoting a healthy, luminous complexion. Skin is left feeling clean, hydrated and soft.
- 175ml
- Relaxing essential oil blend and lavender – perfect for nighttime skincare routine
- Made without sulphates, mineral oil and soap
- Removes makeup with ease
- Lightweight texture
Best Cleansing Tools
There are some amazing cleansing tools you can use to complement your facial cleanser and ensure your skin is squeaky clean.
Foreo Luna Facial Cleansing Device
The FOREO Luna is a revolutionary cleansing device that is great for cleansing skin.
It removes dirt, oil and makeup residue from skin, and helps to reduce the chances of a breakout. It also smoothes the appearance of fine lines and massages the face to boost microcirculation for a brighter, healthier complexion.
The ultra–soft silicone touchpoints gently exfoliate dead skin cells without being abrasive, and it has 16 intensities, an ergonomic and lightweight design, with app–guided treatment routines.
It is also 2–in–1 cleansing and firming, powered by T–Sonic™ pulsations. The device is made of velvety soft silicone that is bacteria–resistant, and 35x more hygienic than nylon brushes.
It is available for Normal, Combination and Sensitive Skin Types, and has 90 uses per battery charge.
Face Halo Original
Face Halo reusable makeup wipes are a great way to cleanse your skin without the use of harsh chemicals or disposable wipes.
These reusable microfiber pads effectively remove makeup and sunscreen using just water and can replace up to 500 makeup wipes.
They are eco–friendly and non–toxic, making them suitable for all skin types. The microfiber strands are 100 times finer than human hair, making them incredibly soft and gentle on the skin.
Plus, they can be easily washed in the washing machine for easy cleaning and reuse.
