14 cleansers we love in 2017

Facial cleansing

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We think it’s pretty much a no-brainer but we still have to say it – washing your face is the most important part of any skincare routine. There’s no two ways about it. It takes off all the dirt, pollution, sebum, oil and grime that you’ve accumulated throughout the day and some even remove waterproof makeup too. Not only does it give you a clean, fresh feeling, studies have shown that clean skin is much better at absorbing any skincare that you put on afterwards too.

With the plethora of options available in the market now, we get that it can be a tad confusing to find the right cleanser for your skin. So we’ve done the legwork and now, gathered here is our tried-and-tested list of favourites that you (and your skin) will probably love too!

Photo: 123rf.com. Additional reporting: Dione Chen and Kayce Teo.

Comfort Cleansers

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You may be tempted to rub extra hard when you cleanse your face to get rid of makeup, dirt and grime, but the pulling and dragging action can actually cause wrinkles and irritate skin. These facial cleansers create foamy lathers that reduce friction between your face and hands to help minimise skin irritation, lathering well without stripping skin of its natural oils, so your skin feels fresh and clean without being too tight or dry.

Albion Excia Cell Clarity Essence Foam ($90)

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Not only does this eliminate dirt and dead skin cells, it is also said to remove a waste product in cells caused by ageing and pollution. This allows cells to function more effectively, and helps boost the efficacy of brightening skincare applied after cleansing.

Fancl BC Washing Cream ($55)

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Super gentle on skin, this deep cleansing formula has a creamy texture that lathers nicely to remove dirt and dead skin cells effectively with zero feeling of tightness.

Lancome Miel-en-mousse ($75)

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Enriched with acacia honey, this has a honey-like consistency that transforms into a mousse when it is emulsified with water. It dissolves makeup and impurities, leaving skin soft and hydrated after you rinse it off.

Sulwhasoo Timetreasure Extra Creamy Cleansing Foam ($80)

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Boasting red pine oil in the formula to maintain moisture and oil levels, the rich cream lathers into a smooth foam that thoroughly cleanses your skin of impurities.

Balm Cleansers

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Balm cleansers have been around for over 25 years but were never popular. Why? The old formulas were tedious and troublesome. You had to apply it on dry skin, press a warm, damp muslin cloth into face to open pores, and wait for the cloth to cool – these steps had to be repeated three times before you remove the balm cleanser with a cool, damp muslin.

The balm cleansers now are greatly improved. Ultra-hydrating and nourishing, they take off sunscreen and heavy makeup, even waterproof mascara, long-wearing eyeliner and stubborn lip stains superbly. And they’re easy and fast to use.

They look like petroleum jelly but feel like a gel moisturiser. A grape-size amount is enough for the whole face. Once the balm touches your skin, it simply melts into an oil-like texture. Massage it in, rinse off and you’re done. Skin feels clean, super soft and hydrated, as if you’ve applied a light moisturiser.

Eve Lom Gel Balm Cleanser ($105)

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Just wet face, massage balm in, and rinse off with water. The light gel formula is an easy alternative to the original Eve Lom Cleanser, one of the first balm cleansers on the market, and a cult classic. And yes, the original did require you to use a muslin cloth.

L’Occitane Divine Cleansing Balm ($50)

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Apply on dry skin with dry hands, then wet your hands and massage the face, and rinse off. It has a subtle floral scent from the essential oil extracts.

YSL Beaute Top Secrets Universal Makeup Remover Melting Balm-in-oil ($89)

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Made for sensitive skin, this balm contains shea butter and blackcurrant oil to make the skin feel softer and moisturised. Use on dry skin.

Cleansing Sticks

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This type of facial cleanser looks and swivels like a deodorant stick, is as portable as one, and is even swiped on in the same way. The difference: Its balm-like texture ensures the product glides smoothly over skin and doesn’t tug. To use: Twist, run tube over wet hand, work product into a lather, clean face, rinse.

A cleansing stick travels well: there are no liquid restrictions to consider. To keep it clean after each use, rinse and wipe down the top layer of the balm with tissue paper. Keep it capped until your next use.

Caolion Pore Triple Action Cleansing Stick ($37)

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The double-cleansing scrub melts right into skin, transforming from balm to oil to remove makeup, then to foam for deep-cleansing. In two variations: charcoal for oily skin, and green tea to soothe irritated skin.

Origins Modern Friction Cleansing Stick with Exfoliating White & Purple Rice ($51)

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Foams up really thick and creamy, more than any of the lot here. Skin feels comfortable and clean, not tight and dry, after use. It works best as a final cleanser after removing makeup and sunscreen.

Su:m37 Miracle Rose Cleansing Stick ($38)

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This is a cult favourite. Its light foam gently cleanses and exfoliates thin, sensitive and troubled skin. It’s best to lather the product between your hands first as the balm becomes very watery when applied.

Urban Decay Meltdown Makeup Remover Cleansing Oil Stick ($39)

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Apply this to skin when it’s dry, not wet. Then, massage with damp fingers and watch as stubborn waterproof makeup rinses right off. It’s tough on the heaviest eye makeup but so gentle on the eye area. Its fruity scent is also a delight.

Powder Exfoliators

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We like how exfoliating powders feel like foamy cleansers but function as physical exfoliators to unclog pores, get rid of dead skin cells and accelerate skin renewal. They’re a go-to option if facial scrubs with seeds and shells, and chemical peels with their acid solutions, are too harsh for you. Suitable for all skin types, these powders, upon contact with water, transform into a foamy lather that doesn’t tug at skin. Below are the latest paraben-free offerings.

Dermalogica Daily Superfoliant ($114)

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This contains binchotan charcoal powder to absorb impurities while rice bran, enzymes and lactic acid cleanse and smooth without drying out skin even when used daily. It also has anti-pollution properties; it has an antioxidant that is said to prevent pollution particles from sticking to skin.

Dior Hydra Life Time To Glow Ultra Fine Exfoliating Powder ($73)

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The finely milled formula with sugar extract and lotus seeds, for weekly use, dissolves completely to form a creamy lather and leaves a pleasant, subtle floral scent on your skin.

Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Exfoliating Cleansing Powder ($60)

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A daily-use bamboo charcoal-based powder with fine walnut shells that cleanses and exfoliates so you can skip the cleanser. It leaves skin feeling and smelling minty-fresh with its blend of essential oils.

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S / Skin

14 cleansers we love in 2017

Whichever you choose, our selection of cleansers featuring the different types of formula will help you ring in the new year with a clean slate

Privacy Menu

S / Skin

14 cleansers we love in 2017

Whichever you choose, our selection of cleansers featuring the different types of formula will help you ring in the new year with a clean slate

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