The best facial cleansers for different skin types, to start 2018 on a clean slate

The right kind of cleanse

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Skin cleansing is the first step of your skincare routine. It may seem like a basic step, but getting it right may be trickier than just picking up any random facial wash off the shelf.

Pick the right cleanser for your skin type (dry, oily, sensitive) or to address your most pressing skin concerns (acne, dullness, ageing) and you’re well on your first step to treating your skin right.

Using the wrong kind of cleanser, however, could irritate or aggravate your skin unnecessarily and cause more problems before you can even start moving on to your skincare serums and creams, so choose wisely.

Click through our gallery to see the best cleansers for sensitive, dull, oily, dry, acne prone skin, or if you’re all about preventing skin ageing.



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Photo: 123rf

Dull skin - Mario Badescu Glycolic Foaming Cleanser, $27 for 177ml

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A foaming cleanser with glycolic as an ingredient to gently exfoliate skin to brighten the complexion.

This is made from rich herbal extracts which dissolve impurities while gently sloughing away dead skin and stimulating the growth of new cells. It reduces discolouration and leaves skin looking radiant and smooth.



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Dull skin - This Works Light Time Cleanse And Glow, $61 for 75ml

3/16

An antioxidant packed facial wash that gives skin back its natural radiance.

This recharges your skin in the morning and detoxes it at night. It is packed antioxidants and brightening actives like jojoba oil, water-activated vitamin C, and soothing vitamin E to cleanse, nourish and make skin look healthier with a natural glow..



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Dull skin - Sephora Radiance Cleansing Foam, $19 for 150ml

4/16

A light, airy foam that not only cleanses but leaves skin more radiant.

The secret ingredient in this cleansing foam is citrus extracts. These softly and gently buffs away dull dead skin to leave the complexion thoroughly yet gently cleansed, with a boost in skin clarity and luminousity.



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Oily, acne-prone skin - Kate Somerville EradiKate Daily Foaming Cleanser, $58 for 120ml

5/16

A powerful, medicated cleanser that cleanses pores and removes impurities.

With a luxuriously whipped texture, this has three percent sulfur to zap acne and blemishes, draw out impurities, and clear congested pores. There’s also honey and rice bran extracts to calm redness, while natural oat ingredients balances skin’s sebum. With continued use, it leaves skin trouble-free with visibly minimised pores.



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Oily, acne-prone skin - Three Balancing Foam, $55

6/16

To deep cleanse gently, this facial foam has 90 percent natural ingredients.

This foam deeply cleanses the skin and removes excess oiliness effectively. It also has a lovely botanical scent when it lathers into a rich foam that removes dead skin cells and impurities. Skin is left perfectly clean, soft and moisturised.



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Oily, acne-prone skin - Dr Jart Poremedic Pore Minish Bubble, $32 for 120ml

7/16

A mild yet effective cleanser that balances and soothes skin.

It contains a duo of bubble mechanisms to help tighten and unclog pores while effectively getting rid of dead skin cells and keeping excess oil under control. It leaves skin brighter, firmer, and deeply cleansed.



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Dry skin - Nivea Hydration Super Mousse, $9.90 for 150ml

8/16

A novelty with its souffle-light mousse texture, this cleanser cares for dry skin.

Thanks to kind-to-skin ingredients like hyaluronic acid, algae extract and marine salt, this mousse cleanser not only feels like a soft cloud on the skin, it leaves skin super soft and plump to boot.



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Dry skin - Clinique Liquid Facial Soap (Extra Mild), $35 for 200ml

9/16

A trusted cleanser in a super gentle formula that won’t dry out the skin.

Developed with dermatologists, this offers simple, effective cleansing, thanks to its soft, non-drying lather that cleans gently and rinses easily. It protects skin's natural moisture balance so there's no taut or dry feeling after washing.



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Dry skin - Estelle & Thild Biocleanse Multi Action Cleansing Gel, $36 for 150ml

10/16

This gentle gel washes away impurities without stripping the skin of moisture.

It is called a multi-active cleansing gel as it soothes, purifies, calms and clarifies skin, while most importantly replenishing skin’s moisture levels. It has black elderflower that helps to detox skin so that it glows from within.



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Anti-ageing - First Aid Beauty Face Cleanser, $18 for 56.7g

11/16

Packed with antioxidants that cleanser also blocks free radical damage.

With a powerful botanical blend of antioxidants to block the onset of ageing from oxidative stress, this facial wash gently cleanses the skin, removing surface oils, makeup, dirt, and grime with its whipped texture that transforms into a skin-pampering cream when you massage with water.



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Anti-ageing - Aromatherapy Associates Renewing Rose Cleanser, $66 for 200ml

12/16

A gentle and effective cleanser to rid skin of impurities while nourishing it.

Jojoba cleanses whilst precious damask rose extracts nourish to keep skin supple, radiant and healthy. Geranium essential oils also replenish and smoothen the skin texture.



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Anti-ageing - Peter Thomas Roth Anti Aging Cleansing Gel, $69 for 250ml

13/16

With a host of good-for-skin ingredients, this pampering cleanser is ideal for mature skin.

It has anti-wrinkle technology in its formulation, which helps to clarify and brighten with glycolic acid, while extracts of peach, white oak bark, lemon, lime, linden, grapefruit, and arginine boost natural cell turnover to diminish the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and other signs of aging.



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Sensitive skin - Shiseido Waso Waso Quick Gentle Cleanser, $40 for 150ml

14/16

An alcohol- and oil-free -gel cleanser that has honey to help it foam without water.

It and rinses off clean to remove makeup, plus dirt and excess oil. The honey is a gentle and natural non-foaming agent plus it also helps to nurture the skin to make it healthier and supple.



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Sensitive skin - Mario Badescu Enzyme Cleansing Gel, $20 for 236ml

15/16

A non-foaming gel that you massage onto skin and rinse off for the gentlest cleanse.

This effectively yet gently cleanses without drying or irritating sensitive skin. It has papaya and grapefruit extracts with mild exfoliating properties that help to remove accumulated dead skin which are the cause of blackheads and pimples. The gel calms and lessens skin irritation too.



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Sensitive skin - Caudalie Fleur De Vigne Instant Foaming Cleanser, $33 for 150ml

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The foaming pump dispenses a light, airy foam for gentle, effective cleansing.

With its 99 percent natural, soap-free formula, plus a natural blend of grape extracts, sage, and chamomile, this not only cleanses and removes makeup and impurities, but also helps to soothe the skin.



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