I think cleansers are easily my favorite part of skincare. The best thing I ever did for my skin was learn to clean my face properly at night. It really launched my love of cleansers. Do you need as many as I have? No. I just like the variety. I've tried hundreds and hundreds of cleansers over the years. These are the four I come back to time and time again. If I never had another cleanser, I would be happy with these four (well I do need to find my top creamy cleanser but I haven't narrowed it down yet, though PSA Reset is close). So I prefer a balm cleanser over a liquid oil cleanser and hands down my all time favorite is Deviant Cleansing Concentrate. It's an emulsifying balm which is my preference, so you don't need a washcloth if you don't want to. It has a smooth light texture that's not as heavy as some balms can be. It also rinses clean without any residue which is a plus. It has a woody herbal scent without essential oils or added fragrance. The scent is from the natural ingredients. I can use it when I'm really sensitive and throughout all seasons. It never fails me and I reach for it all the time. No others come close to its glory and if I could only have one cleansing balm for life it would be this one. Review HERE. It's been my favorite for almost 2+ years.
I'm not a huge gel cleanser fan. I have drier skin and many seem to strip it or cause dryness. Luckily there has been quite a few advancements in gel cleansers resulting in some pretty awesome formulas. My favorite as of right now is the Allies of Skin Molecular Silk Amino Hydrating Cleanser. This is a thick gel cleanser that's low pH (5.5), non-drying and very low foaming. It has antioxidants, phospholipids, silk amino acids, hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, white tea, plus safflower and moringa oils. The low pH makes it barrier friendly. It's non-drying and never strips the skin. I love that it has a nice natural scent as well. No essential oils or artificial fragrance. The scent is really hard to describe, slightly bitter and citrus like. It does have a thicker gel texture which not everyone may enjoy. It's a unique enjoyable gel cleanser. It stands out in the sea of gel cleansers that all look and feel the same. Review HERE. Save 20% off with affiliate code MICHELLEN20. Another of my favorite cleansers happens to be a gel but it's more of a 'detox' cleanser. African Botanics Baobab Clay Oxygenating Cleanser has become my favorite anti-grime, pore refining, summer weather style cleanser. It has African clay, marula oil, baobab fruit, aloe, kigelia, vitamin C and rooibos. The scent is light and from jasmine, cedarwood, sandalwood and orange extracts & oils. I love how it remains gentle enough yet it really is great at helping remove that grime from the day. Perfect for the heat & humidity here in Texas. This one is fab for oil to combo skin as well. I don't find it drying like most cleansers in this style. Review HERE. In the winter I'll use Allies of Skin more, in the heat of the summer African Botanics is my winner as a second cleanse at night.
I don't know why I forgot about gel-oil balms and morning cleansers when I did the first photo. Hands down my most repurchased and most loved cleanser is OSKIA Renaissance Cleansing Gel. One of the pioneers of oil based cleansing this gel-oil balm has pumpkin enzymes, MSM and borage oil. It has a light scent that I adore. Really adds to the pleasure of using this balm. I love all the OSKIA scents. This one has geranium, rose, clove, cedarwood and palmarosa. This emulsifies and rinses clean. It's the perfect morning cleanse but it does work as a single cleanse if you're not wearing a ton of makeup at night. It's just a total joy to use because of the scent and texture. It's softening and never drying. If you like oil based cleansers it's one you should try eventually as some are just better than others. I have been buying this since 2014 and I'm never without a tube.
Overall these ones are my most used and repurchased cleansers, they all do their job, have really great textures (so important in a cleanser), the scents give them a pleasurable experience which is what I love about them. Cleansing is my relaxing moment for the day and scent adds to the experience. OSKIA & African Botanics have some essential oils but they remain light and tolerable for even my rosacea skin. Deviant and Allies of Skin manage to create products that are free of fragrance and essential oils but still have a really pleasurable scent from the natural ingredients. That's what makes them my heros. Plus they just kick ass and are spectacular cleansers. Cleansers are very personal as needs are very different. I'm combo to dry with rosacea. Someone with oily or acne prone skin will have other needs or preferences in lighter textures. I like hydrating without residue.
*African Botanics & Allies of Skin gifted by brand but all thoughts are my own.