Ahhh, cleansers. This is one of the products that readers ask me about most frequently. “Can you recommend a face wash for me?” Well, yes, I definitely can! But, what is your skin type? Do you want it to remove makeup as well? Do you prefer foaming, oil, gel, balm, or wipes? What is your budget? The questions are endless, plus there are just sooooo many good natural cleansers out there and everyone has their own preferences.
To be honest, I’ve tried LOTS of natural cleansers over the years. And I mean LOTS. So everything that is listed in this guide is tested and true, and meets all of my standards for ingredients and performance. Let’s get to it! 💁♀️
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Foaming:
In my opinion, foaming cleansers give your skin the deepest squeaky clean feeling compared to other types. I tend not to recommend them, though, just because they can strip skin of its natural moisture barrier and be too drying. But here is a natural option that isn’t overly drying and doesn’t contain any sulfates (such as SLS or SLES):
One Love Organics Easy Does It Foaming Cleanser
$25 • All skin types except dry • Removes makeup
Solid Bar:
Bars are a great option if you’re looking for package-free! Simply rub them gently on wet skin and they start to lather. Make sure you store them in a clean, dry place to avoid bacteria growth.
Osmia Black Clay Facial Soap
$24 • Normal, problem, combination skin • Great for perioral dermatitis • Removes light makeup
Oil:
Oil cleansing sounds weird to a lot of people because there is a common misconception that oil clogs pores. Not if you use the correct ones! After finally trying it myself, my skin loved it and it is my preferred method!
Related post: “How to Get Started with the Oil Cleansing Method for Clear Skin“
The basic principle is that like dissolves like, so oil cleansing removes makeup and grime without drying out your skin or disrupting its natural moisture. Most oil-based cleansers require a cloth to remove, however, all of these options rinse away with water (yes, please).
One Love Organics Botanical B Enzyme Cleansing Oil
$42 • All skin types except sensitive • Removes makeup • Smells like paradise
Wabi-Sabi Botanicals The Giver Ritual Cleanser + Makeup Dissolver*
$48 • All skin types, especially sensitive skin • Free of essential oils • Removes makeup • Smells like coffee
We Love Eyes Tea Tree Eye Makeup Remover
$20 • All skin types • Removes heavy eye makeup
Wabi-Sabi Botanicals The Giver Ritual Cleanser + Makeup DissolverTo learn more, listen to this podcast episode about the benefits of oil cleansing. You can also use oil-based serums to cleanse and remove makeup – check out this blog post for my favorite oils!
Balm:
Balms are a heavy-duty oil cleanser. They remove makeup really well and keep skin moisturized in the process.
The Sunday Standard Superfood Oil-to-Milk Cleansing Balm*
$46 • All skin types, especially acne-prone • Removes makeup
The Sunday Standard Superfood Oil-to-Milk Cleansing BalmThis is one of my favorite cleansers ever. It applies as a thick balm and melts away into a luscious oil. It has a very gentle scrub to it and makeup doesn’t stand a chance against this. It’s the most beautiful green color and it always leaves my skin feeling SO silky soft and clean. It’s great for all skin types, even acne-prone skin!
Gel + Cream:
Gels and creams are probably most similar to conventional cleansers that are found in drugstores. They offer a really nice clean without making your skin feel dry or tight.
Osea Ocean Cleanser
$44 • Normal and combination skin • Removes makeup
Osmia Purely Gently Mud Cleanser
$64 • All skin types • Removes makeup (except stubborn eye makeup)
Honey:
Honey is an amazing natural cleanser because it gently removes dirt without affecting the skin’s natural sebum. It also has probiotics and antibacterial properties, making it great for acne-prone skin!
Happy Valley Manuka Honey
$50 • All skin types, especially acne-prone • Does not remove makeup
Related post: “How to Use Manuka Honey as a Face Mask for Glowing Skin (Natural Acne Remedy!)“
Wipes:
Perfect for on-the-go or for those days that you’re just too lazy to do an in-depth skincare routine 😉 I don’t recommend them for full daily cleansing but are a good quick option or for removing eye makeup before using another cleanser.
Ursa Major 4-in-1 Wipes
$24 for 20 wipes • All skin types • Removes makeup
So which is my favorite cleanser, you ask? This is almost impossible and depends on the day, but if I HAD to choose just one…it would probably be The Sunday Standard Superfood Oil-to-Milk Cleansing Balm. I find myself reaching for that one the most because it removes makeup, smells great, has a gentle scrub, and doesn’t leave my skin feeling stripped. So dang good!
But again, everything on this list is great in my opinion; it just depends on what you’re looking for specifically. Let me know if this guide was helpful or if you have any questions! If you loved it, please share it with a friend 😘
