How-To Guide

Evidence reviewedNovember 13, 2026

Medical reviewDr. Abdurrahman Efem

Practical reviewMerve Akkaya

How to choose a cleanser

A cleanser has one main job: remove oil, sweat, sunscreen and makeup without stripping your skin. The best one is usually the gentlest one that still leaves your face feeling clean. This guide compares cleanser types, explains what makes one harsh, and shows how to wash well.

Gentle beats strong Match texture to skin Lukewarm water, fingertips

Oily skinGentle foaming or gel

Dry or sensitiveCream or lotion

Heavy makeupOil, balm or micellar first

How oftenUp to twice daily

The short answer

Pick a gentle, fragrance-free cleanser that matches your skin: a mild gel or foam for oily skin, a cream or lotion for dry or sensitive skin. Use lukewarm water and your fingertips, wash up to twice a day and after sweating, and do not scrub. If your face feels tight, squeaky or stings afterward, the cleanser is too harsh for you.

Key takeaways

A cleanser that leaves skin tight or squeaky is likely too harsh, whatever the label says.
Gel and foam cleansers suit oily skin; cream and lotion cleansers suit dry and sensitive skin.
Double cleansing mainly helps people who wear makeup or long-wear sunscreen; most others do not need it.

Cleanser types

What are the main types of cleanser?

Type	What it is	Usually suits
Gel or foam	Water-based with surfactants (cleaning agents) that lather and lift oil.	Oily, combination and acne-prone skin. The AAD suggests a gentle foaming wash for oily skin.
Cream or lotion	Thicker, milky texture with less lather and often added moisturizing ingredients such as fatty alcohols.	Dry, sensitive and mature skin.
Micellar water	A dilute, very mild cleansing solution. Tiny clusters called micelles attach to oil and makeup so they can be wiped away.	Dry and sensitive skin, and as a first step to remove light makeup.
Oil or balm	Oils dissolve oily makeup and sunscreen. Most turn milky with water and rinse off.	First step for heavy makeup or water-resistant sunscreen.
Medicated: benzoyl peroxide	An acne wash that kills acne-causing bacteria. Works better when left on briefly before rinsing.	Inflammatory acne on the face, chest or back.
Medicated: salicylic acid	A beta hydroxy acid (BHA) wash that helps loosen dead skin inside pores.	Blackheads, clogged pores and oily skin.
Bar soap or syndet bar	Traditional soap is alkaline (pH around 9 to 10). Syndet bars use synthetic detergents and are closer to neutral.	Syndet bars can suit many skin types; traditional soap is often too drying for the face.

By skin type

Which cleanser suits your skin?

Gentle foam or gel

Oily or combination

A gentle gel or foaming wash, up to twice daily and after sweating. The AAD warns that a wash that is too harsh can irritate skin and may trigger more oil. See oily skin.

Cream or lotion

Dry

A cream or lotion cleanser, or a syndet bar. Some people with dry skin rinse with water in the morning and use cleanser only at night. See dry skin.

Fragrance-free, mild

Sensitive or rosacea-prone

A fragrance-free, non-foaming cream, lotion or micellar water. Skip alcohol-based cleansers, astringents and scrubs. See sensitive skin.

Gentle or medicated

Acne-prone

A gentle, non-abrasive cleanser, or a benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid wash if you need treatment. Scrubbing does not clear acne and can make it worse. See the acne-prone skin routine.

Soap-free

Eczema-prone

A soap-free cleanser. The NHS suggests a leave-on emollient can even be used as a soap substitute. See eczema.

Cream or lotion

Mature

A cream, lotion or micellar cleanser, especially if your skin feels drier than it used to. Pair it with a richer moisturizer.

Gentle vs harsh

What makes a cleanser harsh?

Cleansers clean with surfactants (molecules that grab oil on one end and water on the other, so oil rinses away). The problem is that strong surfactants can also lift some of your skin’s own fats and proteins, which can leave it dry and irritated.

Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) is the best-known strong surfactant, and it is known to irritate skin. The NHS no longer recommends aqueous cream for eczema because the SLS it contains can irritate skin.

A dermatology review notes that anionic surfactants (the strongly foaming type, which includes SLS) carry the most irritation potential. Gentler cleansers often lean on other types, such as amphoteric cocamidopropyl betaine or nonionic glucosides (coco-glucoside, decyl glucoside), blended with moisturizing ingredients. Mildness depends on the whole formula, though, not one ingredient, so a sulfate-free label alone does not guarantee a gentle cleanser.

What about pH? Traditional soap is alkaline, while skin is mildly acidic, and syndet cleansers are closer to neutral or slightly acidic. A dermatology review notes that researchers disagree on how much cleanser pH matters on its own compared with the type and amount of surfactant. So treat “pH-balanced” as a mild plus, not a guarantee.

A good sign: skin feels clean but soft afterward.
A warning sign: tightness, squeaky feel, stinging or flaking within an hour of washing.
Fragrance, alcohol and gritty scrubs add irritation risk for sensitive skin.

Step by step

How to wash your face properly

Wet your face with lukewarm water
The AAD advises lukewarm water. Hot water can leave skin drier.
Apply cleanser with your fingertips
Use a small amount and gentle circles. The AAD says washcloths, mesh sponges and other tools can irritate skin.
Do not scrub
Massage lightly for a short time. Many people aim for 30 to 60 seconds, but there is no standard time; dermatologists simply advise being gentle and thorough.
Leave medicated washes on briefly
The AAD notes benzoyl peroxide works best when left on the skin for two to five minutes on the back. Follow the label for face use, and rinse well, as it can bleach towels and fabric.
Rinse and pat dry
Rinse with lukewarm water and pat dry with a soft towel.
Moisturize straight away
Apply moisturizer while skin is still slightly damp. See how to choose a moisturizer.
Wash up to twice a day
Wash morning and night, and after sweating. Washing more often can strip skin. If you only wash once, make it the evening.

Double cleansing

When does double cleansing make sense?

Double cleansing means an oil, balm or micellar water first, then a gentle water-based cleanser.

It can help if you

Wear makeup, especially long-wear or waterproof makeup.
Wear water-resistant sunscreen that a single wash does not fully remove.
Use the first step gently, then follow with a mild cleanser, not a harsh one.
Do it in the evening only; mornings rarely need it.

You can skip it if you

Do not wear makeup; a Cleveland Clinic dermatologist notes double cleansing then adds little and can be more drying.
Have dry, sensitive or eczema-prone skin and find two steps leave skin tight.
Feel your skin is already clean and comfortable after one gentle wash.
Use two foaming or medicated cleansers back to back.

Wearing sunscreen under makeup? See sunscreen under makeup for how to layer and remove both.

Safety and professional-help boundaries

When cleansing problems need more than a new cleanser.

Stop any cleanser that burns, stings for more than a moment, or leaves skin red and flaky; switch to a fragrance-free, mild option.
Benzoyl peroxide can cause dryness and irritation, and rarely allergy; stop it and seek help if you get swelling, hives or blistering.
Acne that is painful, scarring or not improving after several weeks of over-the-counter washes may need prescription treatment from a doctor or dermatologist.
Persistent redness, flushing or stinging with most products may be rosacea or another condition worth getting checked.
Cracked, weeping or very itchy skin may be eczema or dermatitis; see a doctor rather than trying stronger cleansers.

Frequently asked questions

Short answers to common questions

What type of cleanser is best for my skin?

Oily and acne-prone skin usually suit a gentle gel or foaming wash. Dry, sensitive and mature skin usually suit a cream, lotion or micellar cleanser. The best one leaves skin clean but not tight.

How long should I wash my face?

There is no official standard. Many people aim for 30 to 60 seconds of gentle massage. More important is using lukewarm water, your fingertips and no scrubbing.

Is sodium lauryl sulfate bad for skin?

SLS is a strong surfactant that can irritate skin, especially dry, sensitive or eczema-prone skin. Some people tolerate it in a rinse-off product, but gentler surfactants are a safer starting point for sensitive skin.

Do I need a pH-balanced cleanser?

It may help a little, since traditional soap is alkaline and skin is mildly acidic. Research suggests the type of surfactant matters at least as much, so focus on how your skin feels after washing.

Do I need to rinse off micellar water?

Many people use it without rinsing, but rinsing afterward is a sensible step if your skin is sensitive or acne-prone, so that no cleanser residue is left on the skin.

Is double cleansing necessary?

Only if you wear makeup or long-wear sunscreen. If you do not, one gentle wash is usually enough, and two steps can be more drying.

Can I use a benzoyl peroxide wash every day?

Many people do, but it can be drying. Start a few times a week, moisturize after, and rinse well because it bleaches towels and fabric.

Editorial Record

Editorial status: reviewed
Medical reviewer: Dr. Abdurrahman Efem
Practical reviewer: Merve Akkaya
Last reviewed: November 13, 2026

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Evidence behind this guide

Sources support the general editorial guidance shown here. They do not replace personal medical advice from a qualified clinician.