Facial Cleanser Guide

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This guide includes safe facial cleanser options for dry to normal/combination skin, for very dry skin, and for oily skin.  It also contains options for cleansing oils and tips on using facial cleansers.  Personally, I use the following products for my normal skin:

For more information and product options, read below.

More info

To begin with, I believe face cleansing is the first step in every beauty routine.  Indeed, it helps remove excess oil, environmental debris, bacteria, and other microorganisms, as well as the residue from makeup products.

Tips for Using a Facial Cleanser

When it comes to cleansing your skin, especially if you have sensitive skin, consider following this advice:

  1. Choose your facial cleanser according to your skin type.
  2. Make it a habit to wash your face both in the morning and in the evening without skipping.
  3. Handle your skin gently with your fingertips without rubbing, pulling, or scratching.
  4. If you use a towel to dry your face, make sure to pat your face lightly – no hard pressure is needed on the skin of your face!
  5. Leave your skin slightly damp so that the moisturizer you will use afterward seals in the moisture.

Skin Type Categories

After looking at the ingredients of numerous non-toxic facial cleansers, I grouped them into three categories according to skin type:

  • dry to normal/combination,
  • very dry, and
  • oily skin.

To emphasize, I have placed each product into an assigned skin-type category based on my opinion about how the product formulation should work, not based on how the manufacturers promote their products.

In addition, many non-toxic skincare products contain essential oils to provide a scent.  Knowing that some of you are sensitive to scents and essential oils, I indicated in the brackets if the product is essential oil-free.

Facial Cleansers for Dry to Normal/Combination Skin

Annmarie Citrus Mint Gel Cleanser

Beauty By Earth Foaming Face Wash (IREAD12 code)

Beauty by Earth Superfruits & Sea Kelp Face Cleanser (IREAD12 code)

Blissoma Clean – Oatmilk Mellow Facial Cleansing Bar

Blissoma Clean – Pomegranate Supreme Facial Cleansing Bar

Blissoma Free – Rejuvenating Herbal Gel Cleanser and Makeup Remover (essential oil-free)

Crunchi Gentle Facial Bar (ADVOCATE10 for 10% off on the first order of $50+) (essential oil-free)

Primally Pure Baby Bar (READLABELS10 for 10% off)

Primally Pure Plumping Bar (READLABELS10 for 10% off)

Primally Pure Soothing Bar (READLABELS10 for 10% off) (according to the manufacturer, this formulation also works for sensitive, rosacea, and eczema-prone skin)

Pure Haven Clear Up Cleanser (essential oil-free; according to the manufacturer, this formulation also works for sensitive and acne-prone skin)

Pure Haven Refresh Cleanser with Pre+Probiotics (essential oil-free)

Facial Cleansers for Very Dry Skin

Annmarie Aloe Herb Cleanser

Annmarie Phytonutrient Cleanser – Activated Facial Cream Cleanser

Blissoma Mild Rice Cleanser

Cleansing Oils

I believe cleansing oils work best for very dry to dry skin types.  That is why I put cleansing oils in the Very Dry Skin category.  However, as you will see below, the manufacturer may see it differently.

Annmarie Restorative Cleansing Oil

Primally Pure Cleansing Oil for Dry Skin (READLABELS10 for 10% off)

Primally Pure Cleansing Oil for Normal Skin (READLABELS10 for 10% off) (according to the manufacturer, this oil formulation works for normal skin)

Primally Pure Cleansing Oil for Oily Skin (READLABELS10 for 10% off) (according to the manufacturer, this oil formulation works for oily and acne-prone skin)

Facial Cleansers for Oily Skin

Beauty by Earth Foaming Face Wash Lavender Citrus (IREAD12 code)

Blissoma Clean – Oatmilk Mellow Facial Cleansing Bar (according to the manufacturer, this formulation also works for sensitive skin)

Blissoma Clean – Pomegranate Supreme Facial Cleansing Bar (according to the manufacturer, this formulation also works for sensitive skin)

Crunchi Charcoal Facial Bar (ADVOCATE10 for 10% off on the first order of $50+) (according to the manufacturer, this formulation also works for normal, acne-prone, and combination skin)

Kosmatology Lemongrass Foaming Face Wash (according to the manufacturer, this formulation also works for acne and rosacea-prone skin)

Primally Pure Baby Bar (READLABELS10 for 10% off)

Primally Pure Clarifying Bar (READLABELS10 for 10% off) (according to the manufacturer, this formulation also works for acne-prone skin)

Primally Pure Plumping Bar (READLABELS10 for 10% off) (according to the manufacturer, this formulation also works for dry skin)

Primally Pure Soothing Bar (READLABELS10 for 10% off) (according to the manufacturer, this formulation also works for sensitive, rosacea, and eczema-prone skin)