27 Best Cleansers for Combination Skin That Will Keep Your U- and T-zone Happy

medicube Red Foam Cleanser

Suitable for all ages (yes, children included!), medicube Red Foam Cleanser has garnered a loyal following for its ability to deeply cleanse and calm angry skin without causing dryness. That’s because the daily deep-cleansing formula contains 0.5% salicylic acid to help acne-prone skin effectively manage acne breakouts, excess sebum, blackheads, and whiteheads, as well as sophora extract to calm skin irritation triggered by acne-causing bacteria, P. acnes or external stressors. Besides relieving skin that’s struggling with oiliness and acne, the cleanser has a rich, moist foam that’s able to lift away even the most stubborn makeup so you can shave off a few minutes of your shower time without needing to use a makeup remover. It is also certified hypoallergenic so those with slightly sensitive combination skin can use the cleanser with peace of mind. Use it twice daily for best results, and make sure you don’t use too much pressure when washing your face. Get this at S$29.90 (120ml) and S$35 (230ml) from selected Guardian stores and online at medicube’s official website and Shopee.

Senka Perfect Whip

The number one facial cleanser in Japan for 14 consecutive years, the Senka Perfect Whip is an affordable product that works wonderfully to cleanse the skin without stripping it of its moisture.

With a unique dense foam that’s similar to mousse, the lather is packed with microscopic bubbles that remove dirt, fine dust, and particles from the skin – it gives a gentle cleanse through and through.

Besides cleansing the skin, the Perfect Whip also reinforces the skin’s barrier function using its infused signature Aqua-In-Pool ingredient and silk cocoon essence.

Since silk cocoon essence is also known for its moisturising properties, your skin will receive a generous dose of moisture with each cleanse, giving you a complexion that’s soft and supple every time.

Easily, we deem the non-stripping Senka Perfect Whip to be the perfect formula for combination skin!

Senka Perfect Whip retails for S$7.90 at Watsons, as well as Senka’s official stores on Shopee, Qoo10, and Lazada. You can also find it at Don Don Donki, Welcia-BHG, and FairPrice.

DR. WU Renewal Cleansing Mousse with Mandelic Acid

If you love a foaming cleanser but hate how it strips your skin of moisture, try DR. WU’s Renewal Cleansing Mousse with Mandelic Acid. The rich lather it produces contains micro-bubbles that penetrate deep into the pores to whisk away dirt and excess sebum without drying your skin out.

Mandelic acid and amino acids in the formula slough away dead skin cells and hydrate your skin at the same time, leaving you with brighter, softer, more supple skin that never feels tight or taut. Thanks to the gentle daily exfoliation it provides, you’ll see a reduction in blackheads and whiteheads too.

On top of that, you won’t find any harsh soaps, alcohol, or artificial fragrances in the cleanser, which makes it perfect for combination skin that’s sensitive too.

DR. WU Renewal Cleansing Mousse with Mandelic Acid (160ml) retails at S$45.90 on DRWU.sg, DR. WU’s official store on Shopee Mall, selected Watsons stores, and Watsons online.

Apripure Cosmetics Moisturizing Foam Cleanser

Just like other skin types, caring for combination skin requires proper attention. However, with the right moisturising cleanser, this task becomes much easier.

Inspired by the benefits of botanicals and supported by science, Apripure Cosmetics’ journey of discovery comes from the mountains of Central Asia to develop premium-quality natural products. Its star product? The Moisturizing Foam Cleanser.

Designed to thoroughly cleanse and purify, this is a cleanser that will never leave your skin feeling dull and dry. Packed with the nourishing Hunza Apricot Oil, this foaming cleanser provides a radiant, smooth glow to the skin after a thorough wash.

The Moisturizing Foam Cleanser is specially formulated for deep cleansing without stripping moisture from your skin. Its silky foam effectively dissolves impurities, makeup, and free radicals, while also soothing stressed skin.

You’ll also love that the cleanser includes a soft brush head applicator for an even more thorough cleansing and purifying. The brush head can be removed for washing; you can also opt to use the cleanser without the brush head.

Get this at S$119 (150ml) from Apripure with free shipping for orders over S$300 from Apripure.

P.S. Stay tuned for their upcoming Black Friday promotion in November!

 

Origins Checks and Balances Frothy Face Wash

Origins believes that when it comes to faces with dry and oily places, it takes a clever cleanser to balance the two, hence Checks and Balances Frothy Face Wash was created.

This gentle, frothy face wash claims to do a good job on the oily T-zone and the drier cheek areas, without cancelling each other out. The broadleaf kelp extract discourages excess oil production, while wheat protein balances dry-prone zones. A cleanser great for combination skin? Definitely!

Get this at S$42 from all Origins counters and Sephora.

The Face Shop Rice Water Bright Cleansing Foam

Rice water has been used as a traditional beauty treatment for centuries, and The Face Shop is famous for integrating it into their best-selling cleanser.

The deep-foaming cleanser promises to wash away impurities clogging your skin, and brighten your complexion with its rice and soapwort extracts. Due to its lush creamy texture, this cleansing foam actually helps to keep the skin hydrated by minimising the moisture lost from cleansing – sweet!

Get this at S$17.90 from Lazada.

Boscia Purifying Cleansing Gel

Antioxidant-rich green tea is well-known for soothing inflammation and delivering antibacterial benefits, making it the star ingredient in Boscia’s Purifying Cleansing Gel.

Fans of this cleanser love how it is able to remove makeup effortlessly when they use it in their double-cleansing routine. You can also use it as a morning cleanser for combination, but some have warned that you should be careful if you have sensitive skin, as this cleanser may be too strong for you.

Get this at S$50 from Sephora.

Simple Kind to Skin Moisturizing Facial Wash

The best cleanser for combination skin is one that gently washes away make-up and impurities, leaving the skin feeling hydrated, soft and replenished, and this one from Simple fits this description. Ingredients in this face wash such as vitamin B5, vitamin E, and bisabolol work together to keep your skin nourished. Plus, it’s free from artificial perfume, harsh chemicals, and colour or dye, making it perfect for those even with sensitive skin. 

All you have to do is rinse off the cleanser with cool water, and your combination skin will boost the highly-coveted ‘chok chok’ texture in no time!

Get this at S$15.05 from Watsons. 

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Cleanser

Enjoy a refreshing burst of moisture on your skin every time you cleanse with Neutrogena Hydroboost Water Gel Cleanser. This hydrating gel cleanser utilitises patented cleansing technology and Hyaluronic Acid to wash away the oil on your T-zone, while giving the drier areas the hydration it needs.

However, take note that those who have tried this cleanser recommend you use this as the second step of your double-cleansing routine, after you have used an oil cleanser to remove some of the more stubborn, water-proof makeup.

Get this at S$15.90 from Guardian, and Lazada.

Fresh Soy Face Cleanser

This cult-favourite cleanser has been around since the 1990s, and it’s not hard to see why it is so well-loved all these while.

A slew of devoted fans commends this soy cleanser for being able to literally melt makeup off, without actually leaving their skin feeling dry even though it is definitely clean.

If your combination skin that has been breaking out, you will find that this cleanser works especially well for you, thanks to its hydration-boosting, acne-soothing ingredients.

Get this at S$63 (150ml) from all Fresh stores and Sephora. Other sizes are available.

KORA Organics Gentle Cleanser

If your cleanser has been leaving you with tight and itchy skin after every wash, it’s definitely time to change to an option that’s less harsh.

Consider KORA Organic’s’ soap-free cream: this cleanser for combination skin is formulated to gently and thoroughly cleanse your skin. The combination of certified organic natural extracts work together to relieve irritated skin, making this a must-have if you want something that can repair and undo the damage done by your old cleansers.

Get this at S$43 from Sephora.

Drunk Elephant Beste No. 9 Jelly Cleanser

Hop onboard the jelly skincare trend with Drunk Elephant’s jelly cleanser! It is said to be an innovative jelly cleanser that removes all traces of makeup, excess oil, pollution, and other grime.

Those who have sensitive combination skin will not find this cleanser harsh at all. Moreover, it is so good that it may possibly make cleansing one of the most enjoyable steps in your daily skincare routine.

Some tips from reviewers: don’t be surprised that this jelly cleanser doesn’t foam. It is still able to cleanse well despite its non-foaming texture.

Get this at S$46 from Sephora.

Pond’s Cold Cream Cleanser

Is this a moisturiser or is it a cleanser? Unlike ordinary cleansers, Pond’s Cold Cream Cleanser is actually 50-percent moisturiser.

Yes, you read that right! What that really means is Pond’s cleanser works just like a moisturiser, infusing your skin with moisture while deep cleaning grime and makeup. Even the most stubborn waterproof mascara can’t hold up against this cleanser – and all it really takes is just one product to do it all.

Get this at S$7.90 from Shopee.

Tatcha The Rice Polish Calming Foaming Enzyme Powder

For a luxurious cleansing experience, check out Meghan Markle’s favourite skincare brand, Tatcha for its famous The Rice Polish series.

The product is catered to skin that may be more sensitive and is a water-activated exfoliant containing green tea, rice and algae to tackle fine lines and wrinkles. Daily use has been reported to help visibly reduce the appearance of fine lines, uneven skin tone, hyperpigmentation and breakouts – whew!

Get this at S$85 from Sephora.

Mario Badescu Glycolic Foaming Cleanser

Made from rich herbal extracts which dissolve impurities upon contact, this is one cleanser you can’t miss out on if you want something that can deeply cleanse and soothe combination skin.

Besides thorough cleansing, this cleanser does a lot more. It has the ability to gently exfoliate and stimulate growth of new cells and you can even look forward to reduced discolouration and diminished signs of ageing after using it!

Get this at S$27 from Sephora.

Philosophy Purity Made Simple One-Step Facial Cleanser

Philosophy Purity Made Simple One-Step Facial Cleanser is an award-winning cleansing product that melts away dirt, oil, and makeup. It tones and lightly hydrates in one simple step, so you get skin that feels perfectly clean and comfortably balanced, and is definitely one of the best cleansers around for combination skin.

If you have experienced the excruciating pain that comes with getting soap in your eyes, you can finally heave a sigh of relief that those days are over, because this cleanser is formulated to be gentle enough for the sensitive eye area.

Get this at S$57 from Sephora.

Cetaphil Gentle Foaming Cleanser

When a product has a legion of ardent fans using it since their childhood days, you know that it has to be fantastic.

Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser uses a mild, non-irritating formulation that soothes skin as it cleans. In fact, it’s so gentle on the skin that it’s even proven to be safe to use on babies’ delicate skin. You can definitely look forward to more supple and softer skin after cleansing with this household-favourite.

Get this at S$15.50 from Guardian.

Glossier Milk Jelly Cleanser

It’s hard to go wrong with a best-selling product from cult brand Glossier. The pH-balanced, creamy gel formula is made with a blend of five skin conditioners so your face is left feeling healthy and soft, but never uncomfortably tight.

This cleanser for combination skin is also unique because it uses the same gentle cleansing agents found in contact lens solution. This means that this cleanser is strong enough to remove impurities, yet safe enough to use on even your eyes! A cleanser ideal for combination skin? You bet!

Get this at USD9 (60ml) and USD18 (177ml) from Glossier.

First Aid Beauty Face Cleanser

First Aid Beauty Face Cleanser gently cleanses the skin by removing unwanted surface oils, makeup, dirt, and grime. It not only does a brilliant job at cleansing, but also calms redness and is pH-balanced, so you can be sure that daily use will result in fewer flare-ups and reduced skin reactivity.

You will also love the rich cream texture of this cleanser for combination skin, which feels so comfortable that you may be tempted to wash more often – but of course, you should try to resist that!

Get this at S$55 (226g) from Sephora. Smaller variants are also available.

Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cleanser

The reason why this cleanser is a Kiehl’s customer favourite? Formulated with squalane, apricot kernel oil, vitamin E and avocado oil, the Ultra Facial Cleanser is chock-full of ingredients that protect and hydrate your skin.

If you are still unconvinced, the overwhelmingly positive reviews online will definitely change your mind. Some people have been using this facial wash for more than a decade, while others thank it for curing their recent bout of adult acne. Whichever the case was, your combination skin will definitely thank you for using this.

Get this at S$35 from all Kiehl’s stores and counters.

COSRX Low pH First Cleansing Milk Gel

Having combination skin means you can’t go straight for the heavyweights when your oily T-zone is breaking you out. Thankfully, COSRX offers an option that can remove makeup, dirt, and excess oil without irritating or drying out your skin.

The milk gel’s gel-cream formula contains softening papaya fruit extract, inflammation-calming witch hazel extract, and healing and moisturizing allantoin. This combination of ingredients is guaranteed to make your face feel smooth and nourished, as though you are washing it with pure milk!

Get this at S$26.10 from Lazada.

LANEIGE White Dew Milky Cleanser

This ultra-gentle cleansing foam from LANEIGE promises to moisturise as it cleanses, thanks to the inclusion of phyto sugar water that replenishes moisture in the skin.

But that’s not all – the White Dew Milky Cleanser is formulated with Moisture White Dew, a patented brightening technology that improves dark spots and uneven skin tone for an overall brighter, more refined complexion.

With so many skincare benefits in just one wash, you may never expect a cleanser to do just cleansing again!

Get this at S$34 from all LANEIGE stores and counters and Sephora.

Innisfree Green Barley Bubble Cleanser

Innisfree’s Green Barley Bubble Cleanser is a gentle cleanser formulated with three types of natural AHAs to effectively remove skin flakes that are common for people who have sensitive skin, or excessively dry their skin out. When lathered, the cleanser creates rich and smooth bubbles to clean sensitive skin without irritating it.

Users who have combination skin absolutely love this product, especially those who have struggled in finding a cleanser that uses the right mix of ingredients. Some even claimed that their skin absorbs the benefits of other skincare products they use after better since they started washing with this.

Get this at S$17 from all Innisfree stores and Lazada.

Neogen Green Tea Real Fresh Foam Cleanser

No, your eyes are not fooling you – those are real green tea leaves in that bottle! The star ingredient in this unique cleanser is fermented green tea extract, which is said to brighten, calm, and hydrate your skin.

Research has also found that it increases the moisture level of the skin while reducing sebum, making this perfect for those who worry about cleansers being either too dry or too oily. Is it any wonder why so many people consider this a holy grail cleanser for combination skin?

Get this at S$26.60 from Lazada.

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel Cleanser

For a cleanser that thoroughly removes excess oil on your T-zone while leaving your skin feeling clean and refreshed, look no further than La Roche-Posay’s Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel Cleanser.

The gel cleanser is free from parabens, alcohol, and oil, and promises to keep your skin pH balance at 5.5. This formula ensures that your skin is free from dirt, but not stripped of necessary oils and hydration.

Get this at S$33.90 from Guardian (there’s a discount at the time of writing) and Lazada.

Muji Gel Cleansing

Our favourite Japanese lifestyle brand may be famous for its stationeries, snacks, and furniture, but did you know that they are also strong on the beauty front?

Don’t be fooled by its fuss-free and simple packaging – this gel cleanser from Muji is known to spread quickly across the skin and thoroughly remove makeup. What makes it a great choice for combination skin is that it does not irritate your skin and also contains natural moisturising ingredients such as apricot juice and peach leaf extract.

Get this at S$13.90 from all Muji stores.

Caudalie Fleur De Vigne Instant Foaming Cleanser

Caudalie’s Fleur De Vigne Instant Foaming Cleanser is a 99-percent natural, soap-free liquid cleanser that turns into a generous, airy foam for gentle, effective cleansing. It is formulated specially as a cleanser for combination skin – the blend of grape extracts, sage, and chamomile is fantastic for cleaning skin without upsetting the skin balance.

You may be a little cautious about the sweet scent that users have reported smelling in this product, but don’t fret about it being overpowering. Many beauty junkies love how subtle the fragrance is, and claim that it has not irritated their skin at all.

Get this at S$17 (50ml) and S$35 (150ml) from Sephora.