Choosing the right cleanser is the first and most important step in any skincare routine. With so many options on the market, finding the best match for your skin type and concerns can be challenging.
That’s where the Daily Vanity Beauty Awards 2025 steps in!
We’ve rounded up the top-performing cleansers across different categories, each crowned by experts, readers, and our editors. Whether you’re battling breakouts, looking for a brightening boost, or need something gentle for sensitive skin, we’ve got you covered.
Best Acne-Prone Skin Cleanser
CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser Expert’s Choice
What it does:
This gentle yet effective cleanser is packed with ceramides, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid to cleanse while maintaining the skin’s natural barrier. It reduces excess oil without over-drying, making it a staple for acne-prone skin.
Oil control and hydration in perfect harmony—your acne-prone skin’s best friend. – Dr Yanni Xu
Where to purchase:
- CeraVe Official Website
- Watsons
- Shopee
Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash Readers’ Choice
What it does:
Formulated with salicylic acid, this cleanser deeply cleans pores, reduces breakouts, and helps prevent future blemishes. It’s a trusted go-to for clear and refreshed skin.
Dependable and effective, it’s a go-to for acne-fighting power. – Jane Doe
Where to purchase:
- Neutrogena Official Website
- Guardian
- Shopee
COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser Editor’s Choice
What it does:
This gentle gel cleanser balances the skin’s pH while targeting impurities and excess oil. Tea tree oil helps reduce redness and blemishes without stripping the skin.
A gentle yet effective option that soothes while it cleanses. – Jade Yeo
Where to purchase:
- COSRX Official Website
- Sephora
- YesStyle
Best Cleanser For All Skin Types (Affordable)
Simple Kind to Skin Refreshing Facial Wash Expert’s Choice
What it does:
A soap-free formula enriched with pro-vitamin B5 and vitamin E, this cleanser gently removes dirt and makeup while hydrating the skin. Perfect for daily use on all skin types.
Budget-friendly and universally effective—a skincare staple. – Dr Yanni Xu
Where to purchase:
- Guardian
- Shopee
- Watsons
Hada Labo AHA + BHA Face Wash Readers’ Choice
What it does:
Combining alpha hydroxy acids (AHA) and beta hydroxy acids (BHA), this cleanser gently exfoliates and cleanses the skin while retaining moisture, leaving it soft and clear.
Where to purchase:
- Hada Labo Official Website
The Inkey List Salicylic Acid Cleanser Editor’s Choice
What it does:
This affordable cleanser uses salicylic acid to clear clogged pores and reduce blackheads while maintaining hydration with non-stripping ingredients.
Where to purchase:
- Sephora
Best Cleanser For All Skin Types
Fresh Soy Face Cleanser Expert’s Choice
What it does:
Formulated with amino acid-rich soy proteins, cucumber extract, and rosewater, this pH-balanced cleanser gently removes makeup, dirt, and impurities while soothing and hydrating all skin types.
A gentle, universally loved cleanser that never disappoints. – Dr Yanni Xu
Where to purchase:
- Fresh Official Website
- Sephora
- LookFantastic
Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser Readers’ Choice
What it does:
A dermatologically tested cleanser that’s non-irritating and soap-free, this classic formula is perfect for cleansing all skin types, including sensitive skin, without disrupting the skin’s natural barrier.
A time-tested favourite that delivers gentle cleansing for everyone. – Jane Doe
Where to purchase:
- Cetaphil Official Website
- Watsons
- Shopee
Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cleanser Editor’s Choice
What it does:
A mild foaming cleanser enriched with squalane and apricot kernel oil, this formula effectively cleanses without over-drying or stripping the skin, making it ideal for daily use on all skin types.
Where to purchase:
- Sephora
Best Brightening Cleanser
Shiseido White Lucent Brightening Cleansing Foam Expert’s Choice
What it does:
This luxurious cleansing foam brightens the complexion with ReNeura Technology+™ while removing impurities and dead skin cells. Skin looks radiant and refreshed after every use.
Where to purchase:
- Tangs
The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser Readers’ Choice
What it does:
This gentle, hydrating cleanser melts away makeup and impurities while leaving the skin bright and moisturised. Its squalane-based formula helps maintain skin’s natural radiance.
Brightening and hydrating at a price that can’t be beat. – Jane Doe
Where to purchase:
- The Ordinary Official Website
- Sephora
- ASOS
Drunk Elephant Beste No. 9 Jelly Cleanser Editor’s Choice
What it does:
This gel-based cleanser effectively removes makeup, pollution, and impurities, leaving skin fresh, clean, and glowing. Infused with glycerin and cantaloupe extract, it brightens while nourishing.
Where to purchase:
- Sephora
Best Combination Skin Cleanser
Youth To The People Superfood Cleanser Expert’s Choice
What it does:
Packed with kale, spinach, and green tea, this nutrient-rich cleanser balances and purifies combination skin, leaving it clean without feeling tight or dry.
Superfoods for your skin—balanced, refreshed, and glowing. – Dr Yanni Xu
Where to purchase:
- Youth To The People Official Website
- Sephora
- LookFantastic
Origins Checks and Balances Frothy Face Wash Readers’ Choice
What it does:
Designed for combination skin, this frothy cleanser balances oil-prone areas while hydrating dry patches with ingredients like broadleaf kelp and wheat protein.
Where to purchase:
- Tangs
Clinique Liquid Facial Soap Oily Skin Formula Editor’s Choice
What it does:
This dermatologist-developed formula cleanses combination skin effectively, removing dirt and excess oil while leaving drier areas hydrated and soft.
Where to purchase:
- Sephora
Best Dry Skin Cleanser
First Aid Beauty Pure Skin Face Cleanser Readers’ Choice
What it does:
This gentle, fragrance-free cleanser soothes dry, sensitive skin with aloe and glycerin while removing impurities and maintaining hydration.
Dry skin’s ultimate companion—gentle, soothing, and effective. – Jane Doe
Where to purchase:
- First Aid Beauty Official Website
- Sephora
- LookFantastic
Eve Lom Cleanser Expert’s Choice
What it does:
This luxurious balm cleanser melts away impurities and makeup while nourishing dry skin with a blend of botanical oils. Skin feels soft, hydrated, and refreshed post-cleanse.
Where to purchase:
- Eve Lom Official Website
Glossier Milky Jelly Cleanser Editor’s Choice
What it does:
A conditioning gel formula that gently cleanses dry skin without stripping moisture. It’s enriched with rosewater and pro-vitamin B5 for a hydrated, dewy finish.
Where to purchase:
- Glossier Official Website
Best Sensitive Skin Cleanser
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser Expert’s Choice
What it does:
Formulated for sensitive skin, this cream-based cleanser removes dirt and makeup while preserving the skin’s natural barrier. Ceramides and niacinamide help soothe irritation.
Sensitive skin? This cleanser is a gentle hug in a bottle. – Dr Yanni Xu
Where to purchase:
- La Roche-Posay Official Website
- Watsons
- Guardian
Bioderma Sensibio H2O Micellar Water Editor’s Choice
What it does:
Loved worldwide, this micellar water gently cleanses sensitive skin without rinsing. It removes makeup and impurities while leaving the skin soft and calm.
A skincare staple for sensitive skin—gentle, effective, and iconic. – Jade Yeo
Where to purchase:
- Bioderma Official Website
- Watsons
- Guardian
Avene Gentle Milk Cleanser Readers’ Choice
What it does:
This ultra-gentle, no-rinse cleanser soothes sensitive skin with Avene Thermal Spring Water while effectively removing impurities and makeup.
Where to purchase:
- Avene Official Website
