How to Choose the Right Cleanser for Healthy, Balanced Skin
If you want healthy, radiant skin, it all starts with cleansing. Choosing the right face cleanser for your skin type and concerns is one of the most important — and most overlooked — steps in a skincare routine.
At Art of Skin Care, we often see people under-cleanse and over-moisturize, which can leave skin dehydrated, congested, and unresponsive to treatments. Properly cleansed skin is healthier, more hydrated, and better able to absorb the products that follow.
Below, our licensed estheticians share the best face cleansers by skin type and concern, so you can cleanse with confidence.
Best Cleansers for Dry, Sensitized, or Mature Skin
Dry or mature skin needs cleansing that supports the skin barrier while gently removing buildup.
Best Cleansers for Rosacea or Redness-Prone Skin
Reactive skin benefits from gentle, calming cleansing that minimizes irritation.
Best Cleansers for Oily Skin
Oily skin still needs gentle cleansing that balances — not strips.
Best Cleansers for Acne-Prone Skin
Acne-prone skin requires acne-safe cleansing that calms inflammation and supports long-term clarity.
Best Cleansers for Blackhead-Prone Skin
Congested pores need cleansing that loosens buildup without irritation.
Best Cleansers for Normal & Mature Skin
Normal and mature skin benefits from antioxidant-rich cleansing that supports vitality.
Best Cleansers for Teens and Skin Sensitive to Acids
For teens or anyone who doesn’t tolerate alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs).These cleansers help remove impurities without relying on exfoliating acids, making them gentle, effective, and well suited for developing or sensitive skin.
Best Cleansers for Brightening Hyperpigmentation & Uneven Skin Tone
Hyperpigmentation and uneven skin tone often start with buildup, inflammation, and sluggish cell turnover. Choosing the right cleanser can help gently support brightening by removing surface debris, improving skin clarity, and preparing the skin to better absorb corrective treatments.
Brightening cleansers work best as supportive tools, not standalone treatments. When used consistently and appropriately for your skin type, they help create a clearer, more even-looking complexion over time.
Brightening cleansers can help support:
A more even skin tone
Reduced appearance of dark spots and discoloration
Improved skin clarity and radiance
Better penetration of brightening serums and treatments
Esthetician Tip
If you’re targeting hyperpigmentation, avoid over-cleansing or using brightening cleansers too frequently. Gentle, consistent use — paired with daily SPF — delivers better long-term results than aggressive exfoliation.
Best Cleansers for Makeup Removal & the Eye Area
Effective makeup removal should never compromise the skin barrier. These facial cleansers are gentle enough to remove makeup while remaining safe for use around the delicate eye area.
Best Weekly Cleanser for Deep Cleaning
Even with proper daily cleansing, skin can benefit from a deeper cleanse once or twice a week to help remove buildup that accumulates from sunscreen, makeup, oil, and environmental pollutants.
Weekly deep cleansing supports:
Clearer pores
Smoother skin texture
Brighter, more even-looking skin
Better product absorption
Weekly deep cleansing should never replace daily cleansing and should always be adjusted based on skin sensitivity. Many of these cleansers can be used several times per week for oily or congested skin, while normal to dry skin types typically benefit most from once- or twice-weekly use.
Looking for expert skincare guidance? Our team of licensed estheticians will help you create or refine a routine that fits your skin’s unique needs — starting with a free skincare checkup.
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Author
Celine LeClerc
Celine LeClerc is a licensed esthetician, Certified Acne Specialist, and the lead esthetician at Art of Skin Care, where she also serves as the Director of Education and Research & Development. With 14 years of experience in the skincare industry, Celine is renowned for her deep expertise and exceptional ability to match clients with the most effective, results-driven skincare solutions.
Guided by a passion for innovation, Celine scours the globe in search of cutting-edge, science-backed products that deliver visible transformations while supporting skin health at every stage of life. Her expertise spans everything from clearing stubborn acne to creating advanced, holistic routines for healthy aging.
At Art of Skin Care, Celine leads with a commitment to education, training both clients and estheticians on the latest advancements in skincare. Her mission is to empower individuals with the knowledge, tools, and routines they need to achieve radiant, resilient skin without compromise.
