How to Choose the Right Cleanser for Your Skin Type

A cleanser sets the tone for your full routine. The wrong face wash leaves skin tight, flaky, or oily again within an hour. The right face wash removes sunscreen, sweat, and buildup, and leaves skin calm.

Step 1: Confirm your skin type in 30 seconds

• Oily: shine shows up fast, pores look more visible, makeup slides.
• Dry: rough patches, tight feeling, flaking around nose or cheeks.
• Combination: oily T-zone, dry cheeks.
• Sensitive: stinging, redness, or irritation after cleansing.
• Acne-prone: frequent breakouts, clogged pores, blackheads, whiteheads.

Step 2: Pick the cleanser texture that matches your day

Oil cleanser

Best at night for sunscreen, makeup, and buildup. Oil cleansers fit dry skin, combination skin, oily skin, and acne-prone skin when used with a second cleanser.

• Anua Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil Mild 200 ml
• SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Light Cleansing Oil 200 ml
• mixsoon Bean Cleansing Oil 155 ml

Gel cleanser

Great for daily use. Gel cleansers suit combination skin, sensitive skin, and acne-prone skin. Many people prefer gel cleansers in the morning.

• COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser 150 ml

Foam cleanser

Foam cleansers feel fresh and rinse clean. Choose a gentle foam for daily use, and use stronger foams less often if dryness shows up.

• SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Ampoule Foam 125 ml
• Anua Heartleaf Quercetinol Pore Deep Cleansing Foam 150 ml
• Goodal Green Tangerine Vita C Cleansing Foam 150 ml
• COSRX Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Cleanser 150 ml
• SOME BY MI AHA,BHA,PHA 30 Days Miracle Acne Clear Foam 100 ml
• Arencia Green Tea + LHA Deep Pore Rice Cake Cleanser 150 g

Skin type guide: pick the best cleanser for your skin

Oily skin and acne-prone skin

Goal: remove excess oil, keep pores clear, avoid over-cleansing.

• Morning cleanser: COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser 150 ml
• When clogged pores and blackheads show up often: COSRX Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Cleanser 150 ml
• When texture feels rough and breakouts feel frequent: SOME BY MI Miracle Acne Clear Foam 100 ml
• Night double cleanse for heavy sunscreen: SKIN1004 Light Cleansing Oil 200 ml then Anua Pore Deep Cleansing Foam 150 ml

Dry skin and dehydrated skin

Goal: cleanse without stripping, keep skin comfortable after rinsing.

• Daily cleanser: COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser 150 ml
• When you prefer a soft foam: SKIN1004 Centella Ampoule Foam 125 ml
• Night makeup or layered sunscreen: ROUND LAB 1025 Dokdo Cleansing Oil then Anua 8 Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Gentle Foaming Cleanser

Sensitive skin

Goal: reduce irritation, keep cleansing simple, avoid aggressive scrubbing.

• Gentle daily cleanse: COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser 150 ml
• Gentle foam option: SKIN1004 Centella Ampoule Foam 125 ml
• Night first cleanse: Anua Cleansing Oil Mild 200 ml

Combination skin

Goal: balance T-zone oil without drying cheeks.

• Morning: COSRX Low pH Gel Cleanser 150 ml
• Night: oil cleanser plus a light foam cleanser.
• Night oil cleanse: mixsoon Bean Cleansing Oil 155 ml
• Night second cleanse: Anua Pore Deep Cleansing Foam 150 ml

Dull skin and uneven tone

Goal: consistent cleansing, remove buildup, avoid harsh washing that triggers dryness.

• Daily base cleanser: COSRX Low pH Gel Cleanser 150 ml
• Fresh foam option: Goodal Green Tangerine Vita C Cleansing Foam 150 ml
• Night makeup and sunscreen removal: SKIN1004 Light Cleansing Oil 200 ml

How to double cleanse in 3 simple steps

1. Start on dry skin. Massage an oil cleanser for 30 to 60 seconds.
2. Add a small splash of water, massage again, rinse fully.
3. Follow with a gel or foam cleanser for 20 to 30 seconds, rinse, pat dry.

Common cleanser mistakes that slow results

• Using hot water. Use lukewarm water instead.
• Washing for too long. Keep cleansing under 60 seconds.
• Over-foaming twice daily when dryness shows up.
• Skipping an oil cleanse at night after layered sunscreen.

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