The Best Cream Cleansers For Every Skin Type

Best Cream Cleansers

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Usually, people with dry skin or sensitive skin are the ones who prefer cream cleansers. And it’s understandable. Because creamy cleansers are non-drying and non-stripping, quite the opposite, moisturizing for the skin.

However, you don’t know how much you need one until your skin goes through a phase where it’s dry, sensitive, and overall irritated.

Whether it’s seasonal dryness, dryness from using stripping cleansers, or irritation from certain skincare products, cream cleansers are helpful for all skin types.

But a cream cleanser isn’t something we usually reach for unless it’s recommended by someone or we need it to mitigate certain skin corners. So in case you’re new, here’s what you can expect from a cream cleanser.

Cream Cleanser Benefits

Rich in Moisturizing Ingredients

A cream cleanser, otherwise known as a lotion cleanser or a cleansing cream, is a type of facial cleanser with a creamy texture. Cream cleansers are more moisturizing than regular cleansers and are richer in moisturizing ingredients like lipids and emollients, which give the cleanser its creamy texture. Most cream cleansers either don’t foam or foam very lightly, which is usually an indication of how gentle they are.

Suitable for All Skin Types

Over time, more diverse cream cleanser formulations have come up so much so that these days, we have exfoliating cleansers in cream form. We have cream cleansers that foam. So with a makeover like this, cream cleansers are making a comeback. Whether you have dry skin, dehydrated skin, or even oily skin, cream cleansers are for every skin type.

Non-Drying

The most important benefit of cream cleansers is that they don’t strip the skin or leave it dry and tight. This is important, especially if your skin is generally dry or if it’s going through a dry phase. You don’t want to further dry your skin by using a stripping cleanser.

Best Cream Cleansers

If you’re on the lookout for a cream cleanser, below are some of the best cream cleansers you can try.

1. First Aid Beauty Pure Skin Face Cleanser

First Aid Beauty Pure Skin Face Cleanser - Best Cream Cleanser
Likely to work for most skin types

This is one of the gentlest cream cleansers out there suitable for all skin types. Because the overall formulation is just like what we want a cream cleanser to be. Its creamy texture lightly foams up with water but not to the extent that it feels like a foaming cleanser.

It’s made with a blend of botanicals for instant calming benefits. And some of them are, as always, allantoin, feverfew, and green tea. It cleanses the skin, removes makeup and dirt, and leaves the skin unbothered. And because it’s so moisturizing, nourishing, and calming for the skin, the cream cleanser is also great for people with sensitive and very dry skin.

Key Ingredients: Allantoin, green tea, aloe
Skin Type: All
Size: 5 oz/150 ml
Notes: Fragrance-free, cruelty-free

2. CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser

CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser - Best Drugstore Cream Cleanser
Affordable drugstore option

If you’re on a budget, no worries. Because this tried and true favorite is just as good as expensive options. This is a fragrance-free, non-foaming cream cleanser with a light lotion texture. And it contains ceramides and hyaluronic acid to cleanse the skin without stripping it.

You can go for it if you have normal, dry, sensitive skin. But this is also something you want to keep in your cabinet if you frequently exfoliate and use different active ingredients. It’s also your skin’s best friend in harsh weather and a fall skincare must-have. Trust me, this is going to make things a lot easier during those times.

Key Ingredients: Ceramides, hyaluronic acid
Skin Type: All
Size: 8 oz/237 ml
Notes: Fragrance-free

3. The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser

The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser - Best Cream Cleanser for Dry Skin
Great for dry skin types

This affordable cream cleanser is made with botanically derived squalane, which is a very emollient compound, to begin with. And it’s naturally really moisturizing for the skin. The texture feels like a makeup-removing balm and starts to feel like an oil cleanser as you work it into the skin.

That’s why it feels so moisturizing for dry skin. You can use it as your all-in-one cleanser, or as your first cleanser to remove makeup. Either way, it’s super affordable, gentle, and also works great for sensitive, redness-prone skin.

Key Ingredients: Squalane
Skin Type: All
Size: 1.7 oz/50 ml
Notes: Fragrance-free, non-comedogenic, cruelty-free

4. Fenty Skin Total Cleans’r Makeup Removing Cleanser

Fenty Skin Total Cleans'r Makeup Removing Cleanser - Best Cream Cleanser
Oil-free cream cleanser

If you have oily and acne-prone skin and are looking for a cream cleanser, this is for you. Because it’s oil-free. So even though the texture is creamy, and replenishing, its oil-free formula is very unlikely to clog your pores. It removes makeup, thoroughly cleans up your skin, and freshens up the complexion.

It comes out a little thick but thins out with water and spreads really nicely. It does have a scent, which is super pleasant but is something to keep in mind if you don’t like fragrance. Additionally, it’s packed with botanicals like green tea and acerola cherry, which are rich in vitamins and antioxidants. There is absolutely no residual feeling on the skin!

Key Ingredients: Acerola cherry, green tea
Skin Type: All
Size: 4.9 oz/145 ml
Notes: Oil-free, scented, cruelty-free, vegan

5. La Roche Posay Toleriane Hydrating Cleanser

La Roche Posay Toleriane Hydrating Cleanser
Works great for combination skin

First of all, this is an overall great cream cleanser formulated for dry skin. But what I love about it is that even though it’s moisturizing, and non-drying for the skin, it’s oil-free. So it’s amazing for people with combination skin where you’re dealing with both excess oil and flaky skin. Plus, it’s fragrance-free.

It’s made with glycerin, ceramides as well as niacinamide to keep the skin barrier happy and help restore it. The runny texture doesn’t foam. It won’t over-dry your skin or aggravate acne. It’ll purify your skin and balance your complexion. On a side note, this is a good cream cleanser you can consider for winter too.

Key Ingredients: Ceramide, niacinamide, vitamin B5
Skin Type: All
Size: 13.5 oz/400 ml
Notes: Oil-free, fragrance-free, non-comedogenic

6. Versed Keep The Peace Acne-Calming Cream Cleanser

Versed Acne-Calming Cream Cleanser - Best Cream Cleanser for Oily and Acne Prone Skin
Made for acne-prone skin

When you have acne, you usually use foaming or gel cleansers and sometimes exfoliating cleansers to mattify skin and clean up pores. But sometimes, the skin doesn’t respond to that. Even if you want to exfoliate with a cleanser, the base of your cleanser can actually compromise your results. For example, a gel-based salicylic acid cleanser is great for acne.

But the gel formulation may be stripping the skin, causing dehydration, flakiness, and even breakouts. For that reason, this cleanser delivers 1.5% salicylic acid into the skin with a very creamy, emollient base. It allows the exfoliant to work on acne and clogged pores without compromising the skin barrier. So if you’re thinking about switching to a mild cleanser while keeping tabs on acne, this one is great. The very creamy texture foams up and leaves the skin clean, and matte, but never dry.

Key Ingredients: 1.5% salicylic acid, blue tansy oil
Skin Type: All
Size: 4 oz/120 ml
Notes: Cruelty-free, vegan

7. SkinCeuticals Gentle Cleanser Cream

SkinCeuticals Gentle Cleanser Cream - Best Cream Cleanser To Remove Makeup
Soothing formula

Cream cleansers are not the best when it comes to removing makeup. But this one sure does come close. It’s an incredibly gentle cream cleanser suitable for all skin types, especially if you have sensitive skin, rosacea, or redness-prone skin.

It’s made with soothing allantoin, which has anti-inflammatory and calming benefits. It also has orange oil, which is another skin soother. The cream cleanser does not foam and gently purifies the skin. It’s beautifully scented and leaves the skin feeling super soft.

Key Ingredients: Allantoin, glycerin
Skin Type: All
Size: 6.8 oz/200 ml
Notes: SLS-free, soap-free, alcohol-free

8. Tata Harper Superkind Fragrance-Free Softening Cleanser

Tata Harper Superkind Fragrance-Free Softening Cleanser - Best Natural Cream Cleanser
Natural formula

This is a splurge for sure. But it’s an amazing natural cream cleanser formulated for people with dry and sensitive skin. It squirts out like a runny lotion and turns into a very light foam but not the traditional foam. You can feel those ones literally eating away at your skin barrier.

But this one feels like the foam sits on top of the skin and selectively picks up dirt and makeup. It’s that gentle. And it hugs the skin with amazing emollients like grape seed oil, squalane, and jojoba oil. On a side note, even though it’s fragrance-free, this one does have a very faint scent, which is something to keep in mind if you have very, very sensitive skin.

Key Ingredients: Evening primrose oil, jojoba oil, squalane
Skin Type: All
Size: 4.2 oz/125 ml
Notes: Fragrance-free, vegan, cruelty-free, gluten-free

9. Paula’s Choice Resist Optimal Results Hydrating Cleanser

Paula's Choice Resist Optimal Results Hydrating Cleanser - Best Cream Cleanser for Aging Skin
Great for mature skin

This is an overall amazing cream cleanser for people with mature or aging skin. Because our skin tends to get dry and sensitive as we age. And further drying your skin with exfoliating cleansers is not the best way to fight wrinkles. This has just the right goodies to keep the skin barrier happy. It thoroughly cleans your skin and removes makeup and dirt.

It has a very rich, creamy consistency that allows you to massage it into the skin. Plus, it’s made with antioxidants like green tea and chamomile to instantly calm the skin. If you need a non-drying facial cleansing experience while also ensuring your skin is completely clean, this is it. It cares for your skin and replenishes it so you can go by your anti-aging routine without worrying about irritation.

Key Ingredients: Green tea, chamomile
Skin Type: All
Size: 6.4 oz/190 ml
Notes: Fragrance-free, cruelty-free

10. Motif Abundance Plumping PhytoCeramide Cleanser

Motif Abundance Plumping PhytoCeramide Cleanser - Best Cream Cleanser
Amazing multi-tasker

This is a major multi-tasker. It’s a non-foaming cream cleanser that moisturizes the skin while you wash it. But it also has these soft granules from the luffa fruit, which makes the cleansing feel like a light exfoliation too. But the best part is that it works as a purifying and brightening face mask!

The formula is rich in active ingredients and packs enzyme exfoliants to smooth out the skin texture, and niacinamide and licorice extract to brighten the skin as well! It washes away the dirt, leaves the skin incredibly soft, and smells like a forest!

Key Ingredients: Orchid extract, enzymes, niacinamide
Skin Type: Dry, acne-prone, oily, sensitive
Size: 3.4 oz/100 ml
Notes: Fragrance-free, cruelty-free, vegan

So these are some of the best cream cleansers out there. If you haven’t found what you’re looking for here or you’re not sure which one would work best for your skin, here are the most important things to keep in mind when choosing a cream cleanser.

How to Choose a Cream Cleanser

Your Skin Type

While some cream cleansers are suitable for all skin types, some are clearly marketed for specific types. Make sure yours is suitable for your skin type too. If you have oily skin, go for a cream cleanser made for your skin type to avoid clogging your pores. If you have dry skin, go for a cream cleanser made for your skin type to avoid further drying your skin. If your skin doesn’t have a particular issue, something that’s suitable for all skin types will likely work for your skin too.

Moisturizing Ingredients

What makes a cream cleanser special is the fact that it’s supposed to be moisturizing for the skin. So look for a lot of moisturizing ingredients like ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and plant oils like jojoba. The more the merrier! This ensures that your cleansing experience is as gentle as it gets.

Other Ingredients

If you’re dealing with a particular skin problem, your cleanser can help address that too. For example, you can look for a cream cleanser made with anti-acne ingredients like salicylic acid to manage blemishes. Or if you have uneven skin tone or dullness, a cream cleanser that also packs brighteners like niacinamide will work better for your skin.

Formulation

Again, we usually don’t go for a cream cleanser unless we’re dealing with some level of dryness. For that reason, it’s important to pay extra attention to the formulation. Cream cleansers that contain sulfates or alcohol can further dry your skin. Avoid these as much as you can. If you have very sensitive skin, go for fragrance-free cleansers, which means that the cleanser doesn’t contain artificial fragrance.

FAQs

Read Next: Best Anti-Aging Cleansers

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