Must Have Monday: Our Top 10 Cleansers

Welcome to our new weekly feature, Must Have Monday. We are sharing our top ten products of certain categories, starting with essential makeup and skincare items. After fifteen years of reviewing and trialling beauty products, we are going to share our favourite products with you.  This week we are sharing our top 10 cleansers!

Using the right skin cleanser is an essential first step and foundation of your skincare routine, balancing deep cleaning with the protection of your skin’s natural, delicate barrier. Using an incorrect cleanser—such as a harsh soap on dry skin—can cause issues like stripping essential oils, disrupting the skin’s pH, and leading to irritation, dryness, or increased breakouts. Physical cleaners and balms are the best cleansers, as they don’t leave residue on your skin and can be rinsed off.

Here are our favourites:

La Roche-Posay Toleriane Dermo Cleanser ($31.99)

Designed to be used as both a facial cleanser and make-up remover, La Roche- Posay Toleriane Dermo cream cleanser can be rinsed off or removed with cotton or tissue. Gently cleanses the face and effectively removes makeup.

Skinstitut Gentle Cleanser ($52)

Perfect for all skin types, especially sensitive or dry, this creamy cleanser removes impurities and makeup while maintaining the skins natural balance. Infused with aloe vera and goji berry, it calms irritation, hydrates, and leaves skin feeling soft, refreshed, and clean.

Clinique all about clean foaming facial soap ($52)

My absolute favourite cleanser. This is THE cleanser you need if you have dry skin. A small amount goes a long way (a pea size amount usually cleans your whole face and neck), making this a very cost effective cleaner (I get at least 6 months use out of one container). Creamy foaming cleanser gently yet thoroughly removes pollution, dirt, excess oil and makeup to reveal smoother, clearer skin. Maintains skin moisture balance. Leaves dry skin feeling soft and comfortable, never tight. Non-drying and Non-stripping. Formulated with glycerine and hyaluronic acid for a softer, more conditioning cleanse.

CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser ($18.99)

CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser is a non-comedogenic face wash specifically formulated with hyaluronic acid and ceramides to cleanse and hydrate the skin’s moisture barrier. Designed for normal to dry skin, it effectively cleanses without over-stripping natural hydration, leaving skin feeling refreshed. This hydrating cleanser not only protects against external irritants but also provides deep, 24-hour hydration thanks to its MVE technology. Endorsed by the Eczema Association of Australasia Inc (EAA), it is also suitable for eczema-prone skin.

Bioderma Sensibio Micellar Cleansing Oil Makeup Remover ($52.99)

Sensibio Micellar Cleansing Oil combines cleansing and caring actions in order to provide skin comfort for sensitive skin. The double-action micellar technology, alongside the oil base, provides frictionless cleansing to effectively remove makeup (even waterproof makeup), pollution and impurities while soothing and strengthening the skin.

Jurlique Nutri-Define Supreme Cleansing Foam ($72)

Feel refreshed after your daily face cleanses with the Nutri-Define Supreme Cleansing Foam that gently lifts off dirt and impurities with its natural jojoba beads and botanical-enriched formula. Containing extracts of spilanthes flower and horseradish root, this cleanser is suitable for all skin types. The rich texture will leave your skin feeling rejuvenated and renewed, ready for the next step in your skincare ritual.

The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser Gentle Hydrating Makeup Remover ($36.50)

Squalane Cleanser effectively cleanses the skin by removing makeup, dirt, and impurities while supporting the skins moisture barrier through hydration. Formulated with plant-derived squalane, a well-known moisturising agent, this cleanser leaves skin feeling soft, smooth, and hydrated. The addition of lipophilic esters helps dissolve makeup without stripping the skin. Squalane feels oil-like without being oily which contributes to the unique balmy consistency of the cleanser but is actually oil-free. Squalane feels oil-like without being oily which contributes to the unique balmy consistency of the cleanser but is actually oil-free. This gentle cleanser formulation is non-comedogenic and soap-free. It is ideal for daily use across all skin types and can be combined with other skincare products.

Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser ($8.49)

Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser actively hydrates your skin as it cleanses to help replenish its protective moisture barrier. Dermatologist-tested for sensitive skin, this hypoallergenic, fragrance-free formula won’t block pores and is suitable for all skin types. Suitable for all skin types, this hypoallergenic cleanser features a blend of Glycerin, Vitamin B3 and Pro-Vitamin B5 to effectively remove dirt and makeup while providing continuous hydration and preserving your skin’s natural moisture barrier.

Avene Tolerance Extremely Gentle Cleanser ($20.99)

Ever feel like your skin is overreacting (dramatic much?)? Hypersensitive skin can feel unpredictable- reacting to things other skin doesn’t, causing sensations like tingling, tightness, or burning. Avène Tolerance Extremely Gentle Face Cleanser calms hypersensitive skin and leaves it feeling soft and comfortable. Anyone with sensitive skin knows that what you choose not to put on your skin is just as important as what you do. That’s why Avène Tolerance Extremely Gentle Cleanser is fragrance-free- delivering gentle, soothing care for reactive skin. This no-rinse face wash alternative gently cleanses while helping reduce skin reactivity and soothing irritation.

Enriched with Avène Thermal Spring Water and D-Sensinose™, Avene’s patented ultra-calming postbiotic derived from the unique microflora of Avène Thermal Spring Water, this face cleanser for sensitive skin supports the skin barrier and leaves skin feeling soft, calm and clean. With a minimalist formula of 99% natural origin ingredients, our gentle cleanser is dermatologically tested and designed to minimise the risk of allergic reaction- because sometimes less is more.

Estee Lauder Perfectly Clean Multi Action Foam Cleanser/Purifying Mask ($74)