11 Best Facial Cleansers in Singapore | Best of Beauty 2024

At the end of a tiring day, prioritising facial cleansing is essential. It’s not just about removing makeup, excess oil, or sweat; it’s also about eliminating invisible substances like bacteria, pollutants, viruses, and dead skin cells. Cleansing rejuvenates the skin by unclogging pores, exfoliating the surface, and preserving its natural moisture, enabling it to breathe. Since everyone’s skin is unique, selecting the appropriate cleanser tailored to your skin type is crucial. With an extensive variety of best facial cleansers in the market, which then is the best facial cleanser in Singapore? In our Best of Beauty series, we introduce the 11 Best Facial Cleansers in Singapore, providing quality recommendations based on your lifestyle and budget needs.

Best Facial Cleansers in Singapore

1. Mama’s Choice Gentle Face Wash

Safe for pregnancy and breastfeeding and suitable for all skin types

When pregnant or breastfeeding, it is essential to use products with safe ingredients which are best for you and your little one. What we appreciate about the Mama’s Choice Gentle Face Wash is that it is free from harmful chemicals like alcohol, paraben, sulfate, and artificial fragrances while being hypoallergenic and dermatologically tested. Furthermore, this face wash works well on all skin types, nourishing the skin and making it healthy and supple.

A meticulous selection of natural ingredients especially for mums

Enriched with rice extract and hydrolyzed collagen extract, the Mama’s Choice Gentle Face Wash specifically caters to the demands of modern mums. It effectively removes dust, dirt, and makeup with one wash, and is suitable even on sensitive skin. Moreover, the rice extract brightens your skin for a natural glow, and the hydrolyzed collagen extract nourishes and moisturises the skin, making it supple and maintaining its elasticity. It even contains niacinamide which helps keep the skin firm and healthy.

We especially like how it leaves the skin feeling moisturised, unlike some facial washes which leave your skin feeling stripped of moisture and bare.

Why Buy This:

• Designed and lab-tested in Singapore
• Formulated specifically for pregnant and breastfeeding mums
• Removes dust, dirt, and makeup residues efficiently
• Leaves skin soft and glowing and brightens the skin
• Suitable for all skin types
• Gentle on sensitive skin
• Enriched with rice extract and hydrolyzed collagen extract

2. Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cleanser

The ultimate solution for hydrating and gentle cleansing 

One of the standout facial cleansers, highly acclaimed by both Glamour Magazine and Allure, is Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cleanser. It stands out as a top choice, particularly for individuals seeking relief from dry skin. This cleanser is meticulously crafted, blending sugar-derived glycoside with squalane, apricot kernel oil, avocado oil, and vitamin E to deeply moisturise the skin, leaving it soft and supple.

Aside from its hydrating properties, Kiehl’s facial cleanser effectively removes excess oil and debris without stripping away the skin’s natural oils. It boasts a gentle and pH-balanced formula, making it suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin. You can find Melissa’s review and demonstration of Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cleanser below.

Perfect for those with oily skin

For those with oily skin, Kiehl’s offers an oil-free variant tailored to address specific concerns. Additionally, for individuals seeking deeper pore cleansing, there’s Kiehl’s Rare Earth Deep Pore Daily Cleanser. This particular formulation features Amazonian White Clay and Diatomaceous Earth particles designed to cleanse and purify the skin.

Why Buy This:

• Tailored for those with oily skin types
• Deep pore cleansing
• pH-balanced formulation

3. Cetaphil Gentle Skin Facial Cleanser

Gentle formula

Cetaphil Gentle Skin Facial Cleanser is the standout choice for those seeking a reliable facial cleanser in Singapore. Praised by reputable magazines like The Cut, Elle, Glamour Magazine, Allure, Today, Good Housekeeping, and even Forbes, it has earned its place at the top of the list.

This celebrated cleanser boasts a gentle yet highly effective formula. Free of soap and fragrance, and hypoallergenic, it ensures a thorough removal of excess oils, dirt, and makeup residue without irritating. Its non-comedogenic properties prevent pore blockage, while its ability to be used with or without water ensures versatility. Importantly, it promises to leave your skin soothed, softened, and nourished, preserving its natural protective oils.

Why Buy This:

• Designed with milk formulation
• Free from harsh soaps that can strip the skin of its natural oils
• Can be used with or without water
• Promises to soothe and soften the skin while cleansing

4. La Roche-Posay Toleriane Dermo Cleanser

Effective make-up removal

For those with sensitive and allergy-prone skin, the La Roche-Posay Toleriane Cleanser Dermo-Cleanser emerges as a top choice. Esteemed publications like Forbes, Total Beauty, Good Housekeeping, Today, and Allure have all recognised it as the premier cleanser for delicate skin.

This renowned cleanser is celebrated for its gentle milky formula. It contains Glycerin and thermal spring water, meticulously crafted to prevent over-drying while effectively removing waterproof makeup, dirt, and oil from both the face and eyes. Moreover, it is free from parabens, fragrances, and preservatives, ensuring safety with every use. Application is simple, either with fingertips or a cotton ball. For further insights, you can refer to Melissa’s instructional video demonstration.

To optimise results, pairing the Toleriane Cleanser Dermo-Cleanser with the La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo+ is recommended. Additionally, those with acne-prone and oily skin may find the La Roche-Posay Effaclar Cleanser Foaming Purifying Gel to be an ideal complement.

Why Buy This:

• Free from harsh ingredients
• Infused with Glycerin and thermal spring water
• Easy to apply
• Designed for sensitive and allergy-prone skin

5. Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel

Suitable for daily use

If you’re seeking a daily facial cleanser in Singapore, consider the highly recommended Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel. Renowned for its lightweight and mild soap-free formula, this cleanser is devoid of mineral oil, coal tar, formaldehyde, phthalates, retinyl palmitate, oxybenzone, hydroquinone, triclosan, and triclocarban. Instead, it features naturally-foaming Quillaja Saponaria, making it suitable for vegans due to its cruelty-free and gluten-free ingredients.

The naturally foaming formula gently eliminates toxins and debris from your face while maintaining your skin’s natural moisture balance. Infused with balm mint and lavender extracts, it offers a calming bonus effect, ideal for pampering your skin. 

Why Buy This:

• Gentle on the skin while effectively cleansing away impurities
• Does not contain harsh detergents that can strip the skin of its natural oils
• Suitable for vegans as it contains cruelty-free and gluten-free ingredients

6. GARNIER SkinActive Micellar Cleansing Gel

Powerful yet gentle cleansing

The GARNIER SkinActive Micellar Cleansing Gel is praised by reviewers for its potent cleansing abilities while remaining gentle on the skin. This dermatologically and ophthalmologically tested facial cleanser in Singapore offers a two-in-one solution, perfect for both morning refreshment and evening makeup removal, without causing dryness. With micelles that act like magnets, capturing dirt and oil effectively, you can massage your face gently, avoiding harsh rubbing before rinsing.

Infused with naturally derived ingredients, the GARNIER SkinActive Micellar Cleansing Gel helps maintain a fresh and healthy complexion. Its fragrance-free formula makes it suitable for all skin types, earning recognition as one of the top face cleansers by Elle and Total Beauty.

Why Buy This:

• Effectively removes dirt, oil, and makeup without harshness
• Suitable for both morning cleansing and evening makeup removal
• Dermatologically and ophthalmologically tested
• Formulated with naturally derived ingredients

7. Laneige Water Bank Blue Hyaluronic Cleansing Gel

Best for all skin types

Laneige Water Bank Blue Hyaluronic Cleansing Gel offers a refreshing and hydrating cleansing experience suitable for all skin types. Formulated with a pH-balanced formula, it effectively removes impurities while preserving the skin’s natural moisture barrier. Ideal for dry skin, this gel cleanser utilises hyaluronic acid to infuse the skin with hydration, leaving it feeling clean, supple, and revitalised. Its gentle yet effective cleansing action ensures that the skin is thoroughly cleansed without feeling tight or stripped of moisture. The unisex formulation makes it suitable for anyone seeking a gentle and nourishing cleansing solution. With its fresh scent and gel texture, the Laneige Water Bank Blue Hyaluronic Cleansing Gel provides a luxurious and invigorating cleansing experience that promotes healthy, radiant-looking skin.

Why Buy This:

• Formulated with hyaluronic acid
• pH-balanced formula
• Designed to be safe and effective for all skin types
• Suitable for both men and women

8. Philosophy Purity Made Simple One-Step Facial Cleanser

Functions as a multi-tasking cleanser

The Philosophy Purity Made Simple One-Step Facial Cleanser has been acclaimed by Forbes as the epitome of facial cleansers, lauded for its blend of twelve essential oils including rosewood, sage, clary, English chamomile, and more. It has also been honoured with an Allure award for its ability to effortlessly dissolve dirt, oil, and makeup while simultaneously toning and hydrating the skin in a single step.

This versatile cleanser is designed to cater to all skin types, be it normal, dry, oily, or combination. Whether used in the morning or at night, Philosophy Purity Facial Cleanser promises to soothe and revitalise your skin.

Why Buy This:

• Packed with twelve essential oils
• Gentle on sensitive skin
• Best for day or night use

9. Avene Cleanance Gel Soapless Cleanser

Effective for oily skin

If you are grappling with blemish-prone and sensitive oily skin, consider the Avene Cleanance Gel Soapless Cleanser as a top recommendation. Unlike products containing harsh salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide, this cleanser is hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic. Its unique formulation includes zinc gluconate, which calms irritation and redness, monolaurin to reduce excess oil, and gentle surfactants that cleanse without stripping the skin. Additionally, it features thermal spring water to soften and soothe the skin.

The packaging of this cleanser is also user-friendly, boasting a small opening on the bottle that minimises product waste. For those seeking alternatives, the Avene Gentle Milk Cleanser is worth exploring, offering similar benefits of soothing, moisturising, and cleansing the skin effectively.

Why Buy This:

• No harsh chemicals
• Hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic makes it perfect for those with sensitive skin types
• Enriched with Avene’s signature thermal spring water
• Features a small opening on the bottle to prevent wastage

10. SK-II Facial Treatment Cleansing Oil

Brightens complexion

Ranked as the top choice in the 2018 Prevention Picks for Best Cleansing Oils, the SK-II Facial Treatment Cleansing Oil ensures a gentle removal of makeup and impurities from your skin. This oil-based cleanser, free of sulfates, is enriched with wild rose extract, apple seed extract, and Pitera™, a bio-ingredient packed with over 50 micro-nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and organic acids.

Moreover, besides effectively eliminating makeup, mascara, and sunscreen, the SK-II Facial Treatment Cleansing Oil offers the added advantage of brightening your complexion and providing smoother skin when gently massaged onto your face for 2-3 minutes.

Why Buy This:

• Effectively removes makeup, mascara, and sunscreen without harshness
• Free from sulfates, ensuring a gentle cleansing experience
• Contains enriched ingredients
• Helps promote a brighter complexion with regular use

11. Hada Labo Face Wash

Affordable option for skincare enthusiasts

Hada Labo Face Wash presents an elegant yet pragmatic choice for skincare. Infused with natural ingredients and fortified with Super Hyaluronic Acid, it adeptly retains skin moisture post-cleansing. With its efficient lathering capability, only a modest quantity is needed, ensuring longevity.

Beyond its hydrating prowess, this budget-friendly cleanser delicately nurtures sensitive skin, leaving it revitalised and soft. For those with oily skin concerns, Hada Labo offers the AHA+BHA Oil Control Face Wash, tailored to address specific needs.

Why Buy This:

• Infused with Super Hyaluronic Acid
• Formulated with natural ingredients that work harmoniously with the skin
• Suitable for sensitive skin
• Budget-friendly

We hope that our guide on the 11 Best Facial Cleansers in Singapore has helped you to buy the best facial cleansers in Singapore for your skincare routine. Please share this with your family and friends if you have found it useful.