17 Best Facial Cleansers In Malaysia 2022 (Face Wash For Each Skin Type) & How To Choose

Keep your face clear of pimples with the best facial cleansers in Malaysia 2022!

A good cleanser will remove dirt and excess oil from your face without leaving it dry. And without messing up the pH balance of your skin.

Have a look at these reviews on facial cleansers for oily skin, dry skin, combination skin and more!

Table Of Contents:

• How To Choose The Right Facial Cleanser
• 17 Best Facial Cleansers In Malaysia

How To Choose The Right Facial Cleanser

Because it’s the first step in any skin care routine, it’s important that you select a cleanser that’s suitable for your skin type!

As you need your skin to be clean and prepped before you apply your toner, whitening cream or eye cream.

1. Identify Your Skin Type

Not sure what your skin type is? Read on!

2. Oily Skin

Skin tends to get shiny fast and has visible pores.

Go for: A cleanser with oil control. A balanced pH is preferable.

3. Dry Skin

There’s a tight feeling in your skin. And it can be itchy or flaky at times.

Go for:  A moisturizing cleanser that contains glycerin, hyaluronic acid, etc; Soap-free is good and you should avoid foam based cleansers as these will make your skin feel even tighter after a wash.

Or you can try the best cleansing oil instead!

4. Combination Skin

You have both symptoms of oily skin and dry skin but limited to certain parts of the face. (e.g. T-Zone is oily, cheeks are dry)

Go for: Any cleanser that cleans your face well without stripping away moisture. You can follow the cleanser recommendations for dry skin.

5. Sensitive Skin

If you have sensitive skin that gets red and itchy easily, you’ll need to avoid fragrances! As with all your skin products, like moisturizer, sunscreen and lip balm!

Go for: A fragrance free cleanser with soothing ingredients like aloe vera; Beware of foamy cleansers. Maintaining your pH balance is important too.

6. Acne Prone Skin

This one is self explanatory. But just keep in mind that acne prone skin can be dry too. And is not necessarily oily!

Go for: Gentle cleansers that will not leave an oily residue. Or your skin dry! Anti-inflammatory, astringent, or soothing ingredients like witch hazel or tea tree oil are recommended.

Pair your cleanser with a pimple cream for best results!

7. Check The Cleanser’s Ingredients

Avoid harsh cleansers. And by harsh, we mean that they leave your skin very dry.

Harsh cleansers tend to contain:

• Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS)
• Strong fragrances
• Parabens
• Mineral oils
• Alcohols like SD alcohol 40, isopropyl alcohol, and ethyl alcohol

17 Best Facial Cleansers In Malaysia

• Best For Oily/ Dry Skin With Some Acne – Cosrx Low PH Good Morning Gel Cleanser
• Best For Acne Prone Skin – Cosrx Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Facial Cleanser
• Best Drugstore Option – Simple Cleanser Refreshing Facial Wash
• Best  Vegan Facial Cleanser For Combination Sensitive Skin – Golden Elixir Face Cleanser By HelloNaturalCo
• Best Deep Clean Cleanser For Oily Skin – Laneige Multi Deep Clean Cleanser
• Best For Oily/ Combination Sensitive Skin – Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser
• Best for Oily/ Acne Prone Sensitive Skin – CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser
• Best For Normal-Dry Sensitive Skin – Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser For Sensitive Skin
• Best For Dry Sensitive Skin – Fresh Soy Face Cleanser
• Best For Oily Skin (With Make Up) – Origins Checks And Balances Frothy Face Wash
• Best Smelling Facial Cleanser For Oily Skin – Innisfree Green Tea Foam Cleanser
• Best Fragrance Free Facial Cleanser For Dry To Combination Skin – Clinique Liquid Facial Soap
• Best For Very Dry Skin – Argan Oil Creamy Cleanser By 100%Pure

Best Facial Cleanser For Oily Skin Malaysia

1. Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser

Best For Oily/ Combination Sensitive Skin

For a product that’s marketed towards sensitive skin, Neutrogena’s Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser strangely has fragrance.

Otherwise, it’s gentle enough to use for washing off make up without leaving your skin tight and uncomfortable! Unless you wash your face a few times a day!

It’s got a mild scent. And many users with sensitive skin don’t find it irritating. One bottle can lasts for months even if you wash your face twice a day!

It glides on smoothly and feels silky on the skin. Removing off makeup, dirt, and grime too!

So if you don’t have problematic skin, the Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser is a suitable daily facial cleaner for normal, combination, and oily skin types!

Pros:

• Oil-free
• Soap-free
• Free of parabens, phthalates & sulfates
• Alcohol-free
• Convenient pump dispenser
• Affordable

Cons:

• Can be drying unless you have oily skin
• Doesn’t create much foam
• Not completely fragrance free (parfum is last in the ingredient list)

2. Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel

The main cleansing ingredient in Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel is Sodium Laureth Sulfate (or SLES). Which is what makes the cleanser foamy!

There is lavender and lemon peel oil (citric acid) in the formula too. Along with SLS, both of these essential oils can be irritating to sensitive skin!

However, users of this facial cleanser praise its ability to clear breakouts.  Moreover, combination skin, oily skin and even dry skin users do not feel that it is drying!

It does not leave any residue on your skin either.

Though for removing makeup, you will need to double cleanse if you use this cleanser.

Since the Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel is rather pricey, you might want to find another facial cleanser to be your holy grail before trying out this one!

Note: Try the travel size first!

Pros:

• Alcohol-free
• Smells like lavender (mild)
• Exfoliating properties
• Pump bottle
• Lathers well
• Favorable texture
• Not sticky afterwards

Cons:

• Expensive
• Use of lavender and lemon peel oil may irritate sensitive skin
• Easy to dispense too much product

3. Cosrx Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser

Best For Oily Skin / Dry Skin With Some Acne

It’s pretty rare to find a foamy cleanser that works for both dry skin and oily skin types and that helps treat acne.

But Cosrx have managed to make an affordable facial cleanser that does just that:

Containing vegan ingredients, the Cosrx Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser is a daily use cleanser with BHA ingredients to act as natural exfoliants.

It’s got tea tree oil to soothe inflamed skin as well. Which also might make it unsuitable for those with sensitive skin.

Almost 5,000 users on Hermo give it a 4/5 star rating! It is not drying, even for most combination and dry skin types. One user likens it to the SK II cleanser.

Thus, the Cosrx Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser is a truly viable option for those with acne and dry or oily skin.

However, for all its good points, this facial cleanser has occasional leaky packaging and it’s not that great at removing full make up. Take care to keep it out of your eyes or it will sting.

Cosrx happens to have a great face mist too! See the face mist review.

Pros:

• Alcohol-free
• Paraben-free
• Cruelty-free
• Mild fragrance (of tea tree oil)
• Works for oily skin too
• Not expensive
• Foams well
• Helps with acne

Cons:

• Not good at removing heavy make up
• Tendency to leak from the cap
• Can sting the eyes

4. Origins Checks And Balances Frothy Face Wash

Best For Oily Skin (With Make Up)

Origins Checks And Balances Frothy Face Wash is wonderfully frothy and doesn’t dry out the skin (i.e. no tight feeling)!

In fact, this popular facial cleanser has over 3,000 mostly-positive reviews on Sephora! The thick consistency goes far and you only need a little to leave your face clean and fresh.

As for its cleansing power, it can remove stubborn make up including waterproof mascara.  And hence, the Origins Checks And Balances Frothy Face Wash can be stripping if you have dry skin though.

Most users agree that it’s best for oily skin and acne skin types!

On another note, there are some who don’t like the smell of this facial cleanser.

Note: Minty herbal scent.

And if you have sensitive skin, beware that the Origins Checks And Balances Frothy Face Wash has fragrance by means of essential oils.

But the Origins Checks And Balances Frothy Face Wash is free from alcohol and parabens. Furthermore, we like that the formula is vegan. Although the price is considerably high.

Pros:

• Vegan
• Alcohol-free
• Paraben free
• Can remove make up residue and waterproof mascara
• Lasts for 4-5 months
• Lathers well
• Comforting thick texture
• Minty scent

Cons:

• Tube form makes it difficult to get the last of the product out
• Unnecessary essential oils for fragrance
• Stings the eyes

5. Laneige Multi Deep Clean Cleanser

Laneige Multi Deep Clean Cleanser from popular Korean brand, Laneige contains blueberry extract that helps with brightening as well as papaya extract that helps remove sebum from pores.

However, those with sensitive skin may want to skip this facial cleanser as it contains fragrance.

Furthermore, there are some comedogenic ingredients (e.g., lauric acid, myristic acid, stearic acid and palmitic acid) too so pass on this cleanser if you have acne prone skin.

It’s also not moisturizing and hence, it’s suits oily and combination skin types better.

Those with dry skin will feel some tightness after washing with this facial cleanser. But oily skin types find the after-feel of this facial cleanser refreshing.

It’s expensive for a 150ml bottle but a small pea sized amount is enough to wash your entire face well! If you have combination skin, try to only use this facial cleanser once a day.

Plus, with all that lather and the cleanser’s deep cleaning properties, it will help remove makeup and sunscreen effectively.

The Laneige Multi Deep Clean Cleanser is overall,  a very enjoyable facial cleanser to use at the end of the day to clean your face. It smells nice and leaves the skin feeling clean.

Just don’t use too much or it will be drying.

Pros:

• Alcohol-free, silicone-free, sulfate-free, paraben-free
• Lathers and cleans well
• Lasts a long time
• Smells good

Cons:

• Expensive
• Has fragrance (not for sensitive skin)
• Comedogenic ingredients are some of the top main ingredients
• Easily dries out the skin

6. Innisfree Green Tea Foam Cleanser

Best Smelling Facial Cleanser For Oily Skin

Another Koreancleanser is the Innisfree Green Tea Foam Cleanser:

While unfavorable for dry skin, it is fine for normal to oily skin types.

Those with combination skin will either find this a hit or a miss as it will depend on how your skin reacts to it. It can be drying!

If scent is an important part of your daily cleansing routine, you will like the calming scent of green tea with the Innisfree Green Tea Foam Cleanser.

That said, the formula does contain alcohol and fragrance so we advise those with sensitive skin to avoid this facial cleanser or proceed with caution.

Other than that, the formula has myristic acid and stearic acid – both of which are comedogenic ingredients (rating around 3).

One huge plus of the Innisfree Green Tea Foam Cleanser however, is how inexpensive it is. And you just need a small amount for your whole face for deep cleaning.

Pros:

• Inexpensive
• Anti-inflammatory ingredients
• Lasts a long time
• Smells nice (of green tea)

Cons:

• Contains alcohol and fragrance (may irritate sensitive skin)
• Formula contains comedogenic ingredients – lauric acid, myristic acid and stearic acid

Best Facial Cleanser For Combination Skin Malaysia

7. SK-II Facial Treatment Gentle Cleanser

Like the rest of their products, the SK-II Facial Treatment Gentle Cleanser includes their unique ingredient, Pitera™:

The facial cleanser is creamy and moisturizing. And it removes oil and grime without drying out the skin.

People with most skin types find that this makes their face feel fresh, clean and smooth! It’s quite effective at getting make up off (including waterproof mascara) too!

According to reviews, it’s got a smooth consistency and delicate scent (like roses). And a pea size amount is enough to wash your face! If you use it twice a day, a tube can last you months.

You won’t want to use a lot anyways, considering the price!

Pros:

• Alcohol-free
• Mild rose scent
• Sufficient foam
• Foams well
• Vitamin E and Niacinamide to help brighten your complexion
• Doesn’t leave residue
• Not drying

Cons:

• Contains fragrance
• Expensive

8. Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cleanser

In the same price range as the  Origins Checks And Balances Frothy Face Wash but without any scent, Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cleanser cleans without leaving any residue.

Plus, you don’t need a lot of it to remove make up either as it has a luxurious thick consistency. Although you may need more time rinsing it off.

Just be sure to keep it stored with the cap up as it is prone to leaking.

For users with oily T-zones, the Kiehl Ultra Facial Cleanser helps keep the oil level down.

Thus this facial cleanser is a favorite among normal to combination skin types! Oily skin types will find it effective too.

However, if your skin is already on the drier side, the Kiehl Ultra Facial Cleanser won’t be great for it (I.e. too harsh):

Because the foaming agent is SLS (Second in the ingredient list). And therefore, sensitive skin types should avoid this facial cleanser (there is also citric acid present in the formula).

Pros:

• Alcohol-free
• No fragrance
• Lathers well
• Lasts a long time

Cons:

• Expensive
• Has some comedogenic ingredients (e.g. avocado oil) that may block pores
• Has citric acid (not suitable for sensitive skin)
• Contains SLS

9. Clinique Liquid Facial Soap Mild

Best Fragrance Free Facial Cleanser For Dry To Combination Skin

Ingredients like glycerin, sodium hyaluronate and olive oil in Clinique’s Liquid Facial Soap Mild will replenish moisture in dry to combination skin!

And you won’t feel sticky or oily afterwards. Something that users with combination skin can get behind on!

The facial cleanser has a light gel consistency that produces a decent amount of lather. Many find that it cleanses without stripping the skin of moisture.

However, it only partially removes heavier make up so it’s not suitable for those that frequently wear a full face of make up. Another thing that it has going for it, is that is not irritating to the skin.

And given the amount of product you get, the price is not exorbitant either.

In any case, the Clinique Liquid Facial Soap Mild has been on the market for years and that says something! If you have dry to combination skin, you should give this fragrance free facial cleanser a go.

Pros:

• No parabens
• No phthalates
• No fragrance
• Removes light make up
• Mild enough for daily use
• Unscented
• Don’t have to use a lot

Cons:

• Packaging is not leak proof/ air tight

Extra-Mild for Very Dry to Dry Skin:

• Clinique Liquid Facial Soap Extra Mild – Check Price

Oily Skin Formula for Combination Oily or Oily Skin:

• Clinique Liquid Facial Soap Oily Skin– Check Price

10. Golden Elixir Face Cleanser By HelloNaturalCo

Best Vegan Facial Cleanser For Combination Sensitive Skin

Organic castile soap plant base soap provides the cleaning factor for the Natural Face Cleanser Malaysia | Golden Elixir Face Cleanser By HelloNaturalCo.

At the same time, this natural face cleanser has astringent (frankincense oil) and anti-inflammatory (rose geranium oil) properties as well! To reduce breakouts and skin irritation!

It has a nice smell to it. And it’s pretty great at getting make up off. Despite that, it’s mild enough for sensitive skin users too.

Those with sensitive combination skin that has the occasional breakout can certainly check out the Natural Face Cleanser Malaysia | Golden Elixir Face Cleanser By HelloNaturalCo for a vegan facial cleanser.

Pros:

• Without parabens, phthalates, mineral oil, sulfates, and artificial fragrance and coloring
• Not drying
• Vegan
• Removes makeup
• Gentle enough for sensitive skin
• Suitable for oily and acne-prone skin too

Cons:

• A bit pricey

Best Facial Cleanser For Dry Skin

11. Philosophy Purity Made Simple One-Step Facial Cleanser

There are 12 essential oils in the formula of Philosophy Purity Made Simple One-Step Facial Cleanser!

And even though it feels gentle on the skin with not much foam, it can still remove makeup. With the exception of waterproof mascara.

Rather than feeling dry after using this facial cleanser, users describe feeling as if they have applied lotion to their skin. Some like that, and others do not.

There also seems to be an equal ratio of users who like the smell and those who do not.

Furthermore, facial cleanser is packed in a bottle which isn’t the most convenient to use.

So if you don’t mind taking risks for the smell and consistency, the Philosophy Purity Made Simple One-Step Facial Cleanser is a suitable good alcohol-free facial cleanser for those with dry skin, wear makeup and have some blemishes to treat.

Pros:

• Alcohol-free
• Fragrance-free
• Removes makeup and grime
• Calms redness and acne
• Lightweight
• Not as drying as other facial cleansers
• One bottle lasts for months

Cons:

• Smells strange (but smells nice to some users)
• Bottle is not easy to use (have to squeeze product out)

12. Argan Oil Creamy Cleanser by 100%Pure

Best For Very Dry Skin

Gentle on the skin with natural ingredients, the Argan Oil Creamy Cleanser by 100%Pure is just what dry skin types need!

It does not foam much but it is still effective at cleansing. And you don’t need to use a lot each time. It works best together with a konjac sponge!

The consistency is creamy, and it smells good (citrus-y). But one user warns that unless you do have dry mature skin, this could be too rich! And may feel greasy.

If you do not like the smell of the Philosophy Purity Made Simple One-Step Facial Cleanser, the Argan Oil Creamy Cleanser by 100%Pure might be more appealing to you.

But unless you do have dry mature skin, this could be too rich! And may feel greasy.

Argan Oil Creamy Cleanser by 100%Pure is the perfect match for very dry skin types, and our only real gripe with it is the high price.

Note:

• *Certified Organic
• **Component of Natural Essential Oil

Pros:

• Fragrant
• Lots of antioxidants (argan oil, green tea, alpha lipoic acid, vitamin E and C)
• Soothes the skin with aloe vera and green tea leaf extract
• Creamy texture
• Softens skin
• No tight dry feeling afterwards!
• No alcohol or silicones
• Gives skin a dewy glow

Cons:

• Expensive

If you have dry skin, you can have a look at the options for sensitive skin types as well.

Don’t forget to check the last cleanser (that’s organic!) on this list too!

Best Facial Cleanser For Acne Prone Skin

13. Cosrx Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Facial Cleanser

Best For Acne Prone Skin

This is a BHA cleanser with natural exfoliating properties and salicylic acid to curb excessive sebum production!

Regardless of the label however, the Cosrx Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Facial Cleanser is not mild and is best for oily skin that is prone to acne. And even so, use it sparingly!

Combination skin types seem to be compatible with this facial cleanser too. With users saying that is gentle enough for them, and not drying!

Besides that, it also appears to help clear breakouts (and dark spots) faster!

If you have sensitive skin and want to try this facial cleanser anyways, gradually ease into it by starting with a low frequency (I.e. once a week).

It is incredibly tempting to pick up the Cosrx Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Facial Cleanser since the price is reasonable. Additionally, a little goes a long way!

Interested in the benefits of AHA, BHA and PHA products? You might like what we have in our list of the best face serums!

Pros:

• Cruelty free
• Paraben free
• Vegan
• Alcohol-free
• Removes light make up with no leftover residue
• Mild scent (citrus)
• Just need a small amount, one tube lasts for months!
• Controls oil and breakouts

Cons:

• Contains fragrance
• Can be drying
• Not much foam

Best Facial Cleanser For Sensitive Skin

14. CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser

Best for Oily/ Acne Prone Sensitive Skin

Despite the name, this cleanser is clear, with a gel-like consistency. However, using too much can be drying. And thus, we don’t recommend it for dry skin types.

But many users with combination and oily skin find this facial cleanser to be a game changer:

It’s so effective at cleaning that you may be able to skip your make up remover! The included niacinamide (vitamin B3) may improve your skin texture over time too.

And it doesn’t have much of a smell. Users with acne also see improvement within a month of using it!

As it turns out, the CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser is one facial cleanser for sensitive skin that’s strong enough to combat excess oil and remove make up!

This facial cleanser is very economical in the long run too. You do get a lot of product for the price point.

Pros:

• Non-comedogenic
• Non-irritating (91% score for ingredient safety on SkinCarisma)
• Fragrance-free, alcohol-free, sulfate-free, and silicone-free
• Controls oil production
• Does not sting the eyes
• Removes make up
• Compatible with skin’s normal pH (5.5)
• Lathers
• Cost-effective

Cons:

• Not hydrating enough for dry skin
• Not paraben-free

15. Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser For Sensitive Skin

Best For Normal-Dry Sensitive Skin

Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser For Sensitive Skin has minimal ingredients. Something that sensitive skin types will appreciate! Especially if you have eczema.

And there’s glycerin to keep your skin hydrated!

More importantly, it doesn’t lack cleaning power despite being sulfate-free as it can remove make up too. Maybe not mascara, but compared to other gentle facial cleansers, it is quite effective! 

So if you don’t mind the presence of a medical smell, the Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser For Sensitive Skin is a strong contender for a facial cleanser that suits sensitive skin!

Just note that if you have oilier or exceptionally dry skin, this facial cleanser might not work as well.

Pros:

• Free of dyes, fragrance and parabens
• Oil-free, non-comedogenic
• Sulfate-free
• Removes sunscreen and light makeup
• Pump dispenser
• Lathers
• Reasonably priced

Cons:

• Slight medicinal smell
• Not intensely hydrating

16. Fresh Soy Face Cleanser

You only need a little to wash away dirt and light make up with the Fresh Soy Face Cleanser! And it will not remove your skin’s natural oils in the process!

The cleanser features natural ingredients that can calm irritated skin too. Like aloe vera, soy and cucumber!

Did we mention that this facial cleanser has a 4.5 star rating from almost 10,000 users on Sephora?

It has a light and appealing scent. And it truly is mild on sensitive skin. Though some find that it works better as part of a double cleansing routine!

Indeed, there’s very little foam with this cleanser but that is what just what dry sensitive skin needs!

Ultimately, the price is a deterrent to most users but a 150ml tube of the Fresh Soy Face Cleanser should last you for a few months even if you use it twice every day!

Pros:

• Alcohol-free
• Smells like cucumber/ rose
• Best for sensitive skin that is dry
• Lightweight texture (not very foamy)

Cons:

• Quite pricey
• Does have some vitamin C (not a main ingredient)

In case you do fancy adding more vitamin C to your skin care, consider a vitamin C serum!

17. Simple Cleanser Refreshing Facial Wash

Best Drugstore Option

This highly affordable gel cleanser by Simple is mild enough for sensitive skin. 

And if you wash your face frequently, switching to a cleanser like this one may be less taxing (i.e. drying) for your skin in the long term!

For the price, most users have nothing bad to say about it.

True, it doesn’t foam a lot. But sensitive skin types can fully appreciate that it has no fragrance and cleans without causing irritation (SLS-free) or leaving any residue!

If you don’t want to think too much about what facial cleanser to get or have very few skin problems to worry about (we envy you), the Simple Cleanser Refreshing Facial Wash is easy on the skin and your wallet!

Pros:

• Alcohol-free
• Paraben-free
• Sulfate-free
• No artificial perfume
• No colour or dye
• Minimal ingredients

Cons:

• Too gentle for acne-prone or oily skin
• Not very moisturizing
• Can’t remove heavy make up

Best Natural Facial Cleanser

Here are a couple of organic facial cleansers in Malaysia that won’t break the bank!

18. Sukin Signature Foaming Facial Cleanser

Hailing from Australia, Sukin Signature Foaming Facial Cleanser should be avoided by anyone with oily or acne-prone skin:

As it has some rich and potentially comedogenic natural ingredients like essential oils and shea butter!

It doesn’t seem to do much to reduce breakouts too.

But on the other hand, dry skin, combination skin, and sensitive skin types can benefit from use of this cleanser!

Because its foaming ability is extremely mild. But at the same time, it can still remove make up, excess oil, and sunscreen. And most importantly, without drying out the skin!

There is hardly any smell too. So those with dry or sensitive skin that prefer natural products will really enjoy the Sukin Signature Foaming Facial Cleanser.

Pros:

• Alcohol-free
• Paraben-free
• 1 pump is enough each time
• Pump dispenser
• Removes stubborn make up
• Moisturizing
• Inexpensive
• Light and almost non-existent scent

Cons:

• Comedogenic
• Hardly foams
• Pump is inconsistent (hard to pump out the product at times)

Conclusion

Take a minute or two to go through all the best facial cleansers in Malaysia! You might find your new holy grail cleanser to add to your existing skincare routine steps!

The most critical deciding factor is your skin type! Rich cleansers are not for those with oily or acne-prone skin.

While dry and sensitive skin types should not use stronger cleansers with exfoliants!

Further reading:

• 15 Best Shampoos In Malaysia 2022
• 11 Best Anti-Hair Fall Shampoos In Malaysia 2022
• 11 Best Probiotics In Malaysia 2022