Keep your face clear of pimples with the best facial cleansers in Malaysia 2021!
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!
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. 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.
They 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 Skin – 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 For Combination Sensitive Skin – Golden Elixir Face Cleanser By HelloNaturalCo
- 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 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 according to reviews. 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!
If you don’t have problematic skin, this is a suitable daily facial cleaner for normal, combination, and oily skin types!
- Size: 354ml
- Suitable For: Sensitive Skin
- Key Ingredients: Glycerin, Sodium Cocoyl Sarcosinate
- Price: ~RM90
Pros:
- Oil-free
- Soap-free
- Free of parabens, phthalates & sulfates
- Alcohol-free
- Pump dispenser
- Affordable
Cons:
- Can be drying unless you have oily skin
- Doesn’t create much foam
- Not 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. Both can be irritating to sensitive skin!
Users of this facial cleanser praise its ability to clear breakouts. For removing makeup however, you will need to double cleanse! 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!
- Size: 250ml, 500ml
- Suitable For: All Skin Types
- Key Ingredients: Quillaja Saponaria, Balm Mint, Lavender Extract, Lemon Peel Oil, Bergamot Fruit Oil
- Price: RM219, RM299
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
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.
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.
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 one!
Cosrx happens to have a great face mist too! See the face mist review.
- Size: 150ml
- Suitable For: Dry Skin
- Key Ingredients: Styrax Japonicus Branch/Fruit/Leaf Extract, Tea Tree Leaf Oil, Evening Primrose Flower Extract
- Price: RM30
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
Origins Checks And Balances Frothy Face Wash is frothy and doesn’t dry out the skin (i.e. no tight feeling)!
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!
It can be stripping if you have dry skin though. But most users agree that it’s best for oily skin and acne skin types!
There are users who don’t like the smell too!
- Size: 150ml
- Suitable For: Normal, Dry, Oily, Combination, Sensitive
- Key Ingredients: Lavender Flower Water, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil, Spearmint Leaf Oil, Bergamot Fruit Oil
- Price: ~RM100
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
Best Facial Cleanser For Combination Skin Malaysia
5. 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!
- Size: 120g
- Suitable For: Normal To Combination Skin
- Key Ingredients: Pitera™ And White Willow Extract, Vitamin E, Niacinamide
- Price: RM249
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
6. Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cleanser
Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cleanser cleans without leaving any residue. Or disturbing your skin’s pH balance! You don’t need a lot of it to remove your make up either!
Just be sure to keep it stored with the cap up as it is prone to leaking!
Users appreciate that it is unscented, and has a thick consistency. Although you may need more time rinsing it off. For users with oily T-zones, this helps keep the oil level down.
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 on the drier side, this won’t be great for it!
Because the foaming agent is SLS (Second in the ingredient list)!
- Size: 150ml
- Suitable For: All Skin Types including sensitive skin
- Key Ingredients: Squalane, Apricot Kernel Oil, Vitamin E and Avocado Oil
- Price: ~RM100
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
7. Clinique Liquid Facial Soap Mild
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.
Another thing that it has going for it, is that is not irritating to the skin. Acne seems to reduce too – according to one review.
In any case, this product has been on the market for years and that says something!
- Size: 200ml
- Suitable For: Dry Combination Skin
- Key Ingredients: Olive Fruit Oil, Cucumber Fruit Extract, Barley Extract, Sunflower Seedcake
- Price: RM99
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
8. Golden Elixir Face Cleanser By HelloNaturalCo
Best 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!
Reviews say that it has a nice smell to it! And that it’s pretty great at getting make up off! It’s mild enough for sensitive skin users too.
- Size: ~50ml
- Suitable For: All Skin Types
- Key Ingredients: Organic castile soap plant base soap, Frankincense Oil, Rose Geranium Oil
- Price: ~RM40
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
9. 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, it can still remove makeup! With the exception of waterproof mascara!
Instead of 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.
At the end of the day, users feel that even though it is a good facial cleanser, there are cheaper alternatives that can achieve the same results!
- Size: 240ml
- Suitable For: All Skin Types
- Key Ingredients: Meadowfoam Seed Oil And Twelve-Essential Oil Blend Including Rosewood, Sandalwood, Sage
- Price: RM110
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)
- Does not foam much
10. 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.
It sounds like the perfect match for dry skin, but why does it have to be so expensive?
- Size: 100ml
- Suitable For: Dry Skin Types
- Key Ingredients: Organic Aloe Juice Leaf Juice*, Cocoa Seed Butter, Saponified Coconut Oil, Argan Oil, Virgin Coconut Oil, Honey, Orange Fiber, Candelilla Wax Extract, Acai Oil Fruit Oil, Organic Green Tea Leaf Extract*, Rosehip Oil Seed Extract, Blood Orange Essential Oil, Japanese Honeysuckle Extract, Coenzyme Q10, Alpha Lipoic Acid, Resveratrol, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Coffee Cherry Seed Extract, Limonene**, Linalool**
- Price: ~RM250
- *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
11. 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, this cleanser 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!
In any case it appears to help clear breakouts (and dark spots) faster! One or two positive reviews actually come from sensitive skin users as well!
Interested in the benefits of AHA, BHA and PHA products? You might like what we have in our list of the best face serums!
- Size: 150ml
- Suitable For: Normal, Combination & Oily (Especially For Acne-Prone Skin)
- Key Ingredients: Salicylic Acid, Melaleuca Alternigolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Oil, Evening Primrose Flower Extract
- Price: RM30
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
12. The Inkey List Salicylic Acid Cleanser
Whether you have oily or dry skin that’s prone to acne, this salicylic acid cleanser by The Inkey will do the trick!
There’s vitamin E and glycerin for hydration. And salicylic acid to control excess oil. While allantoin soothes your skin!
Reviews are divided between with some users claiming that it does not do anything for them. For most, it is not drying, and appears to calm breakouts! For some, it cleared their acne within a week!
If you struggle with oily skin that is prone to acne, but want a non foamy cleanser, this could be one of your options!
- Size: 150ml
- Suitable For: Normal, Combination & Oily (Especially For Acne-Prone Skin)
- Key Ingredients: Salicylic Acid 2%, Zinc Compound, Allantoin 0.5%
- Price: ~RM90
Pros:
- Alcohol-free
- Paraben-free
- Cruelty-free
- Effective on acne
- Foams well
- 1 bottle lasts for months
- No fragrance
- Has oil control (zinc compound)
- Not drying
Cons:
- Not for sensitive skin (Breaks some people out)
- Takes longer to rinse off
- Strong smell
- Can bleach fabrics
Best Facial Cleanser For Sensitive Skin
13. 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.
It’s so effective at cleaning that you may be able to skip your make up remover! The included niacinamide (vitamin B3) will improve your skin texture over time too!
Many users with combination and oily skin have found this facial cleanser to be a game changer! And it doesn’t have much of a smell. Users with acne see improvement within a month of using it!
As it turns out, this is one facial cleanser for sensitive skin that’s strong enough to combat excess oil and remove make up!
- Size: 473ml
- Suitable For: Normal To Oily Skin
- Key Ingredients: Ceramides, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Niacinamide
- Price: ~RM110
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
14. 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!
It doesn’t lack cleaning power despite being sulfate-free. Users are impressed that it can remove make up. Maybe not mascara, but compared to other gentle facial cleansers, it is effective!
If you don’t mind the presence of a smell, this is a strong contender for a facial cleanser that suits sensitive skin! Unless you have oilier skin, because this facial cleanser does not work as well then.
- Size: 237ml
- Suitable For: Sensitive Skin
- Key Ingredients: Glycerin, Coco-glucoside
- Price: ~RM100
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
15. Fresh Soy Face Cleanser
You only need a little to wash away dirt and light make up with the Fresh Soy Face Cleanser! It does not remove your skin’s natural oils!
The cleanser features natural ingredients that can calm irritated skin. 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 according to reviews. Though some users find 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 the 150ml tube should last you for a few months! Even if you use it twice every day!
- Size: 150ml
- Suitable For: All Skin Types
- Key Ingredients: Amino Acid-Rich Soy Proteins, Calming Cucumber Extract, Balancing Rosewater, Borage Seed Oil, Panax Ginseng Root Extract
- Price: RM122
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!
16. 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. Besides one user who previously used the foaming face wash by Simple and found this one harder to rinse off!
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!
- Size: 150ml
- Suitable For: All Skin Types (Even Sensitive Skin)
- Key Ingredients: Triple Purified Water, Pro-Vitamin B, Vitamin E
- Price: RM20
Pros:
- Alcohol-free
- Paraben-free
- Sulfate-free
- No artificial perfume
- No colour or dye
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!
17. Sukin Signature Foaming Facial Cleanser
Hailing from Australia, Sukin Foaming Facial Cleanser should be avoided by anyone with oily or acne-prone skin! With rich natural ingredients like essential oils and shea butter!
It doesn’t seem to do much to reduce breakouts too.
On the other hand, dry skin, combination skin, and sensitive skin tend to benefit with use of this cleanser!
Because its foaming power is hardly there. Something which some users do not like. But it can still remove make up, excess oil, and sunscreen. And most importantly, without drying out the skin!
As for the smell, it’s light and almost non-existent!
- Size: 125ml
- Suitable For: All Skin Types including sensitive skin
- Key Ingredients: Chamomile, Aloe Vera, Green Tea and Witch Hazel, Evening Primrose, Rosehip Oil
- Price: RM31.9
Pros:
- Alcohol-free
- Paraben-free
- 1 pump is enough each time
- Pump dispenser
- Removes stubborn make up
- Moisturizing
- Inexpensive
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!
