When it comes to the characteristics of each
skin type, identifying
dry and
oily skin is simple.
Those with
combination skin, however, might find it a little harder to pinpoint *exactly* what their skin type is.
‘Simply put, combination skin is having some areas of your face oily and some areas dry,’ explains Madona El Nachar, facialist and founder of
Kaelon Atelier Beauté.
‘This usually shows up as an oily T-zone—forehead, nose, and chin—and dry skin on the cheeks, jawline, and hairline.’
If you’re in the market for a new
cleanser for combination skin, you’re in luck.
We’ve rounded up the best cleansers for combination skin that also address skin concerns such as
sensitivity,
acne, and even dryness (yep, dry combination skin is a thing!).

If your combination skin is also acne-prone
We have to mention
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel 200ml, especially if you’re after an acne cleanser for combination skin. Not only is it alcohol- and paraben-free. The gel-based formula lathers up to take away grime *and* excess oils, which may congest your skin and cause little breakouts to occur.
If you have combination skin with dry patches
A cream cleanser is perfect for
combination skin that tends to have dry patches. One of the best cream cleansers for combination skin we’ve come across is
Alpha-H Liquid Gold Resurfacing Cleansing Cream 100ml, which utilises
Glycolic Acid and Lactic Acid to gently lift away dead skin cells. Your complexion is left absolutely glowing—not to mention seriously soft post cleanse. We’re calling it now: it’s also a great anti-aging cleanser for combination skin to try.
Another hydrating cleanser for combination skin worth noting is
The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser 50ml. As the name suggests, the formula heroes Squalane, an ingredient known to nourish skin without feeling heavy or sticky. We’re big fans of the gel-to-oil texture, which feels like a silky massage when rubbed onto the skin.
If your combination skin is also sensitive
Medik8 Calmwise Soothing Cleanser is one of the best gentle cleansers for combination skin, hands down. Expect a formula that’s free from artificial fragrances, soaps, and sulphates (the leading culprits in setting off reactive sensitive-combination skin), which can clean skin minus the irritation.
Another one of the best cleansers for sensitive combination skin is
Avene Cleansing Foam 150ml, which contains Avène’s signature Thermal Spring Water from France, no less. The texture of this cleanser is foamy to mop up excess oils and leftover makeup. Yet it’s gentle enough to balance your skin instead of aggravating it.
If you have normal to combination skin
One of the best daily cleansers for combination skin has got to be
SkinCeuticals Simply Clean. The product name says it all! It’s one of the best cleansers for combination skin, as the hard-working formula is boosted with exfoliating Hydroxy Acids and botanical extracts. Expect it to not only wash off all your makeup, dirt, and debris but also leave your skin feeling really smooth. Psst! This cleanser doubles as a top fragrance-free cleanser for combination skin.
Could
Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cleanser 150ml be one of the most iconic face washes on the market? We definitely think so. This is one of the best foaming cleansers for combination skin because it can deep-clean your pores without stripping moisture from the surface of your skin.
Another ‘culty’ face wash you should know about is
Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel 500ml. One of the best cleansers for combination skin, it has a soap-free formula that shows off calming Lavender and soothing Balm Mint. It’s a gel-based cleanser for combination skin that nobody should give a miss.
Obsessed with Korean skincare? Who isn’t? A top-rated Korean facial cleanser for
combination skin from Adore Beauty is
innisfree Green Tea Foam Cleanser 150ml, which smells just as glorious as it performs. Besides having Green Tea at its heart, the formula is rich in Vitamin C and Amino Acids to brighten your skin in the long run.
If you prefer natural products
If you prefer your cleanser to feature more botanical ingredients, then one of the best natural cleansers for combination skin is
EmerginC Pomegranate Gel Cleanser. Powered by natural plant extracts to care for your skin, this foaming wash comes highly recommended by the team here at Adore Beauty.
So, which cleanser is best for
combination skin? There’s no way we can whittle the answer down to just one product.
It really depends on any complexion concerns you may have and the product textures you prefer.
You can find more in our
Cleanser category by filtering your skin type and concern.
Find more of the best skincare for combination skin in the guides below...
Brand and product inclusions are at the sole discretion of Adore Beauty. We do not seek or accept payment from brands or individuals listed in our guides.
Cleansers<p dir="ltr">It's easy to look at the red carpet and envy the flawless, ageless skin of the A-listers. Luckily, skin that looks that good can be achieved by anyone. All it takes is a little commitment to a high-quality skincare routine. From luxe products to professional, we have a cleanser for every skin type and concern, so you can achieve and maintain healthy, radiant skin. With professional brands like <a href="https://www.adorebeauty.com.au/b/dermalogica.html" target="_blank">Dermalogica</a>, ASAP, Skinstitut, Aspect, Medik8 and Alpha-H to essential and luxe brands like Aesop, Clinique, SK-II, La Roche-Posay and Philosophy, you’ll find all of your skincare favourites in one convenient spot!</p>
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<h2 dir="ltr"><span style="font-size: small;">Why do I need to use a Cleanser?</span></h2>
<p dir="ltr">It’s important to begin and end your day with a quality cleanser. If you’re questioning whether you need to use a cleanser, the answer is always YES. Regardless of your age, skin type or gender, cleansing is the first essential step of any good skincare routine, to ensure you are removing build-up of oil and dirt, while hydrating and nourishing your skin. Without a clean base to work with, you won't reap the full benefits of any of your subsequent products. It is critical to remove excess oils, makeup and dirt from skin, revealing a clean, fresh base, before treating skin to <a href="https://www.adorebeauty.com.au/c/skin-care/serums-treatments.html?adore_beauty_product_type=8912" target="_blank">serums</a>, treatments and <a href="https://www.adorebeauty.com.au/c/skin-care/moisturisers.html?adore_beauty_product_type=8912" target="_blank">moisturisers.</a><br /><br /></p>
<h2 dir="ltr"><span><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="font-size: small;">Are there different types of Cleansers?</span></h2>
<p dir="ltr"><span>Here at Adore Beauty, we stock a wide variety of cleansers, so you can combat dry skin, oily skin, sensitive skin, and acne-prone skin. From micellar waters; clay cleansers, oil cleansers, foaming cleansers, balm cleansers, and cream cleansers; to cleansing cloths, wipes, and devices, we have everything you need to ensure your cleansing needs are covered.</span></p>
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<p dir="ltr"><span>Buy Now, and Pay Later with AfterPay. </span></p>
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