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You are here because you want to find the best organic facial cleanser. You know that there are toxins lurking in your personal care products. You want to find something that you can feel safe using everyday.
You also want a product that is effective, a product that will leave your face feeling clean but not stripped.
When you are looking for an organic cleanser for your face, there are a few things you need to look at:
- What ingredients are in the cleanser?
- What is your skin type?
- Does the cleanser leave your face feeling dry, is it too strong?
- Is the cleanser actually cleaning your face enough? Or is it leaving residue behind?
- Do you want anything extra in your cleanser?
Below I will share with you the steps in choosing a cleanser.
Step 1 : Know Your Ingredients
Avoid these known irritants:
- Sodium Lauryl Sulfate/Sodium Laureth Sulfate
- DEA (diethanolamine), MEA (momoethnanolamine), and TEA (triethanolamine)
- Parabens (Butylparaben, Propylparaben, Methylparaben, and Ethylparaben)
- Fragrance
- Triclosan
- Petroleum and Mineral Oil Derived Ingredients (Propylene Glycol, Parraffin, Mineral Oil, Butylene Glycol, Isopropyl Alcohol and Petrolatum)
Look for these gentle alternatives:
- Sodium Hydroxypropylphosphate Laurylglucoside Crosspolymer, Sodium Coco-Glucoside Tartrate and Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate (natural, plant derived surfactants)
- Natural plant oils
- Essential oil blends
- Fruit and plant extracts
Is Water the First Ingredient?
Water as the first ingredient means that most of the product is water (75 – 95%). You are essentially paying for a filler.
Preservatives must be added to any product containing water, leaving only a small amount of space for active ingredients. It is better to find a product that uses aloe vera or something other than water as it’s first ingredient.
What are the First 3 Ingredients?
These are going to make up the bulk of the product. The first 3 ingredients should be something you can feel good about putting on your skin. If the first 3 ingredients are plant-based, bio-active compounds, you know you have a potent product.
Step 2 : What is Your Skin Type?
Knowing your skin type is essential in choosing a product that is going to benefit your skin. If you don’t know what your skin type is, I will talk about them in the following sections, just choose the one that most suits you.
Skin types can change with the seasons and with age. Sometimes you can have multiple skin types such as dry and sensitive or oily and sensitive. For simplicity sake, we will stick to the 5 main skin types:
- Dry
- Sensitive
- Oily
- Combination
- Normal
Dry Skin
Characterized by:
- dull, rough complexion
- less elasticity
- small pores
- red patches
- visible lines
When exposed to drying factors, dry skin can crack, itch, peel and become irritated or inflamed. Your skin can become rough and scaly.
Cleansers for Dry Skin: Dry skin will want a cleanser that is moisturizing and doesn’t dry out your skin.
Cream-based cleansers are great for adding moisture, foaming cleansers tend to be too drying. Avoid harsh chemicals, synthetic fragrances and alcohol as they contribute to dryness.
Look for cleansers containing glycerin and hyaluronic acid. These ingredients draw water to the surface of the skin.
Sensitive Skin
Characterized by:
- Redness
- Itching
- Burning
- Dryness
Sensitive skin will react to certain triggers, which differ for everyone. Skin becomes itchy and irritated when exposed to ingredients that trigger a reaction.
Cleansers for Sensitive Skin: Fragrance free, Paraben free, gentle cleansers are a must.
Glycerin is a good ingredient to look for, it brings moisture to the skin but is non-irritating. People with rosacea would also use a cleanser meant for sensitive skin.
Oily Skin
Characterized by:
- Dull or shiny, thick complexion
- Enlarged pores
- blackheads and pimples
Oily skin can often get worse in warm weather and increased humidity. Stress can make your skin break out in more blemishes.
Cleansers for Oily Skin: Look for a gel formula to eliminate oil without over-stripping. You want to find products with non-comedogenic (won’t clog pores) ingredients.
A nice foaming face wash that doesn’t over-dry or irritate your skin will work well. Look for antibacterial ingredients such as lavender or tea tree oil.
Combination Skin
Characterized by:
- Shiny and oily T-zone (nose, forehead, and chin)
- Dilated pores
- Areas of normal or dry skin
- Blackheads
Combination skin can be normal or dry in some areas with others being oily (most often the nose, chin and forehead).
Cleansers for Combination Skin: You will want to stick with something that is non-drying but also not too harsh. Soap and water are too drying.
A gel cleanser can give you a good clean without being too harsh.
Normal Skin
Characterized by:
- No or few imperfections
- No severe sensitivity
- Non-visible pores
- Radiant complexion
People who have normal skin are the luckiest of all. Their skin is neither too dry, nor too oily. They do not suffer from many breakouts and their skin is not easily irritated.
Cleansers for Normal Skin: Any cleanser that effectively cleans will work on normal skin.
Our Favorite Cleanser for All Skin Types
Luxury Buy
This cleanser is suited for use on all skin types, including acne, rosacea, dry and sensitive skin. It removes makeup and dead skin cells without stripping your skin of it’s natural oils.
The scent is light and herbal. Utilizes a soap base that has been cured for 6 months, to guarantee the cleanser will not be harsh.
Budget Buy
A gentle cleanser suitable for all skin types, including very sensitive skin. No chemical preservatives, SLS, SLES, Propylene Glycol, PG derivatives, parabens, sulfates, dyes or synthetic fragrance
Gently and thoroughly cleanses the skin without stripping or drying.
Step 3 : Is Your Cleanser too Strong?
If your face feels taught, itchy and dry after cleansing, then your cleanser may be too strong. Your face should feel the same as before you washed it, only lighter.
If rubbing your skin after cleansing makes a squeaky sound, your cleanser is too strong. Make sure to only wash your face no more than 2 times/day. Over-washing can contribute to dryness and irritation.
Step 4 : Is Your Cleanser Actually Cleaning?
There are a couple ways to test if your cleanser is actually cleaning your face properly.
- After washing your face, use a cotton pad to rub some non-alcohol based toner or cleansing oil onto your skin. If the cotton ball contains lots of makeup or dirt, your cleanser isn’t cleaning enough. You may need to use a makeup remover first or get a stronger cleanser.
- After cleansing, touch your wet skin with your finger. Drag your finger along a mirror. If the water is clear, your cleanser is doing a good job. If the water is cloudy, the cleanser isn’t cleaning well enough or is leaving behind a residue.
Step 5 : Do you Want Anything Extra in your Cleanser?
Many cleansers are formulated with specific issues in mind. When shopping for a cleanser, keep in mind what issues you are looking to address, so that you can find one designed to target your concern.
- Are you looking for anti-aging properties? [Read our Anti-Aging Page]
- Are you dealing with eczema or rosacea?
- Maybe you have acne and you need a cleanser to help stop breakouts [Read our Acne Page].
- An anti-aging cleanser will be intensely nourishing and contain potent antioxidants.
- A cleanser for eczema will be cooling and soothing.
- A cleanser for rosacea will be gentle and free of irritating ingredients.
- Acne cleansers will contain salicylic acid to help clear pores.
Our Favorite Cleanser for All Skin Types
Luxury Buy
This cleanser is suited for use on all skin types, including acne, rosacea, dry and sensitive skin. It removes makeup and dead skin cells without stripping your skin of it’s natural oils.
The scent is light and herbal. Utilizes a soap base that has been cured for 6 months, to guarantee the cleanser will not be harsh.
Budget Buy
A gentle cleanser suitable for all skin types, including very sensitive skin. No chemical preservatives, SLS, SLES, Propylene Glycol, PG derivatives, parabens, sulfates, dyes or synthetic fragrance
Gently and thoroughly cleanses the skin without stripping or drying.
Conclusion
Finding a cleanser can be a difficult process, but informing yourself with the above knowledge should help you in your decision. Sometimes the best method is to try one out and see how it works with your skin, though this can be costly.
The most important things to remember are: avoid harsh, synthetic chemicals, stick to natural ingredients, buy according to your skin type, and test your cleanser. I hope this helps you in your hunt for the best organic cleanser.
What do you think? Do you have any questions or comments? Leave them below and I will be sure to address them!
Yours in Beauty,
Andrea
Jenett says
This is really great information. I think I fall into the combination skin as my t-zone is oily and my pores are enlarged in those areas. I tend to break out in those areas as well. A lot of little breakouts all over my forehead and around my mouth and sides of my nose lately. I have been trying to find a good facial cleanser and moisturizer that doesnt dry my skin out. Once I put makeup on, I have these dry patches all over so I think Im using too harsh of a cleanser and i dont think its getting all my makeup off. Plus I have aging skin as I am 40 so something that works for a 20 year old, doesn’t necessarily for me. I tried the oil cleansing method but it broke me out pretty badly. Too much oil for me. I have to use a good thick moisturizer like the cerave renewing night time repair cream. My skin just sucks it up. So I wondered if you had any recommendations for a good cleanser/moisturizer for my skin type?
Andrea says
Hi Jenett 🙂 It does sound like you have combination skin! Removing your makeup first with something like coconut oil or a makeup remover would help get your makeup off without the cleanser having to be too robust. We have a whole page dedicated to combination skin with product recommendations, you can see it here. If you have the budget, I really like Dr’ Alkaitis’ products. You can get them on Amazon.
Vijitha says
Hi dr,I have dry skin with dusky complexion .I want to use organic products..so plz suggest some face wash ,fairness moisturizer(chemical free) .etc.thank you
Andrea says
Hello Vijitha, please note that we are not Doctors! 😀 You can see the list of our favorite products here. You can also learn more about dry skin here.
Div says
Hi There, You mention the Christina Moss facial wash as a favorite budget buy but its first ingredient is filtered water. Earlier up in this article you mention that these products should be avoided since they are essentially fillers. Can you comment on this, please?
Thank you!
Andrea says
Hi Div, thanks for you question. I do like to try to avoid products with water as their first ingredient (I like products that use aloe vera as their base instead), but this is not always possible. Sometimes we have to compromise on our standards 🙂 It can be difficult to find products that don’t use water as their base. I choose Christina Moss’ cleanser because it has non-toxic ingredients, excellent customer feedback, and it is not too expensive. Let me know if you have any other questions 😀
Avani vyas says
Hii. I m agree with the product which you mention..but if you still facing some problem then try Facial Cleanser provided by Azafran organics.
All products manufactured by Azafran addresses specific skin issues while maintaining the natural pH balance of the skin.In contrast to the beauty products available in the market Azafran’s products are free from preservatives and chemicals, thus assuring long lasting beauty and wellness.
Azafran Organics uses organic, natural herbal ingredients to create a range of beauty products such as face wash, soap, body lotion, face mist, skin firming cream and more. You can buy herbal beauty products online at economical rates and being made from natural herbal ingredients, they can nourish your hair and skin better than chemical based beauty products.
Andrea says
Thanks Avani, are these products available on Amazon?
Avani Vyas says
Yes …all the products of Azafran organics are available on Amazon
veronica ruiz says
how do you know if the product is really organic and good for you?
Andrea says
Hi Veronica, thanks for your question 🙂 We thoroughly research ingredients lists and brand ethics (it takes us hours to research and select products). We also try out products and write reviews on ones we like. We have years of experience using organic skin care and are constantly learning more.
When selecting a product to promote, we first of all read the ingredients list. Experience has taught us what ingredients to look out for, which ones are safe, and which to avoid. We also research the skin care brand, do they have high ethics? Are they committed to disclosing their full ingredients list and sourcing the safest ingredients possible? We also take into consideration a persons skin type. We want to find products that will either work for all skin types, or are suited for a specific skin type. We read customer reviews of products and make sure people are satisfied with the product. We also contact companies to ask if we can try their products for ourselves.
I hope that answers your question, let me know if you have any others!
Nicole Parrotte says
https://nicoleparrotte.po.sh
The “Complexion Perfection” and The “BFF” face washes are the most amazing skin changing products I’ve ever used.. I could never find anything that would get down into my clogged pores and clean them out and than tighten them and KEEP them from getting clogged again until I was sent samples of a few different products and BFF was one of them.. game changer for my face. I’l never use another product again.. I’m currently obsessed with the “Complexion Perfection” it is EXSACTLY that. Perfection for my face in a bottle. Naturally based products are the way to go. Absolutely.
paulat says
I have extremely acne prone, sensitive skin and and I can only use natural/organic products. The Made from Earth Control Acne Wash is amazing! After using it for just 3 days my skin looks beautiful! Make sure to moisturize after too!
Andrea says
Thanks for the recommendation Paulat!
Kayla says
I didn’t know that it’s important to know our skin type before choosing a facial cleanser. My sister has a sensitive skin. My mom suggested using natural facial cleansing products and shared this article with her. It says that cleansers for sensitive skin should be fragrance-free.
Ruby says
Hi, I never had acne before, till now in my early 20s.
I have oily to dry sensitive skin; t-zone and nose is oily and rest is dry skin – a combination.
I believe my pores are clogged up, because whenever I removed my make-up my skin still had some foundation left on.
Can you please please advise how long will it take for my acne to go, what facial cleanser should I use?
Andrea says
Hi Ruby, I just finished updating our page on treating acne, so you can check that out. You need a cleanser that doesn’t strip or dry out your face, but still effectively cleans. You can see our recommended cleansers here. I like using oil to remove my makeup, and then using a foaming cleanser after that. You can learn more about oil cleansing here.