Cleansers & Face Wash

Face washes and cleansers are skincare products typically used at the start of your skincare routine to help remove dirt, oil and impurities from the skin. This will ensure your skin remains clean, helping to prevent skin concerns like blemishes and enlarged pores. Facial cleansers will also help prepare your skin for the rest of your skincare routine and allow for better absorption. Use a gentle cleanser formulated for your skin concerns to effectively cleanse without removing the skin's natural oils.

A skin cleanser should be used as the first step of your skin routine. Apply a small amount of cleanser to the face and gently massage it into the skin in circular motions. After that, rinse off with warm water and pat dry with a clean towel. Follow with a skin toner, face serums and a moisturiser.

We recommend using a skin cleanser twice a day—morning and night—as the first step in your skincare routine. After exercising, you should also cleanse your skin to remove dirt, sweat and oil. If you have sensitive or dry skin, you may want to be particularly careful of not over-cleansing as this can remove skin's natural oils which help protect your skin moisture barrier.

Cleansers and scrubs are both designed to cleanse the skin, remove dirt and oil, and leave it feeling fresh. Unlike cleansers, facial scrubs contain ingredients that give them texture to help exfoliate the surface of skin, leaving the complexion smoothed and refined.

While both cleansers and face washes help to clean the skin, there is a slight difference in formulation. Cleansers typically use a gentler formula that will also hydrate and nourish the skin. This makes them a suitable option for those with dry or sensitive skin. A face wash is better for removing stubborn dirt, debris and oil and are best suited for oily and mild acne-prone skin types.

Different types of face washes and cleansers help to achieve different results and cater to the unique needs of your skin. Discover some of the cleansers and face washes Kiehl's offer below:

Cleansing oil: A cleansing oil uses a mixture of oils and hydrating ingredients to melt away makeup and leave skin soft, supple and moisturised. The Midnight Recovery Cleansing Oil is non-comedogenic, meaning it can be used on all skin types including oily.

Foaming face wash: A foaming face wash uses a foaming agent to bubble when applied to the skin to deeply cleanse away pores and impurities. Our best-selling Calendula Deep Cleansing Foaming Face Wash gently removes impurities while maintaining skin's natural hydration.

Facial scrubs: Facial scrubs use exfoliating formulas to remove dead skin cells and reveal softer, smoother-looking skin. The Pineapple Papaya Facial Scrub gently exfoliates the skin to help you feel clean and fresh.

Cleanser bars: Cleansing bars are like traditional cleansers, but come in the form of a solid soap to be better for the environment. The Ultra Facial Hydrating Cleansing Bar moisturises and hydrates while gently cleansing away impurities.

Powder cleansers: Powder cleansers use a unique powder formula that turns creamy or foams when mixed with water. The Rare Earth Deep Pore-Minimizing & Polishing Powder is a clay powder cleanser that detoxifies skin and helps minimise pores without reducing skin's natural moisture content.