The best Face Cleansers in Australia
We may earn a commission if you check the price through our links. This supports our research.
Curated by Rateable. Lists are manually reviewed by our team and processed by advanced algorithms.
Last Updated: 12 Feb 2026
15 top rated Face Cleansers for every need: Australia's top picks!
Face cleansers are the essential first step in any effective skincare routine, working to gently remove dirt, oil, makeup, and environmental pollutants that accumulate on the skin throughout the day. Choosing the right cleanser helps maintain a healthy skin barrier, preventing breakouts, irritation, and premature aging. A consistent cleansing routine leaves skin feeling refreshed, balanced, and better prepared to absorb serums and moisturizers, contributing to a clearer, brighter, and more youthful complexion.
What to Look For
Skin Type Compatibility
Consider whether the cleanser is formulated for your specific skin type (oily, dry, sensitive, combination, or normal). Ingredients should complement, not disrupt, your skin's natural balance.
Key Ingredients
Look for beneficial ingredients like hyaluronic acid for hydration, salicylic acid for exfoliation (especially for acne-prone skin), or antioxidants like Vitamin C to protect against free radical damage.
pH Level
Ideally, a cleanser should have a pH level close to the skin's natural pH (around 5.5). This minimizes irritation and disruption of the skin barrier.
Gentle Surfactants
The cleanser should use mild, non-stripping surfactants to effectively cleanse without leaving the skin feeling tight or dry. Avoid harsh sulfates like SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulfate) if you have sensitive skin.
Texture & Formula
Cleansers come in various forms (cream, gel, foam, oil). Choose a texture you enjoy and that feels comfortable on your skin; a gel is often preferred for oily skin, while a cream works well for dry skin.
Fragrance-Free Options
If you have sensitive skin or are prone to irritation, opt for fragrance-free formulas to minimize the risk of allergic reactions or sensitivities.
#1
- GENTLE NON-ABRASIVE LEAVE-ON EXFOLIANT: With 2% BHA (Beta hydroxy acid), to unclog & diminish enlarged pores, exfoliate dead skin cells, smooth wrinkles, and brighten and even out skin tone. Combats redness, wrinkles, ageing, enlarged pores, and blackheads.
- Dramatically improves skin's texture for radiant youthful even-toned skin. Beta hydroxy acid (BHA, also known as salicylic acid) mimics the natural exfoliation process of younger skin by helping it shed extra layers while unclogging and clearing pores.
- HYDRATE, BRIGHTEN & SMOOTH FINE LINES: Our unique, non-abrasive, leave-on exfoliant is gentle enough for daily use on all skin types. Exfoliates dead skin cells while clearing pores for a more even tone, plus it visibly reduces fine lines & wrinkles.
- Paula's Choice facial exfoliants are gentler on delicate skin of the face & neck than an abrasive face scrub, which can cause micro-tears. A BHA leave-on exfoliator delivers hydration & can exfoliate directly inside the pore & improve how the pore works.
$54.00 AUD
(55121 reviews)
#2
- ESSENTIAL CERAMIDES: Contains 3 essential ceramides (1, 3, 6-II) to cleanse while protecting the skin’s natural barrier
- MOISTURE RETAINING INGREDIENTS: Formulated with Hyaluronic Acid to retain skin’s moisture
- FOAMING GEL: Ideal for normal to oily skin. Refreshing gel removes dirt, oil and makeup
- GENTLE ON SKIN: Fragrance-free and non-comedogenic
$20.79 AUD
(53371 reviews)
#3
- CLEANSE: Removes skin impurities & leaves skin clean and fresh.
- REDUCE: Visibly reduces imperfections, blackheads and post-acne marks, unclogs pores & eliminates sebum excess.
- PURIFY: Gently purifies skin without drying effect.
- BALANCE: Maintains skin's pH balance.
$26.39 AUD
(43859 reviews)
#4
- CeraVe Foaming Oil-Free Cleanser 236ml
$15.19 AUD
(38857 reviews)
#5
- CeraVe Blemish Control Face Wash is formulated with 2% salicylic acid to target blemishes and visibly reduce blackheads. Purifying clay improves the appearance of pores.
- Blemish Control Cleanser with Salicylic Acid: Helps visibly reduce blemishes and the appearance of pores and blackheads from the skin's surface, while helping to prevent future breakouts.
- The CeraVe Blemish Control Cleanser is formulated for oily skin prone to mild acne. Target blemishes and visibly reduce the appearance of pores and blackheads for efficacious results.
- Gentle On Skin: Fragrance free, paraben free, non-comedogenic, pH-balanced.
$20.79 AUD
(28888 reviews)
#6
- [GENTLE YET POTENT CLEANSING OIL] Effective in eliminating makeup residue, blackheads and sebum, whilst preventing pore congestion. Essential step for double cleansing, with glowy glass skin results.
- [MILD INGREDIENTS ONLY] Formulated with Heartleaf extract for soothing effects on the skin.
- [FOR ALL SKIN TYPES] Hypoallergenic & Non-Irritation Test completed, making it suitable for all skin types and especially Sensitive, Acne-Prone Skin.
- [GENTLE ON THE EYES] No eye stinging experiences when used around eyes, Eye Irritation Test (Cruelty Free HET-CAM Test) completed.
$26.60 AUD
(24644 reviews)
#7
- Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser: Cleanse daily with this gentle and effective gel type cleanser day and night, removing impurities while strengthening your skin barrier.
- Cleanse for a Luminous Day and Silky Night: While refining the skin texture, the cleanser will help cleanse with no stripping. Great for all skin types, wake up to a firmer-looking skin while letting it rest clean during the night.
- Clinically Tested: Based on a Primary Skin Irritation Test on 34 men and women, the Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser did not cause any skin reactions in all subjects 24 hours, 48 hours, and 72 hours after the test.
- Inspired by Skin's Natural pH level: Following your skin's slightly acidic natural pH level, this cleanser helps balance your skin and protect it from trouble-causing irritants.
$13.99 AUD
(18909 reviews)
#8
- CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser was developed with dermatologists to cleanse and refresh the skin without over-stripping it or leaving it feeling tight and dry.
- Gently removes dirt, oil and makeup without leaving skin tight or dry. Ceramides: Help restore and maintain the skin’s natural barrier. MVE: This patented delivery system continually releases moisturizing ingredients for all day hydration.
- Suitable for normal to dry skin.
- Non-comedogenic, non-irritating and fragrance-free.
$20.79 AUD
(18139 reviews)
#9
- Daily facial foaming cleanser for normal to oily skin
- Deeply cleanses while respecting skin’s moisture barrier
- Free from soap, fragrance or parabens
- Helps defend against five signs of skin sensitivity
$10.99 AUD
(17624 reviews)
#10
- Creates a delicate light foam infused with Heartleaf Extract, making it gentle yet effective, especially suitable for deeply cleansing oily and combination skin.
- GENTLE EXFOLIATION Contains 3,000ppm Heartleaf powder which helps to gently clear deep within the pores, exfoliate dead skin cells and effectively clear any impurities.
- SOOTHES & CALMS SKIN Quercetinol extracted from Heartleaf, known to effectively cure inflammation, quickly calms the skin and keeps the skin soothed even after cleansing.
- 0.5% BHA BHA effectively exfoliate dead skin cells and help control sebum production. Chemical exfoliants are a much more gentler alternative to physical exfoliants like scrubs, to achieve smooth the skin texture and enhance radiance.
$22.00 AUD
(16168 reviews)
#11
- CETAPHIL DAILY FACIAL CLEANSER: Reinforces the skin barrier, balances skin and minimizes the appearance of pores
- IDEAL FOR SENSITIVE, COMBINATION TO OILY SKIN: Clinically proven to deep clean by removing dirt, excess oils and impurities
- DEVELOPED FOR EVEN THE MOST SENSITIVE SKIN: The non-comedogenic formula is free of parabens and sulfates
- DEFENDS AGAINST 5 SIGNS OF SKIN SENSITIVITY: Dryness, irritation, roughness, tightness and a weakened skin barrier
$22.40 AUD
(14232 reviews)
#12
- Developed with dermatologists, CeraVe Hydrating Foaming Oil Cleanser gently cleanses and replenishes the skin’s moisture levels for all day hydration.
- Alleviate rough and bumpy skin texture with this fast-absorbing, non-greasy, hydrating smoothing cream. MVE: to maintain hydration levels in the skin for 24 hours. Micro beads free (no physical exfoliants).
- Normal to very dry skin, baby skin, and allergy-prone skin. Suitable for very dry, rough or bumpy skin. Suitable for skin prone to Keratosis Piliaris.
- Non-comedogenic, non-irritating and fragrance-free.
$20.79 AUD
(9753 reviews)
#13
- Works with your skin from day 1 to clear spots and defend against new breakouts for healthy looking, spot proof skin
- Formulated with ClearDefend technology
- High strength spot cleansing formula fights spots deep down into the pores
- Clinically proven to leave skin’s essential nutrients intact, building up its natural shield to help defend from new breakouts
$7.75 AUD
(7690 reviews)
#14
- Effaclar Foaming Gel is a gel cleanser for daily use that removes makeup, and cleanses your skin at the same time. It is suitable for sensitive, oily and acne prone skin, and can be used as a body wash.
- CLEANSE: Gently purifies the skin while leaving it fresh. Eliminates impurities and excess sebum. With soothing, anti-irritant La Roche-Posay thermal spring water.
- BALANCE: Maintains skin's pH balance.
- REDUCE: Visibly reduces imperfections, blackheads and post-acne marks, unclogs pores & eliminates sebum excess.
$21.39 AUD
(6919 reviews)
#15
- Instant foaming facial cleanser
- Removes dirt oil and makeup without over drying
- Dermatologist tested to be gentle on sensitive skin
- Gently cleanses without stripping skin of its natural moisture balance
$11.39 AUD
(5919 reviews)