facial cleanser 2025, Caring for your skin starts with a fundamental step: facial cleansing. Yet, this is often where many go wrong. A cleanser that is too aggressive can damage the skin's barrier, causing redness, dryness, or breakouts. Conversely, an ineffective cleanser allows impurities, sebum, and pollution to accumulate, leading to a dull complexion and clogged pores.

In 2025, consumers are looking for gentler, more effective, and dermatologically safe products. So, which facial cleanser should you choose based on your skin type: oily, combination, or dry? This guide offers a comprehensive comparison of the best cleansers, trending ingredients, and ideal routines — with recommendations available on dermi.fr

Why is choosing the right cleanser crucial?

A cleanser is more than just a product: it determines the balance of your entire skincare routine. A good cleanser should:

• Cleanse without stripping
• Respect physiological pH
• Preserve the microbiome
• Adapt its action (purify, hydrate, soothe, etc.) according to your skin

An overly alkaline pH can disrupt the skin's protective function, making it fragile, irritated, or prone to imperfections. Dermatologists also warn against the excessive use of harsh sulfates, which deeply dry out the skin.

How to recognize your skin type?

Oily skin

Excessive shine

• Enlarged pores
• Frequent imperfections
• Uneven texture
• Tendency to produce too much sebum

Combination skin

• Shiny T-zone (forehead, nose, chin)
• Normal or dry cheeks
• Visible pores on the T-zone

Dry skin

• Tightness after showering
• Lack of radiance
• Fine dehydration lines
• Feeling of discomfort
• Possible flaking

Quick test to determine your skin type

1. Wash your face with a gentle gel.
2. Wait 1 hour.
3. Observe:

• Shine everywhere → oily skin
• Shiny T-zone / dry cheeks → combination skin
• Low comfort, tightness → dry skin

2025 Comparison: The Best Facial Cleansers by Skin Type

Here is a complete comparison based on efficacy, dermatological active ingredients, and formula gentleness.

1. Best Cleansers for Oily Skin (2025)

Oily skin requires purifying formulas capable of regulating sebum without irritation.

Desired properties

• Salicylic acid (BHA)
• Niacinamide
• Zinc PCA
• Gel or foam texture

dermi.fr Recommendation: Korean Purifying Cleansing Gel (recommended: K-Secret Seoul)

A lightweight gel enriched with anti-blemish ingredients, perfect for reducing pores and shine.

Top 2025 — Oily Skin

• Purifying Gel with 2% Salicylic Acid
• Unclogs pores
• Ideal for acne and blackheads

Korean Green Tea Cleansing Foam

• Soothes inflammation
• Reduces sebum
• Non-comedogenic

3. Niacinamide + Zinc Cleansing Gel

• Up to -30% sebum reduction
• Highly appreciated in dermatology

2025 Dermatological advice:** avoid foaming cleansers containing SLS. They aggravate sebum production.

2. Best Cleansers for Combination Skin (2025)

Combination skin is often the most difficult to treat, as it combines dryness and excess sebum.

Desired properties

• Gel-cream texture
• Niacinamide
• Gentle AHA (lactic, mandelic)
• Balancing formula

dermi.fr Recommendation: K-Secret Seoul Cleansing Foam (light foam) Gentle Korean foam that deeply cleanses the T-zone without drying out the cheeks.

Top 2025 — Combination Skin

1. Balancing Cleansing Gel with Niacinamide

• Suitable for oily and normal areas
• Smoothes texture

2. Hydrating Cleansing Foam

• Removes makeup + cleanses
• Maintains hydration

3. Gelified Cleansing Milk

• Double effect gel + milk
• Does not dry out

2025 Tip: Double cleansing (oil + gel) is ideal for combination skin prone to blackheads.

3. Best Cleansers for Dry and Sensitive Skin (2025)

Dry skin needs a cleanser that nourishes, protects, and hydrates without aggressive foam.

Desired properties

• Ceramides
• Hyaluronic acid
• Glycerin
• Cleansing milks and creams

dermi.fr Recommendation: Gentle Hydrating Gel with Hyaluronic Acid (K-Beauty 2025) Ideal for sensitive and dry skin that feels tight after cleansing.

Top 2025 — Dry Skin

Nourishing Cleansing Cream

• Fragrance-free
• Ultra-gentle

Comfort Cleansing Milk

• Creamy texture
• Removes makeup + hydrates

Hydrating Cleansing Oil 2025

• Preserves the skin barrier
• Removes pollution + SPF + makeup

Dermatological tip:

Dry skin should avoid purifying gels and foams. They aggravate irritation.

2025 Cleansing Trends: Gel, Foam, Oil or Cream?

Cleansing gel

• ✔ Perfect for oily skin
• ✔ Refreshing
• ✘ Can dry out sensitive skin

Cleansing foam

• ✔ Ideal for combination skin
• ✔ Lightweight, pleasant
• ✘ Be careful with sulfates

Cleansing oil (2025 trend)

• ✔ Cleanses without foam
• ✔ Perfect for makeup + SPF
• ✔ Suitable even for oily skin

K-Beauty has made oil indispensable in all routines.

Cleansing cream or milk

• ✔ Dry skin
• ✔ Very gentle
• ✔ Immediate nutrition

The Best Ingredients for 2025 According to Your Skin Type

Oily skin

• Salicylic acid
• Niacinamide
• Zinc PCA
• Gentle AHA

Combination skin

• Niacinamide
• Lactic acid
• PHA (gluconolactone)

Dry skin

• Ceramides
• Glycerin
• Hyaluronic acid
• Gentle vegetable oils

Ingredients to avoid (all skin types)

• Denatured alcohol
• Allergenic fragrances
• SLS (sodium lauryl sulfate)

Ideal Routine: How to Properly Use Your Cleanser?

Morning

1. Adapted gentle cleanser
2. Hydrating serum (HA or niacinamide)
3. Face cream
4. SPF 50 (essential)

Evening

1. Makeup removing oil
2. Cleansing gel or foam (depending on skin)

2025 double cleansing is recommended by dermatologists to remove pollution + sunscreens.

Mistakes to avoid

1. Using hot water
2. Aggressively scrubbing
3. Cleansing more than twice a day
4. Choosing an overly detergent foam

Conclusion: Which Facial Cleanser to Choose in 2025?

The best cleanser depends **above all on your skin type:

• Oily skin → purifying gel with salicylic acid
• Combination skin → light balancing foam
• Dry skin → hydrating cream or milk
• All skin types → Korean cleansing oil for the evening

Choosing an adapted cleanser is the key to healthy, radiant, and balanced skin.

Korean products, available on dermi.fr, are perfect in 2025 thanks to their gentle, hydrating, and highly effective formulas.

What is the best facial cleanser in 2025? The best depends on your skin type: purifying gel for oily skin, foam for combination skin, cream/milk for dry skin. Gel or cleansing foam: what's the difference?

Gel is more purifying, foam is gentler and more suitable for combination skin.

Which cleanser for sensitive skin? A cleansing milk or cream without fragrance or sulfates.