Facial cleansing: foam, gel or milk?
On the drugstore shelf, cleansing foam, face wash gel, cleansing milk, cleansing oil and micellar water stand side by side. They all promise thorough facial cleansing, but they feel very different and suit different habits. Which form is right for you? In this guide we explain the five common forms, show in an overview who they are typically intended for and give you a simple way to decide.
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Why the form of facial cleanser matters
Over the course of the day, sebum, sweat, dust, sunscreen and, for many people, make-up build up on the skin. Cleansing should remove these residues without stressing the skin unnecessarily. How well that works and how your skin feels afterwards depends heavily on the texture.
Broadly speaking, there are two principles: water-based cleansers with cleansing agents that are rinsed off with water – these include foam and gel. And cleansers with an oil or emulsion component that tend to dissolve grease and make-up and often feel gentler – these include milk and oil. Micellar water sits somewhere in between. No form is fundamentally better. It is about what suits your skin and your everyday life.
The five forms of facial cleanser compared
| Form | Skin feel | Typically for | How to use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foam | Light, airy | Normal skin, combination skin, quick routine | On damp skin, rinse off |
| Gel | Fresh, clarifying | Rather normal to oily skin | Lather with water, rinse off |
| Milk | Creamy, soft | Rather dry or sensitive skin | Massage in, wipe off or rinse off |
| Oil or balm | Rich | Removing make-up, dissolving sunscreen | On dry skin, emulsify with water |
| Micellar water | Like water | On the go, light make-up | Apply with a pad |
The table is a rough guide. Manufacturers formulate very differently – a mild gel can be gentler than a strong foam. So pay attention to the description too, and to how your skin feels after a few days.
The forms in detail
Cleansing foam
Foam usually comes from a pump dispenser that turns the liquid into foam as you press. It spreads easily, needs little product and rinses off well. Many people like it in the morning because it feels fresh without leaving the skin "squeaky". For most skin types, a mild foam is an uncomplicated all-rounder.
Face wash gel
Gels are clear or slightly cloudy and only lather with water. They often feel more clarifying than foam and are popular for normal to oily skin. If your skin tends to be dry, look for a mild formulation and watch whether your skin feels tight afterwards.
Cleansing milk
Cleansing milk is an emulsion of water and oil. It is massaged in and removed with a soft cloth or pad or rinsed off with water. It feels creamy, which is why it is popular for dry skin. If you do not like the feeling of a film on your skin, rinse thoroughly afterwards.
Cleansing oil and balm
Oils are particularly good at dissolving oil-soluble substances – that is, waterproof make-up and sunscreen. They are applied to dry skin, massaged in and then mixed with a little water until a milky emulsion forms, which you rinse off. Oil is often the first step of a two-step cleanse, followed by a foam or gel. How this works with sunscreen is explained in detail in our article Washing off sunscreen.
Micellar water
Micellar water looks like water but contains tiny particles of mild surfactants that pick up dirt and make-up. It is applied with a pad and, depending on the product, does not need to be rinsed off. That makes it practical on the go or in the evening when you are in a hurry. As your only cleanser with heavy make-up, however, it often reaches its limits.
How to find the right facial cleanser
Instead of deciding by skin type alone, these four questions help:
- How does your skin feel after washing? If it quickly feels tight, a gentler form such as milk or a foam for dry skin makes sense. If it is shiny again soon after, gel or foam suits you.
- Do you wear make-up or sunscreen? With waterproof products, oil as a first step is worthwhile. With light make-up, a foam is often enough.
- Morning or evening? In the morning a short, light cleanse is usually enough. In the evening it can be more thorough.
- At home or on the go? For travel, sport and sauna, products that are quick to use and rinse off are practical.
If you have skin problems, irritation or are unsure, seek advice from a doctor or dermatologist.
Our facial cleanser: VEGAN FOX cleansing foam
In our shop we have chosen foam because it is particularly uncomplicated in everyday life and around the sauna. There are two versions, both 200 ml for €15.90:
- Cleansing foam for normal skin: with chamomile, glycerin and lactic acid, vegan, with 98 % ingredients of natural origin.
- Cleansing foam for dry skin: with aloe vera, lactic acid and niacinamide, vegan, with 99 % ingredients of natural origin.
According to the directions, both are applied morning and evening to damp skin on the face and neck, gently massaged in and rinsed off thoroughly. Which of the two versions suits you is compared in our article Cleansing foam for normal or dry skin.
And around sport and the sauna?
After training or before a sauna session, you want a quick, thorough cleanse that rinses off easily. This is where foam plays to its strengths. The product descriptions of our cleansing foams say: before the sauna, gently cleanse your face and neck and rinse; after the last round, use it again to remove sweat, and then apply suitable care. Rich oils and milk are less practical right before the sauna because they can leave a film. What else matters for your face around a sauna visit can be found in our article Facial care and the sauna.
How to cleanse your face properly
- Wash your hands: Clean hands are the basis of any facial cleanse.
- Lukewarm water: Water that is too hot can dry out the skin; ice-cold water removes residues less well.
- Massage in gently: With circular movements, without rubbing. Avoid contact with the eyes.
- Rinse thoroughly: Including the hairline, the sides of the nose and the chin.
- Pat dry: Pat rather than rub with a clean, soft towel. A separate face towel is more hygienic than the towel you dry your hands on. According to the description, the Diamant mini hammam towel is also intended as a face towel and dries quickly.
- Apply care: For example the VEGAN FOX face cream with almond and avocado oil, morning and evening on face and neck.
Common mistakes in facial cleansing
- Too often: Twice a day is usually enough. More can stress the skin.
- Too much pressure: Scrubbing with a flannel or brush tends to irritate rather than cleanse.
- Body soap on the face: It is often too harsh for facial skin.
- A scrub as daily cleanser: An exfoliant is a weekly ritual. More on this in our article Lactic acid peel for the face.
- Constantly switching: Give a new product one or two weeks before you judge it.
Related reading: Day cream or night cream: do you really need both? · How to apply face cream properly: amount, order, technique · Make-up and the sauna: why you should remove it first
Conclusion
Foam, gel, milk, oil and micellar water differ mainly in texture, skin feel and application. Foam and gel are fresh and quick, milk is gentle and creamy, oil dissolves make-up and sunscreen, and micellar water is practical on the go. You can find the right facial cleanser with a few simple questions: how does your skin feel afterwards, what do you wear on it, and when do you cleanse? For many people, a mild cleansing foam is an uncomplicated all-rounder – for everyday life and around the sauna.
Frequently asked questions
Which facial cleanser is the gentlest?
That depends more on the formulation than on the form. Cleansing milk and mild foams are often considered particularly gentle.
Do I need two different cleansers?
Not necessarily. But if you wear waterproof make-up or a lot of sunscreen, oil as a first step in the evening often helps.
Is micellar water enough as a facial cleanser?
For light residues and on the go, yes. With a lot of make-up, a more thorough cleanse is usually more pleasant.
Can I remove make-up with the cleansing foam?
Light make-up, yes. It is best to remove eye make-up beforehand with an eye make-up remover.
How often should I cleanse my face?
Morning and evening is usual. According to the directions, the VEGAN FOX cleansing foam is intended for exactly that.
Personally written by Martin – founder of BeachAndSteam and sauna operator at Lake Kulkwitz for more than 18 years.