- Skincare
- Our Product Picks
- The Best Gel Cleansers for Your Skin Type
Skincare lovers often wax poetic about gel cleansers, citing their lightweight consistency and deep-cleansing properties. Another reason so many people love them? There’s a gel cleanser out there for pretty much every skin type and skin concern, whether you’re oily and acne-prone or dealing with skin that’s dull and dehydrated skin. Ahead, we rounded up seven of our favorite gel cleansers to add to your personalized skincare routine.
For Dull Skin — Lancôme Absolue Purifying Brightening Gel Cleanser
Dull skin needs a cleanser that will bring it back to life, which is where the Absolue Purifying Brightening Gel Cleanser comes in. This hydrating formula has an oil-in-gel consistency that works to illuminate and nurture the skin with soothing rose extracts.

For Congested Skin — Thayers PH Balancing Gentle Face Wash With Aloe Vera
This soothing gel cleanser with aloe vera and sodium hyaluronate works to help decongest skin and leave it feeling neither oily nor dry. It’s fragrance-free and also works to balance the skin’s pH levels, which helps promote healthy, clear skin.
For Dry Skin — CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser
Some gel cleansers can be too drying for severely dry skin. Not this option from CeraVe. It cleanses, hydrates and helps restore the protective skin barrier with ceramides and hyaluronic acid. Your skin will feel smooth and supple after your cleanse, but it won’t feel stripped.

For Oily Skin — La Roche-Posay Effaclar Gel Facial Wash for Oily Skin
Minimize the look of large pores with this clarifying gel face wash that can be used daily. It’s formulated with zinc pidolate to help purify the skin, plus thermal spring water to soothe.
For Aging Skin …Youth to the People Superfood Kale + Green Tea Spinach Cleanser
This gel cleanser is basically a green juice for your skin. It’s part of the Clean at Sephora program, and its main ingredients are kale, spinach and green tea. The antioxidant-packed formula helps combat the look of fine lines and aging skin.
For Acne-Prone Skin — Starface Space Wash
Pimples have nothing on this gel formula with white willow bark, safe leaf, holy basil, chamomilla flower and calendula. It will soothe inflammation and irritation from acne and gently exfoliate to unclog pores.

Large, dull pores don’t stand a chance against this antioxidant-rich gel cleanser with elderberry extract, prebiotics and sugar-cane derived squalane. It removes makeup, helps clarify the skin and leaves pores looking smooth and minimized.
Photo: Chaunte Vaughn
Read More:
The Right Way to Exfoliate Every Skin Type, According to Experts
Gentle Toners That Won’t Dry Out Your Skin
- Tags:
- Body Care -
- Our Product Picks -
- Skin Concerns -
- Skin Types -

About the Skincare.com by L'Oréal Author
Alanna Martine Kilkeary is a native New Yorker and an assistant managing editor at Skincare.com by L'Oréal. She has had the opportunity to grace the digital pages of Harper's Bazaar, Rolling Stone and Teen Vogue with her words and skills. She runs a literary-infused fashion blog in her free time, her heart belongs to William Shakespeare, and most importantly, she believes that Wes Anderson should serve as art director for the entire universe.



Let's Stay in Touch
get instant access to expert advice, insider interviews, giveaways, quizzes, and more.
Thanks! You are now signed up.
Look out for exclusive Skincare.com content in your inbox soon!
Oops! Something Went Wrong.
Please try entering your email again.