If you have dry or sensitive skin, washing your face can be a bit of a struggle. Popular foaming cleansers are likely to feel too harsh and drying for you, not to mention how merely coming into contact with water can make your skin dry, tight, and uncomfortable–kind of like when you wash your hands too often. Fortunately, there are less drying alternatives out there, some of which don’t even require any contact with water. Consider, for example, milk cleansers (or cleansing milks), which have been popular for years and are still the preferred choice of cleanser for many older women. It’s no accident: cleansing your skin with a cleansing milk on a cloth or cotton pad is an age-old practice with many advantages. It’s quick and practical, doesn’t require copious amounts of water and foam, and is effective at removing both impurities and makeup. The result is often clean, soft, comfortable skin–basically, the dream for dry, sensitive and mature skin.
If this sounds like you, a cleansing milk could be the one thing missing from your skincare routine. Below, we bring you a selection of milk cleansers we love, from the gentlest French pharmacy formula to the most multifunctional, all-in-one cleanser.
The best milk cleansers for dry and sensitive skin
Sioris Cleanse Me Softly Milk Cleanser
The best Korean milk cleanser
Sioris Cleanse Me Softly Milk Cleanser
Sioris Cleanse Me Softly Milk Cleanser is a K-Beauty makeup remover formulated with citrus water and macadamia seed oil–two ingredients that moisturize and replenish the skin, even while cleansing. With its light texture, this product is an evening essential, perfect for removing your daytime skincare, including light makeup.
You can apply this cleanser directly to your skin or to a cotton pad, and then wipe away your makeup using gentle movements from the center of the face outwards. When you’ve finished cleansing, rinse with lukewarm water–all done!
Ziaja Goat’s Milk Milky Face Wash
The most affordable cleansing milk
Ziaja Goat’s Milk Milky Face Wash
Ziaja Goat’s Milk Milky Face Wash is a versatile facial cleanser that can be used with or without water. The key ingredient is, of course, organic goat’s milk, which has been used for centuries in skincare. Rich in lactose, fatty acids, proteins, vitamins, and minerals, goat’s milk offers a natural moisturizing effect, ideal for those with dry and sensitive skin.
If you want to use this product with water, you can apply it to damp skin and massage it in gently, then rinse off with lukewarm water. To use without water, apply a suitable amount of product to a cotton pad, gently rub it over the skin in circular motions, and skip rinsing!
L’Occitane Shea Cleansing Milk
The shea-infused cleanser for dry skin
L’Occitane Shea Cleansing Milk
Enriched with moisturizing shea extract and orange blossom floral water, L’Occitane Shea Cleansing Milk is a gentle cleansing milk that removes makeup and impurities with ease. Suitable for the face, eyes, and lips, this pH-balanced formula leaves the skin feeling perfectly clean, comfortable, and soft–no dryness or tightness in sight.
Apply the product to dry skin and massage it in using circular motions, to gently dissolve your makeup. You can use the product on your eyelashes to remove mascara, or on your lips to remove lipstick. When you’re done, remove any excess with a cotton pad.
Avène 3-In-1 Makeup Remover Sensitive Skin
The French pharmacy cleansing milk
Avène 3-In-1 Makeup Remover Sensitive Skin
French pharmacy brand Avène offers the Avène 3-In-1 Makeup Remover Sensitive Skin, a multifunctional lotion that cleanses, removes makeup, and soothes the skin. With a light, fluid texture and a minimalist formula with very few ingredients, this cleanser is suitable for all types of sensitive skin.
As gentle cleansing agents gently remove impurities and makeup, Avène Thermal Spring Water helps to calm the skin, leaving you feeling comfortable after cleansing. Apply the product to dry skin using your fingertips and massage it in gently, using circular motions. Finally, remove with a cotton pad.
APIVITA 3-In-1 Cleansing Milk Face & Eyes
The antioxidant milk cleanser
APIVITA 3-In-1 Cleansing Milk Face & Eyes
APIVITA 3-In-1 Cleansing Milk Face & Eyes is a cleansing milk that not only cleanses the skin and removes makeup, but also tones the skin and provides an anti-pollution action.
Ideal for those whose skin is highly exposed to external aggressions, this cleansing milk uses almond and olive oils to dissolve impurities and makeup, chamomile and honey to soften and soothe the skin, and rosehip infusion for an antioxidant and anti-pollution action. Apply it directly to the skin, massage with gentle motions, and then remove with a cotton pad.
Embryolisse Gentle Waterproof Makeup Remover Milk
The milk cleanser for waterproof makeup
Embryolisse Gentle Waterproof Makeup Remover Milk
With a silky and creamy formula, Embryolisse Gentle Waterproof Makeup Remover Milk is the ideal cleansing milk for removing intense and waterproof makeup. The 95% natural formula combines moisturizing aloe vera with soothing Boerhavia diffusa root extract to offer a gentle cleansing action, remove makeup, soothe the skin, and promote long-lasting hydration.
The method of application is pretty simple: apply the product with your fingers or a cotton pad to your face, eyes and neck, and then remove it with a cotton pad or water, if you prefer.
Ready to add a cleansing milk to your skincare routine? Then we have a follow-up suggestion: why not invest in reusable makeup removal pads? Not only is it a more eco-friendly and low-waste choice, but you’ll never have to buy disposable cotton pads again!
