By Adriana Ermter
Used to be, all it took to get our skin clean was a bar of soap and a splash of water. Soap was the standard—cheap, accessible and efficient. The ritual was fast and simple and it left our face feeling and looking squeaky clean, albeit dry and tight. Still, it was the ’80s and being fresh-faced was everyone’s M.O.
Liquid cleansers like Noxzema Classic Clean Original Deep Cleansing Cream with its unmistakable menthol-and-eucalyptus chill and Ten O Six and Sea Breeze Astringent soon followed. Like the bar soaps, their formulas defined the skincare era with their alcohol-heavy sting and “no oil left behind” bravado, catering to teens and adults alike in our pursuit of poreless perfection.
But at some point, the rules of cleansing changed as a sudsy evolution shaped by science, marketing and a growing cultural obsession with skincare as self-care replaced the purely functional approach. As dermatologists began studying the skin’s natural barrier and pH balance, beauty brands like Pond’s and Clinique saw an opportunity to reinvent cleansing as something gentler, more intentional and even a little luxurious.
By the 1990s, the face wash aisle had exploded. Liquid cleansers were the new normal, with brand favourites like Aveeno, Nivea, Vichy, St. Ives and Olay leading the way as they ushered in a new kind of devotion to daily skincare. These products leaned hard into exfoliation, aloe and early actives like AHAs and vitamins—all in the name of that fresh, matte, oil-free finish. Cleansing wasn’t just functional anymore; it was a lifestyle, a reflection of the decade’s obsession with control and clarity.
Fast forward to today and this narrative has diversified further. Today’s cleansers range from protecting our face’s microbiome and maintaining moisture to melting makeup away and restoring balance—and they’re interchangeable with each season. Now, as the air turns cooler and the sun fades faster, it’s the perfect time to shelf our summer washes and reach for more hydrating, soothing, gentle, nourishing and radiant-inducing formulas.
Here are eight of our new favourite face washes, each one designed to meet your skin exactly where it is right now.
TRY: THE MINIMALIST
Biossance Squalane + Amino Acid Gentle Cleanser
($40 for 200 ml, available at Sephora)
Why it’s great: A hydrating, soothing face for skin craving extra moisture and comfort. Lightweight yet deeply nourishing, it leaves your face feeling clean, soft and balanced without stripping it of its necessary oils.
What you need to know: This gentle cleanser blends sugarcane-derived squalane with amino acids to mimic your skin’s natural hydration and maintain the moisture barrier. Its creamy, non-foaming formula removes dirt, makeup and impurities while calming sensitive or dry skin, making it ideal for crisp, cooler weather. Vegan, cruelty-free and formulated without over 2,000 potentially harmful ingredients, it’s a clean beauty essential. Perfect for minimalists who want effective skincare without fuss, it sets the stage for serums and moisturizers to work their magic.
TRY: THE OIL BUSTER
Bubble Fresh Start Gel Cleanser
($22.99 for 125 ml, available at Shoppers Drug Mart)
Why it’s great: This gel cleanser offers a fresh, balanced clean that tackles pore-clogging dirt without leaving skin tight or stripped. Powered by a gentle PHA (polyhydroxy acid), it helps smooth texture and brighten subtly, making it ideal when your skin needs a reset. Ingredients like spearmint extract and aloe soothingly calm while red algae helps regulate excess oil. And when your skin feels off—whether its slightly congested or reactive—this formula finds a middle ground between effective yet kind to your epidermis’ barrier.
What you need to know: Anyone can use it. Because the formula leans gentle, it works well in multi-step routines or all on its own. A dose of caffeine also helps reduce redness and puffiness giving your face a more refreshed look. And lavender flower water adds a purifying, calming touch that feels instantly relaxing.
TRY: THE LUXURIOUS CHOICE
Clé de Peau Clarifying Foam Cleanser
($103 for 125 ml, available at Holt Renfrew)
Why it’s great: Clé de Peau Beauté Clarifying Cleansing Foam is perfect for fall when your skin can feel dry, dull, or stressed from cooler temperatures and environmental changes. Its luxurious, antioxidant-rich formula gently removes impurities and excess oil without stripping moisture, leaving skin clean, clear and balanced. The velvety cream transforms into a delicate lather that purifies while maintaining the skin’s natural barrier, making it ideal for normal to oily skin types during the transitional season.
What you need to know: This cleanser is formulated with raspberry extract, which provides antioxidant benefits to nourish and protect the skin. It also includes the brand’s self-defined skin-empowering illuminator with platinum golden silk, to help your epidermis defend against internal and external stressors. Precious diamond, silk and pearl powders contribute to a smooth, radiant complexion.
TRY: THE SENSITIVE SKIN ESSENTIAL
Curél Intensive Moisture Care Makeup Cleansing Oil
($29.99for 150 ml, available at Shoppers Drug Mart)
Why it’s great: As temperatures drop, skin often becomes more sensitive and prone to dryness. This hydrating cleansing oil is formulated to address these concerns by gently removing makeup and impurities without stripping your skin’s natural moisture. Its lightweight, non-greasy texture transforms into a milky emulsion upon contact with water too, effectively cleansing your face while preserving its ceramide levels.
What you need to know: Designed specifically for dry, sensitive skin, the wash utilizes a blend of emollients to dissolve makeup and impurities, while the ceramide care helps maintain your skin’s moisture barrier, preventing dehydration. It’s free from fragrances and harsh chemicals too, providing gentle yet effective cleansing.
TRY: THE EFFORTLESS CLEANSER
Indeed Laboratories Gentle AF Makeup Removing Foam Cleanser
($14.99 for 150ml, available at Shoppers Drug Mart)
Why it’s great: As the season shifts, skin often becomes more sensitive and prone to dryness. Like the name suggests (oh-so clearly, too), this foam cleanser offers a solution with its ultra-gentle formula that effectively removes makeup, sebum and dirt without stripping your skin. Its lightweight, airy foam provides a soothing cleanse, making it suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin. The addition of lotus extract and ectoin helps to hydrate and protect the skin’s barrier, ensuring a comfortable cleanse during the transitional weather.
What you need to know: Its formula has been mix-mastered to effortlessly melt away long-wear and waterproof makeup, leaving your skin soft and balanced. The formula is free from harsh chemicals too, making it a clean beauty essential.
TRY: THE DUAL PLAYER
Merit Great Skin Double Cleanse Face Wash
($44 for 150 ml, available at Sephora)
Why it’s great: This product can simplify your routine with its bi-phase foaming formula that removes makeup, sunscreen (yes, we wear it 365) and impurities—all in one application. Plus, the efficient yet gentle cleanser effectively cleanses without stripping your skin’s natural moisture. Its addition of polyhydroxy acid (PHA) also provides mild exfoliation, leaving your face feeling and looking smoother and brighter.
What you need to know: Formulated with oat-derived surfactants and plant-based humectants, this cleanser is gentle and thorough. It is also alcohol, fragrance and essential oils-free, making it suitable for sensitive skin. The lightweight, non-greasy texture transforms into a rich foam upon contact with water, providing a refreshing cleanse.
TRY: THE RADIANT RESET
Naturium Vitamin C Complex Cleanser
($29.99 for 210 ml, available at Shoppers Drug Mart)
Why it’s great: This cleanser washes away dull and tired-looking skin. Its formula combines two types of vitamin C with fruit enzymes papain and bromelain to soften and eliminate dead skin cells, oil, dirt and grime to create a brighter, healthier, more even-looking complexion. The light exfoliation from the natural enzymes also help smooth texture and enhance radiance to add a little extra glow to your skin.
What you need to know: Gel based and pH-balanced, the cleanser is suitable for all skin types. It’s also paraben, fragrance and harsh surfactants-free. The formula supports skin clarity with mild exfoliants like phytic acid, while maintaining essential moisture so your epidermis stays hydrated.
TRY: THE FACE FRESHENER
Rhode Pineapple Refresh PGA Daily Cleanser
($45 for 150 ml, available at Sephora)
Why it’s great: From its subtle juicy scent and balmy texture to its gentle and lightly exfoliating cleanse, what’s not to love about this cleanser. Its lightweight formula ensures a thorough removal of impurities without stripping our skin’s natural moisture. Plus, its inclusion of polyglutamic acid (PGA) helps our epidermis retain hydration, making it ideal for all skin types especially during this time of year as the weather gets colder.
What you need to know: It was specifically crafted to remove maximum dirt and makeup with zero irritation, to leave your skin feeling clean and refreshed. The formula is also free of harsh chemicals, ensuring even the most sensitive skin can use it.
