The Best of Both Worlds: 14 Milk Cleansers That Remove Makeup and Hydrate (2025)

Have you ever wondered if it’s possible to strike a perfect balance between removing your makeup effortlessly and keeping your skin hydrated? You’re not alone in this quest. The answer lies within the gentle yet effective realm of milk cleansers. These multitasking heroes are designed to offer you the best of both worlds, but with a plethora of options on the market, how do you choose the right one for your skin type? We’ve rounded up the top 14 milk cleansers that cater to various skin concerns, promising not just to cleanse but also to nourish. Stay tuned to uncover which ones made the list and how they can transform your skincare routine.

The magic of milk cleansers

Milk cleansers, with their gentle touch, effortlessly dissolve makeup while simultaneously nourishing your skin. You’ve probably struggled with the harshness of traditional makeup removers that leave your skin feeling tight and dry. That’s where milk cleansers step in to change the game. They’re a game-changer for anyone, especially if you’ve got sensitive skin that reacts to just about everything.

Imagine ending your day by massaging a milk cleanser onto your skin. It’s not just about removing makeup; it’s a ritual that hydrates and cares for your skin. These cleansers are packed with natural ingredients that work to hydrate your skin deeply, ensuring it doesn’t lose its natural oils during the cleansing process. The result? Your skin doesn’t just stay clean; it stays supple, feeling silky soft and hydrated.

For those with sensitive skin, milk cleansers are a sigh of relief. Their gentle formula doesn’t irritate or cause unnecessary redness. Instead, it soothes as it cleans, making your skincare routine something you look forward to. You’ll notice how these cleansers leave your skin feeling soft and hydrated, without any of the tightness or discomfort that can come from harsher products.

Incorporating a milk cleanser into your skincare routine means you’re not just choosing to remove makeup effectively; you’re choosing to hydrate and care for your skin’s well-being. It’s a simple step that can make a significant difference in maintaining healthy, happy skin.

Is milk a good facial cleanser?

When considering natural skincare options, you might wonder if milk serves as an effective facial cleanser. The simple answer is, yes, it does. Cleansing milk, in particular, is formulated to not only cleanse your skin but also hydrate and soothe it, making it an excellent choice for nearly all skin types, especially if you have dry skin.

Cleansing milk is gentle yet effective at removing makeup, dirt, and impurities without stripping your skin of its natural oils. This balance is crucial for maintaining skin health, as stripping the skin can lead to increased dryness or oil production. Here are three key reasons why you should consider using milk as your go-to facial cleanser:

1. Hydrates dry skin: Milk-based cleansers are enriched with natural fats and nutrients that deeply nourish and hydrate the skin. You’ll notice your skin feels softer and appears more radiant with regular use.
2. Soothes sensitive skin: If you’ve got sensitive skin, the gentle nature of cleansing milk can help soothe irritation and redness, offering you a calming cleansing experience.
3. Effectively removes makeup: Despite being gentle, cleansing milk is surprisingly effective at removing makeup, even stubborn waterproof varieties. It dissolves makeup without the need for harsh rubbing, protecting your skin’s delicate barrier.

Incorporating milk into your skincare routine as a facial cleanser can offer you the best of both worlds: effective cleansing and significant hydration. It’s a natural, gentle solution for keeping your skin clean, hydrated, and soothed, making it an excellent choice for anyone looking to enhance their skincare regimen.

The top 14 milk cleansers for every skin type

Credit: Eau Thermale Avène

For those with dry, very dry, or sensitive skin seeking a gentle yet effective makeup remover, the Eau Thermale Avène Milk Cleanser stands out with its 98% natural origin ingredients and hydrating properties. Its eco-designed packaging mirrors the brand’s commitment to sustainability, while the non-greasy, no-rinse formula ensures your skin feels refreshed, not stripped. You’ll love how it effortlessly removes makeup, dirt, and oil, leaving your skin hydrated and soothed.

Credit: Milk Makeup

Individuals with normal to dry or sensitive skin will find the Milk Makeup Vegan Milk Cleanser a hydrating and gentle choice for removing makeup and impurities. This sulfate-free face wash is crafted with a blend of vegan milks, ensuring your skin isn’t stripped of its natural oils while washing away the day’s dirt. It’s a vegan, clean, and cruelty-free product, free from parabens, silicones, fragrance, gluten, sulfates, phthalates, and talc. Its pH level, between 5.5-6.5, is designed to balance your skin’s natural pH. Its key ingredients, including Desert Milk™, fig milk, shea butter, oat milk, argan milk, grapeseed oil, and squalane, not only hydrate but also provide antioxidant benefits, leaving your skin soft, soothed, and moisturized.

Credit: Glossier

This gel-cream cleanser is designed to be kind to all skin types, enriching your skin without leaving it feeling stripped. It’s not just about removing dirt, oil, and makeup; it’s also about conditioning your skin. Its vegan, non-comedogenic, and soothing formula is dermatologist-tested, cruelty-free, and safe even for the most sensitive eyes, including contact lens wearers. The inclusion of pro-vitamin B5, allantoin from comfrey root extract, and hydrating xylitol, alongside the calming scent of rose water, ensures your skin remains soft, smooth, and refreshed.

Credit: Clarins

For those seeking a gentle yet effective makeup remover that also hydrates, the Clarins Velvet Cleansing Milk, enriched with alpine herbs, is an ideal choice. This creamy formula effortlessly melts away lightweight makeup, impurities, and pollutants, all while preserving your skin’s natural microbiota. You’ll love how it leaves your skin feeling soft, clean, and remarkably hydrated. It’s packed with a soothing gentle complex of organic golden gentian and lemon balm extracts from Le Domaine Clarins, our eco-friendly farm in the French Alps. Plus, it’s safe for use on your eyes, face, and lips, making your skincare routine refreshingly simple.

Credit: Caudalie

For those seeking a gentle yet effective makeup remover, the Caudalie Vinoclean Gentle Cleansing Almond Milk combines nourishing ingredients with hydration benefits. Infused with jojoba oil, sweet almond oil, shea butter, and antioxidant polyphenols, it’s designed to pamper your skin while removing makeup.

Credit: OSEA

Sensitive skin enthusiasts will find the OSEA Ocean Cleansing Milk, enriched with undaria seaweed and a skin identical moisturizing complex, an ideal choice for gentle makeup removal and deep hydration. The upgraded formula also boasts glycerin for extra moisture, Witch hazel for its soothing, alcohol-free astringency, and safflower seed oil to nourish and calm dry skin.

Credit: Moon Juice

Designed for those seeking a gentle yet effective cleansing solution, the Moon Juice Milk Cleanse is an ideal choice, featuring coconut ferment and a pH-balanced formula to hydrate and protect your skin. It’s packed with nourishing ingredients like reishi, silver ear mushroom, and tocos to support hydration and barrier function. Plus, it’s free from harsh chemicals like parabens and sulfates, and comes in sustainable packaging.Suitable for any skin type, it gently removes makeup without stripping your skin’s natural oils.

Credit: Beauty Pie

This cleanser boasts key ingredients like antioxidant-rich Japanese umbrella pine and bamboo grass extract from Jeju mountain, ensuring visible anti-aging and skin brightening effects. The addition of Yoshino cherry blossom extract offers soothing properties, while meadowfoam oil and liquorice root extract enhance skin smoothness and suppleness. Innovative multi-phase formula that transforms from milk to oil to light milk, offering a thorough and hydrating cleanse.

Credit: Irene Forte

Forte Rigenerante Almond Cleansing Milk is crafted with a potent blend that includes aloe leaf juice, omega-rich oils, and pro-vitamin B5, ensuring deep cleansing while boosting and preserving moisture levels. Vitamin E strengthens the skin barrier, offering protection, while the soothing qualities of aloe and pro-vitamin B5 calm your skin. It’s suitable for all, especially those with sensitive, dry, or mature skin, as it’s dermatologically proven safe. Ingredients sourced from an organic farm in Sicily add to its allure, infusing every use with the essence of Mediterranean wellness. Developed with spa-level expertise, this cleansing milk guarantees a professional approach to your skincare routine, ensuring efficacy and a touch of luxury.

Credit: TruSkin

Individuals with dry and sensitive skin will find the TruSkin Soothing Cleansing Milk an ideal choice due to its oat and rice milk formulation, which soothes while nourishing the skin. Its lightweight milky texture effortlessly removes makeup without causing irritation, enhancing your skin’s firmness, barrier function, and luminosity. This cruelty-free, dermatologist-tested, and vegan-friendly option not only promises clean and potent nutrition for your skin but also ensures you’re supporting ethical skincare practices.

Credit: Kate Somerville

Opting for the Kate Somerville Goat Milk Moisturizing Cleanser is a prime choice for those seeking to gently remove makeup while hydrating sensitive skin. This cleanser combines the soothing properties of goat milk, manuka honey, jojoba, and avocado oils to relieve skin tightness and dryness, making it an ideal daily solution. It’s specifically formulated to be safe for sensitive skin, with a focus on delivering transformative results without irritation. The full list of ingredients, including natural oils and lactic acid, underscores a commitment to skin health and moisture.

Credit: Georgette Klinger

The Georgette Klinger Coconut Cleansing Milk is suitable for all skin types. Infused with coconut oil and extracts, grape, and cucumber extracts, it offers a luxurious cleansing experience that rinses away dirt, oil, and makeup without causing dryness. Its formula is designed to calm redness, smooth texture, and restore moisture, ensuring your skin feels soft and refreshed.

Credit: TULA

If you’re searching for a makeup remover that hydrates and soothes even the most sensitive skin, the TULA Super Calm Gentle Sensitive Skin Cleansing Milk ticks all the boxes. This milky cleanser effortlessly removes makeup and purifies without leaving your skin feeling dry or tight. Thanks to its blend of probiotic extracts, colloidal oatmeal, aloe, ginger, and cucumber, it cleanses and soothes even the most distressed and irritated skin. It’s hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic, and free from fragrances, making it perfect for all skin types. Plus, it’s formulated without harmful ingredients like parabens and sulfates, ensuring your skin is not only clean but also calm and balanced.

Credit: Onsen Secret

Those with dry and sensitive skin will find the Onsen Secret Nourishing Facial Milk an ideal choice for removing makeup while hydrating the skin deeply. This gentle yet effective cleanser is perfect for various skin types, including those prone to rosacea or breakouts. It’s formulated with a unique blend of active ingredients that ensure your skin is left soft, moisturized, and nourished without any harsh residues. The inclusion of 100% hot spring minerals and sacred Japanese botanicals activates your body’s natural healing power, improving overall wellness. Moreover, its rich and creamy texture, combined with an invigorating scent, makes your morning routine refreshing.

How to use a milk cleanser effectively

For optimal results, you’ll want to incorporate a milk cleanser into your skincare routine both morning and night. These cleansers are packed with hydrating ingredients, making them a perfect choice for removing makeup and impurities while leaving your skin feeling soft and moisturized. To use a milk cleanser effectively, you’ll need to follow a few simple steps.

First, apply the cleanser onto dry skin. This might seem counterintuitive, but milk cleansers are designed to be applied directly onto your skin without water. This allows the hydrating and softening agents to directly interact with your skin, breaking down makeup and dirt without stripping your skin of its natural oils.

After you’ve massaged the cleanser all over your face, it’s time to add water. Adding a bit of water will emulsify the cleanser, allowing it to gently lift away the dirt and makeup from your skin. Continue to massage it onto your face with wet hands for a few seconds more to ensure you’re getting the full benefit of the cleanser.

Questions you may have