Your Complete Guide to Cleansers: How to Choose a Barrier-Friendly Ritual

Intro: Why Your Cleanser Matters More Than You Think

Your cleanser is the quiet leader of your routine. It’s the step you repeat every single day, yet it’s also the step more people treat as an afterthought. 

And the wrong cleanser can set your skin up for a cycle of tightness, over-oiliness, and sensitivity that no serum or cream can fully fix. 

Studies on cleansing formulations show that harsher surfactants and high-foaming products can increase transepidermal water loss (TEWL), disrupt lipids, and impair barrier function over time.³

The right cleanser, however, removes impurities, sunscreen, and makeup without stripping — clearing the way for your skin to absorb nutrients and repair itself.

In this guide, we’ll break down all of our cleansers and explain how each option works and when to use it. We’ll also help you build a simple, natural facial cleanser routine (including our tried-and-true double cleansing routine) that feels good for your skin barrier and fits your real, everyday life.

Note: You can also explore how cleansing fits into a simplified routine in our Skinimalism article. 

Why Go Natural With Your Cleanser?

Lots of traditional foaming face washes are built around strong surfactants (like SLS/SLES), synthetic fragrances, and solvent systems (such as PEGs and ethoxylated ingredients) that can be harsh on the stratum corneum (your skin’s uppermost layer).

Over time, these cleansers can:

→ Strip protective lipids.

→ Raise skin’s pH above its ideal acidic range.

→ Leave the barrier more prone to dryness, irritation, and reactivity.

We take a different approach. Instead of leaning on cheap detergents, vague “non-toxic” labels, or even “dermatologist-recommended” claims that can still hide questionable ingredients and greenwashing, our cleansing formulas focus on: 

→ Whole, bioavailable ingredients like plant oils, clays, herbs, and bee-based ingredients that skin recognizes.

→ Biocompatible fats from both plants and animals that mirror the skin’s own lipid profile.

→ A Soil to Skin mindset that considers where ingredients come from, how they’re grown, and how they interact with your body.

If you’re just beginning to transition your routine, starting with a non-toxic face wash or non-toxic cleanser is one of the most impactful swaps you can make.

SHOP: Cleansers Collection | Barrier Repair Skincare Staples

Understanding Your Skin State (So You Can Choose the Right Cleanser)

Instead of thinking in rigid skin types (oily, sensitive, dry, normal), we like to think in skin states — dynamic conditions that shift throughout the month and the year. Hormones, weather, stress, sleep, and even your cycle can all influence how your skin is behaving right now.

Here’s a quick reference guide:

→ Oil-rich: Shine and excess sebum, especially in the T-zone.

→ Acne-prone: Recurring breakouts, congestion, or blemishes even when skin doesn’t feel very oily. 

→ Dry/dehydrated: Tightness after washing, flaking, dullness, or fine lines that look more defined when your barrier is stressed.

→ Sensitive/reactive: Redness, flushing, itching, or stinging with new products or environmental changes.

→ Balanced/combination: Some oil in the T-zone with relatively comfortable cheeks; occasional dryness or congestion, but nothing extreme.

Your cleanser is one of the easiest places to tune into these shifts. Instead of asking “What’s the best cleanser for my dry skin or the best cleanser for sensitive skin,” we like to ask “What is my skin state today, and what texture/formula would support it best?”

If you’re not sure where you land, take our Skin State Quiz! This helps you get to know your skin better and provides you with a personalized guide for your best skin.

Okay, now let’s get into the different cleansing options.

SHOP: Oil-RIch Skin Collection | Sensitive Skin Collection | Balanced Skin Collection | Acne-Prone Skin Collection | Dry Skin Collection

Cleansing Oils: Balancing, Purifying + Protecting Cleansers (Step One)

Cleansing oils are the foundation of a natural cleansing routine. They use the principle of “like dissolves like” to gently break down excess sebum, SPF, and makeup while replenishing your barrier with nourishing lipids. 

Unlike conventional foaming cleansers that rely on surfactants to lift away debris, oil cleansing works by:

• Binding to oil-soluble impurities (makeup, sunscreen, sebum)
• Being gently removed with a warm, damp washcloth, lifting away buildup without stripping your barrier.
• Leaving your skin soft and comfortable rather than tight.

Key Ingredients

In our Cleansing Oils, you’ll find:

→ Cold-pressed plant oils (like jojoba, olive, and castor) that dissolve makeup and excess sebum while replenishing skin with barrier-supportive fatty acids.

→ Balancing botanicals tailored to each formula — clarifying oils and herbs in the Oily blend, more nourishing oils in the Dry blend, and a balanced mix for Normal.

→ A thoughtfully crafted essential oil blend — lavender, peppermint, geranium, and orange — in every Cleansing Oil, created to support all skin states with purifying, calming, and rejuvenating benefits.

Who Cleansing Oils Are Best For

Because we offer different cleansing oil formulas, there’s an option for most skin states:

• Balanced Skin Cleansing Oil — For balanced/combination skin that wants a thorough cleanse without over- or under-doing it. 
• Oily/Acne-Prone Skin Cleansing Oil — For oil-rich or breakout-prone skin that needs help dissolving excess sebum and congestion without stripping.
• Dry Skin Cleansing Oil — For dry, dehydrated, or more mature skin that needs extra cushion and moisture while cleansing.

All of them function as moisturizing cleansers. They remove impurities while replenishing lipids and supporting barrier function 

When and How to Use Cleansing Oil

• Use every night as step one, especially on makeup/SPF days. Cleansing Oil easily breaks up even long-wear makeup and eye makeup, so you don’t need a separate makeup remover.
• Massage into dry skin for 30-60 seconds.
• Then gently remove with a warm, damp washcloth.
• Follow with a Cleansing Bar or Jelly to Milk Cleanser depending on your current skin state for double cleansing — but only if your skin needs a more thorough reset that day (after heavy makeup, workouts, or pollution).

Note: For a deeper breakdown, here are some great resources we’ve put together:

• Oil cleansing myths
• An oil cleansing video tutorial
• More on how and why oil cleansing works
• Oil cleansing FAQs

SHOP: Cleansing Oil Collection

Cleansing Bars: Clarifying, Plumping, and Soothing (Step One or Step Two)

Cleansing bars offer a familiar face wash feel with a seriously upgraded ingredient list.

Instead of harsh detergents, we use clays, botanicals, and nourishing fats to cleanse while respecting your barrier.

Here are our three types of bars:

• Clarifying Bar — A lightly foaming bar with purifying clays, charcoal, honey, and antibacterial botanicals designed to calm breakouts, detoxify pores, and support oil-rich or acne-prone skin without over-drying.
• Plumping Bar — A richer, more cushioning bar that nurtures dry, dull, or aging skin with nourishing oils and butters while providing a gentle cleanse. 
• Soothing Bar — An ultra-gentle option for sensitive or compromised skin, made to cleanse without triggering redness or tightness.

How Cleansing Bars Fit Into Your Natural Cleansing Routine

There are a few different ways you can use cleansing bars:

1. On their own as your main non-toxic cleanser (especially in the morning or on low-makeup days).
2. As step two in a double cleansing routine: Cleansing Oil (or Jelly to Milk Cleanser) + Cleansing Bar.
3. After a workout in the morning or evening when you want a gentle cleanse post-sweat without stripping your skin. 
4. In the shower, if you prefer a bar format and want fewer bottles cluttering your space.

SHOP: Cleansing Bars

Meet the Jelly-to-Milk Cleanser: Bee-Based Hydration for Super Sensitive Skin

The newest member of the Primally Pure cleansing family is the Jelly to Milk Cleanser — a soft gel that turns into a milky wash when you add water. It was created for people who need a hydrating facial cleanser that is gentle on the skin and plays well with sensitive, dehydrated, or easily overwhelmed barriers.

Moisturizing vs. Hydrating

Cleansing Oils are primarily moisturizing cleansers. This means they replenish lipids and support the barrier while cleansing.

Jelly to Milk is a hydrating cleanser. This means it leans on humectants like glycerin and honey to draw water into the skin while gently lifting away impurities.

You can use it:

• In a double cleansing ritual as step two after Cleansing Oil or step one before a Cleansing Bar, depending on how your skin is feeling that day
• As a standalone morning cleanse or on minimal makeup days when you want something light and comforting

Formula Philosophy

Instead of PEGs, polysorbate 80, or ethoxylated surfactants that are common even in many “natural” gel-to-milk cleansers, Jelly to Milk uses sucrose stearate, a sugar-based, nonionic surfactant derived from cane and beet sugar and RSPO-certified palm.

This ingredient helps the formula melt makeup and buildup, then transform with water into a silky milk that rinses clean without leaving skin feeling tight or stripped.

Sucrose stearate belongs to a family of saccharide esters that have been shown to be well-tolerated in gentle cleansing formulas, supporting the skin barrier instead of disrupting it.⁴

Our Jelly to Milk formula is also:

• Essential oil-free (EO-free) — Great if you prefer a fragrance-free cleanser or are currently minimizing essential oils in your routine. 
• Industrial seed-oil-free — Aligned with Primally Pure’s commitment to prioritize more stable, nutrient-dense fats.
• Crafted for compromised barriers — Including people looking for a fragrance-free cleanser or a simpler ingredient list.

Humectants and Barrier-Friendly Hydration

Here’s what’s in our new Jelly to Milk Cleanser that makes it so supportive for your skin:

→ Raw honey — Functions as a natural humectant, drawing water into the outer skin layers and supporting hydration. Studies have found that honey-based products have moisturizing and barrier-supportive effects.⁵

→ Glycerin — One of the most studied humectants in skincare, known to improve hydration, reduce TEWL, and support barrier recovery.

→ Marshmallow root (Althaea officinalis) — Rich in mucilage, which can form a soothing, gel-like layer that helps hydrate and protect irritated tissues.

Together, these ingredients help:

• Remove impurities while replenishing hydration
• Offer the feel of removing makeup without removing moisture
• Function as a gel cleanser that doesn’t strip your skin

Jelly to Milk was designed for real-life use. It’s packaged in a travel-friendly tube, so you don’t have to pack a washcloth if you don’t want to. It’s also great for tired mamas who are looking for a way to remove light makeup and daily buildup with just water. And it’s shower safe! The gel-to-milk texture works well in a steamy environment. 

Bee-Based Ingredients for Barrier Support

Jelly to Milk is anchored in some of our favorite bee-based ingredients for skin health. 

Propolis delivers nature’s built-in defense mechanisms, helping to keep stressed, acne-prone, or compromised skin calm and supported.

Royal jelly is rich in naturally occurring vitamins, amino acids, and fatty acids that help nourish a resilient, more elastic barrier.

And of course (as we shared above), raw honey brings gentle cleansing, humectant hydration, and a naturally soothing touch, so your daily cleanse feels as replenishing as it is effective!

How To Use It

1. Apply a small dollop of jelly to dry skin
2. Massage gently for about a minute
3. Add water to transform into a silky milky, continuing to massage for a minute
4. Rinse with water or remove with a soft cloth if you like an extra-thorough feel

Now that you’ve got all this great info on cleansers, let’s take a look at how to implement them into your skincare routine.

SHOP: Jelly to Milk Cleanser

When To Use What: Building Your Cleansing Ritual

A natural cleansing routine doesn’t have to be complicated. Think of it in terms of time of day and what’s actually on your skin.

Morning

For most skin states, mornings can be simple — whether you’re just waking up or rinsing off after a workout. 

→ Just water — Works for most, especially if your barrier is easily irritated, you have a rich nighttime routine or aren't sweating first thing in the morning.

→ Jelly to Milk Cleanser — For a light, hydrating refresh that doesn’t overdo it.

→ Cleansing Bar — For those who prefer a bar feel or are cleansing in the shower. 

Evening

This is where cleansing really matters, especially on makeup, SPF, or post-workout days.

→ On full makeup/SPF days:

• Step 1: Cleansing Oil (Balanced, Oily, or Dry, depending on your skin state)
• Step 2: Jelly to Milk Cleanser or a Cleansing Bar (Clarifying, Plumping, or Soothing)

→ On minimal makeup days or for super-sensitive skin:

• Jelly to Milk Cleanser on its own
• Or a very short oil cleanse, followed by Jelly to Milk if you still want the benefits of oil cleansing

→ On extra-tired nights or for time-crunched mamas:

• Choose just one step you can stick with consistently — Cleansing Oil, a Cleansing Bar, or Jelly to Milk — so your nightly cleanse still feels doable after a long day.

*SKIN TIP: Really, there are no hard-and-fast rules here. Simply tune in to your skin and what you need that night (Simplicity or a restorative ritual? Hydration or moisture? Warm washcloth embrace or a fresh clean-rinse feel?). Trust yourself to choose the best cleanser to support your barrier and your bedtime routine.

No matter what you choose, be sure to follow cleansing with a hydrating mist (like Everything Spray or a targeted mist) and a cream or balm to seal in the hydrating work of your cleanser and support your barrier overnight. 

SHOP: Cleansing Collection | Jelly to Milk Cleanser | Clarifying Cream | Antioxidant Balm

How to Choose the Best Cleanser Combo For Your Skin State

Here’s an “if this, then that” guide to help you choose.

If Your Skin is Oil-Rich …

• AM: Jelly to Milk Cleanser or just water
• PM: 
  • Step 1: Oily Skin Cleansing Oil
  • Step 2: Clarifying Bar or Jelly to Milk (if you want a softer, less foamy second step)

Consider the Double Cleansing Kit (Clarifying) or the Oil-Rich Skin Collection for an all-in-one starting point. 

If Your Skin is Acne-Prone … 

• AM: Jelly to Milk or just water (to avoid over-stripping and to keep your barrier as calm as possible)
• PM: 
  • Step 1: Choose a Cleansing Oil based on how your barrier feels — Oily Skin Cleansing Oil if you produce excess oil and have breakouts, or Balanced/Dry Cleansing Oil if you’re dealing with acne alongside dryness or dehydration.
  • Step 2: Clarifying Bar (to support detoxification and pore clarity) or Jelly to Milk (if your breakouts also come with sensitivity or dehydration)

On very inflamed nights, keep it simple with Jelly to Milk alone and lean on soothing mists and creams to finish.

If Your Skin Is Dry/Dehydrated …

• AM: Jelly to Milk (for hydration) or just water
• PM: 
  • Step 1: Dry Skin Cleansing Oil
  • Step 2: Jelly to Milk or Plumping Bar (depending on whether you’re looking for softness or a richer bar cleanse)

The Double Cleansing Kit can be helpful here.

If Your Skin is Sensitive/Reactive …

• AM: Just water or Jelly to Milk on its own (depending on how your skin feels that morning)
• PM: Start with Jelly to Milk alone on most nights as your go-to gentle cleanse. On heavier makeup/SPF days, you can:
  • Cleanse with Balanced or Dry Skin Cleansing Oil, then follow with Jelly to Milk or
  • Pair with the Soothing Bar if your skin prefers a bar texture.

Keep in mind that when your skin is in a very reactive state, simpler is often better. On those nights, stick with Jelly to Milk alone and focus on calming mists and creams afterward. 

Look for EO-free, fragrance-free cleanser days when your barrier feels especially on edge. 

Balanced/Combination

• AM: Jelly to Milk or just water
• PM: 
  • Step 1: Normal Skin Cleansing Oil
  • Step 2: Jelly to Milk or Plumping Bar (depending on the season and how your skin feels)

Remember, your skin state can shift with your cycle, stress, and the weather. You can always rotate between these combos as needed.

Conclusion

Cleansers sit at the intersection of cleansing and care. In the Primally Pure world:

• Cleansing Oils act as moisturizing cleansers, dissolving buildup while feeding your barrier.
• Cleansing Bars bring clarifying, plumping, or soothing support, depending on which bar you choose.
• The new Jelly to Milk Cleanser offers comfort, hydrating humectants, and EO-free simplicity for sensitive, busy seasons.

When you see cleansing as a daily self-health ritual, not just a chore, you give your skin a chance to reset, breathe, and receive every nutrient you layer on top.

Consider this your invitation to choose your cleanser duo, build a natural cleansing routine that feels kind, and let those few minutes at the sink become a small, steady act of care for your skin and nervous system.

XO

---

Sources

1. Science Direct | Surfactant-containing detergents: Impacts on dermal health 
2. National Library of Medicine | Cleansing Formulations That Respect Skin Barrier Integrity
3. National Library of Medicine | Cleansing without compromise: the impact of cleansers on the skin barrier and the technology of mild cleansing
4. Cir Safety | Safety Assessment of Saccharide Esters as Used in Cosmetics
5. National Library of Medicine | Innovative Honey-Based Product and Its Beneficial Effects Measured by Modern Biophysical and Imaging Skin Techniques

---

Save this post below to your beauty Pinterest board for future inspo!