Cleaners & Toners

Cleansing oil and oil-based cleansing creams like the Royale Essence Cleansing Cream dissolve make-up, sunscreen, and sebum especially effectively, since oil binds with oil, making them a good first cleansing step for more heavily made-up skin. Cleansing gels like the Facial Premium Cleanser or the Cleansing Gel for Blemishes cleanse more thoroughly and are especially suited to oily or blemish-prone skin, since they remove excess sebum more reliably. Cleansing foam, such as the Gentle Cleansing Foam for Normal and Dry Skin, is usually milder in texture and works well for normal to dry skin that doesn't need intensive deep cleansing. Micellar water like the Micellar Water or the Micellar Make-Up Remover is the quickest, most uncomplicated option with no rinsing needed at all, and is especially suited for on the go, evenings, or very sensitive skin. For combination skin, a mix often works well: micellar cleansing for busy days, gel or foam for a more thorough evening routine.

Double cleansing means cleansing your skin in two steps: first with an oil-based product like a cleansing cream or cleansing oil, to dissolve make-up, sunscreen, and oily residue, then with a water-based cleanser like a gel or foam, to remove sweat, dirt, and water-soluble residue. The method is especially worth it in the evening, if you wore make-up, sunscreen, or did heavily sweat-inducing exercise during the day, since a single cleanse often doesn't fully remove these residues. For the morning or with very sensitive skin, a single, milder cleanse is generally completely sufficient, and double cleansing too often can even overwhelm the skin barrier. If you wear heavy eye make-up, it's a good idea to combine the first cleansing step with a dedicated eye make-up remover before moving on to the rest of the face. For dry or sensitive skin, we recommend using double cleansing only when needed rather than routinely every evening.

Yes, in a wide selection: avril offers, among others, an eye make-up remover and a mix-it-yourself micellar water, both with certified organic ingredients. Puremetics carries several natural cleansing products, such as the Purie Sensibelchen and Purie New Skin facial care, an all-purpose rose water, and a rice milk make-up remover soap. cmd Naturkosmetik, Uoga Uoga, and Mossa further round out the natural segment. Newwell is positioned as attractively priced and also vegan formulated, for example with the Facial Premium Cleanser or the Micellar Make-Up Remover. These products are generally clearly labeled 'organic', 'natural', or 'vegan' and avoid animal-derived ingredients as well as, often, microplastics in exfoliating particles.

Even though cleansers stay on the skin only briefly, surfactants such as strong sulfates (like sodium lauryl sulfate) can further dry out the skin barrier on sensitive or dry skin, which is why milder, low-sulfate formulas are often better tolerated. For toners and facial water, it's worth checking whether the product contains alcohol, since high-percentage alcohol can further irritate and dry out the skin, while alcohol-free variants like pure rose water are gentler. You'll always find the complete composition in the INCI list on the relevant product page, where you can also identify nourishing additives such as aloe vera or hyaluronic acid, which let some cleansers care for the skin in addition to cleansing. If you have known allergies or very sensitive skin, you should generally check the list before buying and test new products carefully first.

A toner or facial water is applied directly after cleansing and before further care such as serum or cream, and has several functions: it removes any last cleansing residue, balances the skin's pH after cleansing, and prepares the skin to absorb subsequent care products. The easiest way to apply toner is with a cotton pad, or pat it directly in with your palms, depending on consistency and preference. Products such as the Cucumber Orange Facial Toner or the all-purpose rose water are also good as a refreshing spray in between, for example at the office or while traveling. For dry skin, a toner with moisturizing rather than astringent, i.e. tightening, ingredients is worth it, while oily skin can benefit from lightly clarifying formulas. A toner doesn't replace moisturizer, but rounds out the routine as an additional, preparatory step.

For sensitive skin, it's worth looking at Bioderma's Soothing Cleansing Gel for Sensitive Skin or La Roche-Posay's Moisturizing Facial Cleanser for Sensitive Skin, both of which deliberately avoid irritants. For dry skin, CeraVe's Gentle Cleansing Foam for Normal and Dry Skin works especially well, since it cleanses without excessively stripping the natural oil film. For oily or blemish-prone skin, La Roche-Posay's Cleansing Gel for Blemishes for Oily Skin is a targeted option that reduces excess sebum. If you also want to rely on natural cosmetics, Puremetics's Purie Sensibelchen is a mild alternative specifically for sensitive skin. For persistent skin problems despite gentle cleansing, such as severe dryness or acne, we also recommend consulting a dermatologist.

For most skin types, cleansing morning and evening is completely sufficient; washing more often can unnecessarily stress the skin barrier and even lead to increased sebum production as a counter-reaction. Use lukewarm rather than hot water, since water that's too hot further dries out the skin and can encourage redness. Gently massage the cleanser in with your fingertips in circular motions rather than rubbing, and rinse it off thoroughly before carefully patting your face dry with a clean towel rather than rubbing. For very dry or sensitive skin, it can be enough to use just water or a mild micellar water instead of a full cleanser in the morning, since less sebum and dirt usually accumulates overnight than during the day. Change towels regularly, since bacteria can accumulate on them, which can encourage blemishes with frequent contact with the face.

Dermocosmetic brands such as Bioderma, La Roche-Posay, and CeraVe stand out with clinically tested formulas specifically tailored to skin problems like sensitivity or blemishes. Natural cosmetics brands such as avril, cmd Naturkosmetik, and Puremetics, by contrast, rely on certified organic raw materials, plant-based actives such as rose water or rice milk, and often plastic-saving formats. Newwell covers the basic cleansing product lineup attractively priced and vegan, from cleanser to micellar water. Which direction suits you best depends on whether medically tested effectiveness for a specific skin problem, certified natural cosmetics, or an attractively priced everyday cleanser matters most to you.