Best Cleansers and Face Wash for Treating Melasma

Best Cleanser For Melasma

Melasma is a form of hyperpigmentation that is very hard to get rid of. Using the right cleanser to treat melasma is important so that your melasma skin care routine will work better. I am a dermatologist in Miami and melasma is so common here because of sun exposure. I will share with you the information that i give my melasma patients on what to wash your face with.

Dermatologist- recommended face washes for hyperpigmentation usually work by increasing exfoliation and helping other skin lightening products in the skincare routine to treat pigmentation work better.

If you take our quiz, we can give you more personalized advice on how to treat your melasma.

Melasma Face Wash

Selecting the best face wash for melasma depends upon your barriers to skin health such as : dehydration, inflammation and aging and what other products you are using in your melasma skin care routine.

Although I cannot give you the best advice on a cleanser to treat melasma without knowing your skin type- I can give you some facial wash suggestions. If you want specific advice, follow the step by step skincare regimen builder that will appear after you take the skin type quiz. You will be able to choose from many different brands of cleansers that work well with the rest of the suggested skincare routine. Once you take the quiz, you will be able to browse our melasma cleanser collection and look for your skin type octagon to see which of these melasma cleansers is right for your skin type.

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Skin Lightening Ingredients in Facial Cleansers

It is not necessary to waste money buying face washes with skin lightening ingredients because these are not in contact with the skin long enough to affect melanin production. Skin lightening ingredients should go in melasma creams and serums, not in rinse-off products like facial cleansers.

Hydroxyacid Cleansers for Melasma

In general, low pH cleansers should be used as your morning cleanser when you have melasma. These prep the skin and help the products that follow penetrate into skin and work better. We do not advise using low pH cleansers twice a day because they can dry or irritate the skin when combined with other melasma treatment products or cause over exfoliation. Once you get used to your routine and your low pH cleanser once a day, you may be able to increase to two times a day. However, do not attempt this until use are using your night time retinoid every night.

Use a low pH cleanser and a retinoid can cause inflammation that can lead to hyperpigmentation, so keep that in mind when beginning a retinoid.

You Need a Different Morning and Night Melasma Cleanser

It is best to begin a melasma routine with two different cleansers—one for the AM and one for the PM. We usually recommend using the low pH cleanser in the morning, but if you prefer to use it at night, that’s perfectly fine. However, using a low pH cleanser twice a day may cause over-exfoliation. That’s why I always start my patients with two different cleansers for the first four weeks: one exfoliating and one gentle to use if your skin is irritated from melasma treatment products.

The Best Cleansers to Use in the Morning to Treat Melasma

Morning Cleansers for Dry Skin with Melasma

In the hyperpigmentation treatment routines that i give my patients, once they are used to the retinol every third night, I like to add a hydroxyacid cleanser in the morning with a chemical exfoliant such as these:

Citric acid

Gluconolactone (PHA)

Glycolic acid

Lactic acid

Malic acid

Mandelic acid

Phytic acid

Polyhydroxy acid (PHA)

Glycolic Acid Cleansers for Melasma

Glycolic acid is effective at boosting exfoliation and making skin more radiant by smoothing the skin’s surface. If you have dry skin, glycolic cleansers are a good choice for you. These cleansers are also used in my patients who have dry skin and acne but are not irritated from acne treatment products. (Irritated skin will sting when you use a low pH cleanser.)

The cleanser I recommend the most to my dry skin type melasma patients is:

Essopi Glycolic 10% Cleanser, while gentler than the best scrubs, provides an equally effective benefit. This alpha hydroxy acid cleanser prepares the skin for melasma treatment serums and Vitamin C Serums that follow in the skincare routine. This low pH melasma cleanser is best used daily as part of a complete personalized skincare routine. It will not clear melasma alone.

Lactic Acid Cleansers for Melasma

Lactic acid is another form of alpha hydroxy acid that is much gentler than glycolic acid. It is perfect for dry sensitive skin types. But do not use it if your skin is stinging or has a rash or is irritated rom retinoids. Read about Soothing Cleansers if you have any of those issues.

The cleanser I recommend the most to my dry, sensitive skin type melasma patients is:

PCA Skin Facial Wash because it is a gentle face wash that helps reduces inflammation while gently exfoliating the skin. Natural aloe vera and allantoin provide soothing antioxidant benefits.

Another cleanser that i like that combines different types of hydroxy acids is:

SkinCeuticals Clarifying Exfoliating Cleanser combines glycolic acid, lactic acid and salicylic acid, making it a powerful face wash for melasma that purifies and brightens the skin. Despite the combination of alpha hydroxy acids and beta hydroxy acid, this melasma cleanser is still gentle enough for daily use, and is fragrance-free and sulfate-free.

The best low pH cleansers with alpha hydroxy acids to treat melasma if you have a dry skin type:

Revision Skincare Brightening Facial Wash

$30.00

Add to Cart

Revision Skincare Purifying Cleansing Gel

$45.00

Add to Cart

SENTE Exfoliating Cleanser

$46.00

Add to Cart

SkinCeuticals Glycolic Renewal Cleanser Gel

$39.00

Add to Cart

ClarityRx Cleanse As Needed 10% Glycolic Cleanser

$45.00

Add to Cart

Murad AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser

$44.00

Add to Cart

Neocutis NEO CLEANSE Exfoliating Skin Cleanser

$40.00

Add to Cart

PCA Skin Facial Wash

$40.00

Add to Cart

Replenix Glycolic Acid Resurfacing Cleanser

$37.00

Add to Cart

Replenix Gly-Sal 5-2 Deep Pore Cleanser

$32.00

Add to Cart

Revision Skincare Brightening Facial Wash

$30.00

Add to Cart

Revision Skincare Purifying Cleansing Gel

$45.00

Add to Cart

SENTE Exfoliating Cleanser

$46.00

Add to Cart

SkinCeuticals Glycolic Renewal Cleanser Gel

$39.00

Add to Cart

ClarityRx Cleanse As Needed 10% Glycolic Cleanser

$45.00

Add to Cart

Murad AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser

$44.00

Add to Cart

Neocutis NEO CLEANSE Exfoliating Skin Cleanser

$40.00

Add to Cart

PCA Skin Facial Wash

$40.00

Add to Cart

Replenix Glycolic Acid Resurfacing Cleanser

$37.00

Add to Cart

Replenix Gly-Sal 5-2 Deep Pore Cleanser

$32.00

Add to Cart

Revision Skincare Brightening Facial Wash

$30.00

Add to Cart

Revision Skincare Purifying Cleansing Gel

$45.00

Add to Cart

SENTE Exfoliating Cleanser

$46.00

Add to Cart

SkinCeuticals Glycolic Renewal Cleanser Gel

$39.00

Add to Cart

ClarityRx Cleanse As Needed 10% Glycolic Cleanser

$45.00

Add to Cart

Murad AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser

$44.00

Add to Cart

Neocutis NEO CLEANSE Exfoliating Skin Cleanser

$40.00

Add to Cart

PCA Skin Facial Wash

$40.00

Add to Cart

Replenix Glycolic Acid Resurfacing Cleanser

$37.00

Add to Cart

Replenix Gly-Sal 5-2 Deep Pore Cleanser

$32.00

Add to Cart

Oily Skin Cleansers To Use in the Morning

The Best Salicylic Acid Cleansers To Use in the Morning For Oily Skin with Melasma

Beta hydroxy acids like salicylic acid work to exfoliate the skin and by doing so, help to remove the pigmentation of melasma, as well as clearing the pores. Salicylic acid can penetrate through sebum into the pores to help prevent blackheads and white heads. It also has strong anti-inflammatory abilities. However, it can be drying, so I prefer this cleanser for oily, and combination types.

Salicylic acid cleansers are also effective for acne treatment.

One of our favorite melasma cleansers is NoLIO Salicylic Acid Cleanser. This face wash for melasma is ideal for oily skin types and a favorite among dermatologists owing to its low pH, which provides additional exfoliating benefits. This melasma cleanser is anti-inflammatory and also contains the antioxidant green tea extract, while zinc promotes skin repair and stearic acid helps to protect the skin barrier.

We also love La Roche-Posay Effaclar Medicated Gel Acne Cleanser, which is the best drugstore face wash for melasma and is available anywhere in the world! The salicylic acid in this melasma cleanser combines with lipo-hydroxy acid to provide a gentle, exfoliating effect that removes impurities from the skin and improves skin texture. For the best results use a complete personalized skin care routine for melasma.

PCA Skin Dry Skin Relief Bar

$62.00

Add to Cart

Replenix Gly-Sal 5-2 Deep Pore Cleanser

$32.00

Add to Cart

Revision Skincare Papaya Enzyme Cleanser

$32.00

Add to Cart

Revision Skincare Purifying Cleansing Gel

$45.00

Add to Cart

CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser for Normal Skin

$14.22

Out of Stock

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Medicated Acne Wash

$12.99

Add to Cart

La Roche-Posay Pigmentclar Brightening Deep Cleanser

$26.99

Out of Stock

Murad Clarifying Cleanser

$34.00

Add to Cart

Obagi CLENZIderm M.D. Daily Care Foaming Cleanser

$49.00

Add to Cart

PCA Skin Blemish Control Bar

$62.00

Add to Cart

PCA Skin Dry Skin Relief Bar

$62.00

Add to Cart

Replenix Gly-Sal 5-2 Deep Pore Cleanser

$32.00

Add to Cart

Revision Skincare Papaya Enzyme Cleanser

$32.00

Add to Cart

Revision Skincare Purifying Cleansing Gel

$45.00

Add to Cart

CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser for Normal Skin

$14.22

Out of Stock

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Medicated Acne Wash

$12.99

Add to Cart

La Roche-Posay Pigmentclar Brightening Deep Cleanser

$26.99

Out of Stock

Murad Clarifying Cleanser

$34.00

Add to Cart

Obagi CLENZIderm M.D. Daily Care Foaming Cleanser

$49.00

Add to Cart

PCA Skin Blemish Control Bar

$62.00

Add to Cart

PCA Skin Dry Skin Relief Bar

$62.00

Add to Cart

Replenix Gly-Sal 5-2 Deep Pore Cleanser

$32.00

Add to Cart

Revision Skincare Papaya Enzyme Cleanser

$32.00

Add to Cart

Revision Skincare Purifying Cleansing Gel

$45.00

Add to Cart

CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser for Normal Skin

$14.22

Out of Stock

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Medicated Acne Wash

$12.99

Add to Cart

La Roche-Posay Pigmentclar Brightening Deep Cleanser

$26.99

Out of Stock

Murad Clarifying Cleanser

$34.00

Add to Cart

Obagi CLENZIderm M.D. Daily Care Foaming Cleanser

$49.00

Add to Cart

PCA Skin Blemish Control Bar

$62.00

Add to Cart

The Best Cleansers to Use in the Evening to Treat Melasma

The low pH cleanser we recommend to use in the morning should not be used at night. Instead, we recommend using these melasma face cleansers at nighttime. They do a great job of removing oil, dirt, sunscreen and makeup. You should always wash you face before you go to sleep. Your skin has a circadian rhythm and spends the night repairing itself- not protecting itself- so you want all of the day’s pollution off of your skin.

The best evening cleanser for you depends upon your Baumann Skin Type. Here are some of our favorites:

Cleansers To Use in the Evening for Dry Skin

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel Cleanser for Oily Skin

$16.99

Add to Cart

La Roche-Posay Toleriane Purifying Foaming Cream Cleanser

$7.99

Out of Stock

Murad Refreshing Cleanser

$42.00

Out of Stock

Obagi CLENZIderm M.D. Daily Care Foaming Cleanser

$49.00

Add to Cart

Bioderma Sensibio Foaming Gel Cleanser

$7.19

Add to Cart

Biopelle Tensage Gentle Gel Cleanser

$33.00

Out of Stock

CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser for Normal to Oily Skin

$5.49

Out of Stock

DefenAge 1-Step Multi-Cleanse

$44.00

Add to Cart

EltaMD Foaming Facial Cleanser

$18.00

Add to Cart

Filorga Foam Cleanser Fash Wash and Makeup Remover

$34.00

Out of Stock

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel Cleanser for Oily Skin

$16.99

Add to Cart

La Roche-Posay Toleriane Purifying Foaming Cream Cleanser

$7.99

Out of Stock

Murad Refreshing Cleanser

$42.00

Out of Stock

Obagi CLENZIderm M.D. Daily Care Foaming Cleanser

$49.00

Add to Cart

Bioderma Sensibio Foaming Gel Cleanser

$7.19

Add to Cart

Biopelle Tensage Gentle Gel Cleanser

$33.00

Out of Stock

CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser for Normal to Oily Skin

$5.49

Out of Stock

DefenAge 1-Step Multi-Cleanse

$44.00

Add to Cart

EltaMD Foaming Facial Cleanser

$18.00

Add to Cart

Filorga Foam Cleanser Fash Wash and Makeup Remover

$34.00

Out of Stock

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel Cleanser for Oily Skin

$16.99

Add to Cart

La Roche-Posay Toleriane Purifying Foaming Cream Cleanser

$7.99

Out of Stock

Murad Refreshing Cleanser

$42.00

Out of Stock

Obagi CLENZIderm M.D. Daily Care Foaming Cleanser

$49.00

Add to Cart

Bioderma Sensibio Foaming Gel Cleanser

$7.19

Add to Cart

Biopelle Tensage Gentle Gel Cleanser

$33.00

Out of Stock

CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser for Normal to Oily Skin

$5.49

Out of Stock

DefenAge 1-Step Multi-Cleanse

$44.00

Add to Cart

EltaMD Foaming Facial Cleanser

$18.00

Add to Cart

Filorga Foam Cleanser Fash Wash and Makeup Remover

$34.00

Out of Stock

Cleansers To Use in the Evening for Oily Skin

PCA Skin Daily Cleansing Oil

$46.00

Add to Cart

Medature Plantract Cleansing Gel

$11.67

Add to Cart

Replenix Green Tea Gentle Soothing Cleanser

$38.00

Add to Cart

Revision Skincare Gentle Cleansing Lotion

$50.00

Add to Cart

CeraVe Hydrating Cream to Foam Cleanser for Normal to Dry Skin

$5.49

Out of Stock

CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser for Normal to Dry Skin

$5.49

Out of Stock

La Roche-Posay Toleriane Dermo Milky Cleanser

$25.99

Add to Cart

Murad Renewing Cleansing Cream

$42.00

Add to Cart

Neocutis NEO CLEANSE Gentle Skin Cleanser

$40.00

Add to Cart

Obagi-C FX System C-Cleansing Gel

$49.00

Add to Cart

PCA Skin Daily Cleansing Oil

$46.00

Add to Cart

Medature Plantract Cleansing Gel

$11.67

Add to Cart

Replenix Green Tea Gentle Soothing Cleanser

$38.00

Add to Cart

Revision Skincare Gentle Cleansing Lotion

$50.00

Add to Cart

CeraVe Hydrating Cream to Foam Cleanser for Normal to Dry Skin

$5.49

Out of Stock

CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser for Normal to Dry Skin

$5.49

Out of Stock

La Roche-Posay Toleriane Dermo Milky Cleanser

$25.99

Add to Cart

Murad Renewing Cleansing Cream

$42.00

Add to Cart

Neocutis NEO CLEANSE Gentle Skin Cleanser

$40.00

Add to Cart

Obagi-C FX System C-Cleansing Gel

$49.00

Add to Cart

PCA Skin Daily Cleansing Oil

$46.00

Add to Cart

Medature Plantract Cleansing Gel

$11.67

Add to Cart

Replenix Green Tea Gentle Soothing Cleanser

$38.00

Add to Cart

Revision Skincare Gentle Cleansing Lotion

$50.00

Add to Cart

CeraVe Hydrating Cream to Foam Cleanser for Normal to Dry Skin

$5.49

Out of Stock

CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser for Normal to Dry Skin

$5.49

Out of Stock

La Roche-Posay Toleriane Dermo Milky Cleanser

$25.99

Add to Cart

Murad Renewing Cleansing Cream

$42.00

Add to Cart

Neocutis NEO CLEANSE Gentle Skin Cleanser

$40.00

Add to Cart

Obagi-C FX System C-Cleansing Gel

$49.00

Add to Cart

The Best Scrubs For Melasma

You can use a facial scrub 2-3 times a week to make the skin more radiant and prompt exfoliation. You can use it in the am or the pm- but make sure you use it at a time you want to look radiant because you will get a short term glowing effect. Do not use if you skin feels irritated, tender or stings which can happen if you are using retinoids.

Exfoliating the skin with a facial scrub can help to lighten the pigmentation of melasma by removing dead skin cells on the surface of the skin.

The best facial scrub for melasma is Pidanti Smoothing Polish Face and Body Scrub, which gently removes dead skin cells and leaves a smooth, even-toned appearance. The exfoliating beads are not too sharp so they will not injure your skin or cause irritation. This melasma cleanser combines glycolic acid and salicylic acid, as well as green tea extract to provide a soothing effect, and arbutin and ascorbyl palmitate to brighten the skin.

Other scrubs we like:

Obagi Professional-C Microdermabrasion Polish + Mask 30%

$89.00

Add to Cart

PCA Skin Daily Exfoliant

$48.00

Add to Cart

Revision Skincare Finishing Touch

$58.00

Out of Stock

Revision Skincare Pumpkin Enzyme Mask

$54.00

Add to Cart

ClarityRx Down + Dirty Detoxifying Charcoal Microexfoliant

$37.00

Add to Cart

ClarityRx Get Clean Crushed Bamboo Exfoliator

$37.00

Add to Cart

Filorga SCRUB & MASK Exfoliating Bubble Mask

$64.00

Out of Stock

La Roche-Posay Ultra-Fine Facial Scrub

$19.99

Out of Stock

Murad Vita-C Exfoliating Facial

$79.00

Add to Cart

Obagi 360 Exfoliating Cleanser

$45.00

Out of Stock

Obagi Professional-C Microdermabrasion Polish + Mask 30%

$89.00

Add to Cart

PCA Skin Daily Exfoliant

$48.00

Add to Cart

Revision Skincare Finishing Touch

$58.00

Out of Stock

Revision Skincare Pumpkin Enzyme Mask

$54.00

Add to Cart

ClarityRx Down + Dirty Detoxifying Charcoal Microexfoliant

$37.00

Add to Cart

ClarityRx Get Clean Crushed Bamboo Exfoliator

$37.00

Add to Cart

Filorga SCRUB & MASK Exfoliating Bubble Mask

$64.00

Out of Stock

La Roche-Posay Ultra-Fine Facial Scrub

$19.99

Out of Stock

Murad Vita-C Exfoliating Facial

$79.00

Add to Cart

Obagi 360 Exfoliating Cleanser

$45.00

Out of Stock

Obagi Professional-C Microdermabrasion Polish + Mask 30%

$89.00

Add to Cart

PCA Skin Daily Exfoliant

$48.00

Add to Cart

Revision Skincare Finishing Touch

$58.00

Out of Stock

Revision Skincare Pumpkin Enzyme Mask

$54.00

Add to Cart

ClarityRx Down + Dirty Detoxifying Charcoal Microexfoliant

$37.00

Add to Cart

ClarityRx Get Clean Crushed Bamboo Exfoliator

$37.00

Add to Cart

Filorga SCRUB & MASK Exfoliating Bubble Mask

$64.00

Out of Stock

La Roche-Posay Ultra-Fine Facial Scrub

$19.99

Out of Stock

Murad Vita-C Exfoliating Facial

$79.00

Add to Cart

Obagi 360 Exfoliating Cleanser

$45.00

Out of Stock

Be Gentle

Alpha hydroxy acid cleansers, beta hydroxy acid cleansers and facial exfoliating scrubs used for melasma must be used gently to prevent inflammation.

Wear a Sunscreen

Alpha hydroxy acid cleansers, beta hydroxy acid cleansers and facial exfoliating scrubs used for melasma can increase the skin’s sensitivity to the sun by taking away the top dead layer of skin cells called the stratum corneum. This layer does not give you much sun protection, but if you spend a significant time outdoors. low pH cleansers may not be the best option for you.

Whether or not you get sun exposure, it is essential to always finish your skin care routine with a daily SPF. Melasma suffers should use sunscreen every day- even indoors, because light that comes through windows and off of your phone and computer screens can worsen melasma. Choose tinted sunscreens because they have iron oxides in them that block blue light.

Here are some tinted noncomedogenic chemical sunscreen options to use when you have melasma. (I chose chemical because it is the best way to block a broad spectrum of light):

DSNT 2 Acne – Essentials Bundle

$106.00

Add to Cart

DSPW 3 Acne – Essentials Bundle

$115.00

Add to Cart

DSNW 4 Acne – Essentials Bundle

$122.00

Out of Stock

OSPT 5 Acne – Essentials Bundle

$100.00

Add to Cart

EltaMD UV Clear Tinted Broad-Spectrum SPF 46

$46.00

Add to Cart

EltaMD UV Daily Tinted Broad-Spectrum SPF 40

$42.00

Add to Cart

Revision Skincare Intellishade Matte SPF 45

$86.00

Add to Cart

SkinMedica Essential Defense Mineral Shield SPF 32 Sunscreen Tinted

$40.00

Add to Cart

MDSolarSciences Tint + Tone SPF 50

$40.00

Out of Stock

DSPT 1 Acne – Essentials Bundle

$115.00

Add to Cart

DSNT 2 Acne – Essentials Bundle

$106.00

Add to Cart

DSPW 3 Acne – Essentials Bundle

$115.00

Add to Cart

DSNW 4 Acne – Essentials Bundle

$122.00

Out of Stock

OSPT 5 Acne – Essentials Bundle

$100.00

Add to Cart

EltaMD UV Clear Tinted Broad-Spectrum SPF 46

$46.00

Add to Cart

EltaMD UV Daily Tinted Broad-Spectrum SPF 40

$42.00

Add to Cart

Revision Skincare Intellishade Matte SPF 45

$86.00

Add to Cart

SkinMedica Essential Defense Mineral Shield SPF 32 Sunscreen Tinted

$40.00

Add to Cart

MDSolarSciences Tint + Tone SPF 50

$40.00

Out of Stock

DSPT 1 Acne – Essentials Bundle

$115.00

Add to Cart

DSNT 2 Acne – Essentials Bundle

$106.00

Add to Cart

DSPW 3 Acne – Essentials Bundle

$115.00

Add to Cart

DSNW 4 Acne – Essentials Bundle

$122.00

Out of Stock

OSPT 5 Acne – Essentials Bundle

$100.00

Add to Cart

EltaMD UV Clear Tinted Broad-Spectrum SPF 46

$46.00

Add to Cart

EltaMD UV Daily Tinted Broad-Spectrum SPF 40

$42.00

Add to Cart

Revision Skincare Intellishade Matte SPF 45

$86.00

Add to Cart

SkinMedica Essential Defense Mineral Shield SPF 32 Sunscreen Tinted

$40.00

Add to Cart

MDSolarSciences Tint + Tone SPF 50

$40.00

Out of Stock

DSPT 1 Acne – Essentials Bundle

$115.00

Add to Cart

What’s the Best Skin Care Routine for Melasma?

You need two different cleansers to treat melasma. However, they will work best as part of a complete skincare routine containing skin lightening ingredients.

Custom Dermatologist-Recommended Melasma Skin Routine

This cleanser advice will help you choose a cleanser- but cleansers alone will not cure your melasma. Take the time to learn your Baumann Skin Type and then follow the “Build a regimen” steps and we will guide you to the best skincare products to treat your melasma and other skin issues.