10 Best Cleansing Milk in India 2021 (Himalaya, Lakme, and more)

Let us introduce our list of the best cleansing milk available in the market that will give your skincare routine a luxurious and indulgent feel. Some top brands listed below include Lakme, Khadi, and Himalaya.

Formulated with lightweight emollients and oil, cleansing milk is a cream cleanser that's milder than its counterparts. It is ideal for dry and combination skin types but doesn't work best for oily and acne-prone skin as it locks in moisture, which will result in your face looking extra oily.

Cleansing milk is packed with some serious makeup removing power, so you can get rid of waterproof mascara without losing on your precious lashes. It is non-lathering and does not require water to activate it.

Cleansing milk is a gentle and effective formula that cleanses your skin by removing all traces of makeup along with oil and impurities. It deep cleanses clogged pores, leaving behind clean and clear skin.

However, there is no universally accepted cleanser for all skin types; different skin types require different formulas. So, here’s a buying guide to help you choose the right formula.

Although cleansing milk is a reasonably simple product, it is important to understand your skin type while picking one. Cleansing milk is a premier irritation-free way of removing impurities and makeup that works on all types of skin.

But if you need a targeted formula, there are a variety of products available for oily, dry and sensitive skin. Here’s how you can differentiate between them to get the best results for your skin type.

Water is one of the most common ingredients in cleansing milk. If you’ll read the labels carefully, it is also one of the first ingredients listed. Water-based cleansing milk boosts hydration and keeps skin soft while washing out the makeup and sunscreen.

The best part about using a water-based product is that your skin won’t break out and stretch. In fact, it will give your face a uniquely luxurious texture without making it oily or greasy. It will also make sure your skin stays well nourished and moisturised.

A moisturising agent is another popular ingredient of cleansing milk. To maintain the simple, gentle formula, brands derive moisturiser from natural ingredients, including green tea, bamboo leaf, cactus fruit, etc. All these natural ingredients thoroughly moisturise the skin without drying out or irritating it.

Apart from these, certain types of cleansing milks are infused with hyaluronic acid, which assists in water retention and glycerine (draws moisture into the skin) production. Whether you've excessively dry or combination skin, you should give moisture-based cleansing milk a try.

Oil-based formula dissolves makeup, impurities and excess oil while nourishing the skin. Cleansing milks are infused with essential oils like eucalyptus and lavender to calm and soothe dry and itchy skin.

People with acne-prone or sensitive skin should stay away from oil-based cleansing milk as they might experience irritation from oil. Acne-prone skin requires many drying ingredients like salicylic acid (a beta-hydroxy acid that reduces acne by exfoliating the skin) to maintain skin’s pH without drying it out completely.

Shea butter is one of the top calming ingredients in cleansing milk. If you experience mild acne or your face is sunburned, the anti-inflammatory properties of shea butter will help keep redness at bay.

However, if you have more serious acne, you may want to avoid using cleansing milk with shea butter as you might find it heavy on your skin, which might cause breakouts. But cleansing milk consisting of shea butter thoroughly remove dirt, oil and makeup while keeping the skin hydrated.

It is important to look for products that are gentle on your skin and free from harmful ingredients. Ingredients such as drying alcohols, fragrances/dyes, essential oils, are harmful to the skin, especially acne-prone and sensitive skin, as they can cause inflammation in the skin.

Inflammation and irritation disrupt our skin’s ability to hold on to vital fatty acids and other emollients that keep skin smooth and soft – which over time leads to dry and cracked skin. Cleansing milk with harsh surfactants like SLS has an alkaline pH i.e., a pH level greater than 8. The optimal pH value of skin on our face and bodies lies between 4.7 and 5.75.

This negatively impacts the acid mantle of the skin by causing irritation and increasing the presence of bacteria. Whereas, cleansing milk with milder surfactants such as Sodium Laureth Sulphate (SLES) in combination with Cocoamidopropyl Betaine (CAPB) and Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate have a pH closer to that of skin, i.e., less than 6, and are much gentler on skin.

Choosing ingredients that work best for your skin, and avoiding those that are harmful is a great way to start your skincare routine. But it is equally important to choose products that maintain your skin in the longer run.

Cleansing milk with ceramides, non-fragrant plant oils, fatty acids, and antioxidants works amazingly to soothe and moisturise the skin. They also boost the cleansing abilities of a product by dissolving makeup and other substances from the skin. So, look for all the useful ingredients and stay wary of harmful ones.

Cleansing milk is most commonly available in creamy gel or liquid consistency, which is easy to massage over the face. However, with its increasing popularity, new formulas are emerging on the market that is equally effective and easy to use.

Cleansing milk wipes are pre-infused with the formula that is great for someone who’s continuously traveling. Bottles take more space and pose a risk of spilling, which you would not want. So, you can carry handy wipes as an easy way to cleanse your skin while on-the-go.

However, we would advise exercising a certain degree of caution with cleansing milk wipes, as they can encourage rubbing and pulling on screen rather than gentle massaging. And this might lead to premature signs of ageing.

Cleansing milk can be used in the morning and/or night, as per your skincare routine. The product is gentle enough to be used twice a day. It should not be used as a traditional cleanser. So, here are proper steps on how to use cleansing milk.

• Gently massage cleanser in a circular motion on your face and neck for a minute or two.
• Remember, you do not need any water to activate cleansing milk.
• Wipe away the product with a damp wipe or rinse off with fresh water.
• Follow your regular skincare routine afterward.

To read more about cleansing milk and its application, read here. 

Whether you have a five or step skincare routine, or you want to keep things simple with a cleanser, lip scrub and CC cream, we’ve rounded up three more skin-related articles for you to take benefits from. Happy reading!

Whether you want to use cleansing milk as an alternative to face wash or want to add a new product to your skincare routine, rest assured it’ll be a perfect addition. With gentle ingredients and nourishing properties, cleansing milk will take care of all your skin woes.

Author: Srishti Sikka