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Whether you have a 20-step routine or are a skincare minimalist, step one is consistently investing in a fantastic cleanser. Throughout the day, your skin soaks everything up–including your makeup, SPF, and pollution that can infiltrate your pores, wreaking havoc and causing breakouts. That's why it's essential to have a cleanser that suits your skin type and concerns, to wash away all that grime at the end of the day.
Cleansers come in so many different forms. If you want to remove makeup, you can invest in a cleansing balm or a makeup remover that takes off your mascara without fuss. If you love foam, there's a cleanser for that. Want to hydrate while you cleanse? We got you covered. Whether you have dry skin, sensitive skin, or skin that's constantly battling breakouts, a face wash can make a huge difference. Here, find the 17 best facial cleansers for every skin type and budget.
Pros
- Affordable
Cons
- Not a lot of product
Doubling as both an everyday cleanser and a makeup removing balm, this product is the cure to severely stripped skin. Too many exfoliants can damage the skin's moisture barrier, which is why this cleanser uses squalane to rehydrate and soothe the skin.
CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser
Pros
- Gentle
Cons
- May not be suited for extremely dry skin
Salicylic acid is one of the most effective ingredients for deep cleaning pores before blackheads make an appearance. This cleanser gives a gentle chemical exfoliation without stripping the skin or irritating it.
Youth To The People Superfood Antioxidant Cleanser
Pros
- Gentle
Cons
- Pricey
For a no-muss, no-fuss cleanser, this one is a standout. Using natural extracts from kale, spinach, and green tea, this cleanser is gentle enough to use every day. It never strips the skin, making it great for sensitive or dry skin types.
Designed to be used on the face or the whole body, this cleanser is the definition of gentle. It's a great option for people with irritated skin types. Whether you're dealing with eczema or acne, this cleanser will definitely not irritate you.
Pros
- Hydrating
Cons
- Pricey
For a one step wonder, consider this makeup remover and cleanser combo. It has a jelly consistency that, beyond being fun to touch, helps melt even the toughest makeup. Just add water, and watch it turn into a milky liquid that washes right off, no residue left behind at all.
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Face Cleanser
Pros
- Gentle
Cons
- Can be messy
If you are both sensitive and dry, it can be hard to find a cleanser that doesn't aggravate or strip your skin. That's where this product comes in. It's incredibly gentle, but still gives a good, deep clean while not removing all those necessary oils from your skin.
Paula's Choice CLEAR Pore Normalizing Cleanser
Pros
- Reduces blemishes
Cons
- May not be suited for extremely sensitive skin
Whether you're dealing with whiteheads, blackheads, or acne in general, this cleanser is a saving grace. It contains salicylic acid to gently exfoliate and deep clean pores, while natural extracts soothe and soften aggravated skin.
First Aid Beauty Pure Skin Face Cleanser
Pros
- Soothing
Cons
- May not be suited for very dry skin
If you're looking for a cleanser that will make your skin feel as zen as you are, try this one. It contains aloe and allantoin which help dramatically soothe irritated skin. Plus, it'll make you feel super soft, which is always a nice bonus.
Tatcha The Rice Wash Skin-Softening Cleanser
Pros
- Hydrating
Cons
- Pricey
All I want is for my face to feel as soft as a baby's. This cleanser is the way to achieve that goal. With algae and hyaluronic acid, this product starts out with a slightly gritty texture but melts into a creamy foam that softens and brightens the skin
Kate Somerville EradiKate Daily Foaming Cleanser
Pros
- Exfoliating
Cons
- Pricey
Whether you're dealing with whiteheads, blackheads, or acne in general, this cleanser is a saving grace. It contains salicylic acid to gently exfoliate and deep clean pores, while natural extracts soothe and soften aggravated skin.
Pros
- Effective
Cons
- Not suited to sensitive skin
This cleanser is not for the fainthearted. 5% benzoyl peroxide is the key ingredient in this product, which makes it a powerful and strong fighter against even the most stubborn forms of acne. Use it carefully–and marvel at the results.
Pros
- Smooths skin
Cons
- Pricey
This cleanser strives to give you blemish-free, smooth skin. Thanks to a combination of natural extracts, this product increases cell turnover for a fresh, glowing complexion that's free from unwanted texture.
Tata Harper Skincare Clarifying Cleanser
Pros
- Exfoliating
Cons
- Pricey
This green beauty cleanser uses both chemical and gentle physical exfoliation to remove dead skin cells and reduce oil that can cause breakouts. With salicylic acid and natural extracts, you'll be left with a beautiful glow and the softest skin of your life.
Pros
- Hydrating
Cons
- May not be suited for oily skin
Parched skin needs extra moisture, but some cleansers are better at stripping than nourishing. This cleansing oil is a holy grail for severely dehydrated skin. Not only does it remove makeup, SPF, and excess sebum, but it also softens the skin at the same time.
Skinfix Acne+ 2% BHA + Azelaic Acid + Niacinamide + AHA Cleanser
Pros
- Effective
Cons
- Pricey
Parched skin needs extra moisture, but some cleansers are better at stripping than nourishing. This cleansing oil is a holy grail for severely dehydrated skin. Not only does it remove makeup, SPF, and excess sebum, but it also softens the skin at the same time.
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Gel Facial Cleanser & Makeup Remover
Pros
- Hydrating
Cons
- May not be suited for very oily skin
A classic amongst skincare fanatics, this gentle cleanser is a must-have if you have dry or sensitive skin. Using hyaluronic acid, this product removes makeup and skincare without stripping the skin. Plus, unlike some hydrating products, it will never clog your pores or cause breakouts.
Pros
- Brightening
Cons
- Some may dislike the scent
To give your skin a boost of radiance, this cleanser uses a host of natural extracts that are rich in antioxidants and vitamin C. It's gentle enough for daily use, while a cocktail of ingredients helps soothe, cleanse, and give back a decent glow.
FAQs
Why is it important to use a great cleanser?
"A face wash arguably is the most important skincare item," says Dr. Ibrahimi. "Picking the right face wash for your skin is key to keeping your skin looking optimal. We all need something that removes excess oil, makeup, dirt and grime without leaving our skin too stripped of our natural sebum and emollients. The right face wash is key to prepping the skin for the remainder of your skincare routine with serums or creams to use afterwards."
What kind of cleanser should you use depending on your skin type?
"If you have oily skin you want to look for ingredients such as salicylic acid–which is a beta hydroxy acid–or benzoyl peroxide," says Dr. Lal. "These ingredients help eliminate oil and reduce oil production from your sebaceous glands. If you have dry skin you want to look for cleansers that are going to be hydrating and include things such as glycerin, ceramides, or hyaluronic acid."
What ingredients are key in a cleanser?
"For oily and acne prone skin, my favorite ingredients are salicylic acid, glycolic acid and benzoyl peroxide," says Dr. Ibrahimi. "I prefer these patients use a gel or foam type of face wash. When a patient has more dry skin, you want to avoid the above ingredients and look for things that hydrate and soothe the skin like glycerin, ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and aloe. These ingredients are best delivered in a more creamy face wash."
What ingredients should you avoid in a cleanser?
"Personally, I look for sulfate-free cleaners, which include sodium lauryl sulfate and sodium laureth sulfate," says Dr. Lal. "Sulfates just help cleansers foam which can result in excessive dryness. I also tend to avoid fragrance and fragrance derivatives in cleansers as these can also dry out your skin."
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