The 13 Best Face Washes That Will Purify Your Skin
Cleansers are one of the most essential skincare products made to remove impurities, excess oil, makeup, and debris from the skin’s surface, to promote a clean and youthful skin. A cleanser is typically available in various forms such as foams, gels, creams, and liquids, cleansers cater to diverse skin types and concerns. Finding the best face washes can be a bit tricky, as there are many good and bad face washes, with different types of skincare ingredients, that could possibly irritate your skin. If you’re looking for a cleanser specifically for dry skin, we’ve made a list of the best facial cleansers for dry skin.
So, we’ve reviewed and tested dozens of formulas and chose the 13 best face washes, that will purify your skin.
Our Top Picks:
Best Overall:
Best For Dry Skin:
Best For Oily Skin:
Best For Sensitive Skin:
Best For Redness:
Best For Acne:
Best Exfoliating:
Best Overall
This cleanser is one of the best face washes overall, it’s gentle but still can remove impurities from the skin. It contains heartleaf and quercetinol, which control excess sebum production and minimize the appearance of pores. This cleanser suits all skin types and leaves the skin feeling clean, refreshed, and balanced without stripping away its natural oils.
Best Budget
CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser is packed with ceramides and hyaluronic acid, that restores and maintains the skin’s natural protective barrier while attracting and keeping in moisture. This cleanser suits all skin types, including sensitive skin, as it’s fragrance-free and non-comedogenic. Its creamy texture effortlessly removes dirt, oil, and makeup without stripping the skin of its natural moisture.
Best For Dry Skin
If you have dry skin, this cleanser might be perfect for you, as it is specifically made for dry to normal, sensitive skin. Its soap and fragrance-free formula is gentle and won’t irritate your skin even if you use it daily. The 3 main ingredients – vitamin B5, glycerin, and vitamin B3, will hydrate, soothe, and protect your skin.
Best For Oily Skin
This cleanser is specifically made for people with oily skin, providing deep cleansing without alcohol. It’s ideal for those, who seek to manage shine and maintain a matte complexion throughout the day. The light fragrance in this face wash adds a refreshing touch to your skincare routine.
Best For Sensitive Skin
Vanicream gentle facial cleanser is ideal for individuals with sensitive skin, who seek a gentle yet effective facial cleanser. Its gentle formula effectively cleanses the skin without stripping away its natural oils. One reviewer says “I absolutely LOVE this face wash!! It comes out as a clear solution and then turns into a gentle foaming consistency to help cleanse the skin and give you that CLEAN feeling.”
Best For Normal Skin
The Youth To The People Cleanser is made with kale, green tea, glycerin, and vitamin B5 + E to protect, hydrate, and soothe the skin. This gentle cleanser is suitable for all skin types, even sensitive ones, as it is free from harsh chemicals and alcohol, and it could also help to minimize the pores.
Best For Redness
This cleanser efficiently removes makeup and impurities from your skin. It’s infused with oat kernel oil known for its soothing and nourishing properties. The most notable attribute of this cleansing balm is its ability to diminish redness. The only downside is that it may leave an oily residue after use. One reviewer says “This product works as well as others out there that are much more expensive. It’s not as harsh on the skin as other makeup removers, helping to keep the moisture in the face. The smell and texture are nice as well, not overpowering.”
Best For Acne
If you’re looking for a face wash that is effective in combating acne and blemishes, this might be the one for you. This cleanser is specifically made for deep skin cleansing and can penetrate deep into pores, addressing the root cause of acne. The main ingredient is benzoyl peroxide, which not only reduces inflammation and redness but also prevents future breakouts.
Best Anti Aging
This cleanser is packed with vitamin C and glycolic acid, two potent ingredients, that will deliver a brighter and smoother complexion. This cleanser is free from harmful chemicals that may potentially irritate or damage mature skin.
Best Gel
iS CLINICAL Cleanser might be expensive, but it’s really effective in removing impurities from the skin and addressing skin concerns like acne and blemishes. The main ingredients are salicylic, glycolic acids, and Centella Asiatica, which helps with premature aging, exfoliating, and cleaning pores.
Best Exfoliating
Pacifica Beauty Glow Daily Face Cleanser is an amazing and effective cleanser. It’s packed with AHAs, vitamin C, and vanilla extract, which helps to exfoliate and promote skin glow, with a pleasant scent. It’s free of sulfates and parabens, making it a safe and gentle option for people with sensitive skin.
Best Hydrating
Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Hydrating Cleanser is one of the best face washes that hydrates. This cleanser is made with minimal ingredients, most notable is glycerin, but it still can remove impurities from the skin, and not trigger an allergic reaction.
Best Foaming
This cleanser is packed with enzymes, which helps to smooth the skin. It’s free from harsh chemicals, and parabens, making it ideal for sensitive skin or conditions such as eczema or rosacea.
What to look for in a good face wash?
There are face washes which could be called bad or good, but when choosing a face wash everything comes down to your skin needs and concerns.
For oily skin: You should look for foaming or gel-based cleansers with ingredients that can help unclog pores, control oil, and fight Propionibacterium acnes, which can cause acne.
For dry skin: Look for hydrating, cream-based cleansers that are infused with hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, aloe vera, and more.
For combination skin: Look for a balanced, gentle cleanser that isn’t over-drying or over-moisturizing. It should contain ingredients, like niacinamide, hyaluronic, lactic, glycolic acids, aloe vera, and many more. It’s tricky with combination skin, so you should test many cleansers to pick the best choice.
For sensitive skin: Look for a gentle cleanser free of harsh chemicals, and packed with soothing ingredients like panthenol, aloe vera, and chamomile.