As the first step in your skin-care routine, face wash plays a very important role in keeping your skin balanced. Too harsh of a cleanser can strip the skin of precious natural oils, while too light of one won’t effectively wash away extra sebum and product residue, especially if your complexion leans oily. A good cleanser does no harm; after washing your face, your skin should feel refreshed, not tight and parched, while your pores should feel clear and primed for a serum or moisturizer. Because it can be tricky to find the perfect one for you, I spoke to 15 skin-care experts from dermatologists to facialists about what to look for, plus which cleansers they recommend for each skin type. If you already have an idea of what you want in mind, skip directly to the section that suits your skin type from our table of contents below. Otherwise, read on for nine options for all different types of skin, from oily to sensitive to dry.
Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser
Backed by three of the experts I spoke to, this Cetaphil face wash features powerful ingredients like glycerin to hydrate, vitamin B5 to protect the skin’s barriers, and niacinamide, which smoothes and helps retain moisture. Plus, this noncomedogenic face wash “works on every skin type, even sensitive skin,” according to Raleigh-based Dr. Sheel Desai Solomon, who has recommended it to patients with acne, eczema, and rosacea. It’s nothing fancy, and honestly, won’t be life-changing, but it’s a simple, soap-free, hypoallergenic, and fragrance-free cleanser that removes dirt, oil, and makeup without stripping the skin or causing irritation. The best part is it’s extremely affordable, allowing you to focus your dollar on other products like moisturizers and serums that have a longer-lasting impact on your skin.
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser
Dermatologists seemed to like CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser and this La Roche-Posay pick equally for dry skin. The CeraVe face wash has hyaluronic acid, which the La Roche-Posay cleanser doesn’t include. But in our expert opinion, the La Roche-Posay might actually be a little bit better because you get an ounce more product for the same price, and it has more actives than the CeraVe, including ceramides, glycerin, and niacinamide. It also features the brand’s famed thermal spring water, which hydrates and soothes irritated, dry skin thanks to its antioxidant properties. Ami Dalal, a certified physician assistant with Schweiger Dermatology Group, specifically calls out the glycerin within the formula, because it’s “a wonderful ingredient that helps hydrate your skin without the overproduction of oil.”
Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne-Fighting Facial Cleanser With Salicylic Acid
Those with acne-prone skin should strongly consider using a cleanser with either salicylic acid, which reduces swelling and inflammation as it unclogs pores, or benzoyl peroxide, an antiseptic that decreases the amount of bacteria on your skin to prevent future breakouts. We deep-dive into all the best options here if you’d like to shop around, but overall, this Neutrogena cleanser with salicylic acid might just be your best bet, according to the dermatologists we consulted. It only has 2 percent salicylic acid, so it’s gentle enough for sensitive skin while still being able to tame serious breakouts. The gel texture also makes it particularly good for treating oily skin without drying it out.
Youth to the People Superfood Antioxidant Cleanser
Much like a foaming face wash, a gel one will work best for those with oily or acne-prone skin because it can cut through excess oil on the skin’s surface (and inside pores). But the downside of gel face washes is that many can be too drying, causing more harm than good. Dr. Corey L. Hartman, founder of Skin Wellness Dermatology in Birmingham, Alabama, and Dr. Hope Mitchell, founder of Mitchell Dermatology in Perrysburg, Ohio, say this face wash is an exception. It’s formulated with organic antioxidants like kale, spinach, and green tea, which Mitchell says “boost moisture in the skin, provide anti-inflammatory protection,” and won’t “leave the skin dry or tight.”
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