The 11 Best Face Washes, Tested and Expert-Approved

Good Molecules is one of the best gel cleansers on the market, providing a gentle, creamy consistency that cleanses skin, rinses off easily, and locks in moisture.

Within a few days of using this face wash regularly, our tester, Kara Wahlgren, noticed that her pores were clearer, especially in her normal trouble spots. It also evened out her skin tone, which normally would have some redness in the heat. Wahlgren also liked that it rinses off easily and left her skin feeling soft, hydrated, and clean.

This product is fragrance-free, certified vegan, and cruelty-free. It’s also a great option for people with sensitive or combination skin who prefer non-foaming cleansers.

Runner-Up: Madeca Derma Botanic Cleansing Gel is also a solid option, as it contains plant-based vitamins from vegetables like kale and celery. It’s also a gentle, hypoallergenic formula. Our tester, Brittany Scanniello, RD, found this cleanser to “clean well without leaving [her] skin feeling dry.”

If you prefer the feel of a cream-based cleanser to wash your face, SkinCeuticals’ cream face cleanser is our top choice for its lightweight texture. One of our testers, Lili Ladaga, says her skin felt moisturized and soft after using this cleanser. Because of this, she didn’t have to apply moisturizer to her skin afterward like she normally would. It also successfully removed her waterproof makeup.

According to Dr. Zeichner, this face wash uses a mild, amino acid–based cleansing system that lathers without disrupting the outer skin layer. He says it also includes a blend of botanical extracts, such as orange oil and glycerin, to soothe and hydrate the skin, while the cleanser removes dirt and impurities.

It is technically fragrance-free, but Ladaga says that it does have a distinct citrus-orange scent due to the presence of orange oil. It is free of parabens, soap, dyes, sulfates, and alcohol. Based on tester and expert feedback, this cream-based cleanser may be suitable for those with dry, sensitive, and even post-procedure skin.

Runner-Up: Dermalogica Skin Resurfacing Cleanser

This cream-based cleanser contains antioxidants and rose flower oil to nourish and soothe skin. It was also well-received by our tester, Eve Lederman, whose skin felt “super clean, smooth, and creamy” after use.

If you love the deep-clean feeling of a foaming cleanser, Laneige Water Bank Blue Hyaluronic Cleansing Foam starts as a moisturizing cream and foams up instantly upon mixing with water.

Our tester, Raki Swanson, says Laneige’s cleanser is “very creamy and silky,” with a texture that’s almost “mousse-ish.” It left her face feeling clean without being dried out. She cautions that one should only apply a dime-sized amount, as a little goes a long way, and it can quickly spread and foam up upon contact with water.

And even though packaging isn’t the most important quality, we also love how this cleanser comes in sleek, eye-catching packaging that looks as good on your counter as it does on your skin.

Runner-Up: La Roche-Posay Toleriane Purifying Foaming Facial Cleanser is a close runner-up for its gentle formula and positive tester reviews. Our tester, Alexandra Ginos, RD, says, “I really enjoyed the foaming lather and how my skin felt afterward, and it took my makeup off well.”

Dove’s Beauty Bar is a nourishing option for smoother skin when seeking a simple bar cleanser. It has a slightly creamy texture, and our tester, Katharine Chan, says she loved how soft and hydrated her skin felt after using it. It didn’t leave her skin feeling tight like other bar soaps have, either.

“The Dove Beauty Bar cleanses while restoring moisture, making it a great option for those who prefer a bar that won’t dry out the skin,” says Garshick.

“I used it on both my face and body in the shower, which made my routine more efficient as a busy mom,” says Chan.

Chan says this beauty bar has a strong, flowery scent, which may be a bit much for some people. If you’re sensitive to smells, a fragrance-free version is available.

Runner-Up: Ballou Family Apothecary's Cold-Pressed Soap Bar is nourishing and free of harsh and synthetic ingredients and detergents. Our tester, Amy Fischer, RD, who has sensitive skin and rosacea, says it was one of the best traditional bars she’s tried. But she says that it may cause minor, short-term redness in those with very sensitive skin, such as her own.

Glossier’s Milky Jelly Cleanser is a dream for dry skin, as it nourishes and hydrates without stripping your skin of its natural barrier. This cleanser is a gel-cream suitable for all skin types, but is especially ideal for those with dry skin due to its milky gel texture and rosewater infusion that leaves skin feeling clean but moisturized.

“This gentle, creamy cleanser supports the skin barrier and keeps skin feeling soft and hydrated,” says Garshick.

Our tester, Nicole Bonaccorso, who has dry skin, describes this cleanser as “especially ideal for those with dry skin, due to its milky gel texture that leaves skin feeling clean but not stripped of moisture.” She also says her face felt softer, smoother, and more hydrated with regular use.

Glossier’s cleanser combines a pH-balanced gel-cream face wash with a milky gel texture, and is said to be suitable for people with sensitive skin or those who wear contact lenses. But Bonaccorso didn’t feel it adequately removed a full face of makeup. It also has a very mild, rose-like scent that fades quickly after use; however, our tester notes that it may still be too strong for someone with very sensitive skin.

Runner-Up: IT Cosmetics Confidence in a Cleanser is a creamy gel with hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid and ceramides for dry skin. Our tester, Mary Sauer, who has dry skin, says, “I did find it delivered on the promise of being moisturizing.” And she adds, “I’m a big fan of this one.”

According to Garshick, this cleanser balances excess oil and helps minimize pores, leaving skin fresh. Our tester, Sarah Garone, also had some good feedback to share: “It may be best for those with oily skin, since witch hazel is a good astringent. My skin feels very refreshed after using this, clean without feeling dry, and brighter. The acidity of the witch hazel adds sort of a zingy feeling.”

This cleanser also comes with a pump for easier, mess-free dispensing. It’s also free from alcohol, fragrances, soap, parabens, sulfates, and gluten. Even though it’s fragrance-free, Garone says that the witch hazel smell is a bit overpowering.

Runner-Up: Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser (Fragrance-Free) is formulated to reduce the appearance of pores and cleanse oily skin without stripping all moisture. Our tester, Brittany Vargas, can attest to this: “My skin feels clean but not overly dry and tight. Compared to other cleansers, it’s less moisturizing, but doesn’t strip the skin like many cleansers designed for combination to oily skin do. I do feel it takes my makeup/oil/dirt off really well.”

A great option for mature skin, Hydrinity Prelude’s Facial Treatment Cleanser uses special technology to draw out some of the culprits leading to aging skin. This “MicroFusion Technology” is said to remove irritants such as makeup, excess oil, and other micro-pollutants that can trigger redness, inflammation, and premature skin aging.

Our tester, Amy Fischer, who reports having dry, aging skin, was really impressed with this cleanser: “I loved it — it smells so clean and light.” She’s tried many other face washes that have irritated her skin, but she tolerated this one very well. “My skin felt moisturized, not tight or dry at all.” She says it has a lighter lather, just enough to cleanse your face and makeup without being overly foamy.

“This cleanser hydrates and supports skin barrier health, making it ideal for mature, drier skin. It also contains jojoba seed oil, aloe to calm and soothe the skin, and gentle exfoliants to improve overall skin tone and texture,” says Garshick.

We acknowledge that this is one of the pricier products on our list, but our tester felt it was well worth the cost if it fits your budget.

Runner-Up: Beau Domaine, The Cleansing Emulsion is also enriched with an antioxidant and anti-aging formula containing olive oil, grape water, and grape seed extracts. Our tester, Marisa Olsen, says, “I think my skin found a nice balance and felt clean and nourished.” She adds that the cleanser has a “beautiful, natural floral and woodsy scent that was very elegant and elevated.”

Our tester, Sadie Crouch, noticed a difference right after using this face wash. She felt that her skin was thoroughly cleaned and freshened after the first use. She appreciated how exfoliating it felt without having to scrub hard. It also worked to remove her mascara, but she had to scrub a bit to do so.

Note that this is a foamy cleanser, and it can get a little messy. Because of this, Crouch recommends using it in the shower instead of over the sink, so you can just let the shower water wash it off.

Runner-Up: Arbonne Clear Future Deep Pore Acne Cleanser is another quality acne-fighting cleanser, as it employs 0.5 percent salicylic acid to penetrate pores and reduce oil. Our tester, Jen Sinclair, has acne-prone skin, and she tested this face wash for eight days. “I have continued to use it and haven’t had any issues with a breakout, which is rare,” she says.

The absence of these ingredients in this cleanser can give people with eczema added peace of mind. It’s also said to be safe for those with rosacea, another skin condition that can cause redness and inflammation.

“This cleanser helps to get rid of makeup, dirt, and excess oil, but is free of common irritants found in other cleansers such as fragrance, dyes, parabens, formaldehyde, and other preservatives, making it a great option for those with sensitive or eczema-prone skin,” says Garshick.

Our tester, Alexandra Klausner, who has rosacea, says this cleanser didn’t irritate her skin, was gentle, and made her skin look healthy and shiny. She says it rinsed off very easily, leaving her skin feeling clean and refreshed.

Runner-Up: skinfix Eczema + Pre-biotic Foaming Oil Face + Body Cleanser is an oil-based cleanser we love for its moisturizing, calming, and hypoallergenic ingredients for people with eczema. Our tester, Nicole LaMarco, who has eczema, says, “My eczema-prone skin felt calmer (less itchy) and more hydrated than with regular soap.”

Neutrogena’s Hydro Boost Hydrating Facial Cleanser Gel is our top pick for removing makeup. It gently washes away dirt, oil, and makeup, while leaving skin feeling soft and smooth. While it’s advertised as a gel, our tester, Sarah Bradley, describes it as more of a liquid than a solid gel.

Bradley says that her skin felt more moisturized than with her usual cleanser. She describes it as a “nice, hydration-promoting cleanser that made her face feel clean but not overly dry. I felt I didn’t need to use my night cream after washing my face with it, and didn’t notice a major difference in terms of dryness.” She says that the moisturized feeling didn’t last long, but it is supposed to be used twice a day.

This cleanser is formulated without soap, parabens, dyes, phthalates, and alcohol, which can be irritating for those with more-sensitive skin. It’s advertised as unscented; however, it does contain fragrance on its list of ingredients, and Bradley felt like the perfume-like scent was a bit too strong.

This cleanser may be suitable for those seeking a hydrating cleanser that effectively removes makeup, provided that you aren’t sensitive to fragrances.

Runner-Up: Fresh Soy Face Cleanser is a gel-based cleanser that effectively removes makeup. According to our tester, Eve Lederman, this face wash “absolutely delivers on its promise to remove makeup. It fully removed liquid foundation, mascara, and eyebrow pencil with one wash.”

“This affordable gel cleanser delivers hydration with glycerin at a drugstore price while gently but effectively removing buildup,” says Garshick.

Our tester, Kimberly Dawn Neumann, has this to say about it: “The cleanser comes out of the pump as a clear gel. Once you rub your hands together vigorously, the clear gel morphs into a nice foamy, frothy consistency that is easily applied to the face. It’s reminiscent of a foaming hand soap you’d get from Bath & Body Works, minus all of the artificial scents and colors.”

And while many cleansers claim to be fragrance-free, Neumann confirms that this product has absolutely no scent. She admits to being particularly sensitive to smells due to her migraines, and she did not smell anything.

This cleanser is also free of soaps, parabens, sulfates, alcohols, and dyes. It was developed with dermatologists in mind, making it ideal for sensitive skin. After use, Neumann said her skin felt clean, without being overly stripped. It also removed her waterproof mascara without the need for additional products. Overall, Neutrogena’s foaming cleanser is suitable for those seeking an affordable, fragrance-free option.

Runner-Up: Simple Micellar Facial Gel Wash is another budget-friendly option, priced at just over $8 for 5 oz. Our tester, Brittany Scanniello, suggests this as a budget-conscious pick and says: “Overall, I liked this product, and my skin felt clean and decently hydrated. I prefer my normal facial cleanser, but yes, I would consider it if I were looking for a basic wash suitable for sensitive skin.”