Good skin care starts with a good cleanser and the best face washes don’t just clean skin and remove makeup, they also address any skin care concerns you might have. Whether you’re dealing with breakouts, oily skin or a dry, dull complexion, there’s a face wash designed to help.
The first step in finding the best face wash for you is to identify your skin type and any skin conditions you might have. According to Erin Larson, esthetician and director of brand management and education at HydroPeptide, skin types are genetic and are usually classified as dry, oily, combination and/or sensitive. Skin conditions — such as acne, aging skin and redness — can change depending on lifestyle and environmental factors.
When it comes to determining skin type, Dr. Eva Simmons-O’Brien, FAAD, suggests thinking about what your face feels like throughout the day. After cleansing, does it feel tight? Or does it become greasy soon after washing? The latter points toward oily skin. At noon, is your face looking shiny or matte? Shiny skin likely indicates combination skin. If skin remains relatively matte throughout the day, you probably have dry skin.
To identify skin care conditions, examine your face in the mirror. Fine lines and wrinkles indicate mature skin. Blackheads, whiteheads and/or cystic acne reveal acnegenic skin. Broken capillaries or general flushing are attributed to redness — or couperose — says Larson.
While the majority of good facial cleansers will indicate which skin care concerns they address, it’s helpful to know what to look for in a formula. Elizabeth Jones, advanced instructor for Dermalogica and the International Dermal Institute, says that those with dry skin should look for milky or creamy cleansers formulated with oils that nourish skin. Those with oily or acne-prone skin should try gel-based cleansers. (Cleansers with active ingredients like salicylic acid are especially good for breakouts.) Those with sensitive skin benefit from products with calming formulas that don’t have any fragrances or dyes. Finally, those with aging skin should try milky cleansers with brightening and exfoliating ingredients that target pigmentation.
Now that you’ve identified your skin type and concerns, find the best face wash for you below.
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The Best Face Wash for Every Single Skin Concern (SEO)
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Best Face Wash for Dull Skin
Olay Regenerist Vitamin C + Peptide 24 Brightening Facial Cleanser, $6.99 at Target
Olay's new cleanser boasts both vitamin C and peptides to really get your glow going. There are also gentle exfoliating beads that break down so you can't over scrub. Use morning and night for cleaner, brighter skin.
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Best Face Wash for Dull Skin
Neogen Green Tea Real Fresh Foam Cleanser, $19 at Soko Glam
Rather than relying on highlighter, perk up your complexion with a brightening cleanser. The star ingredient of this foaming wash is fermented green tea extract. Rich in antioxidants, it brightens and hydrates skin. Dealing with dull skin and acne or excess oil? This one's for you.
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Best Face Wash for Dull Skin
Indie Lee Brightening Cleanser, $34 at Indie Lee
Indie Lee's brightening cleanser is rich in hydrolyzed wheat protein and lycopene (from tomatoes). The formula cleanses impurities, moisturizes, firms and boosts radiance. And boy does it smell good (like strawberries).
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Best Face Wash for Dry Skin
Herbivore Botanicals Pink Cloud Creamy Jelly Cleanser, $24 at Sephora
This low-foaming, nondrying, fragrance-free cleanser is ideal for super parched skin. That’s because it boasts hydration powerhouses Tremella mushroom and rose hydrosol. It even has squalane to remove makeup while locking in moisture. The subtle rose scent is just the icing on the cake.
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Best Face Wash for Dry Skin
Aesop Purifying Facial Cream Cleanser, $39 at Nordstrom
Nope, this isn't a hand cream. This nourishing, nonfoaming cleanser is intended for those with dry faces. Its packed full of nourishing fatty acids, white clay, lavender stem, chamomile bud and vitamin E. It also has a subtle rose fragrance that will make any skin care regimen feel more spa-like.
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Best Face Wash for Dry Skin
CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser, $12.59 at Target
This hero cleanser doesn't need fancy packaging — the formula sells itself. It contains Multivesicular Emulsion (MVE) delivery technology, which provides a controlled release of nourishing ceramides throughout the day. That means skin will feel as comfortable in the evening as it did in the morning. The dermatologist-developed formula earns extra points for being noncomedogenic and nonirritating.
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Best Face Wash for Acne
Kate Somerville EradiKate Daily Cleanser Acne Treatment, $40 at Sephora
Acne creams are great and all, but you shouldn't rely on them to do all the work. Start fighting pimples with this cleanser/acne treatment hybrid. The face wash targets pimples, enlarged pores and oiliness using 3 percent sulfur (and does so without overdrying skin). It's also formulated with rice bran extracts to reduce redness. Plus, the whipped texture is a refreshing change from your typical foaming face wash.
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Best Face Wash for Acne
Murad Clarifying Cream Cleanser, $36 at Murad
This dermatologist-developed cleanser contains encapsulated salicylic acid to stop pimples from popping up. The innovative product keeps working long after rinsing. It's well suited for those with adult acne because the anti-aging formula has hyaluronic acid and amino acids to maintain a youthful appearance.
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Best Face Wash for Acne
The Body Shop Tea Tree Skin Clearing Facial Wash, $14.40 at Ulta Beauty
This daily face wash contains tea tree oil sourced all the way from the foothills of Mount Kenya. Not only does the oil remove impurities, it also gives a cooling sensation that's especially welcome on hot, muggy days. The refreshing woodsy scent helps sleepyheads wake up in the morning before they have their lattes.
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Best Face Wash for Oily Skin
Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser, $20.50 at Walmart
This drugstore cleanser is a true classic. The best face wash outshines cleansers double — and even triple — its price. The formula effectively removes excess oil without drying or irritating skin. And the handy pump applicator dispenses the perfect amount of product every time.
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Best Face Wash for Oily Skin
Lush Herbalism Face and Body Cleanser, $40.95 at Lush
Be sure to snap a selfie after applying this striking green (vegan) cleanser to your face. The color stems from chlorophyllin, a vitamin-rich extract from alfalfa plants that helps regulate skin's sebum production. This, combined with kaolin clay, rosemary, nettle, chamomile and rice bran, does away with oil and shine. Is your back or chest prone to spots? Apply some product there, too. This versatile product works everywhere.
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Best Face Wash for Oily Skin
Clinique All About Clean Liquid Facial Soap Oily Skin Formula, $19 at Clinique
Clinique's best-selling liquid facial soap comes in different formulas to address all kinds of skin care concerns. This is the one for oily-skinned ladies. It effectively cleanses your skin without overdrying or leaving a greasy residue.
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Best Face Wash for Aging Skin
HydroPeptide Cleansing Gel, $48 at HydroPeptide
This multitasking gel cleanser tones and hydrates while dissolving excess dirt, oil and makeup. But that's not all. The cruelty-free formula is infused with allantoin and collagen-boosting peptides that target the signs of aging. The clincher? It's gluten-, sulfate-, paraben- and phthalate-free.
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Best Face Wash for Aging Skin
Youth To The People Superfood Cleanser, $36 at Sephora
This superfood-infused gel cleanser is packed with good-for-skin ingredients, including green tea, alfalfa, kale and spinach. The antioxidant-rich formula even removes makeup without overdrying.
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Best Face Wash for Aging Skin
Origins Plantscription Anti-Aging Cleanser, $34 at Sephora
On a similar note, this anti-aging cleanser harnesses the power of plants to reduce fine lines and wrinkles. Jasmine flowers, anogeissus and oat protein allow the foaming cleanser to deep clean skin, thus promoting a youthful glow. Anyone in search of the best face wash for aging skin should check it out.
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Best Face Wash for Sensitive Skin
Dermalogica UltraCalming Cleanser, $39 at Dermalogica
Anything that soothes is key for reactive skin. This facial cleanser, made without artificial fragrances and colors, will remove dirt and oil without irritating skin. Furthermore, the nonfoaming formula maintains skin's pH balance and strengthens its protective barrier. It even helps to reduce redness associated with heat and sensitivity. When you're finished using this low-maintenance cleanser, either rinse it away or just wipe it off.
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Best Face Wash for Sensitive Skin
Avène Extremely Gentle Cleanser Lotion, $24 at Walgreens
There's sensitive skin and there's skin so sensitive that it reddens if you look at it cross-eyed. This ultra gentle cleanser is made for the latter. To prevent flare-ups, it's made with just a few simple ingredients — Avène's signature Thermal Spring Water (to soothe skin), Parcerine (to strengthen skin's hydrolipidic barrier) and plant-derived cleansing agents.
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Best Face Wash for Sensitive Skin
Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser, $10.99 at Ulta Beauty
Apply this gentle face wash without fear of inflammation. The dermatologist-developed formula contains no soaps or dyes. The drugstore favorite thoroughly cleanses skin without impacting its natural moisture balance. Plus, it rinses away clean and doesn't leave skin feeling hot or tight.
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Best Face Wash for Combination Skin
Eve Lom Cleanser, $135 at Eve Lom
This balm-like cleanser covers all the bases. The five-in-one formula exfoliates, tones, soothes, deep cleanses and decongests. It even removes waterproof makeup. Hops oil tones skin, while chamomile and cocoa butter provide hydration. Clove oil helps to keep skin clear. Unlike the majority of facial cleansers, this one is applied to a dry face using dry fingers. It's then removed with the included muslin cloth.
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Best Face Wash for Combination Skin
Fresh Soy Face Cleansing Milk, $73.04 at Amazon
Dealing with an oily T-zone, but dry cheeks? This versatile cleanser will sort you out. Massage the product over dry skin using a cotton pad or fingertips. It's enriched with white hibiscus flower extract to nourish skin and remove dirt and makeup. Cucumber extract soothes skin, while soy proteins firm it. There's a reason the cleanser frequently appears on the best face wash lists.
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Best Face Wash for Combination Skin
Omorovicza Cleansing Foam, $82 at Omorovicza
Combination skin can be oily one morning and parched the next. No matter what kind of skin day you're having, this face wash is it. The cleansing foam hydrates skin, balances oil production and removes pore-clogging impurities. It also has major Insta-appeal thanks its baby blue hue (a side effect of the mineral-rich Hungarian healing water found in the formula).
