The 14 Best Face Washes That Deliver Clean, Clear, and Soft Complexions

Cleansing is the first essential step in your skincare routine, but people often aren’t as selective with a face wash as they might be with a serum or a treatment. We’re here to tell you it’s time to be more particular—your face wash should complement your skin type, needs, and skincare goals. Formulas can vary from oils and cleansing balms to gels and gentle exfoliators, each designed with specific skin types and concerns in mind.

To find the best face washes for each skin type, a group of testers with varying skin types and I tested nearly 100 formulas over several rounds of testing, and consulted two board-certified dermatologists to learn what to keep in mind when finding the best option for you. We evaluated each product based on its formula, ingredients, feel, effectiveness, and how it made our skin look, and below, we’re sharing which ones impressed us the most.

Best Overall

Youth to The People Superfood Antioxidant Cleanser

$39 at Amazon $39 at Sephora $39 at Nordstrom

Skin Type: All | Key Ingredients: Kale, spinach, green tea | Size: 2, 8, 16.9 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Coming in as our number one pick is this incredibly popular face cleanser from Youth To The People. It’s been a long-time bestseller in the category, and I can confirm that the hype is real. The gel-to-foam texture spreads and lathers beautifully, creating a nice sensorial experience. The superfood-packed formula effectively washes away dirt, excess oil, and makeup while depositing a healthy dose of antioxidants and vitamins into the skin.

It’s not the most hydrating option, but it does a great job of thoroughly cleaning without stripping the skin or creating a tightening sensation. I find it gentle enough to use in the morning, and effective enough to use as my final cleanser at night. The well-balanced formula is great for all skin types, and we love that it comes in sustainable glass packaging and is available in three sizes, including a jumbo refill.

Best Overall, Runner-Up

KraveBeauty Matcha Hemp Hydrating Cleanser

$16 at Amazon $22 at Cultbeauty.com

Skin Type: All | Key Ingredients: Matcha, hemp, coconut-based surfactants | Size: 4 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

This gentle face wash spreads across the skin easily, creating a soft lather with its silky, jelly-like consistency. It features coconut-based surfactants to cleanse as well as matcha and hemp seed oil for antioxidant protection and hydration. It was so soothing, and the soft texture and subtle cooling effect left our skin feeling refreshed. It did an excellent job of thoroughly removing excess makeup and oil without leaving us feeling dry.

The jelly texture takes a few extra seconds and splashes of water to fully wash away, but considering how comfortable it left our skin feeling, we don’t mind this. It’s a great option for all skin types since it’s not drying, stripping, heavy, or oily.

Shannon Stubbs, associate editor with combination/dry skin: “It deeply cleanses while hydrating, so my skin still feels balanced after rinsing. I often like to use a little bit of my face cleanser on my eyes to get the residue that my micellar water wasn’t able to catch, and I love that this doesn’t irritate my eyes at all.”

Best Drugstore

Cetaphil PRO Foaming Face Wash

$18 at Amazon $12 at Ulta $9 at Target

Skin Type: All | Key Ingredients: Glycerin, vitamin B5, vitamin E | Size: 8 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

If you’re looking for a great drugstore face wash, we highly recommend this one from Cetaphil; it’s gentle, effective, and super affordable. We enjoyed the lightweight, foamy texture and how it thoroughly cleansed the skin without drying it out or leaving behind a greasy residue. While foam formulas are typically more drying than cream cleansers, we found this one relatively moisturizing.

We also appreciate that it’s fragrance-free and nonirritating, making it a nice option for all skin types, even sensitive skin. It is worth noting, however, that while it did a great job removing foundation, it is less effective at removing eye makeup.

Kelsey, tester with combination skin: “I never felt that it stripped my skin; rather, it balanced the hydration. I felt it was better suited for morning use rather than evening use as it did not remove makeup as effectively as other gentle cleansers that I’ve used in the past.”

Best for Dry Skin

Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cleanser

$26 at Amazon $26 at Sephora $16 at Ulta

Skin Type: All | Key Ingredients: Squalane, apricot kernels, avocado oil | Size: 5 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

This is our favorite cleanser for dry skin (although it’s suitable for all skin types), thanks to its gentle formula that doesn’t strip away natural oils. It’s formulated with moisturizing squalane and avocado oil to add a dose of nourishment to the skin while cleansing away impurities. During testing, we were thrilled to discover that it tamed redness, minimized pores, and left skin feeling clean and hydrated. The cleanser also removed makeup well—no double cleanse required. It’s lightweight and perfect for morning and evening cleansing. We love pretty much everything about this pick, but the plastic cap is a little fragile, so the packaging could be of better quality.

Shannon Stubbs, associate editor with combination/dry skin: “I like the consistency it creates while you’re washing your face; it’s creamy and pretty much the ideal face wash texture. It doesn’t create foam, it just became milky—making it easier to move around on the skin.”

Best for Oily Skin

La Roche-Posay Toleriane Purifying Foaming Face Wash

$20 at Amazon $20 at Ulta $20 at Dermstore

Skin Type: Balanced and oily skin | Key Ingredients: La Roche-Posay prebiotic thermal spring water, niacinamide, and ceramides | Size: 1.7, 6.8, 13.5 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

We’re crowning this gem from La Roche-Posay the best face wash for oily skin. With a gel-like consistency that gets super foamy to create a generous lather, it’s a pleasure to use. Just a few seconds of working it into the skin dissolves excess oil, grime, and SPF, leaving skin feeling balanced and looking refreshed.

Our tester with combination skin and an oily T-zone raved about how well it cleaned her skin without creating a taut, stripped sensation. She noticed that it helped keep excess shine to a minimum throughout the day, and even made a subtle improvement in the appearance of her pores.

Erica, tester with combination skin: “The product’s foaming lather is what I enjoyed most. It’s very soft and gentle, gets straight to the point, and doesn’t feel soapy. It’s a pleasant experience that cleanses skin without disrupting it or agitating it, which is exactly what I was looking for.”

Best for Acne-Prone Skin

Murad Acne Control Clarifying Cleanser

$17 at Amazon $29 at Sephora $31 at Ulta

Skin Type: Acne-prone, oily | Key Ingredients: Salicylic acid, green tea extract | Size: 6.8 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

A great face wash is essential in any good skincare routine, but if you have acne-prone skin, a formula that will help clear current breakouts and prevent future ones is game-changing. We were so impressed by this one’s performance during testing. It has a soft, gel texture that spreads easily and feels cooling and refreshing on the skin. It did a great job removing excess oil and dirt and left skin feeling soft and clean.

After using it consistently for a few weeks, one tester noticed a real improvement in breakouts and fewer new acne spots. This can likely be attributed to the salicylic acid in the formula, a well-known acne-fighting ingredient. While we didn’t find this face wash to be stripping, salicylic acid can be a bit drying, so if you have dry skin, it might not be ideal for everyday use.

Dominique Hobdy, senior editor with oily skin: “Because it’s created with oily skin in mind, it really gets in there and clears any shine. It doesn’t leave any residue at all and feels closer to drying than hydrating but not overwhelmingly so.”

Best for Sensitive Skin

CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser

$19

$16 at Amazon $18 at Ulta $13 at Target

Skin Type: Dry, sensitive | Key Ingredients: Ceramides, hyaluronic acid | Size: 3, 8, 12, 16 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

In addition to being affordable and accessible, this face cleanser is ideal for people with sensitive skin. It’s not super fancy, and it doesn’t offer “extras” like exfoliation or antioxidant protection, but it’s fantastic at cleansing the skin without stripping or creating that tight feeling that many face washes do. The lack of potent actives and synthetic fragrances helps keep it from irritating reactive skin.

It has a creamy, slightly gel-like texture, and it’s formulated with hyaluronic acid and ceramides for hydration and repairing the skin barrier. We were pleasantly surprised by how well it removed makeup. Just one wash was all it took to leave our skin looking and feeling clean, hydrated, and even. While it’s a great gentle option for people with balanced, dry, and sensitive skin, those with very oily skin might need something more powerful to effectively break down excess oil.

Cher Checchio, senior copy editor with dry/sensitive skin: “The creamy texture feels very soft on the skin and washes off well. Although it doesn’t foam, it does leave my skin feeling balanced.”

Best for Mature Skin

Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Wash

$59 at Amazon $57 at Sephora $55 at Dermstore

Skin Type: Mature, dry, oily, combination | Key Ingredients: Enzymes, white truffle | Size: 0.7, 3.4 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

Our skin loses elasticity, moisture, and vibrancy as it matures. You’ll want to exfoliate regularly and use a rich facial moisturizer to keep it looking radiant. This cleanser from Elemis leans on enzymes to gently exfoliate rather than harsh or scrubby particles that could damage your skin. This type of exfoliation is great for your daily skincare routine, though it might not be intense enough for those with oily or very textured skin.

The texture is soft and creamy, and while it doesn’t lather or foam, it’s easy to spread across the face and does a great job of breaking down makeup. It’s hydrating, non-stripping, and leaves the skin looking radiant and feeling balanced—a winning combination for improving vibrancy.

Lauren Pardee, associate editorial director with combination/dry skin: “This wash does a great job removing dirt, oil, and makeup from the skin, and it has a grippy texture which delivers a clean complexion. The formula’s grip does deliver on promises to gently exfoliate, too, which makes this feel like a really effective, multiuse product.”

Best Hydrating

Dr. Loretta Gentle Hydrating Cleanser

$40 at Amazon $40 at Anthropologie $40 at Shopbop.com

Skin Type: Dry, combination, sensitive | Key Ingredients: Marine algae, chamomile essential oils, hydrolyzed algin | Size: 6.7 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Face wash is supposed to clean your skin, but sometimes it cleans it a little too well, resulting in uncomfortable dryness and a tightening sensation. That’s why it’s important to use a cleanser that effectively removes excess dirt and oil without completely robbing your skin of necessary hydration—especially if you’re prone to dryness or sensitivity. We love this silky gel cleanser because it’s formulated with marine peptides and glycerin to boost hydration, and chamomile essential oils to soothe inflamed skin.

The consistency is a lightweight, slippery gel that lathers nicely and feels soft and luxurious. It effectively removes makeup, cleanses excess oil and grime, leaving skin balanced and hydrated. While we certainly recommend it to anyone looking for a hydrating face wash, it might not be powerful enough to break down a ton of excess oil.

Ally Hirschlag, former associate editorial director with combination/sensitive skin: “I love that I can either use it quickly to get most of the grime off at the end of the day, or rub it in for a few minutes and enjoy the subtle, gingery scent. When I do the latter, I notice my skin is even softer afterward. It’s way more hydrating than other foaming cleansers I’ve tried. My skin never feels tight afterward, just clean and fresh.”

Best Exfoliating

Kate Somerville ExfoliKate Cleanser Daily Foaming Wash

$46 at Amazon $46 at Sephora $46 at Ulta

Skin Type: Oily, dry, combination | Key Ingredients: Papaya, pineapple, and pumpkin enzymes, glycolic and lactic acids | Size: 1.7, 4, 8 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Regular exfoliation can help keep your complexion from looking dull. And if you want to knock out two steps in one (cleansing and exfoliating), opt for an exfoliating face wash. This pick from Kate Somerville is a fan favorite, and we love it, too. It has a rich texture that lathers beautifully, feels silky on the skin, and does a great job of removing excess oil, dirt, and makeup. It’s powered by a blend of fruit enzymes, as well as glycolic and lactic acids that gently exfoliate. It worked wonders on uneven skin texture, breakouts, and pores.

Testers saw a noticeable improvement in the texture and tone of their skin, and appreciated that the formula felt gentle—it didn’t burn or cause sensitivity. While we think it’s a great option for most skin types, it’s worth noting that it did cause a bit of dryness for testers with dry skin.

Katherine, tester with combination skin: “I have tried many kinds [of face washes] over the years, at various price points, and this one is definitely special! I believe that it helped clear up some existing acne. My skin 100% looked and felt better after each use.”

Best for Makeup Removal

Sunday Riley Aquamarine Melt Hydrating Gel-Balm Cleanser

$48 at Sephora $48 at Ulta $48 at Macy's

Skin Type: Balanced, dry, combination | Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, malachite, and cornflower | Size: 4.7 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

While we recommend double-cleansing with a cleansing balm and classic face wash to ensure your makeup is entirely removed, sometimes you’re short on time and need a do-it-all product. This balm-to-oil cleanser melts away makeup in seconds. But unlike many makeup-removing balms that leave a residue behind, this one does a fantastic job at cleansing the skin, too.

Our tester was pleasantly surprised by how quickly and effectively it removed her entire face of makeup, saying it took just a few swipes on her skin to achieve a spotless complexion (eye makeup included). She also loved how soft the texture felt on her skin, even calling it “spa-like,” but noted it doesn’t foam like a traditional cleanser does. We highly recommend this pick for those wanting to remove makeup and cleanse their skin in one fast step.

Hannah, tester with combination/sensitive skin: “With other products I’ve used before to remove makeup, I’d have to do several swipes over my face, or completely wash my face twice to feel clean. I feel like this cleanser takes off my makeup and makes me feel clean in one cleanse.”

Best for Skin Barrier Support

Glow Recipe Avocado Ceramide Moisture Barrier Cleanser

$28 at Amazon $28 at Sephora $28 at Glowrecipe.com

Skin Type: Mature, dry | Key Ingredients: Ceramides, colloidal oatmeal, avocado oil, hyaluronic acid | Size: 5 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

A damaged skin barrier can present as acne, dry or flaky skin, inflammation, itchiness, and sensitivity; maintaining a healthy skin barrier is key to keeping your skin looking and feeling its best. We suggest opting for simple formulas that contain ceramides (lipids naturally present in the skin) and soothing and hydrating ingredients. This cleanser from Glow Recipe checks those boxes and more. The formula is packed with nourishing ingredients, like ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and avocado oil, which help give skin a boost of hydration, as well as colloidal oatmeal, which is known to soothe inflamed skin and support a healthy skin barrier.

The texture is heavenly—it’s pillowy soft and oh-so creamy, making it truly enjoyable to massage across your face. It effectively removes complexion makeup, excess oil, and dirt without drying the skin or creating a residue. It left our skin feeling balanced and comfortable. We love everything about it except the packaging. The product comes out of the opening too fast, leading to waste if you’re not careful. But, we still love that the formula is so effective and such a pleasure to use.

Lauren Pardee, associate editorial director with combination/dry skin: “I loved the texture of this gel cleanser, which is chock full of ceramides and colloidal oatmeal to nourish and clean the skin effectively. I want to really stress how moisturizing this product is. I think it’s a great option for people with drier skin.”

Best Glow-Boosting

Tatcha The Rice Wash Soft Cream Cleanser

$40 at Amazon $59 at Sephora $19 at Ulta

Skin Type: Dry, combination | Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, red algae, Japanese rice powder | Size: 4 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

A lot of facial cleansers strip the skin, which can result in a dry, dull-looking complexion. This one from Tatcha does the opposite—it moisturizes the skin by harnessing the hydrating powers of hyaluronic acid and red algae, lending to a complexion that looks healthy and radiant. This has been a go-to in my routine for years; the ultra-creamy formula feels cushiony and luxurious as you apply it, and foams up a bit, making it enjoyable to use. It does a nice job of removing dirt and impurities, though it’s not ideal for people with oily skin since it’s not tough on excess oil and grease. I personally love using it as my morning cleanser when I don’t need something too powerful. It’s one of our top picks for those with dry or combination skin who want a gentle, hydrating option.

Best for Blackheads

SkinCeuticals LHA Cleanser Gel

$45 at Dermstore $45 at Bluemercury.com $45 at Lovelyskin.com

Skin Type: Oily, combination, acne-prone | Key Ingredients: Lipo-hydroxy acid, glycolic acid, salicylic acid, glycerin | Size: 8 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

A face cleanser with a blend of exfoliating acids, like this one, is perfect for those hoping to minimize blackheads. Rather than relying on scrubby particles to remove dead skin cells, which can be harsh and damaging to the skin, this exfoliating face wash relies on the power of glycolic acid, salicylic acid, and lipo-hydroxy acid (LHA) to resurface the skin and dissolve gunk in your pores.

After just two weeks of consistent use, our tester noticed an improvement in the look of blackheads and a reduction in excess oil in the T-zone. This cleanser is not only super effective but also a pleasure to use thanks to the lightweight gel texture and cooling sensation it creates on the face.

Shannon Stubbs, associate editor with combination/dry skin: “I like that while I can definitely tell that it’s exfoliating my skin, it still feels really gentle. My skin afterward felt like it had a deep cleanse because of the LHAs in the formula, but the cleanser itself didn’t feel rough on my skin or cause irritation. It also did a great job of removing the excess sebum on my nose, which a lot of cleansers tend to leave behind.”

What to Look for When Buying a Face Wash

Formula: Considering the formula and texture of a face wash is important to ensure you’re selecting something effective for your skin type.

• For dry/sensitive skin: Look for a cream-based cleanser that incorporates humectants, such as hyaluronic acid or glycerin, to help the skin stay moisturized post-cleanse.
• For combination skin: Dr. Carmen Castilla, M.D., recommends you use a gel cleanser since they’re best for removing excess oil and helping to clear pores.
• For oily skin: Look for a foam cleanser as they are typically soap-based and are highly effective at removing makeup and excess oil. That said, board-certified dermatologist Dr. Michelle Henry, M.D., warns that foaming cleansers can be drying, so they’re often best suited for people with very oily skin.

Ingredients: “Whether you have oily, dry, acne-prone, or sensitive skin, choosing the right ingredients in your face wash is key,” says Dr. Henry. Dr. Castilla agrees, adding that you want a face wash that will remove buildup and grime from the day without stripping your skin of its natural oils.

• For sensitive skin: Look for face washes that contain calming ingredients, like glycerin, jojoba esters, niacinamide, and vitamin E, and avoid high concentrations of exfoliating acids that could potentially be irritating.
• For oily skin: Look for face washes that contain salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, or glycolic acid. “These ingredients help control oil production, help kill surface bacteria on the skin, and can act as gentle exfoliants,” Dr. Henry says.
• For dry skin: Look for face washes that contain “sulfate-free” and “fragrance-free” distinctions.

How We Tested Face Washes

• Number of Face Washes Tested: 90+ over several rounds of testing.
• Testing Period: 4 weeks
• Methodology: Testers used their face was once or twice daily according to product instructions in their skincare routines.
• Factors Considered: Formula/texture, ingredients, effectiveness, and overall performance on skin.

Meet Our Experts

We consulted with multiple experts to learn more about what to keep in mind when shopping for face wash. Those experts include:

• Dr. Carmen Castilla, M.D., is a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City, specializing in cosmetic and medicinal dermatology, and is a clinical instructor at Mount Sinai Hospital.
• Dr. Michelle Henry, M.D., FAAD, is a New York City-based board-certified dermatologist and a clinical instructor of dermatology at Weill Cornell Medical College. She is also the founder of Skin & Aesthetic Surgery of Manhattan and the CEO of The Henry Research Group.

Why Trust Byrdie

Alyssa Kaplan is an experienced writer and editor in the beauty industry and product tester specializing in cosmetics. She has tested dozens of facial cleansers (including several on this list) in her quest to find the perfect one for her oily skin, evaluating each one based on formula, ingredients, feel, effectiveness, and how it made her skin feel. She received a bachelor’s degree from the Fashion Institute of Technology, where she studied marketing and product development in the cosmetics industry, as well as fashion business marketing. Alyssa has been at Byrdie since 2022, where she covers all things beauty.