The 17 Best Face Washes That Deliver Clean, Clear, and Soft Complexions

Best Overall

Youth to The People Superfood Antioxidant Cleanser

View On Sephora $16 View On Walmart $59 View On Kohls.com $48

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 longtime best-seller in the category, and we 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. 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.

Mia, tester with sensitive, acne-prone skin: “I really loved this facewash. I have sensitive, acne-prone skin, and I found that it did a great job of getting me cleansed and non-oily without breaking me out or stripping my skin of moisture.”

Best Overall, Runner-Up

KraveBeauty Matcha Hemp Hydrating Cleanser

View On Amazon $18 View On Kravebeauty.com $16

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.

It takes a few extra seconds and splashes of water to fully remove the cleanser due to the jelly texture, 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.

Best Drugstore

Cetaphil PRO Foaming Face Wash

View On Ulta $11 View On Target $9 View On Walmart $11

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 relatively moisturizing.

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 doesn’t do quite as well removing eye makeup.

Best for Oily Skin

Hyper Skin Hyper Even Cleansing Gel

View On Sephora $28 View On Hyperskin.com $28 View On Revolve $28

Skin Type: Oily, combination, balanced | Key Ingredients: Mandelic acid, bearberry, willow bark, and licorice root | Size: 5 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

When you have oily skin, finding a face wash that totally removes excess oil without drying out your skin can be challenging, but this one does the job well. It has a unique gel texture that’s pretty viscous without being heavy, making it easy to lather. It did take a bit of effort to remove all makeup while using this face wash, but after cleansing a second time with it, our skin was grease-free and felt balanced.

The formula contains mandelic acid, which helps gently exfoliate, and licorice root extract and willow bark extract soothe and tone down redness.

Best for Dry Skin

Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cleanser

View On Sephora $15 View On Ulta $25 View On Nordstrom $13

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, so it adds a dose of nourishment to the skin while it cleanses away impurities. During testing, we were thrilled to discover that it tamed redness, minimized pores, and left skin feeling clean and hydrated. The Kiehl's Ultra Facial 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 better quality.

Lisa, tester with dry skin: “The face wash was very gently cleansing and moisturizing. It also provided additional benefits like reducing redness, minimizing [the appearance of] pores, and leaving my skin looking fresh and glowing. After using it, my skin felt clean and residue-free, and not greasy or tight at all.”

Best for Acne-Prone Skin

Murad Acne Control Clarifying Cleanser

View On Amazon $36 View On Sephora $39 View On Ulta $36

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 our 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.

Best for Sensitive Skin

CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser

View On Amazon $16 View On Ulta $18 View On Target $6

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 it 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.

Best for Mature Skin

Elemis Facial Wash

View On Amazon $54 View On Ulta View On Macy's $47

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. To keep it looking radiant, you’ll want to exfoliate regularly and use a rich facial moisturizer. We love this cleanser from Elemis for mature skin because it 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 texture 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.

Best Hydrating

Dr. Loretta Gentle Hydrating Cleanser

View On Dermstore $40 View On Nordstrom $40 View On Saks Fifth Avenue $40

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 removed our testers’ makeup, cleansed away excess oil and grime, and left skin feeling 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, aka, if you have oily skin.

Best Exfoliating

Kate Somerville ExfoliKate Exfoliating Cleanser Foaming Wash

View On Sephora $22 View On Ulta $22 View On Dermstore $44

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 Skin Barrier Support

Glow Recipe Avocado Ceramide Moisture Barrier Cleanser

View On Sephora $28

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 so 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 testers’ 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 can look past this because the formula is so effective and such a pleasure to use.

Best Glow-Boosting

Tatcha The Rice Wash Soft Cream Cleanser

View On Amazon $40 View On Sephora $40 View On QVC $40

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. The ultra-creamy formula feels cushiony and luxurious as you apply it, and does foam 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. However, it’s one of our top picks for those with dry or combination skin who want a gentle, hydrating option. After using it consistently, our tester’s skin felt balanced and had a bit of a glow to it.

Best Soothing

Bubble Fresh Start Gel Cleanser

View On Ulta $17 View On Walmart $9 View On CVS

Skin Type: All | Key Ingredients: Spearmint extract, caffeine, aloe leaf juice, gluconolactone, red algae extract | Size: 1.7, 4.2 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

If you regularly experience skin irritation, you’ll want to use gentle, soothing skincare products. Packed with spearmint extract, caffeine, and aloe leaf juice, the brand claims this cleanser helps soothe skin while clearing it of dirt and oil, and we agree—it does feel gentle and soothing. The gel texture lathers nicely and works to break down oil and makeup without stripping the skin or creating a tight sensation. We do wish it was a bit more hydrating (caffeine can be a bit dehydrating which may account for the lack of moisture) but we appreciate that it effectively cleanses all skin types, lending to comfortable, balanced skin.

Best Softening

Augustinus Bader The Cream Cleansing Gel

View On Sephora $73 View On Dermstore $73 View On Nordstrom $73

Skin Type: All | Key Ingredients: Brand’s signature TFC8 complex | Size: 1, 3.4 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

If your skin is dry or rough, we recommend checking out this luxe cleanser from Augustinus Bader. It features the brand’s signature TFC8 complex—a blend of amino acids, vitamins, and peptides—and effectively washes away makeup and dirt while softening the skin. The lotion-like texture is soft and creamy, and lathers surprisingly well for not being a gel cleanser.

Our tester was pleasantly surprised to find that it melted away stubborn makeup with ease while remaining gentle and non-stripping. The best part is that she saw a significant improvement in the feel of her skin after consistent use. It looked and felt softer and more hydrated. 

Madelaine, tester with combination skin: “After rinsing the product off of my face with a few splashes of water and then blotting with a towel, my face felt super soft and looked more radiant. Some nights, even during winter, I felt like I could skip moisturizer because my skin felt so soft.”

Best for Blackheads

SkinCeuticals LHA Cleanser Gel

View on SkinCeuticals View On Dermstore $45 View On Bluemercury.com $45

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.

Best for Makeup Removal

Drunk Elephant Beste No.9 Jelly Cleanser

View On Sephora $16 View On Ulta $16 View On Drunkelephant.com

Skin Type: All | Key Ingredients: Glycerin, coconut-based surfactants  | Size: 2, 5 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Although we recommend double-cleansing with a cleansing balm or makeup remover to ensure your makeup is fully removed, this gel face wash does a great job of removing makeup all on its own. Perfect if you’re feeling lazy at the end of the day (raises hand). Just a dime-sized amount spreads across your face nicely, working to remove excess oil, dirt, and even stubborn makeup. It can be a bit drying, but we do appreciate that it gave us that deep-clean feeling. And we’re giving it bonus points for the packaging—all you have to do is twist the cap and squeeze a bit of the formula out. It’s quite functional and convenient.