After 14 hours of research evaluating 126 products, we picked Christina Moss Naturals Organic Face Wash as our top choice.
Cleansing your face is the most essential part of any skincare routine. Often when you’re tired, it’s the last thing you want to do.
If you want to look good, you should be washing your face twice a day with a cleanser that suits your skin type.
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, leaving dirt and makeup on at night will cause the breakdown of healthy collagen. Leaving makeup over night can clog your pores, causing acne and blemishes.
The good news is:
We did the research and picked the very best face wash cleanser for all skin types. We spent hours reading reviews from ladies just like yourself and comparing prices to give you the most honest list possible.
#1 Best 100% Organic Face Wash Cleanser
Christina Moss Naturals Organic Face Wash
- Helps clear acne and eczema
- Leaves face feeling clean
- Safe and sensitive ingredients your skin will love
Pros
An all-natural healing and moisturizing face wash that softens and repairs skin. Perfect for all skin types.
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#2 Best Face Wash Cleanser for Sensitive Skin
FRESH Soy Face Cleanser
- Gentle yet effective at removing all dirt and makeup
- Doesn’t strip your skin
- Safe for even the most sensitive skin
Pros
A bestselling, do-it-all cleanser for all skin types that instantly removes makeup and dirt without drying the skin. Formulated without parabens, sulfates, and phthalates.
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#3 Best Natural Face Wash Cleanser
FARMACY Green Clean Makeup Meltaway Cleansing Balm with Echinacea GreenEnvy™
- Removes all traces of makeup – even waterproof makeup
- Your skin is left feeling clean and moisturized
- Doesn’t irritate your eyes
Pros
A nourishing, cleansing balm that gently melts away makeup and impurities caused by pollution, leaving skin hydrated and silky smooth. This product is an Allure Best of Beauty award winner.
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#4 Best Drugstore Face Wash Cleanser
CeraVe Foaming Cleanser
- A very gentle face wash safe for those with sensitive skin
- Dermatologist recommended
- Removes all traces of dirt and makeup without stripping your skin
Pros
An inexpensive face wash that’s a dermatologist favorite. Leaves skin feeling clean and hydrated.
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#5 Most Gentle Face Wash Cleanser
Simple Foaming Facial Cleanser
- The foaming texture makes it easy to apply
- Removes dirt and makeup without stripping your skin
- Gentle and fragrance-free
Pros
A gentle and non-irritating face wash formulated without anything artificial. Comes with an inexpensive price tag.
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#6 Best Face Wash Cleanser for Oily Skin
BOSCIA Detoxifying Black Charcoal Cleanser
- Minimizes and balances oiliness within a week
- Your face feels extremely soft after using
- Helps control breakouts and blackheads
Pros
A black charcoal face cleanser that warms on contact and visibly reduces pore size, bans excess oil, exfoliates, and brightens your skin. It’s a miracle pore de-clogger.
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#7 Best Face Wash Cleanser for Acne-Prone Skin
Humane Benzoyl Peroxide 10% Acne Treatment Body & Face Wash
- Will start clearing your acne in a week or less
- Completely removes all dirt and oil; thoroughly preventing breakouts
- Unscented and formulated with safe ingredients
Pros
A best-selling, maximum strength acne treatment formulated with safe ingredients.
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#8 Best Face Scrub Cleanser
St. Ives Radiant Skin Face Scrub
- Gentle exfoliation polishes rather than scratches
- Budget-friendly
- Leaves skin feeling soft, smooth, and clear
Pros
An Allure Best of Beauty Award winner for deeply exfoliating and removing impurities. Made with 100% natural exfoliants.
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#9 Best Budget Face Wash Cleanser
Pacifica Beauty Sea Foam Face Wash
- No sulfate or parabens added
- Removes oil, make-up, and other skin impurities
- Anti-aging; results in clearer skin
Pros
This Pacifica foam cleanser is packed with coconut water and a sea algae complex that defends against aging and promotes clean refreshed skin. It washes away dirt and oils, while soothing and supplying skin with antioxidants.
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Women’s Face Wash Tips & Advice
What is the best face wash cleanser for women?
The Philosophy Purity Made Simple One-Step Facial Cleanser is the best facial cleanser out there. Washing your face is the most important part of your skincare routine.
But, with so many facial cleansers out there, it can be overwhelming to choose one that’s best for you. The good news is, we have already spent the hours (14 to be exact) researching the best ones.
Now, there are many great ones out there. If we had to choose just one, it would obviously be the Philosophy Purity Made Simple One-Step Facial Cleanser.
This facial cleanser is an award-winning and best-selling product at both Ulta and Sephora. Sephora has this cleanser as one of their favorites, and directly on the bottle, Purity presents a sticker to inform you that it was voted a reader’s choice award by Allure Magazine.
Now, that’s impressive. The reason we choose it as our best overall is that it’s ideal for all ages and skin types, including those with normal skin, sensitive, or acne-prone complexions. And, the reviews for this product were endlessly good.
The Philosophy Purity Made Simple Cleanser has a milky consistency that is very smooth and gentle -so you won’t feel dry after you wash your face. As a bonus, this face wash is fragrance-free. The only thing you’ll smell is a hint of citrus (which comes from the natural ingredients). And, we think it’s a pretty fantastic smell.
The other reason we love this facial cleanser so much is the ingredient list. To all of you eco-conscious ladies out there, you’ll be happy to know that most of the ingredients found in this wash are safe and gentle. The Sodium Lauroamphoacetate acts as a mild soap that gently cleanses your skin without irritation or residue. Other active ingredients include a Twelve-Essential Oil Blend (Including Rosewood, Sandalwood, and Sage), which help soften, soothe, and rejuvenate your skin. One ingredient we were happy to find on this list was rose extract. Not only do roses smell amazing, but also they are great for calming irritated skin.
Keep in mind that although we chose this one as the best facial cleanser, your skin (or wallet) may want something different. You need to consider your skin type and your budget. If you have dry skin, you probably want something moisturizing. And, if you have very sensitive skin, you will want to get something fragrance-free, with all-natural ingredients.
What is the best face wash cleanser for dry skin?
The Philosophy Purity Made Simple One-Step Facial Cleanser (again) is the best face wash for dry skin. If you’re a girl with dry skin, you probably shouldn’t just grab any old facial cleanser off of the shelf. That could only make problems even worse. You want to use a facial cleanser with hydrating ingredients, especially since many cleansers strip your face in order to remove dirt and oil.
The Philosophy Purity Made Simple One-Step Facial Cleanser is the best facial cleanser for any skin type, but especially dry skin as well. This stuff feels so creamy and smooth. It’s also intensely hydrating. However, if $24 is a little out of your budget, we suggest grabbing the CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser. Girls with dry skin love it, and it’s half the price. This cleanser won’t irritate your skin at all. And, it feels so incredibly smooth and gentle when you use it.
What is the best face wash cleanser for oily skin?
The CeraVe Foaming Cleanser is the best face wash for oily skin. This extremely gentle face wash is made for women with oily skin and those of you on a budget. The foamy texture of this face wash is one we’re kind of obsessed with. It feels like you’re washing your face with air – which leaves your skin feeling extremely clean. As a bonus, there is no added fragrance, so a good option for those who don’t like overpowering smells. At $8 for a 12-ounce bottle, you’re paying roughly half the price you would pay for most other facial cleansers. And that feels good too, right?
What is the best face wash cleanser for sensitive skin?
The Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser is the best face wash for sensitive skin, hands down. Those with sensitive skin need a face wash that is gentle and fragrance-free. This helps to keep skin irritation to a minimum. Dermatologists originally formulated the Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser, so you know it has to be good. The beauty behind this sensitive face wash is that it’s soap-free, making it extra gentle. Also, this face wash is fragrance-free, making it non-irritating on your skin. This product is perfect not only for those with sensitive skin but also for those with Eczema-, Rosacea-, and acne-prone skin, too. And, it can be used on babies. The best part is, it’s only $9 and can be found in most drugstores.
What is the best natural face wash cleanser?
The Christina Moss Naturals Organic Face Wash is the best natural face wash out there. It’s for women with all skin types, including dry, oily, or combination. But, it’s especially good for eco-conscious girls or those with sensitive skin. Christina Moss Naturals face wash was made for those of you with sensitive skin, which is why it doesn’t contain any harmful chemicals such as parabens, sulfates, or added fragrance.
This face wash has a creamy texture that turns into foam when lathered. The product is fragrance-free but the rosemary extract gives it a slightly nice smell. The reason this product is the best natural face wash is that it is made up of 100% certified organic ingredients. The main ingredient, coconut oil, thoroughly cleans while moisturizing at the same time. Other ingredients include olive oil, sunflower oil, Aloe Vera juice, Shea butter, and rosemary oil and extract. You won’t find any chemicals, parabens, dyes, sulfates, or fragrances in this face wash. Did we mention that each bottle is made with biodegradable labels and recycled plastic bottles? We told you this stuff was pretty natural.
What do you wash your face with?
Washing your face is something we don’t really think twice about. It turns out, there is a right way to do it (and the right tool to use). Although it feels cleaner to use something like a washcloth, scrub, or fancy electronic brush, it is better to just use your fingers. When it comes to your face, think gentle. You don’t need to scrub your face twice a day. In fact, this will dry your face out and irritate it. Instead, stick to your fingers and save the scrub or brush twice a week for exfoliation of dead skin cells.
How do you use a facial cleanser and how do you clean your skin?
First of all, if you wear makeup on a daily basis, you should be taking it off with an oil-based makeup remover before cleaning your skin. Many cleansers can’t take off concealer or foundation completely. As for choosing a cleanser, grab one that’s best for your skin type (see our list above). Once you’ve removed your makeup and chosen the perfect cleanser, turn the faucet to lukewarm. Yes, lukewarm- no scorching or arctic temperatures. Hot water can dry and irritate your skin. And, cold water doesn’t clean as effectively.
Splash the lukewarm water onto your face and use your fingers to apply a dime-sized amount of cleanser in circular motions. Focus your cleaning around your T-zone, where oil and dirt tend to build up. This includes your forehead and the area around your nose. Also, don’t forget the area under your jawline (it’s often forgotten). After rinsing away all of the cleansers, pat dry your skin with a soft, clean washcloth. Once you have thoroughly cleansed your skin, make sure to apply an excellent moisturizer as well.
How many times a day should you wash your face?
Ah, the frequently debated question that (still) nobody has the real answer to. While the jury is still out on how many times a day we should be washing, many dermatologists agree that washing your face too often can lead to dry, irritated skin. So, is it best to wash every a.m. and p.m. or just once at night? We think it’s best to use common sense. Obviously, you should be washing every night to remove your makeup plus and dirt or debris that you accumulated throughout the day. And, you should always wash your face after a workout to prevent breakouts. The bottom line is: wash oily skin morning and night. For sensitive or dry skin, stick to just washing your face once a day, in the evening.
What is the difference between a face wash, cleanser, and facial scrub?
Although they all sound the same, they’re not. Face wash and face cleanser is essentially the same thing. Both products are made to remove makeup, dirt, and oil from your skin. And, they both work to clean your face. The face wash is often a product made with soap, making it harsh on your skin. The face cleanser is oftentimes a lot more gentle thanks to the cream, oil, or milk base. However, this isn’t always the case, and it’s best to read the ingredients to make sure.
Facial scrubs are a completely different category. Facial scrubs are made to exfoliate. This means its sandy, rough texture removes dead skin cells leaving your skin smooth and polished. Facial scrubs do not clean your skin whatsoever. And they should only be used once or twice a week. If used too often, facial scrubs will dry and irritate your skin. Nobody wants that.
