The 8 Very Best Face Washes for All Skin Type, Reviewed (2023)

A face wash or face cleanser is a skin care product used to remove makeup, dead skin cells, oil, dirt, and various types of pollutants from the skin. This helps to keep pores clear and prevent skin conditions like acne. Forgetting to wash your face routinely will lead to a dull skin tone because of the residue on the surface of your skin. Even though washing face with the soap may help to clean skin to a few extent, one should not completely rely on it. With so many options, deciding on the best face wash on the market might be difficult. Here we picked up the 8 face wash for you. Find out which facial cleanser will suit you (based on your skin type).

Why should you use face wash instead of soap and how does it work?

The normal pH of our skin is between 4.5 and 6.5. However, the pH of soap is between 9 to 10, which makes your skin feel incredibly clean but also makes it too harsh and dry. Soaps contain harsh surfactants that can alter the skin barrier and increase skin pH thereby increasing the possibility of dryness and irritation. However, on the other hand, face washes have considerably lower pH than soap. This guarantees your skin to look radiant, appealing, and soft.

Some of the major benefits of using best face wash are,

• Remove dirt and also keep you away from pimples
• Regular cleansing will help your skin look radiant and healthy.
• Face wash help in maintaining proper pore size.
• Encourage proper skin hydration and prevent the production of excess oils.

Our Top Picks for Best Face Wash

1. CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser

CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser is one of the classic, best cleansers on the market. It is designed to cleanse and refresh the skin without over-stripping it or leaving it feeling tight and dry. Hyaluronic acid hydrates the skin, while three important ceramides work together to lock skin moisture and rebuild the skin’s protective barrier. Ceramides are encapsulated with MVE (Multivesicular Emulsion) delivery technology which ensures slow and gradual release over time. This helps you to protect your skin barrier, even after many hours of applying. Trusted by many this cleanser is an effective way to start your daily skincare routine without causing irritation. Best for normal to dry skin. Have a dry skin? check our list for best moisturizer for dry skin.

Key benefits of cerave face wash:

• Gently removes dirt, oil and, makeup without leaving skin tight or dry.
• MVE delivery system constantly releases moisturizing ingredients for all-day hydration.
• Ceramides: Provide support in restoration and maintains the skin’s natural barrier.
• Hyaluronic acid: Helps retain the skin’s natural moisture.
• Non-comedogenic (it does not block pores), non-irritating and fragrance-free.
• Accepted by the National Eczema Association.

2. Vanicream Face Wash

Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser is one of the safest options for those with sensitive skin since it is free from the majority of irritants. This is free from parabens, essential oils, formaldehyde etc., making it a great option for those who are prone to adverse reactions brought on by skincare products. A best combination of glycerin and water works well to hydrate your skin. It is also approved for those with eczema, since it cleanse your skin without irritating, drying or leave any residue.

Key benefits of vanicream face wash:

• Gentle cleansing- Effective, yet gentle to sensitive skin which is ideal for daily use.
• Ingredients- Formulated to avoid common chemical irritants and harsh cleansing agents.
• This is non-comedogenic cleanser which won’t clog pores.

3. Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Hydrating Face Wash

This face wash is dermatologist developed and suits for those who wants a non-irritant/ non-allergic face wash. There are no rich oils or great ingredients to be found in this face wash–just simple, and straight forward. Polyglycerin formula in this face wash nourishes your skin especially if you have dry or sensitive skin. Cetearyl alcohol on the other hand is an emollient that helps to soften skin.

Key benefits of neutrogena face wash:

• Dermatologist-developed and hypoallergenic
• Non-comedogenic
• Soothes and hydrates even sensitive skin

4. La Roche-Posay Effaclar Purifying Face Wash

Effaclar Face Cleanser gently removes debris and oil (prevent drying) while maintaining the pH of the face. Effaclar provides breakthrough results for skin acne which is effortfully developed by dermatologists for quick results. This face cleanser is formulated with zinc pidolate to purify skin which is also highly suitable for sensitive skins. Check our list for best face wash for oily skin.

Key benefits of effaclar face wash:

• Zinc Pidolate, known for its purifying properties to remove excess oil.
• La Roche-Posay Thermal Spring Water is rich in selenium which is a natural antioxidant.
• Highly effective on acne-prone, oil and sensitive skins.

5. La Roche-Posay Toleriane Face Wash

Toleriane Purifying Cleanser is a daily face wash foam suitable for normal to dry, sensitive skin. The cleanser’s foam gel texture maintains skin moisture while removing makeup, debris, and pollutants. The cleanser also contributes to the preservation of the skin’s natural protective barrier and pH. Using this face wash twice a day helps eliminate pore-clogging debris that leaves skin feeling fresh.

Key benefits of la roche-posay toleriane face wash:

• La Roche-Posay Prebiotic Thermal Water has hydrating, soothing, and antioxidant properties.
• Glycerin which is a moisturizing agent naturally attracts water to skin.
• Niacinamide, a form of vitamin B3 have soothing properties.
• Oil-Free and Non Comedogenic.

6. Cetaphil Face Wash

This Cetaphil Gentle Skin face wash creamy formula delivers nonstop hydration, thus protecting your skin from dryness. Since it is formulated with Micellar Technology (involving microscopic micelle molecules) this face cleanser effectively removes dirt, makeup, and impurities from the skin without stripping it of moisture. Cetaphil face wash is known for its multiple-award-winning with eight-ingredient formula in the cream. And all those awards keep rolling as the manufacturers maintain their quality up to date. Since this face cleanser wash is crazily gentle, it is recommended by many dermatologists.

Key benefits of cetaphil face wash:

• Fatty alcohols present in this face cleanser, coat the skin to prevent the detergents from drying it out.
• Makes skin soft, supple, and hydrated without stripping the natural oils of the face.
• Very effective for people with dry and sensitive skin, or people having skin diseases like eczema (inflammation or skin red or itchy) and rosacea (redness and bumps on the face).
• Non-comedogenic (it does not block pores), pH balanced and fragrance-free.

7. Wow Face Wash- Apple cider vinegar

This Apple Cider Vinegar cleanser face wash offers a deep cleanse with a built-in hypoallergenic silicone brush. This brush helps you to remove dead skin cells from the surface of the skin and improves the skin’s ability to eliminate toxins through the pores. This is one of the best-selling skin detox face cleansers that fight against acne. The cleanser enriched with Apple Cider Vinegar helps in absorbing impurities, Aloe Vera refines pores and soothe, whereas Vitamins B5 & E help strengthen skin. The deep clean all day and control over excess oil with this cleanser support you to achieve glowing skin. Highly recommended for those who wanted to reduce skin acne.

Key benefits of wow face wash:

• Brightening Cleanse – This natural face wash purifies pores, and combats skin acne effectively.
• Gentle Exfoliation – The in-built brush with hypoallergenic, and soft-silicone bristles helps to exfoliate pore-clogging impurities and pollutants.
• Makeup Remover – Scrubs away stubborn makeup with deep cleaning duo to break down pore-clogging cosmetics for squeaky clean skin.
• Vegan-friendly face cleanser.

8. The Face Shop Rice Water Bright Cleansing Foam

The whipped cream texture of the this deep-foaming face wash softly envelops the skin which efficiently remove impurities without irritation. Rice extract and soap wort extract, among other natural cleaning ingredients, are used in its formulation, which leaves skin appearing clear and vibrant. The major ingredients are: Rice bran– the outer brown layer in rice that contain minerals, protein and oils, Rice water– containing vitamin A,B and E, minerals and ceramide, Soap wort– a plant based ingredient.

Key benefits of rice water bright cleansing face wash

• Restore moisture.
• Rice water brightens dark skin tone.
• Creamy foam texture gives you soothing cleansing.