Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need to have an extensive, 10-step skincare routine to have a flawless complexion. In fact, a good-quality face wash may be the key to maintaining clear skin. It’s finding the best one for your skin type that may be the challenge.
“Not all face washes arecreatedequal, and trust me when I say it is one of the most important parts of your skincare regimen,” celebrity esthetician Nicole Caroline told The Post.
With so many different types of face cleansers on the market, it can be difficult to find the perfect one for your skin type and needs. In an effort to help you feel and look your best, The Post chatted with a handful of experts — from dermatologists to estheticians — to get the lowdown on all their favorite face washes.
Whether you’re looking for something to help with your acne-prone skin or want a cleanser that will refresh your complexion before applying your daily sunscreen, we’ve got you covered.
Ahead find great options, at a variety of different price points for almost every type of skin type. Our expert-approved list includes brands like CeraVe, La Roche-Posay, Neutrogena, Cetaphil and more.
Best Face Wash Overall: CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser, $13
The CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser is a great option for all skin types, including those with sensitive skin since it’s fragrance-free.
“[This facial cleanser] effectively gets rid of dirt and buildup without leaving the skin feeling dry,” said NYC-based dermatologist Marisa Garshick. “It contains hyaluronic acid to hydrate the skin as well as ceramides [to] support and strengthen the skin barrier.
“This cleanser uses MVE Technology (multivesicular emulsion) which provides a continual release of ingredients for all-day hydration,” Garshick added.
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Best Face Wash for Acne-Prone Skin: PanOxyl Foaming Acne Wash, $9
If you have acne-prone skin, then it’s likely you’ve tried your fair share of face cleansers. DendyEngelman, board-certified cosmetic dermatologist and Moh’s surgeon at Shafer Clinic, recommends this face wash to her clients.
“This cleanser has 10% benzoyl peroxide that deeply cleans acne-causing bacteria and dirt from pores, helping to prevent new blemishes from forming,” said Engelman. “Plus, it’s not just for the face, it can be used for acne all over the body, like on the chest and back.”
Best Face Wash for Dry Skin: La Roche-Posay Hydrating Gentle Soap Free Cleanser, $12
Garshick recommends this La Roche-Posay face wash for dry skin, particularly because it’s hydrating but also oil-free, so it won’t clog your pores.
“This creamy cleanser helps to gently remove dirt and oil while hydrating and supporting the skin barrier to minimize moisture loss,” said Garshick. “It contains glycerin — a powerful humectant — and ceramides to strengthen the skin barrier to prevent dryness.
“It also incorporates La Roche-Posay Thermal Spring Water which is both soothing and rich in antioxidants as well as niacinamide, which is calming on the skin,” Garshick added.
Caroline also loves the La Roche-Posay Hydrating Gentle Soap Free Cleanser for those with dry and sensitive skin to help with redness. “This formula is safe for all skin types but especially sensitive skin, because it’s formulated with niacinamidefor soothing redness and ceramides for hydration,” Caroline said.
Best Face Wash for Oily Skin: Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Replenishing Cleansing Oil, $36
It might sound counter-intuitive, but Engelman recommends using cleansing oils on oily skin because “overproduction of oil is often an indicator that skin is calling out for more moisture.
“I love using this cleansing oil because it has conditioning properties like safflower, apricot, and olive oils to help repair the skin barrier while removing makeup and grime,” said Engelman. “Cleansing oils like this one, nourish the skin and balance oil production while removing debris, makeup and other pore-clogging agents.”
Note: Make sure you follow up with another facial cleanser after applying this oil.
Best Face Wash for Combination Skin: Cetaphil Hydrating Gentle Skin Cleanser, $10
The Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser is a cult favorite with thousands of reviews on multiple platforms (including 26,000+ on Amazon.com!) and also comes highly recommended by Garshick.
“This gel to foam cleanser effectively cleans [your face] without stripping the skin of its natural moisture — making it great for those with combination skin,” she said. “It eliminates dirt, excess oil and makeup without leading to irritation or worsening dryness of the skin.”
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Best Face Wash for Sensitive Skin: Kora Organics Cream Cleanser, $30
When it comes to sensitive skin, celebrity esthetician Candace Marino is a big fan of supermodel Miranda Kerr’s Kora Organics Cream Cleanser.
“This creamy cleanser helps to repair damaged lipid barriers — the cause of sensitized skin,” said Marino. “It features avocado, macadamia nut, rosehip oils and aloe to nourish and soothe irritated complexions.” Plus, they’re all certified organic ingredients!
“I especially reach for this cleanser after a long day at a photoshoot or event,” Kerr said herself on the Kora Organics website. “It helps remove heavy makeup and leaves my skin feeling so soft and clean.”
Best Customizable Face Wash: Function of Beauty Cleanser, $25
Creating a custom face cleanser could be the way to achieve your unique skincare goals. Function of Beauty’s face wash is budget-friendly and leaves your skin feeling refreshed — all you need to do is take a skin quiz to create your dream product.
YouTuber James Welsh is a huge fan of the FOB cleanser. “My skin care goals were to hydrate, even [skin] tone and minimize redness,” Welsh said. “The cleanser leaves my skin feeling so soft, clean and very, very supple.”
Best Face Wash for Mature Skin: Glytone Enhance Brightening Cleansing Powder, $50
Dermatologist Charles Puza calls this Glytone product “a magic powder” that turns into a “luxurious” face wash.
“The Glytone Enhance Brightening Cleansing Powder is amazing,” Puza raved. “It contains some of my absolute favorite skincare ingredients, like glycolic acid — [which] helps with fine wrinkles, pigment abnormalities and melasma. It’s an effective alpha-hydroxy acid that works to help with skin texture and brightness, two problems that tend to become more apparent as we age.”
This cleanser also includes mandelic acid and niacinamide, which “work to brighten the skin and protect against antioxidants, respectively.”
Best Exfoliating Face Wash: Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gentle Exfoliating Facial Cleanser, $8
If you’re on the hunt for a face cleanser that will gently but effectively exfoliate your face, Garshick recommends this option from Neutrogena.
“This gel-cream cleanser incorporates glycolic acid and lactic acid, both alpha-hydroxy acids, to gently exfoliate the skin and get rid of dead skin cells,” Garshick said. “It also contains hyaluronic acid to boost hydration so [it] won’t leave the skin feeling dry or irritated. This lightweight exfoliating cleanser improves overall tone and texture, leaving the skin soft and smooth.”
Best Multi-Purpose Face Wash: Clean & Clear Morning Burst Oil-Free Gentle Daily Face Wash, $5
For those who want to take care of their skin but don’t want to spend a ton of time in the bathroom with an extensive skincare routine, consider giving a multi-purpose face wash a try.
“Themorningburstfacial cleanser by clean & clear is a wonderful multi-purpose face wash,” Puza told The Post. “This combo face wash has vitamin C and ginseng to clean and refresh the skin.
“Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant that helps protect your skin from a variety of insults. The product containsburstingbeads that dissolve in the hands – once dissolved it [becomes] a gentle wash that doesn’t scratch the skin,” Puza continued. “This product is an easy choice for combining two skincare steps into one.”