The Best Face Wash for Every Skin Type
Wash off sweat, old sunscreen, and grime with these cleansers.
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If you’re a runner, then you probably wash your face more than most. There’s the pre-run cleanse, to make sure your pores are in the clear (followed by some face-friendly SPF if you’re heading out into the sun), as well as the post-run cleanse. Maybe you sweat in the hours to follow and want a refresh. And like everyone, you also wash your mug first thing in the morning and last thing before bed.
Point being, you rely heavily on face wash. And you need a cleanser that suits your skin type, be it naturally oily, dry, sensitive, acne-prone, and so forth. Don’t worry—we’ve got you covered with our roster of the best face washes. (We even have one pick for an on-the-go refresh.)
The Expert: I’ve been a grooming journalist for more than eight years and have written for nearly every US men’s media outlet in that time, including GQ, Men’s Journal, Robb Report, and Gear Patrol. I love trying new products, speaking with brand representatives, helping readers perfect their self care, and offering my own skin and hair up as a petri dish. As for cleansers, my oily, acne-prone, sweat-pouring skin gets a good three to four cleanses a day, because I’m either testing so many products or constantly in need of a refresh (post-wakeup, post-gym, pre-bed, etc).
What to Consider When Buying Face Wash
The most important thing to consider when buying a cleanser is your skin type and your sensitivities. People with dry skin have remarkably different needs from a cleanser than those with excessively oily or acne-prone skin. And, dry skin doesn’t always mean sensitive skin, so it’s also important to be aware of whether you need hydration (or a lack of moisture stripping) or if you simply need to avoid irritating ingredients like artificial fragrance. Be mindful of how each brand markets its product, identifying ingredients that work in your favor (like salicylic acid for acne-prone individuals).
Must-Know Ingredients
Every brand takes its own approach to a cleansing formula, often dependent on the intended audience’s skin needs, or even budget. Here are some common ingredients to watch for or to build your search around. It’s unlikely you’ll find a cleanser with all of them, and that’s by design; not all skin types have the same needs.
Oils: One of the best ways to extract the oils and impurities from your skin is with oil-based ingredients. (Fight fire with fire, right?) That’s not to say you should go slathering on olive oil to rinse yourself free. These balanced formulas deploy strategic amounts of oil (often sweet almond, olive, coconut, or argan) to attract other oil molecules, then rinse clean while leaving skin hydrated and nourished. These are best for normal and dry skin types, though anyone with acne-prone or oily skin might find success, so long as they avoid coconut oil. (Otherwise, consider water-based cleansers.)
Clays: Clays can purify and deep cleanse the skin, extracting oil and toxins from the pores without compromising nourishment levels. Look for bentonite, kaolin, and lava clay. These are terrific and gentle for sensitive skin types, oily skin, acne-prone skin, and frequent washers.
Salicylic Acid/Beta Hydroxy Acid (BHA): Salicylic acid is the primary beta hydroxy acid you’ll find in cleansing agents. You might see willow bark extract listed, too, but that’s where most salicylic acid is extracted from, so it’s really one in the same. Salicylic acid penetrates the skin’s surface and deep cleans the pores by dissolving dead skin cells and sebum buildup. It helps prevent and mitigate acne while also smoothing surface texture in the process. It’s best avoided on sensitive skin and will be most effective on oily and acne-prone skin.
Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs): Unlike BHAs, there is a longer list of alpha hydroxy acids to note. These include acids such as lactic, glycolic, mandelic, and citric. They stay at the surface of the skin to dissolve dead skin and promote smoother, brighter complexion (and reduce clogged pores, at that, by ridding cells that could later become trapped inside pores). They are best avoided by sensitive skin types.
Hyaluronic Acid: More commonly found in moisturizers and serums, this ingredient penetrates the skin and absorbs moisture from the air to plump and hydrate the skin. (It can hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water.) If your cleanser contains hyaluronic acid, then know that it’s working in favor of preserving your skin’s moisture; however, don’t mistake it as your daily dose of the ingredient. You will get the most mileage from this ingredient if it is absorbed into the skin via a serum or moisturizer. It’s a universally beneficial ingredient, though dry skin types will likely notice the biggest benefits.
How We Evaluated These Face Washes
I primarily looked for the best face washes for each skin type and threw in a few picks that work universally well, too. You’ll see a luxe pick or two, but mostly, you’ll notice that there are some exceptional budget-friendly cleansers (and universally applicable ones at that, when it comes to skin types). Heck, one of our top picks on this list will run you just $9 for eight bars, which could last you a few months. There’s always a good option for you, so long as you keep your skin type in mind. Finally, I included a couple face and body washes, too, for the all-in-one fans out there.
Cardon Cardon Purifying Clay Cleanser
Cardon Cardon Purifying Clay Cleanser
Pros
- Deep cleans like a mud mask without any dehydration
- Cica grass soothes the skin
Cons
- Clay can leave a(n easily rinsed) chalky residue on clothes
Key Specs
- Ideal for: All skin types and frequent washers
- Active Ingredients: Kaolin clay, bentonite clay, Moroccan lava clay, and cica grass
- Size: 3.4 fl oz
This cleanser is so universally wonderful, from its nourishing but deep-cleansing clay to the marshmallowy lather it builds to its portability (perfect for flights and gym bags alike). The soothing cica grass extract makes it truly enjoyable to apply. Whether you are a frequent face washer, oily-skinned, acne-prone, dry, or sensitive (that’s virtually everyone), Cardon’s cleanser will likely suit you.
Dr. Dennis Gross Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Pore Perfecting Cleansing Gel
Dr. Dennis Gross Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Pore Perfecting Cleansing Gel
Pros
- Best way to get daily exfoliation incorporated into a cleansing regimen
- Disappears and prevents blackheads
- Surprisingly gentle for such a high-powered formula
Cons
- Still, best avoided by sensitive skin types due to its exfoliating prowess
Key Specs
- Ideal for: All non-sensitive skin types
- Active Ingredients: Various AHAs and willow bark extract
- Size: 7.5 fl oz
With a recipe that unclogs pores, dissolves dead cells, and tempers oil production, this daily gel cleanser is a workhorse on the greasiest, shiniest brows. It even promises to minimize the appearance of those overactive pores. For these reasons, it’s great on acne-prone skin.
CeraVe CeraVe Acne Control Cleanser
CeraVe CeraVe Acne Control Cleanser
Pros
- Low-cost dermatologist-favorite (and derm-developed) brand
- Gel-to-foam lather busts through blackheads
Cons
- Not so gentle on sensitive skin
Key Specs
- Ideal for: Oily and acne-prone skin or a post-workout deep clean
- Active Ingredients: Salicylic acid, hectorite clay, niacinamide, and ceramides
- Size: 8 fl oz
Salicylic acid in the Acne Control Cleanser unclogs pores and tones oil production, while cleansing clay extracts any additional impurities, all in one grand effort to mitigate and prevent acne. And, in proper CeraVe fashion, this cleanser contains three types of ceramides that fortify and preserve the skin’s barrier defenses.
The Inkey List The Inkey List Hyaluronic Acid Cleanser
The Inkey List The Inkey List Hyaluronic Acid Cleanser
Pros
- One of the lighter face washes on this list—take note if you need a deeper cleanser
- Gentle foam also helps remove light makeup and sweat buildup without compromising moisture barrier
Cons
- Kinda smells weird
Key Specs
- Ideal for: Dry or sensitive skin and frequent washers
- Active Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, betaine powder, and stearic acid
- Size: 5 fl oz
The Inkey List centers one of the industry’s favorite hydrating ingredients (hyaluronic acid) in its foaming cleanser to ensure that the product preserves and restores moisture even as it extracts grime and removes makeup. It’s a cleanser that won’t parch your skin as it rinses you clean.
Patricks Patricks FW1 Face Wash
Patricks Patricks FW1 Face Wash
Pros
- One of the most luxe lathers you can apply to your face, with an ingredient roster you’d expect from a night moisturizer
- Gently dissolves dead skin cells with citric acid
Cons
- That $80 sticker shock—still, it’s supreme!
Key Specs
- Ideal for: Sensitive skin and frequent washers
- Active Ingredients: Green tea, citric acid, prickly pear, and lemon myrtle leaf extract
- Size: 3.4 fl oz
Although the act of cleansing is itself “anti-aging,” Patricks delivers more than most on this promise by packing in ingredients with antioxidant-rich polyphenols and UV-countering flavonoids. Together these help thwart some of the skin’s most common everyday enemies. Not to mention, they are delivered in gentle, luxurious foam, which is one of the best means for sensitive skin types. Even so, this is a great cleanser for all skin types.
Elemis Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm
Elemis Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm
Pros
- The most replenishing cleanser on this roster
- Leaves skin with a refreshed, radiant “glow”
Cons
- Needs to be applied outside the shower; really is more of a cleansing treatment than a routine face wash
- Sweet almond oil is primary ingredient, which has a medium comedogenic rating, meaning it might clog severely acne-prone skin
Key Specs
- Ideal For: Removing makeup and deep-cleansing after a good sweat
- Active Ingredients: Brown algae, elderberry oil, and sweet almond oil
- Size: 3.5 fl oz
We give the luxury prize to Elemis for this face wash treatment. It’s a 3-in-1 product that soothes skin with its balm qualities, extracts excess sebum and sweat (and even makeup) with its oil properties, and hydrates cells with its milkier ingredients. It’s a rare cleanser that almost feels like a mask yet leaves skin feeling fortified, as if you added two or three other steps post-washing. But nope—it’s all from the simple act of applying this balm and letting it work its magic. (Which is anchored in the brand’s affinity for anti-aging algae-powered formulas.)
Dr. Bronner’s Dr. Bronner’s Pure Castile Liquid Soap 2-pack
Dr. Bronner’s Dr. Bronner’s Pure Castile Liquid Soap 2-pack
Pros
- One of the few multipurpose products that offers a universal, hydrated, balanced clean
- Oil-based cleansing nourishes skin as it extracts impurities
Cons
- Coconut oil is the primary ingredient, which can be comedogenic on acne-prone skin
Key Specs
- Ideal for: Dry and normal skin
- Active Ingredients: Coconut oil, olive oil, and mint extract
- Size: 16 fl oz
With its soap-free non-synthetic blend of cleansing oils, Dr. Bronner’s cleans everything, including your hands, your tush, and your floors. And yes, it’s even gentle enough to wash your face. It’s one of those rare universal products that I recommend for cleansing—in dire situations, it’s even a decent shampoo. The peppermint scent provides a refreshing and soothing tingle on the skin.
Jack Black Jack Black Face Buff Energizing Scrub
Jack Black Jack Black Face Buff Energizing Scrub
Pros
- Eliminates an extra step by combining cleansing and exfoliation
- Gentler than most exfoliants—allowing for every-other-day use to create a constant smoothness
Cons
- Has trace amounts of sulfates; best to avoid use on dry skin
Key Specs
- Ideal for: All skin types and pre-shave skin prep
- Active Ingredients: Peppermint oil, bamboo powder, and vitamin C
- Size: 6 fl oz
Whether you get your exfoliation effects from chemical ingredients or physical scrubs is up to you. If it’s the latter, then pick a gentle enough one that you can use every other day in place of your non-buffing cleanser. Jack Black’s is an excellent pick thanks to its gentle bamboo powder grit, which makes it especially effective as a pre-shave cleanser, surface smoother, and stubble lifter. People with sensitive skin should proceed with gentle caution.
Dove Dove Sensitive Skin Beauty Bar 8-pack
Dove Dove Sensitive Skin Beauty Bar 8-pack
Pros
- Lauric acid calms skin and neutralizes microbes, while stearic acid preserves the skin’s moisture barrier functions
- pH-balanced formula won’t irritate skin
- Budget-friendly
Cons
- Consider designating a bar just for your face if you don’t like the idea of a total body cleanser
Key Specs
- Ideal for: All skin types, especially sensitive skin, and multitasking users
- Active Ingredients: Stearic acid and lauric acid
- Size: 3.8 oz per bar
Don’t fear all low-cost bars of “syndet” soap (syndet = synthetic detergent). Dove in particular is a tried-and-true 25 percent moisturizing formula that nearly all dermatologists will recommend for facial cleansing. Plus, the fragrance-free sensitive skin blend is even gentler on skin than the rest of the mug-friendly assortment. It’s also one of the few products I would ever recommend for face and body cleansing.
Ursa Major Ursa Major Essential Face Wipes 20-Count
Ursa Major Ursa Major Essential Face Wipes 20-Count
Pros
- Biodegradable bamboo wipes
- Has a refreshing orange, lavender, and fir aroma
Cons
- Plastic wrappers (which is par for the course with pocket-friendly wipes)
Key Specs
- Ideal for: Oily and acne-prone skin, but good for all skin types
- Active Ingredients: Aloe, witch hazel, and willow bark
- Size: 20 wipes
Runners especially know the importance of a quick wipe down—sometimes you want to refresh after a big sweat but are still at the trailhead or in the parking lot. Tuck away one of these 4-in-1 wipes, each of which are individually wrapped and soaked in the brand’s fan-favorite skin-balancing face tonic. They cleanse, soothe, and hydrate skin, while also gently dissolving dead skin cells.
How to Create an Optimal Skin Care Routine, According to Our Expert Adam Hurly
RW: Is it a good idea to incorporate more than one cleanser into your skin care routine?
AH: I am an advocate of having at least two types of cleansers—one gentle one for the days you have to wash multiple times or when your skin feels content and balanced. But I like to have a second, heavier-duty one on hand (with salicylic acid, for example) for when my skin becomes extra oily or when I experience breakouts or excessive oil production.
RW: Are there any ingredients to avoid in face wash?
AH: There’s a long list of ingredients that, by now, most brands have expelled entirely, like parabens, phthalates, and the more severe types or amounts of sulfates. That last one, though, is especially important if you use a bar soap or body wash as a face wash. (I do not recommend this unless the brand suggests doing so—Dove being a perfect exception for its moisturizing properties.) Just make sure your cleanser doesn’t build a big, sudsy, skin-drying lather like a cheap shampoo. In that case, it’s probably got a concerning ratio of sulfates. Most importantly, get a cleanser targeted at your specific skin needs and goals. Within those bounds, you’ll probably find success. For example, the Jack Black product on this list has trace sulfates but is still exceptional at its scrubbing task. Sure, you can choose to avoid it if you have naturally dry skin, but even then, it’s only as a precaution.
RW: Aside from a good face wash, what’s one skin care product everyone should consider?
AH: The two most essential, baseline products are a cleanser and moisturizer. In an ideal world, you’ll have an SPF moisturizer for the daytime and a denser overnight moisturizer while you sleep. A moisturizer will deliver nutrients to your skin and help fortify new cells, while also keeping toxins and bacteria out of the body by reinforcing your skin’s own barrier functions.
Adam Hurly has been a grooming journalist for more than eight years, starting off by producing editorial content for Birchbox Man in 2013 and continuing as a freelance writer for GQ, Esquire, Men’s Journal, Gear Patrol, Men’s Health, Robb Report, and more; He likes the excuse to constantly change up his appearance for the sake of each story, though product testing often results in red-skinned mishaps; The Sioux Falls, South Dakota, native currently resides in Berlin, which gives him a nice home base as a travel journalist (his secondary beat). Hurly has also written for AskMen, Bloomberg, Ultra NYC, Highsnobiety, and Byrdie since starting his freelance career in 2016.
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