What we’re looking for:

Skin type:

•   To get the obvious stuff out of the way first: Pick a cleanser appropriate for your skin type. If you’re a self-proclaimed beauty guru, you may be thinking, No duh. But in my experience, most people actually have no idea what their skin type is when asked. If you have zero problems, like acne or dry skin, you were most likely blessed with “normal” skin. But for those with more complicated issues — like excessive dryness that causes tightness and flaking, or blemishes stemming from oily skin — things aren’t quite as straightforward. You need to be mindful of ingredients and the texture of your cleanser, choosing one specifically for your dry, oily, acne-prone, sensitive, or combination skin type.

  Best overall face wash

  Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser:

  All skin types | Creamy | Glycerin, vitamin B5, and niacin amide

  → Backed by three of the experts I spoke to, this  face wash features powerful ingredients like glycerin to hydrate, vitamin B5 to protect the skin’s barriers, and niacin amide, which smoothen and helps retain moisture. Plus, this non-comedogenic face wash “works on every skin type, even sensitive skin,” according to Raleigh-based  Solomon, who has recommended it to patients with acne, eczema, and rosacea. It’s nothing fancy, and honestly, won’t be life-changing, but it’s a simple, soap-free, hypoallergenic, and fragrance-free cleanser that removes dirt, oil, and makeup without stripping the skin or causing irritation. The best part is it’s extremely affordable, allowing you to focus your dollar on other products like moisturizers and serums that have a longer-lasting impact on your skin.

  Best face wash for dry skin

  La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Face Wash Cleanser

 Dry skin | Creamy | Glycerin, ceramides, and niacin amide

→ Dermatologists seemed to like Hydrating Cleanser and this La Roche-Posay pick equally for dry skin. The  face wash has hyaluronic acid, which the La Roche-Posay cleanser doesn’t include. But in our expert opinion, the La Roche-Posay might actually be a little, bit better because you get an ounce more product for the same price, and it has more actives than the , including ceramides, glycerin, and niacin amide. It also features the brand’s famed thermal spring water, which hydrates and soothes irritated, dry skin thanks to its antioxidant properties. A certified physician assistant with Dermatology Group, specifically calls out the glycerin within the formula, because it’s “a wonderful ingredient that helps hydrate your skin without the overproduction of oil.”

  Best face wash for acne-prone skin

  Neutrogena Oil Free Acne Wash For Acne Prone Skin

  Oily skin | Gel | Salicylic Acid

→ Those with acne-prone skin should strongly consider using a cleanser with either salicylic acid, which reduces swelling and inflammation as it unclogs pores, or benzoyl peroxide, an antiseptic that decreases the amount of bacteria on your skin to prevent future breakouts. We deep-dive into all the best options here if you’d like to shop around, but overall, this Neutrogena cleanser with salicylic acid might just be your best bet, according to the dermatologists we consulted. It only has 2 percent salicylic acid, so it’s gentle enough for sensitive skin while still being able to tame serious breakouts. The gel texture also makes it particularly good for treating oily skin without drying it out.

   Best face wash for oily skin

  Youth to The People Age Prevention Cleanser

  Oily Skin | Gel to foam | Green tea, vitamins C, E, K

→ Much like a foaming face wash, a gel one will work best for those with oily or acne-prone skin because it can cut through excess oil on the skin’s surface (and inside pores). But the downside of gel face washes is that many can be too drying, causing more harm than good.  Corey L. Hartman, founder of Skin Wellness Dermatology in Birmingham, Alabama, and  Hope Mitchell, founder of Mitchell Dermatology in Ohio, say this face wash is an exception. It’s formulated with organic antioxidants like kale, spinach, and green tea, which Mitchell says “boost moisture in the skin, provide anti-inflammatory protection,” and won’t “leave the skin dry or tight.”

  Best exfoliating face wash for oily skin

  iS CLINICAL Cleansing Complex

  Oily Skin | Gel | Salicylic acid, antioxidants

→ If you like the texture of gel cleansers like the Youth to the People option above but prefer something that exfoliates, two of our experts recommend this gentle cleanser from IS Clinical. “It works for all skin types and is sulfate- and phthalate-free,” says Jessie Cheung of Cheung Aesthetics and Wellness, noting that the willow bark in the formula (a form of salicylic acid) “helps break up oils, exfoliate skin, and tighten pores.” The inclusion of salicylic acid also makes this excellent for acne-prone skin because it will deep-clean your pores while reducing inflammation. On top of that, the antioxidants in the formula protect the skin from environmental stressors while also brightening.

  Best face wash for sensitive skin

  Fresh Soy Face Cleanser

  Sensitive skin | Gel | Cucumber extract

→ Arguably, those with sensitive skin have it the hardest. Because your skin can react adversely to specific ingredients, it’s important to read labels and exclude any cleansers that are too harsh. A good place to start is this Fresh soy cleanser recommended by makeup artist Sofiia Strykova, who says it’s “perfect for extra-sensitive skin.” It gently cleanses while also leaving your skin “toned and brightened.” It has a gel texture, which typically we’d say is too harsh for sensitive skin, but this one is lightweight and feels cool and soothing. I credit that sensation to the combination of soy proteins, which keeps skin soft thanks to its high concentration of amino acids, and the cucumber extract and rose water, which hydrate and calm.

  Best face wash for combination skin

  CeraVe Hydrating Face Wash

  Combination skin | Cream to foam | Ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and amino acids

→ Cleansing combination skin can be like dancing a waltz: You have very specific steps you need to take, but one wrong move and the delicate balance of the routine can be thrown off. You have to take into account having both dry and oily skin, which can be tough, but that’s what makes this CeraVe cleanser so good. Mitchell says it’s a best-of-both-worlds scenario for combination skin. It transforms from a cream to a foam, giving dry areas the creamy, hydrating nourishment they need, while the foam removes excess oil “without leaving [the skin] feeling tight or dry,” Mitchell adds. The cleanser also contains essential ingredients like . ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and amino acids that help maintain the skin’s natural barrier and lock in moisture