Unlock the Secret Face Washes Experts Swear By—Find Out Which One Will Transform YOUR Skin Type Overnight!

Ever stared at your bathroom sink wondering if your face wash is really doing its job—or if it’s just another bottle crowding your shelf? Trust me, I get it. Living in a city like New York means my skin faces a daily onslaught of sweat, pollution, makeup, and yes, that all-important sunscreen layer we religiously apply. But here’s the kicker—picking the right cleanser isn’t just about squeaky clean skin; it’s about preserving that precious natural barrier we all need. After trying an army of face washes, consulting top-notch dermatologists, and extensive testing, I’m sharing the crème de la crème that actually work without leaving your skin feeling like a desert. Ready to ditch that cleanser confusion? Let’s dive in. LEARN MORE

4 min read

My face wash collection is crowded and constantly changing with my skin’s needs each season in New York. As our beauty editor, I get to test plenty of cleansers, but finding the right one matters. Throughout the day, skin accumulates excess sebum, sweat, environmental pollutants, makeup, and sunscreen. “A properly formulated cleanser helps remove these impurities without disrupting the skin’s natural protective barrier,” says Shereen Teymour, DO, a dermatologist practicing in New Jersey and New York. Cleansing also removes product buildup so serums and moisturizers can sit directly on clean skin.

Best Face Washes

What to Consider

Which type of face wash should I use?

First, let your skin type and a cleanser’s formulation guide you to the best face wash for your needs. Here are a few pointers from Dr. Teymour and Geeta Yadav, MD, a dermatologist in Toronto.

Gel cleansers often work well for normal, combination, and oily skin because they provide a lightweight cleansing experience with no heavy residue.
Cream and milk cleansers are well suited for dry or sensitive skin because they remove impurities without leaving skin feeling stripped.
Foaming cleansers are particularly useful for removing excess oil and daily buildup. Like gel cleansers, foam face washes typically don’t leave behind a heavy residue, but foams feel airy on the skin.

Which face wash ingredients should I look for?

Your skin type, barrier function, and the active ingredients you’re already using should also inform your cleanser selection. For example, salicylic acid can help with clogged pores and blackheads, and benzoyl peroxide washes can be useful for inflammatory acne. However, if you’re already using a retinoid or other acne treatments, you might prefer a gentle cleanser to avoid excess skin irritation, says Dr. Teymour.

For dry skin, opt for a face wash made with glycerin and ceramides to help hydrate. For sensitive skin, look for fragrance-free cleansers with a relatively simple formulation. Now, if you have mature skin, use a hydrating product and focus on targeted leave-on treatments like face serums rather than relying on an aggressive cleanser to target fine lines, hyperpigmentation, and texture.

How We Chose the Best Face Washes

As a member of the Women’s Health beauty team, I’m constantly on the hunt for the best products worth the money, including face washes. So I started the vetting process by hitting up our beauty closet and my personal collection of cleansers. After evaluating their ingredients and formulations against Dr. Teymour’s guidance, I narrowed down options from 17 to 11.

Then it was time to test. I used each cleanser for at least a month, but some, such as Epionce and SkinMedica, have been part of my routine for several years. To narrow down the list even further, I brought on Dr. Teymour, WH fitness editor Natascha Grief, and master esthetician Fahima Hariti of KarinaNYC Skin Clinic to get in on the testing process.

We considered each cleanser’s ingredients, price, and overall efficacy to determine which would best suit a wide range of needs and preferences. We kept in mind how effective each cleanser was at removing impurities without leaving the skin tight or irritated. We also considered our skin type to ensure there are options for your needs, including sensitive skin. Here are the six face washes that are actually worth your time and hard-earned money.

Key Specs

Best Ingredients	AHA/BHA blend, jojoba spheres
Formulation	Gel

This is a rare beauty product that I own multiples of because I refuse to wait for a replacement face cleanser. I’ve used it on and off for years, but now I’m fully locked in with this one again. Although SkinMedica is a little pricey, I haven’t tried a product from the line I didn’t enjoy, including this face wash. It’s the happy medium for when I want both a chemical exfoliant and a satisfying physical scrub.

Don’t worry, this isn’t like that popular scrub from high school containing crushed walnut shells. AHA/BHA Cleanser uses soft jojoba spheres to gently exfoliate my face. It also contains an exfoliating blend of alpha-hydroxy and beta-hydroxy acids. Together, they slough away dead skin cells and leave my face feeling baby-soft. I massage the cleanser gently in large circles, then let it sit on my acne-prone skin for a minute before rinsing it away.

The smooth beads provide a genuinely satisfying sensory experience. I like the sensation so much that I used this cleanser twice a day. Since I also use serums infused with active ingredients like azelaic acid and glycolic acid, I make sure to wear and reapply broad-spectrum sunscreen throughout the day.

You don’t have to splurge to snag a great face wash, especially if you have “ridiculously sensitive skin” like fitness editor Natascha Grief. Many skincare products irritate, sting, cause redness, or strip her face of any hint of moisture. Not so with the CeraVe Hydrating Foaming Oil Cleanser.

She appreciates that it’s fragrance-free and cleanses her skin effectively without any discomfort. “It has a light texture that thoroughly foams up when mixed with water for a gentle lather that leaves my skin feeling cleansed but not tight or dry,” she says. A bonus: it removes makeup—including waterproof mascara—without requiring a separate makeup remover.

Pros

Removes my dirt, oil, and makeup
Rebalances my complexion

Cons

Skip if you don’t like skincare products with a mild cooling sensation

Key Specs

Best Ingredients	Willow bark extract, marshmallow root extract, menthol
Formulation	Gel

I’ve been using this since my skincare fairy godmother told me about it in 2024 and have purchased dozens of bottles since. If you’ve got oily or combination skin, or enjoy a refreshing cooling sensation in the morning, this is the cleanser for you. Hear me out: It’s not the strong Noxzema chilliness that reminds me of an icy tundra. Instead, it’s mild and offers just enough sensorial experience to perk me up in the morning.

Lytic Gel is formulated with a slew of familiar ingredients, including willow bark extract, marshmallow root extract, and menthol. I find this cleanser effectively removes oil, dirt, and non-waterproof makeup without leaving my face dry or taut. It lightly lathers and does a solid job of rebalancing my oily skin and preventing my acne, which is always a win.

Pros

Cleanses without leaving my face taut
Light astringent properties to temporarily minimize the appearance of pore size

Cons

Skip if you don’t like gel cleansers

Key Specs

Best Ingredients	Willow bark extract, glycerin
Formulation	Gel

I know a face wash is worth exploring when three estheticians have mentioned it to me in random conversations over the past month. Most recently, master esthetician Fahima Hariti of KarinaNYC Skin Clinic told me it’s designed with my oily, acne-prone skin in mind. The formula also contains moisturizing glycerin, though anyone with sensitive skin should patch test it first to be sure it’s compatible with them.

Cleansing Complex is a lightweight gel cleanser formulated with antioxidants, bionutrients, and mild resurfacing ingredients to help remove impurities without compromising my skin’s natural moisture. During my facial, I noticed this wash left my skin feeling soft and smooth, and honestly cleaner-looking before I even got extractions. Just keep in mind this is a gel cleanser, so it might be a tad too drying for very dry skin.

Pros

Made with 50 percent glycerin and inulin for incredible moisture
Designed for the face and body

Cons

Only available in a large bottle

Key Specs

Ingredients	Glycerin, inulin, aquaporin-stimulating active
Formulation	Gel that transforms into a creamy lather

I’m all for skincare products created by dermatologists because they see a wide range of patients throughout their careers and understand what actually works IRL. Prequel is a perfect example of a derm-founded brand that delivers real results. Gleanser is the brand’s gentle face wash designed with sensitive skin in mind. It even received Seals of Acceptance from the National Eczema Association and the National Rosacea Society.

What I love most is the combination of ingredients. Think skin-softening, humectant-rich glycerin paired with inulin and an aquaporin-stimulating active for more supple skin. It’s even packed with a blend of arginine, oat extract, and aloe to soothe my skin. Gleanser also does a fantastic job of removing impurities, oil, and even makeup from my skin without disturbing its moisture barrier or pH.

The only thing I don’t enjoy about Gleanser is the large size of the bottle. It’s a great bang for your buck, but I live in a tiny studio apartment, so every centimeter of space matters for me no matter how small. Still, it’s not a real deal-breaker: The large size is practical because Prequel can be used as a body wash for dry skin, especially during fall and winter. The mix of gentle ingredients doesn’t cause my eczema to flare up, which is a major win.

Pros

Fragrance-free
Ideal for dry, reactive, redness-prone skin

Cons

Skip if you prefer a cleanser with exfoliating acids

Key Specs

IngredientS	Vitamin E, lipid complex
Formulation	Cream

When you want to spend a little more on a face wash for sensitive skin, opt for Senté over CeraVe. Dr. Teymour notes its popularity among her patients with sensitive, redness-prone, or compromised skin. She especially likes that it hits everything you want in a face wash, such as a gentle, fragrance-free formula. There’s even vitamin E and a lipid complex to help support the skin barrier while effectively removing impurities. “I love that it leaves the skin feeling soft, hydrated, and comfortable rather than tight or stripped, making it a great option for patients with dry or reactive skin,” she says.

Meet the Experts

FAQ

Do I need to wash my face in the morning and night?

Washing your face frequently isn’t necessarily better. If you have sensitive or dry skin, you can rinse with lukewarm water in the morning and use a gentle cleanser at night. Overwashing or using an overly aggressive cleanser can strip the skin of essential lipids, leading to dryness, irritation, and a compromised skin barrier, says Dr. Teymour.

How can I tell if my face wash is too harsh?

The most important thing Dr. Teymour looks for in a daily cleanser is its ability to effectively remove impurities while preserving the skin barrier. “A cleanser should leave your skin feeling comfortable and balanced rather than tight, dry, or irritated,” she says.

Now, if your skin feels dry or tight after cleansing, then your face wash might be too harsh. Opt for a gentler formula that is compatible with your skin type. This is especially important for oily skin. “The biggest mistake I see with oily skin is trying to eliminate every trace of oil,” says Dr. Teymour. Aggressive cleansing can compromise the skin barrier and cause irritation, even if you produce more sebum.

Do I need to double cleanse?

If you wear heavy makeup or water-resistant sunscreen, Dr. Teymour likes an oil or balm cleanser as the first step in a double cleanse to help dissolve residue. However, not everyone needs the extra step. If your daily face wash removes makeup and SPF without irritation, you may not need to double cleanse or even purchase a separate product.

More Dermatologist-Approved Beauty Products

Nicole Saunders is the beauty editor at Women’s Health and has nine years of experience researching, writing, and editing lifestyle content. She specializes in breaking down complicated topics, like red light therapy for hair growth and LED face masks, into easy-to-understand guides. Saunders takes great pride in heavily researching and testing featured beauty products, such as strengthening shampoos and body washes for dry skin on our site.
Previously, she was the beauty editor at Best Products where she tested quite literally thousands of launches for her quarterly column and the Best New Beauty Awards package. She also launched the beauty and wellness coverage at NBC News and contributed to CNN, Cosmopolitan, Billboard, The Hollywood Reporter, and Harper’s BAZAAR.
You can follow her on Instagram to stay in the loop on her product testing adventures.