You Should Wash Your Face Twice a Day. These 8 Cleansers Make It a Joy. (2025)

When something so affordable and in such plain-Jane packaging inspires poetry from our panelists, you know it has to be great. “After my wife, Vanicream is the second love of my life,” said one tester with exceptionally sensitive skin. The mellow liquid-to-froth formula of Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser thoroughly cleans skin without tightness, dryness, or redness.

This minimalist formula overachieves. Vanicream cleanser gives a deep clean but is fragrance-free and sulfate-free, and it contains a mere dozen ingredients. Among the products our panelists tested, only Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser had fewer, at 10. The Vanicream cleanser’s third additive is coco glucoside, a cleansing agent made from coconut oil and sugar. The sole cleansing ingredient in Cetaphil’s cleanser, by contrast, is its third to last ingredient. And testers did clock that cleaning power: “It gets all the gunk, and it doesn’t irritate or dry out my skin,” one panelist said. “It removes any residual makeup without making my skin feel stripped of all moisture,” another said.

For a mild cleanser, it has substantial lather. Many formulas geared toward sensitive skin felt more milky than muscly: Both Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser and Thayer’s Hydrating Milky Face Cleanser take a fair amount of massaging before they bubble up — and then don’t leave skin feeling especially sanitized. Vanicream cleanser, though, goes from a pearlescent liquid to pleasant froth with just a little water: “Don’t even get me started on the suds! They make me feel like I’m really doing some deep cleaning!” one panelist said.

It lasts for months. We named Vanicream cleanser a pick in our drugstore beauty guide, but during testing for this guide, the $9 wonder more than held its own against prestige cleansers that cost nearly four times as much. A little goes a long way, too; the 8-ounce bottle lasts several months even when used twice daily — shaking down to pennies per use.

The pump locks easily. We tested many cleansers with pumps (like Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash) that only locked when the top was fully depressed, which is both messy and wasteful, like when packing to take the bottle on the go. The Vanicream cleanser pump securely closes with a clockwise quarter turn.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

• The liquid’s pearlescent luster is created by mica, which may cause sensitivity for some people. None of our panelists noticed any irritation.

Straight out of the pump, EltaMD Skin Recovery Amino Acid Foaming Cleanser is like a tiny handful of clouds. For something so froth-forward, though, it’s magnificently mild — even around the eyes — and leaves skin feeling clean and nourished.

For an all-foam formula, it’s surprisingly gentle. Don’t mistake its sudsiness for soapiness: This sulfate-free soft foam fully removes dirt and grime and leaves your face feeling deeply clean — but not at all stripped. What’s more, it has a gentle feel even around the eyes. Indeed, the formula’s cleansing agents are offset by moisturizing and barrier-protecting ingredients like vitamin E and amino acids taurine and glycine.

Light and luscious, this puffed-up foam feels like a treat. More than one panelist used the word “luxurious” to describe this cleanser. The foam maintains its body with and without water, one tester noted: “It felt substantial the entire time I was washing, instead of disappearing into my skin like some of the others.” For instance, Aveeno Calm + Restore Nourishing Oat Cleanser never produced more than a few measly bubbles for one tester.

It pumps out a perfect portion. Just one press emits a dollop a bit smaller than a ping-pong ball — and it’s just as airy — which is just the right amount for face-washing. That said, for about $35, the cleanser’s plastic casing looks and feels a tad rinky-dink, especially when compared with the similarly priced Youth To The People Superfood Cleanser’s glass bottle or Ouai Detox Face Cleanser’s chic and minimalist graphic design.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

• It contains 28 ingredients. If the formula triggers irritation or sensitivity, it might be hard to determine exactly what component is to blame.
• It’s expensive. EltaMD Skin Recovery cleanser is nearly four times more expensive than the Vanicream cleanser. While Vanicream’s formula has a nice froth, the EltaMD cleanser is the move for ASMR vibes, with its dramatic fluffiness.
• Although it’s technically fragrance-free, it has a vague aroma with notes of medicine and coconuts.

During preliminary reporting for this guide, Wirecutter staffers and dermatologists repeatedly recommended CeraVe’s various cleanser options (we tested three very strong contenders, and the brand’s line of washes includes about nine more). But CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser was the standout with its soft, airy formula and oil-cutting powers.

The balanced formula removes grease and grime but not moisture. Old-school cleansers usually can’t distinguish between good oils (lipids in the skin barrier) and bad (shine- and acne-causing sebum). This formula, though, offsets lathery oil-lifters with moisturizing ingredients like niacinamide, ceramides, and hyaluronic acid. “I liked how the oil was thick and stayed stable on my face until I rinsed. And it felt super hydrating,” one panelist said.

It bubbles up beautifully. Of all the formulas we tried, CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser had a singular texture: Just a bit of water makes the liquid gel burst into a fluffy network of bubbles (some up to a half inch in diameter). “It feels so good in my hands and on my face,” one tester said. In fact, panelists preferred this frothiness over that of CeraVe Cream-to-Foam Facial Cleanser.

It deftly removes makeup. Though not specially marketed as a makeup remover, this cleanser efficiently lifted away foundation, concealer, sunscreen, and mascara. Panelists were split, however, on how eyes reacted to this formula: One tester said it didn’t sting at all, while another experienced redness after accidentally splooshing a sudsy drop in her eye (admittedly, this could be chalked up to user error).

Flaws but not dealbreakers

• Although the formula has no fragrance added, some testers still sensed — and disliked — a slightly chemical aroma.

Several testers deemed Kiehl’s Calendula Deep Cleansing Foaming Face Wash a favorite for how thoroughly it not only cleaned but also calmed and smoothed skin. The admittedly pricey formula also won points for its refreshing fragrance and stylish packaging (although the pump can require excessive pressing to get going).

This gel efficiently cleanses and softens. Although Kiehl’s calendula face wash is expensive, a single pump was enough for a full and thorough wash. One tester had spent the day working outside under layers of heavy sunscreen and was pleased at how well this gently frothing formula whisked it all away: “My face felt calm, smooth, clean, and soft,” he said.

Rinsing is effortless. Even though the gel has a hefty body, it doesn’t cling or coat the face unpleasantly. A quick splash or two is all it takes to flush away the foam. In contrast, contenders like KraveBeauty Matcha Hemp Hydrating Cleanser and Bubble Soft Launch Hydrating Cream Cleanser called for repeated dousing, especially in the hollows of our eyes, to fully remove all the product.

Although the bottle is plastic, it looks luxe. With its clear brown bottle and straightforward graphic design, the packaging has old-time apothecary vibes (“Kiehl’s always looks classy,” a panelist said). And while it resembles glass, it’s actually plastic, which several testers appreciated for safety’s sake in the shower because it did in fact become slippery in wet hands. (Testers had misgivings about similarly vibey formulas from Youth To The People and Vintner’s Daughter, which come in glass bottles.)

Testers liked the fragrance. With lemon peel oil and geranium oil, as well as calendula flower extract, this formula has a fresh scent that one tester described as “lovely, clean, and natural” — although another panelist was reminded a bit of household cleaning supplies. In any case, the zesty scent here is much preferred to the chemical-forward fragrance of the soapier Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cleanser.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

• Priming the pump takes forever. At first use, many testers had to press the spout several dozen times before even a single drop came out. Subsequent uses still required elbow grease.
• At just under $40 for about 8 ounces, this cleanser is expensive.

People with dry skin may approach face-washing with the most acute side eye: Won’t washing just parch their complexions more? Nope — not when the mild La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser is in play. The delicate suds cleanse without drying, though for such a straightforward formula, the price may seem high.

Moisturizing ingredients nourish dry skin. This milky formula has a mere 19 ingredients, and eight of them help skin maintain its moisture. As with our CeraVe pick, the La Roche-Posay Toleriane cleanser contains glycerin, niacinamide, and a ceramide — and vitamin E and panthenol.

Not too slick, drippy, or gooey: The texture is just right. Is it a gel? Is it a liquid? A lotion? A cream? Right out of the bottle, the answer is somewhere in between all of the above, and testers were into the novelty. Once panelists mixed the cleanser with water, they praised how the sheer froth moved: “I liked the way this held onto my skin while I massaged it in,” one tester said. “It wasn’t too slippery or gummy.” The light foam flushed away easily, whether testers were in the shower or at the sink.

The pump is a pleasure (and so is the refill pouch). You wash your face with wet hands, without eyeglasses, with the water running. No wonder most of our testers preferred pump bottles to slippery plastic tubes (like those from Tatcha, Fresh, and PanOxyl). And unlike any of our other picks (to date), La Roche-Posay’s Toleriane cleanser offers refill pouches for about $15.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

• It’s more dutiful than beautiful. La Roche-Posay’s Toleriane cleanser is effective, but the fragrance-free formula and weak suds are far from an “ahh-inducing” delight, as one tester put it. If you’re looking for a more spa-like experience, try Tatcha’s The Rice Wash, which has a fresh fragrance and gorgeous suds.

Texture is what sets Tatcha’s The Rice Wash apart: Straight out of the tube, it starts as a plump and seemingly smooth squiggle. When massaged with water, though, it starts to feel ever so slightly granular and then converts into a veil of froth. Testers loved the luxe cleansing, softening, and polishing effect, though the bracing scent wasn’t for everyone.

Rice powder gives it body and a perfect hit of grit. Unlike the hard-core apricot kernels and walnut husks of yesteryear, which can abrade skin so much that we recommended avoiding them in our guide to the best exfoliants, rice powder is the rare fine-grit ingredient that is actually a mild exfoliant. “There’s just a hint of grit to it, and my skin felt clean and glowy after this because of that light scrubby feeling,” one panelist said.

The tube is pricey, but lasts a long time. At about $10 an ounce, Tatcha’s rice cleanser was among the most expensive options we tested (only Vintner’s Daughter Active Renewal Cleanser cost more), but you truly only need a smidge for each wash. Admittedly, it took some testers a few tries to dial in the proper amount: A half-inch dab went on too thick, felt rather gritty, and resembled mime makeup. It also called for multiple messy splashes to lather and rinse away. A much smaller dot, meanwhile, mixed with water between the palms created the perfect gentle, sudsy scrub. “The experience of using it is quite nice, and feels expensive,” one tester said.

It smells nice. While synthetic fragrance isn’t listed on the ingredients panel, Tatcha’s rice cleanser has a few perfuming agents, including tea leaves, and every one of our testers remarked on the bracing fragrance. “I don’t particularly like fragranced skin-care products, but this one is nice and I’m here for it,” one said. Another panelist also appreciated the noticeable light scent but did point out that “it’s more like a clinical spa than a relaxation spa.”

Flaws but not dealbreakers

• For some testers with sensitive eyes, Tatcha felt too aggressive and abrasive. If you wear mascara and eyeliner, you’ll need a dedicated makeup remover or oil cleanser pre-wash.

Neutrogena Skin Balancing Gel Cleanser was such a pleasant surprise: Inside the humdrum plastic bottle is an unexpectedly luxurious cleanser with barely there suds that glide over skin. (Granted, it did require more rinsing.) The streamlined 12-ingredient formula includes an exfoliating polyhydroxy acid and aloe, which moisturizes and softens. And it smells really nice.

Skin feels great after cleansing. First and foremost, a cleanser should remove grime, makeup, and dirt — and this succulent goo is great at all that. But our panel testers especially appreciated the effects: One said it made her skin feel cool. Another happily reported, “My face felt nice and clean afterward and — dare I say it? — a little energized and bouncy.” That same tester didn’t experience any tightness and temporary dryness, which some panelists associated with cleansers from the drugstore.

Several ingredients smooth and soothe. This cleanser has a lean list of just 12 ingredients — and is tied with Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser for the fewest among our picks. Here, the standouts are gluconolactone, a gently exfoliating polyhydroxy acid, and aloe, an emollient and humectant. “I had no oiliness or irritation,” one tester said.

It slides across the skin. This tenacious gel won over several testers with its shape-shifting texture: With a little water, the clear, hearty drops turn into delicate suds that feel sheer on the face. “This one’s got slip!” one panelist said. “It has a slidey — not slimy — texture coming out of the pump, and when it was on my face, I could still feel that nice slipperiness.” In contrast, the Fresh Soy Face Cleanser seemed runny.

It’s a bargain. This was the only contender we tested for normal to combination skin that cost less than $30—and our panel testers still preferred it. (They weren’t privy to prices during the trial period.) Though less than $10, “This cleanser is more luxurious than the bottle would make you think,” one tester said.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

• For such a thin, gauzy lather, this cleanser called for assiduous rinsing.
• It contains fragrance. Our testers enjoyed the fresh, clean scent, but it may not be for everyone.

With a gossamer of light bubbles, this rich gel feels like a treat while lathering, then leaves skin feeling smooth and moisturized thanks to exfoliants like polyhydroxy, glycolic, and citric acids. Ouai Detox Face Cleanser’s piquant, herbaceous fragrance is so enticing, it permanently lured one of our testers off Team Fragrance-Free.

Hydroxy acids help smooth skin. Like our pick from Neutrogena, Ouai’s cleanser contains gluconolactone, the mildly buffing PHA. A handful of other actives juice up the clear gel; the formula includes smoothing alpha hydroxys like glycolic and citric acid, as well as vitamins C, E, and niacinamide. Granted, a cleanser interacts with your skin for only so long before you rinse it off, but our panelists appreciated the overall effectiveness. “My face feels so clean and fresh,” one said. “No oiliness, no dryness, and no irritation.”

The fragrance is fresh and lovely. Ouai’s cleanser has a modern scent that’s subtle but delectable, with herbaceous notes. That fresh essence makes the cleansing experience feel truly special, especially when compared with very good — but far less fragrant — options like Phyla pH Balancing Cleanser. Ouai’s aroma also beat out the scent of Youth To The People Superfood Cleanser, which has legions of fans.

It comes in chic, shatterproof packaging. It has an understatedly stylish, stout bottle with a pump that emits a perfect portion for a single wash. In tiled bathrooms and around sinks — and always with wet hands — our testers preferred handling this plastic container to Youth To The People’s glass bottle and even Fresh’s shiny (aka slick and droppable) tube.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

• At first use, a few of our testers had to depress the pump repeatedly before any cleanser came out. Subsequent use was fine and efficient, though.
• This is among our spendier picks and costs just under $4 an ounce.

I’ve been reporting about skin care and beauty for more than 25 years. While working for several lifestyle magazines, I’ve written many “best of beauty” roundups that reflected the real-life needs and feedback of readers. I’ve interviewed dozens of dermatologists and dug into hundreds of academic articles about skin care, ingredients, and efficacy. I consider myself an excellent judge of products and the experiences they offer.

Although I wish I had the energy to mimic my teenage kid’s hour-long skin-care routine, my own regimen is streamlined and simple. I wear moisturizer both day and night, slather my lips with balm at all hours, and am a rueful and belated adopter of sunscreen (child of the ’70s, teen of the ’80s here). When I add a step or a product to my minimalist routine, I want it to be easy, enjoyable, and effective. I prefer to wash my face in the shower because the water pressure is much better there than at my sink, making thorough rinsing more efficient.

Like all Wirecutter journalists, I review and test products with complete editorial independence. I’m never made aware of any business implications of my editorial recommendations. Read more about our editorial standards.

Entire aisles of big-box stores are dedicated to face washes. Perhaps not coincidentally, that’s exactly where the research for this guide began: I browsed the aisles at Target, Sephora, CVS, Walgreens, and several small independent drugstores and clicked obsessively through online retailers. I consulted with dozens of colleagues to find out which cleansers have delivered the best results — often over the course of several years — in their varied skin-care routines. I also interviewed three dermatologists and two cosmetic chemists for their general recommendations and insights on ingredients, formulations, effectiveness, and reasonable expectations. I dove deep into online reviews, looking to find cleansers that maintained high star ratings over hundreds — and often thousands — of reviews.

After I spoke with experts and cross-checked ingredient lists, it became clear that many cleansers are formulated in the same basic way. They contain cleansing ingredients like coco betaine, coco glucoside, and/or sodium cocoyl glycinate, all of which are natural and synthetic coconut derivatives that stand in as a surfactant and foaming agent for sodium laurel sulfate, which can be harsh. (The cosmetic concerns around the oil-stripping qualities of sulfates are most applicable when it comes to hair.) Cleansers also often have moisturizing ingredients like glycerin or hyaluronic acid and then extras like antioxidant botanicals, mild exfoliants, or fragrance.

While we didn’t specifically avoid sulfates, none of our picks contain them (one product we panel-tested, CeraVe Hydrating Cream-to-Foam Cleanser, contains a sulfate).

Many cleansers also claim to balance the skin’s pH — and although we tested a few such options, like Phyla pH Balancing Gel Cleanser, Tatcha Rice Wash, and CosRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser — it didn’t become a metric for inclusion or exclusion. Skin is naturally just a touch acidic, with a pH around 5, which studies have shown is an ideal environment for healthy microbiomes and barrier function. For this reason, many facial cleansers are formulated with a similar or neutral pH; bar soap, in contrast, tends to be made with have a higher (or more alkaline) pH due to strong surfactants that efficiently whisk away dirt and oils — but also take a toll on your skin barrier. Of course, other factors can affect a skin’s pH, including age, gender, tap water, and other products. For that reason, we did not prioritize or eliminate any contenders based on their pH alone.

Because it can be hard for people with sensitive skin to pinpoint what might be causing irritation when a product has a lot of ingredients, we did look at ingredient panels and noted formulas with succinct lists. Three of our eight picks have 18 or fewer ingredients, and the longest tops out at 29. (The average among those we panel-tested was 24 ingredients, and 60 was the outlying maximum.)

Starting with a list of 76 contenders, I synthesized my findings to establish a group of 35 that I would personally test (including Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser, the go-to product that I’ve used ever since Jesus was a boy). I washed both in the morning and at night: I had products “face off” against each other, using one on the right side and another on the left. As such, I tested four cleansers a day, rotating through the contenders and reusing what I deemed to be the best performers. During my testing, I decided to streamline the options to exclude balms and oils that tended to be geared toward makeup removal and double-cleansing, the two-product process so popular in Korean skin care. (See below for more about that.)

After about a month of my own testing, I narrowed the list to 17 final contenders and sorted them largely by the various brands’ skin-typing suggestions. Generally, foamy formulas were for oily and acne-prone complexions; creamy formulas were for dry skin; mild, fragrance-free options were for sensitive skin; and gels were for normal and combination skin. The final options were tested by eight total panelists, inclusive of ages.

Panelists then judged each cleanser on the following criteria:

• Cleansing power: We sought products that not only removed grime, dirt, and makeup, but also left our skin feeling nourished (and not tight, dry, crackly, or triggered for sensitivity).
• Texture and rinse: We looked for products that felt pleasant in our hands and on our faces and thoroughly rinsed off without running up the water bill.
• Ease of use: We took into account what it was like to handle the bottles, tubes, and pumps with wet hands and without eyeglasses. We also watched out for products that stung our eyes.
• Fragrance and packaging: Just less than half the cleansers our panelists tested had added fragrance, but even fragrance-free formulas can have an aroma. Testers clocked whether the scent interfered with fully enjoying the product. They also noted whether the handling or appearance of the packaging added anything to the experience.

The multistep routines that are so popular in Korean skin care often entail double-cleansing: removing makeup, sunscreen, and general grime with a balm or oil, then rinsing away sweat and dirt with a gentle, water-based lather. If these two steps sound a lot like the makeup-remover-plus-soap moment of your youth, it’s for good reason: A few dermatologists we spoke with confirmed that it’s essentially the same thing, just called something different.

In order to refine our points of comparison for this guide — and knowing that many people prefer a simplified, one-product process — we ultimately decided to only include true cleansers. Still, we tested balms and oils and found some truly excellent options, even if they didn’t necessarily stand on their own: A balm that remarkably removed heavy eyeliner and mascara still required a frothy rinse follow-up. Or an oil that whisked away layers of a zinc-forward sunscreen stick was able to suds up a bit, but it ultimately left our skin feeling greasy.

There is a lot to like about The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser, with its handy flat tube, tidy snap cap, and mild formula that didn’t sting our eyes or lips. That said, it was a little too benign, and it didn’t have enough oomph to fully remove eyeliner and mascara.

We called out Then I Met You Living Cleansing Balm as a fantastic half of a cleansing duo in our guide to the best Korean skin care. And while we genuinely appreciate the zesty fragrance and sleek, sheer texture, this balm works best in tandem with Then I Met You Soothing Tea Cleansing Gel, and that duo costs roughly $70.

At about $50, True Botanicals Ginger Turmeric Cleansing Balm costs around $10 more than the Living Cleansing Balm, but it delivers a significantly elevated experience, starting with the glass jar and tiny bamboo (not plastic) spatula used to scrape up a perfect portion. The chic ginger-scented formula immediately transforms into a silky oil that melts away makeup and schmutz, and it leaves skin feeling moist and juicy — though some might perceive that as greasy.

We still full-throatedly endorse Heimish All Clean Balm, which was our two-in-one pick in our guide to Korean skin care. With shea butter and coconut extract, the smooth balm glides on in a thin layer and easily removes even long-wear eyeliner. Then, when mixed with water, it transforms into a gentle lather. The pot’s clever design lets you fully unscrew the lid or simply pop it open for convenience. Best of all, the balm is a bargain: It costs about $18 — about half as much as Then I Met You balm, and a third of True Botanicals’s balm.

Several cleansing oils reminded us of straight-up makeup remover. In fact, the runny, drippy DHC Deep Cleansing Oil behaved and smelled a lot like old-school baby oil, which didn’t warrant the $30-plus price. Bubble First Class Oil Cleanser offered a more pleasant overall experience; we liked how the soothing formula massaged into dry skin in a delicate layer to remove most makeup then turned a touch milky when mixed with water. We faulted it, though, for how much rinsing it required.

Tatcha The Camellia Cleansing Oil, in comparison, was a standout oil cleanser. The dewy formula quickly and thoroughly removed heavy eye makeup and lip liner, and it left our skin feeling plumped up and smooth. It has nice body (more of a drop than a drip) and just enough aroma to register as a luxury — which is a baseline expectation for something that costs $50 for about 5 ounces.

Testers with sensitive skin were genuinely impressed with the mildness of Aveeno Calm + Restore Nourishing Oat Cleanser and loved how it plumped up and soothed their skin (as with so many Aveeno products, this liquid formula contains oatmeal flour). It was just edged out by Vanicream and EltaMD because it didn’t rinse off as effortlessly (one panelist had to deploy a cleansing cloth to fully remove the slickness).

Bubble Skincare is a favorite among the teen and tween set, and we admit to being charmed by the colorway and graphic design of its Soft Launch Hydrating Cream Cleanser, though the little cap and pump were tricky to use with wet hands. The nice pearly liquid is fine but not fantastic, and it required some effort to rinse from the hollows of our eyes.

We appreciated how Clinique Take the Day Off Cleansing Mousse transformed from cream into a lusty lather, but all those bubbles did a number on one tester’s eyes (which aren’t even that sensitive).

CeraVe offers a broad choice of excellent cleansers for a range of skin types beyond the Foaming Facial Cleanser, our pick for oily and acne-prone skin. When we tried Hydrating Facial Cleanser or the Hydrating Cream-to-Foam Cleanser, we were invariably impressed with how the formulas always managed to effectively clean away schmutz and schvitz while still leaving skin feeling fresh and smooth, and not at all tight or filmy. In their respective categories, though, we preferred our picks.

For decades, dermatologists have recommended Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser, especially for those with sensitive skin or acne. And while this subtle, sudless formula has a legion of long-time and loyal fans (including many Wirecutter staffers), it tended to trigger sensitivity and breakouts for our panel testers with sensitive skin.

CosRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser is a pick in our roundup of Korean skin-care favorites, and testers loved the feel of its gently frothing gel formula. They were split, however, on the tea-tree-forward fragrance: One panelist copped to liking it despite her general aversion to scented skin care; another found it too medicinal.

Our panelists were polarized by Fresh Soy Face Cleanser: One tester hated the fragrance, another loved it. One tester thought it left her skin too dry, another loved how moisturized her skin felt. There was consensus, however, about the formulation: It’s rather runny and dribbles out of the tube.

We appreciated that Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cleanser comes in a carry-on-friendly 2.5-ounce tube and loved the way the pearlescent formula created a robust foam. But even after thorough rinsing, our skin felt a little taut.

Between the brown tinge and slimy texture, KraveBeauty Matcha Hemp Hydrating Cleanser unfortunately reminded us of pond scum, which overshadowed the gel’s ability to cleanse and smooth.

Nothing looked nicer on our bathroom vanity than Laneige Water Bank Gentle Gel Cleanser, with its baby-blue bottle and modern-looking pump. The gentle formula creates a wisp of foam that has unexpected oomph when removing heavy eye makeup. The performance was on par with Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser, but ounce for ounce, Laneige’s cleanser is nearly four times as expensive.

Like CeraVe, La Roche-Posay has a solid lineup of impressive cleansers (including its Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser). Both Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel Cleanser and Toleriane Purifying Foaming Cleanser were great for oil control, but they left our skin a little dry after several days (so we ended up using them only on extra-oily days).

For something with oil-fighting salicylic acid, Murad Acne Control Clarifying strikes the perfect balance between leaving skin smooth and pliant, while also feeling like it’s really getting into pores and doing its thing. “It left my face feeling clean, not tight and stingy,” one panelist said.

A fragrance-free update on a classic, Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash with Salicylic Acid goes full-bubble foamy when wet, and it ably attacks oiliness, but — like many other options for the acne-prone — it left skin feeling a bit taut.

Whereas so many gentle cleansers tend to be milky cream formulas, Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser distinguished itself with a clear liquid that becomes an airy lather. For sensitive skin, though, it wasn’t quite as mild and soothing as our pick from Vanicream.

Olay Smoothing Daily Facial Cleanser is utterly inoffensive — a sudsless basic that was fine at refreshing skin, but only when we weren’t wearing a lot of makeup.

PanOxyl and pore-cleaning go hand-in-hand (in fact, the brand’s Clarifying Exfoliant 2% Salicylic Acid is a top pick in our guide to chemical exfoliants). And testers did indeed like how PanOxyl Acne Foaming Wash frothed up just enough, but they found it generally too harsh and irritating (especially around the eyes). As with lots of acne treatments powered by benzoyl peroxide, it tended to bleach one tester’s towels no matter how well she had rinsed.

Phyla pH Balancing Gel Cleanser was a strong contender for testers with normal/combination skin, who appreciated how the light gel lathered right up and felt luxurious on the skin. The subtle fragrance earned high marks, too. Overall, though, it was just edged out by the cleansers from Neutrogena and Ouai.

For dry skin, we still love Round Lab Birch Juice Moisturizing Cleanser, which was a pick in our roundup of great Korean skin-care products. Enriched with moisturizing ingredients like hyaluronic acid and birch sap, this gel leaves skin fresh and bouncy. The only strike against it is that it’s hard to find in stores.

Smooth, mellow Thayer’s Hydrating Milky Face Cleanser held its own against other mild cream cleansers, but was edged out due to its slightly swampy smell (perhaps due to the mushroom extract).

We loved everything about Vintner’s Daughter Active Renewal Cleanser — except for the $100-plus price. The mixture inside the minimalist-chic glass bottle contains aloe, apples, and a form of vinegar, and it feels lusciously lively on skin. We’d be tempted to buy it as an occasional splurge, but we prefer to invest this much money in skin-care products that stay on the skin — rather than rinse down the drain.

Many Wirecutter staffers are fans of Youth To The People Superfood Cleanser. Our panel testers liked how it sudsed up, removed grime and makeup, and smelled divine (fresh and green). As much as they admired the look of the glass bottle, they were less keen on using it in all-hard-surfaces bathrooms.

This article was edited by Hannah Morrill and Jennifer Hunter.

1. David Kim, MD, dermatologist, video interview, May 5, 2025

2. Omer Ibrahim, MD, dermatologist, email interview, February 25, 2025

3. Kseniya Kobets, MD, dermatologist, email interview, March 2, 2025

4. Julian Sass, PhD, cosmetic chemist, video interview, February 25, 2025

5. Ava Perkins, cosmetic chemist, email interview, March 4, 2025