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Byrdie / Marcus Millan
TL;DR
The Cetaphil Gentle Foaming Cleanser Face Wash for Sensitive Skin
is the best drugstore face wash we tried. The extra-mild, non-irritating formula gets the job done, without stripping the skin. If you want a cleanser that’s especially good at removing makeup, consider Burt’s Bees Gentle Face Cleanser.
Washing your face may not be the most exciting part of your skincare routine, but it’s necessary to keep your skin healthy and looking good. The good news: There’s no need to shell out the big bucks to find a great face wash. There are tons of standout drugstore options, many of which ring in at less than $20 (and some even come in under $10). Active ingredients tend to up the cost of face wash, but, according to board-certified dermatologist Dr. Adebola Dele-Michael, MD, gentle and mild is the way to go with cleansers, especially if you want to keep your skin moisturized and free of dry patches.
Given that there are so many great drugstore face washes out there, we set out to find the best ones. We tested 85 formulas over a month on a range of skin types in our New York City lab and at home. At home, we used each product twice daily, evaluating everything from how our skin looked and felt right after cleansing to ease of use to the level of hydration it provided to, most importantly, how well each one cleansed the skin. Ultimately, these cleansers washed away the competition.
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Fragrance-free and non-irritating
Foams nicely and feels lightweight
Moisturizing with vitamin E
Not particularly effective for removing eye makeup
Key Ingredients: Glycerin, vitamin B5, vitamin E | Skin Type: All | Size: 8 oz. | Cruelty-Free: No
This universal crowd-pleaser is all the things you want a cleanser to be: gentle, effective, and super affordable. We loved the lightweight foamy texture and the way this thoroughly cleansed the skin without stripping it or leaving behind a residue. While foam formulas are typically more drying, we actually found this to be moisturizing. The fact that it’s fragrance-free and completely non-irritating is another major win in our book—it’s a failsafe pick for all skin types. It is worth noting, however, that while it did a great job removing foundation, it doesn’t do quite as well removing eye makeup.
Awa with sensitive/dry skin
“My skin felt balanced, not oily or dry. My face just felt very clean and refreshed.”
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Removes makeup well
Doesn’t feel greasy even though it’s oil-based
Rinses cleanly
Emulsion formula can take a bit of getting used to
Key Ingredients: Squalane | Skin Type: All | Size: 1.7 | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Drugstore products are, by definition, easy on the wallet, but this option is inexpensive even by those standards. It’s an awesome face wash and makeup remover in one; it’s an oil-based emulsion that helps break down oils in your makeup. That helps make it nice and hydrating; we also noticed that it left our complexion more radiant and glowy. And even though it’s oil-based, it didn’t cause any irritation or breakouts. The only thing is it does go on pretty thick and solid, and requires a little bit of massaging and mixing with warm water to get it to a milky consistency. But once you do that, this pick is sure to please.
Alice with dry skin
“My skin felt really refreshed and clean and had a nice glow to it after every use.”
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Smooth texture that spreads nicely
Didn’t cause any irritation
Keeps pores clear
Can be drying
Key Ingredients: Benzoyl peroxide | Skin Type: Oily, acne-prone | Size: 4 oz. | Cruelty-Free: No
The star of the show in this formula is a 5% concentration of benzoyl peroxide, a well-known acne-fighting ingredient. And it was, indeed effective at helping to treat and prevent acne and keeping clogged pores at bay during testing. It was actually less irritating than other benzoyl peroxide cleansers we’ve tried, however, it did cause some dryness. One tester mitigated this by not using it every day, but rather as more of a treatment cleanser that she alternated with a gentler, more hydrating formula. Because it is a more medicated formula, you’ll want a separate cleanser for removing makeup.
Anya with combination skin
“Overall, my skin is definitely drier than when the test started, but I still enjoy the product and think the anti-acne effects are worth the side effect.”
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Hydrating with hyaluronic acid
Effective at removing makeup
Gel consistency applies nicely
Scent is a bit chemical-y
Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, ceramides | Skin Type: All | Size: 3.7 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Loaded with hydrating hyaluronic acid and skin-strengthening ceramides, this is a must-try for those with dry skin. It’s also incredibly gentle, yet still delivers impressive cleansing prowess, effectively removing dirt and makeup—no need to double cleanse. It’s easy to apply and spread the gel-like formula (which emulsifies when mixed with water) and leaves the skin smooth and glowy. The only drawback? It does smell a bit like chemicals upon application, but thankfully, the scent doesn’t last.
Rachel with combination skin
“The benefit to this face wash was the hydration element. I helped my skin stay fresh, hydrated, and radiant during the winter months.”
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Leaves skin softer and smoother
Creamy formula that doesn’t feel heavy
Isn’t drying or stripping
May cause breakouts
Key Ingredients: Glycerin, salicylic acid | Skin Type: All | Size: 5 oz. | Cruelty-Free: No
This cleanser goes above and beyond its standard call of duty, offering simultaneous exfoliating benefits. It contains both salicylic acid (which offers gentle chemical exfoliation) and exfoliating beads, offering both sides of the exfoliation spectrum. It left our complexion softer, smoother, and more radiant—and without any dryness.
Despite having a thick and creamy texture out of the bottle, once it lathers, it feels featherlight and there’s no greasy residue. It also removed makeup well. However, one of our testers noticed an uptick in acne while using it, so if you have reactive skin, we suggest limiting your use of this one.
Megan with normal skin
“The moisture the product provides is great without being heavy, and it’s exfoliating without being irritating. I felt like my skin looked and felt better after using it.”
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Great at removing excess oil
Mess-free application
Soothes with chamomile extract
Not as effective at removing makeup
Key Ingredients: Sunflower seed oil, chamomile extract | Skin Type: All | Size: 2.5 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes
We know what you’re thinking—an oil cleanser for oily skin? Yep. We couldn’t get over how well this formula helped break down excess oil, especially in our T-zone. And because it’s an oil-based option, it’s also innately hydrating, leaving skin feeling softer and more moisturized—the best of both worlds.
It’s worth noting that the texture is a little different than other cleansers. It comes out fairly solid (we likened the texture to Vaseline), and is meant to be spread onto dry skin. Since it’s very spreadable, this application method worked well. Once you add water, the consistency transforms into more of a lightweight milk. It wasn’t particularly great at taking off makeup so it would be best reserved for no-makeup or lighter makeup days.
Katie with combination skin
“I liked how this really helped to clean out the oils in my T-zone, leaving my skin feeling really soft. I tend to get a lot of build-up on my nose and chin and this really helped reduce that.”
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Gentle, fragrance-free formula
Helps calm redness
Mess-free pump dispenses the perfect amount of product
Won’t remove eye makeup
Key Ingredients: Feverfew | Skin Type: Sensitive, dry | Size: 6 oz. | Cruelty-Free: No
This pick is so incredibly gentle that even our tester with rosacea and sensitive skin not only tolerated it but loved it. It checked the boxes for effective cleansing, not causing any irritation, and even tamping down redness. While it’s not necessarily moisturizing, the lightweight foam also isn’t drying, another important point for those with sensitive skin. While it removed face makeup fairly well, keep in mind that this won’t do the trick for mascara and eyeliner.
Grace with sensitive skin
“I liked how gentle it was and that it didn’t make my skin feel dry and scaly.”
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Spreads nicely on the skin
Dermatologist favorite
Leaves skin softer and smoother
Doesn’t suds up particularly well
Key Ingredients: Glycerin, coco glucoside | Skin Type: All | Size: 8 oz. | Cruelty-Free: No
This hydrating pick—also a favorite of dermatologists— is a good choice for all skin types, including super-sensitive ones. (The formula is so gentle that it has the National Eczema Association’s seal of approval.) It’s sulfate-free, so it doesn’t overly strip the skin, and the addition of glycerin helps increase moisture. It boasts almost a lotion-like consistency and leaves skin feeling great immediately after application, but also generally softer and smoother the longer you use it. Just keep in mind that the creamy texture doesn’t foam up much, so if you love lots of lather you may want to try a different winner from this list.
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Rinses cleanly
Removes almost all makeup, including mascara
Leaves skin feeling balanced after
Nothing
Key Ingredients: Micelles, coco glucoside | Skin Type: All | Size: 16.7 oz. | Cruelty-Free: No
We had nothing negative to say about this foaming formula, another surefire pick for all skin types. One pump of lightweight gel (which transforms into a featherweight foam) was all it took to completely cleanse the skin. We couldn’t get over how well it removed makeup, including more stubborn eye makeup like mascara, even when we didn’t use a makeup wipe beforehand. Still, despite its top-notch efficacy, it wasn’t in the least bit stripping and didn’t trigger any irritation or breakouts. What more could you ask for?
Kate with normal skin
“I wouldn’t change a thing about this product. It’s gentle and effective without being drying.”
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Lathers nicely
Effectively removes excess oil
Great or removing makeup
Has a cooling feel, which may not be for everyone
Key Ingredients: Charcoal | Skin Type: Oily, Acne-prone | Size: 6.77 oz. | Cruelty-Free: No
The pore strips from this brand may get the majority of the love but don’t sleep on this cleanser. We loved how well it removed excess oil and opened clogged pores but didn’t feel drying or stripping. It’s also stellar at breaking down makeup— it even dissolved mascara.
It does bear mentioning that it contains menthol, which gives it a cooling sensation and distinct scent. Neither bothered us a ton, but if you’re sensitive to fragrance or don’t necessarily want that tingly type of feel, that is something to keep in mind before purchasing.
Toni with combination skin
“My skin didn’t feel tight or stripped after using this, but it did feel like any oil that I may have had on my skin was definitely removed.”
Read the full review: I Tried Bioré’s Deep Pore Charcoal Cleanser—Here's My Honest Review
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Hybrid consistency is nice and hydrating
Removes makeup very well
A little bit of product goes a long way
Formula tends to separate
Key Ingredients: Glycerin, aloe vera | Skin Type: All | Size: 8 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes
This formula is the way to go for those who don’t want to use (or buy) a separate makeup remover or deal with double cleansing. Even when we wore a full face of makeup, it still thoroughly and completely cleansed our skin while still imparting a touch of hydration. The hybrid texture also won us over; it’s a cross between milk, oil, and foam. It lathers nicely, too, and in our experience, just a penny-sized amount was all it took to score all of the benefits. It can sometimes separate, so make sure to give it a good shake before using it, but that wasn’t a major deterrent in our book.
Joelle with dry skin
“This is definitely one of the best cleansers I’ve used to remove a majority of my makeup on the first cleanse. Even with ‘night out’ makeup on, I found it to be very effective.”
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Mild rose scent
Didn’t cause any irritation
Leaves skin feeling hydrated
Creamy texture doesn’t lather particularly well
Key Ingredients: Aloe, rose flower oil, chamomile, avocado oil | Skin Type: All | Size: 4.5 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes
If you want a face wash that smells delightful, we suggest this one. It has subtle, floral notes but it’s mild and doesn’t linger, so it’s great if you just want a hint of a nice scent. The fragrance is naturally derived and didn’t trigger any irritation during testing, even on sensitive skin. This one’s definitely on the creamier side—it’s part of what makes it so moisturizing and non-stripping—so it doesn’t really lather, but that didn’t bother us. And, it’s a top-notch makeup remover, too.
Candace with combination/sensitive skin
“I was using a cleanser that was three times the price of this and I found this to be just as effective, or even better!”
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Pleasant scent
Pump-top bottle is easy to use
Effectively cleanses skin and leaves it feeling soft
Didn’t necessarily deliver on its brightening promises
Key Ingredients: Grapefruit, vitamin C | Skin Type: Dull, uneven | Size: 5 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Keep this one on hand for sleepy mornings when you need a pick-me-up (outside of caffeine). The zesty, citrus scent was arguably our favorite attribute, but we also loved how well the light foam cleansed our skin (and removed makeup), but never left our complexion feeling dry or stripped. And the pump-top bottle was perfect for dispensing just the right amount of product every time.
While the product does claim to offer brightening benefits, we didn’t notice any. Still, when it comes to an all-around effective cleanser that gets the job done while also smelling completely delightful, this really can’t be beaten.
Jessica with combination skin
“This face wash was gentle yet invigorating. It had a great, tart grapefruit scent that helped me wake up every time I used it, and it made my skin look fresh, clean, and hydrated.”
What to Look for in a Drugstore Face Wash
- Your Skin Type: When choosing a drugstore face wash, consider your skin type and choose a formula that will work best with it. For example, those with sensitive skin should opt for fragrance-free formulas. Those with dry skin may want an option that contains hydrating ingredients, such as glycerin or hyaluronic acid.
- The Texture: If you have dry skin, creams, oils, or balms are the way to go. For those with oily or acne-prone skin, derms say that gel or foams are best.
- Ingredients: You can seek out active ingredients if you want, but, as a general rule of thumb, it’s a good idea to keep it simple when it comes to drugstore face washes. "I like gentle cleansers without sodium lauryl sulfate, alcohol, or fragrance to avoid irritation," says Dr. Martha H. Viera, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Miami, Florida.
Why Trust Byrdie
Byrdie writer Melanie Rud worked on this article as well. A freelance writer and beauty editor, she’s a big fan of drugstore face washes, recommending them regularly to friends and family when they ask her where they can save money in their skincare routine. She frequently uses the Aveeno and Cetaphil products featured here for her sensitive skin.
Dr. Abedola Dele-Michael contributed expert insights this article. She is the founder of Radiant Skin Dermatology & Laser in New York and specializes in cosmetic dermatology and dermatologic surgery. Dr. Martha H. Viera, a board-certified dermatologist and member of several dermatological organizations, also weighed in.
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