The 25 Best Face Washes For Every Budget And Skin Type

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.

There is an endless list of skincare commandments that we are told to live by. Oil is always the last step. Don't mix your active ingredients. Always use eye cream. But the most important one of them all is to always wash your face. Whether this means always removing your makeup or simply washing your bare face before applying skincare, making sure your skin is cleansed of any makeup or dirt is the best thing you can do for it. Bacteria and residual product sitting on your skin are a cause behind many skin struggles, especially breakouts!

Of course, as with any skincare product, there are countless options to choose from, and the wrong one could do more harm than good. Selecting the perfect face wash for you depends on everything from your skin type to your skin's needs. We have put together a roundup of the 25 best face washes on the market for every budget and every skin struggle you could be going through. You can't go wrong with these — just make you sure you use them. Washing your face is the ultimate rule, after all.

As you've probably discovered, there are endless purposes a face wash can serve, and even more skin issues it can target. However, sometimes you just need a solid overall face wash that does the job and does it well, and that is iS Clinical's Cleansing Complex.

Being a dermatologist-owned brand, iS Clinical's face wash is dermatologist-approved and is a deep cleansing face wash that uses glycolic acid to exfoliate your skin and unclog your pores. It also contains calming and soothing extracts such as chamomile to keep it gentle, and the vitamin E in it works to help prevent signs of aging. This face wash even has a hint of exfoliating salicylic acid to help treat any breakouts. One Lovely Skin reviewer summed it up pretty well by saying, "This is my favorite face wash. So light and doesn't make me break out. I feel like I always get a good clean with it."

Purchase iS Clinical's Cleansing Complex at Lovely Skin for $25.

On the flip side, if you have absolutely no budget at all, then there's no reason why you shouldn't treat yourself and invest in a luxury face wash. While Dr. Barbara Sturm's Cleanser may be pricey, it is definitely worth it.

The Cleanser is a gentle foaming face wash that deeply cleanses your skin, removing any dirt and makeup, but leaves your skin feeling hydrated and fresh. It is ideal for all skin types and skincare concerns, and is formulated with a combination of mild tensides, purslane, and aloe vera juice, making it a gentle, soothing face wash that supports your skin's natural moisture barrier. One Sephora reviewer raves, "Although it is very lightweight, it cleans well while also hydrating, never leaving the skin stripped. I can tell how perfectly it cleanses my skin to prepare it for the day and allows my products to apply with ease!"

Purchase Dr. Barbara Sturm's Cleanser at Sephora for $75.

Sensitive skin types struggle the most with finding the right skincare products that won't do more damage than good. Well, Paula's Choice's Calm Ultra-Gentle Cleanser is just as gentle as the name would suggest. 

This soothing gel cleanser turns creamy when wet, making it super hydrating on your skin. It contains gentle cleansing agents that ensure it gives your skin the deep cleanse it needs and removes any excess makeup or dirt, but the glycerin and triglyceride work overtime to replenish your skin and prevent any moisture loss. The Calm Ultra-Gentle Cleanser is also formulated with prebiotic sugars to keep your skin's natural microbiome in check and offer some extra soothing. One Paula's Choice reviewer explains why her sensitive skin loves it so much: "Such a great product and leaves my face feeling relaxed and cleansed. All the ingredients are great for sensitive skin!"

Purchase Paula's Choice's Calm Ultra-Gentle Cleanser at Paula's Choice for $19.

If you're just starting out with skincare and looking to get more into it, then perhaps some of the more complicated formulations can be a bit intimidating. As long as you're dedicated to washing your face, you really can't go wrong, and you can start out with the no-fuss no-muss Centella & Green Tea Hydrating Gel Cleanser by Selfless by Hyram. 

The gentle gel daily cleanser is antioxidant-packed, with soothing and healing Centella and green tea. It also contains glycerin, making it very hydrating — and being a pH-balanced face wash, this won't disrupt your skin's natural moisture barrier. It just does the job and leaves your skin feeling cleansed and hydrated. 

One Selfless by Hyram reviewer proves it even works great if you have underlying skin issues, saying "I have oily/combination skin and [am] prone to breakouts. And this cleanser doesn't strip my skin, calms it nicely."

Purchase Centella & Green Tea Hydrating Gel Cleanser at Selfless by Hyram for $20.

Double cleansing is imperative these days, and you need a separate face wash that is oil or balm based to break down your makeup before you properly wash your face. DHC's Deep Cleansing Oil tops that category for good reason, and its entire cult following can back it up. 

DHC's Deep Cleansing Oil is a super simple oil face wash that uses primarily olive oil to deeply break down your makeup and remove every last trace of it — even stubborn waterproof mascara. It is also infused with vitamin E, making it nourishing and hydrating on your skin as it removes any dirt. The gentle cleansing oil is formulated without fragrance and colorants, so it's suitable for all skin types. One Dermstore reviewer shares, "Over the years I've tried several other oil cleansers and keep coming back to this one. It's the best at removing makeup (and most affordable)."

Purchase DHC's Deep Cleansing Oil at Dermstore for $15.

If you're looking for a fun and effective vitamin C face wash, then Clinique's unique Fresh Pressed Renewing Powder Cleanser is definitely worth trying. For a much more enjoyable face-washing experience, these individually packaged powder pouches are activated when they come in contact with water. A big pro is these are great for travel, as you can just pack a few pouches instead of lugging around a bottle of face wash. 

The ultra-fine powder feels gentle and soothing on your skin, but you will immediately notice your skin feeling and looking brighter and more awake. The pure concentrated dose of vitamin C also works to even out your skin tone over time and fade any hyperpigmentation or scarring. One Ulta reviewer was wowed by the brightening results: "I've been using this now for about three weeks and my complexion has cleared up the pigmentation and all the other issues I had!"

Purchase Clinique's unique Fresh Pressed Renewing Powder Cleanser at Ulta for $39.

Oily skin types often rely heavily on face washes. You need something to absorb excess oil, and keep your skin feeling clean without being too stripping. Youth To The People's Superfood Antioxidant Cleanser does it all. 

This fan-favorite, award-winning face wash works to deeply cleanse your skin of dirt and impurities clogging your pores. It is formulated with phytonutrient-rich kale that leaves your skin glowing, while the spinach soothes and cools your skin. It also contains antioxidant-rich green tea, which soothes your skin and fights signs of aging. The gel formula makes it perfect for oily skin, as it will deeply cleanse your skin and leave it soft and shine-free, but still with a bit of a natural glow. One Sephora reviewer shares, "I have redness and oily skin and this feels like it calms my skin and provides many benefits."

Purchase Youth To The People's Superfood Antioxidant Cleanser at Sephora for $36.

Our skin can only take so much exfoliation, so sometimes it's best to find multi-use products like a face wash that also works as a scrub. Of course, chunky, harsh face scrubs are canceled, so Versed Skin's Day Maker Microcrystal Exfoliating Cleanser is the best pick.

Using superfine microcrystalline that is a plant-based alternative to microbeads, this creamy cleanser clears out your pores and refines your skin texture without feeling too harsh. It is formulated with black currant and raspberry leaf extract, which are both antioxidant-rich and will help reduce oil production and soothe inflammation. The gentle face scrub is suitable for all skin types, and one Versed Skincare reviewer shares, "The beads are fine and not too harsh on the skin. My skin felt super supple after using this and it added a shine onto my face post-rinsing."

Purchase Day Maker Microcrystal Exfoliating Cleanser at Versed Skincare for $16.99.

Foaming face washes excel at deeply cleansing your skin with a rich lather, and they're often not ideal for dry skin types. Philosophy's Purity Made Simple Pore Purifying Foam Cleanser is the perfect foam face wash pick if you're looking for something that's going completely remove any trace of dirt or makeup and unclog your pores. 

The foam cleanser promises to visibly minimize your pores within one week of use. Philosophy backs up this bold claim by using papaya enzyme and glycolic acid to gently exfoliate your skin and clear out your pores. Witch hazel is also at play here working to tighten your pores and leave them visibly minimized. One Ulta reviewer confirms the brand's claims, "I was impressed that it unclogged my pores, left my skin feeling clean, and didn't dry my skin. My pores were visibly clean and unclogged after washing. That was truly impressive."

Purchase Philosophy's Purity Made Simple Pore Purifying Foam Cleanser at Ulta for $27.

Foam, gel, milk, oil, cream — generally face washes fall under one of those categories. However, Ren Skincare's Perfect Canvas Clean Jelly Oil Cleanser offers up its very own unique formula combination. The cleanser starts as a bouncy gel, but as you rub it onto your wet skin it emulsifies into an oil. This makes it perfect for gently cleansing your face while deeply breaking down your makeup. But it doesn't stop there: It then turns into a milky consistency, making it easier to wash off than oil. 

While the formula trifecta is the star detail, the ingredients do most of the work here. Sunflower seed extract and meadowfoam seed oil are used to nourish your skin and replenish your moisture barrier. Grapeseed oil is also used to cleanse your skin and provide it with antioxidants. One Sephora reviewer shares, "Superb at removing all traces of dirt/ makeup and does not sting eyes at all. Makes it fun to actually clean my face at night — amazing!"

Purchase Ren Skincare's Perfect Canvas Clean Jelly Oil Cleanser at Sephora for $37.

Any true skincare lover understands the importance of having an active acid in rotation. You could opt for an intense treatment product or an AHA toner — or of course, you could slip it into your face wash with Elemis' Superfood AHA Glow Cleansing Butter. 

This unique cleansing butter can either be applied with a cotton pad or massaged onto your wet skin. Either way, the buttery formula works to break down your makeup and cleanse your skin. It uses a special blend of Fermented Pumpkin Enzymes and Acerola Cherry, both natural AHAs that gently exfoliate your skin and reveal a glow. Omega fatty acid-rich Mango Butter and Chia Seed Oil also work to nourish and hydrate your skin. One Ulta reviewer shares, "Absolutely love this cleansing butter and this one is really good!! My skin is noticeably glowing after using this product!"

Purchase Elemis' Superfood AHA Glow Cleansing Butter at Ulta for $39.

Within any skincare category, it's always worth peaking into what the K-Beauty world has to offer. Providing affordable and incredibly effective skincare products, COSRX has come through as always with its fan-favorite snail formula.

The COSRX Advanced Snail Mucin Gel Cleanser is a sulfate-free face wash that lathers into a foam, working to deeply cleanse your skin and absorb excess oil. But the star ingredient of course is COSRX's trademark snail mucin, which is a miracle worker when it comes to hydrating and repairing your skin. The snail secretion filtrate works to deeply moisturize, while the amino acid arginine protects your skin. One Ulta reviewer shares, "After a month and a half of use, my skin is left feeling hydrated; I have noticed a significant reduction in texture. I am also suffering less frequent and severe breakouts. This is the only cleanser that works for me!"

Purchase COSRX Advanced Snail Mucin Gel Cleanser at Ulta for $18.

Now that we've covered just about every different skin type and skin concern you could need your face wash to target, it's only right to end it with one that works for everyone. An OG classic like First Aid Beauty's Pure Skin Face Cleanser deserves its moment in the spotlight. 

First Aid Beauty is all about simple, gentle, and effective skincare. The Pure Skin Face Cleanser is vegan and cruelty-free, and it is formulated without parabens, mineral oil, phthalates, sulfates, and synthetic fragrance. It's about as gentle and non-harmful as it comes, and that doesn't stop it from effectively deep cleaning your skin and removing makeup and impurities. What it is formulated with is aloe, allantoin, and glycerin, which all work to nourish and hydrate your skin while maintaining its natural moisture barrier. One Ulta reviewer raves, "I have been using this for as long as I can remember. I love it. My skin looks great and feels great. I can't imagine using anything else." 

Purchase First Aid Beauty's Pure Skin Face Cleanser at Ulta for $24.