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9 Best Face Washes for Every Skin Concern in 2025
The best face wash for your skin type is assuredly the building block of a superb skin-care routine. Facial cleansing isn’t just a rinse-and-go step—it’s the essential foundation that determines how well everything that follows will perform. A quality formula should do more than just lather; it needs to effectively sweep away oiliness, grime, and daily buildup without disrupting your skin’s natural balance.
Vogue’s Favorite Face Washes
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Dior La Mousse OFF/ON Foaming Face Cleanser
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As dermatologist Dr. Lauren Penzi explains, a cleanser is “meant to remove dirt, oil, sweat, makeup, and other impurities from your face”—and how well it does that can make all the difference. The goal? A fresh canvas, perfectly prepped to absorb your serums, moisturizers, and other skin-care products with maximum impact. Whether you’re dealing with breakouts, dryness, or sensitivity, the right cleanser is carefully tailored to your skin type.
Ahead, discover the best face washes, vetted by top dermatologists and Vogue editors alike. Use the “best for” callouts to find the right fit for your current skin mood—and make your daily cleanse a moment of intention, not just habit.
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Best French Pharmacy: La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Facial Cleanser
- Why We Love It: La Roche-Posay’s Toleriane Cleanser continues to earn its status as one of the best cleansers on the market—and for good reason. Frequently recommended by top dermatologists, the gentle formula checks all the boxes: it’s pH balanced, non-comedogenic, and designed with sensitive and combination skin in mind. Dr. Penzi calls it a reliable go-to for those navigating both dryness and oiliness in different zones, and even dermatologist Dr. Whitney Bowe calls it one of her personal staples. “[It] is milky and leaves skin feeling hydrated and nourished, not stripped and tight” thanks to a composition rich in the brands’s prebiotic thermal water, ceramides, glycerin, and niacinamide.
- Key Ingredients: La Roche-Posay’s prebiotic thermal water, ceramides, glycerin, niacinamide
- Type: Cream
- Texture: Milky, gel cream
- Foaming: No
- Non-Comedogenic: Yes
- Best For: All skin types, sensitive skin
- More to Know: Vegan, fragrance-free, oil-free, non-comedogenic, paraben-free, sulfate-free, soap-free
Best for Dry Skin: Dior La Mousse OFF/ON Foaming Face Cleanser
- Why We Love It: When we asked skin-care expert Sean Garrette to share the best beauty products under $50, he cited Dior’s foaming cleanser. “[It’s] an effective foaming face wash that gently removes all impurities, packed with soothing, hydrating, and antioxidant-rich ingredients,” he said. Plus, it’s not just Garrette who loves it—two Vogue beauty editors swear by it, too. A trip to Dior’s New York spa had senior beauty and wellness editor Margaux Anbouba swapping out her old cleanser for this one. A blend of glycerin and lily water extract impart skin with much needed hydration, while niacinamide imparts anti-inflammatory benefits. Such nourishing benefits make it the go-to cleanser for beauty editor-at-large Arden Fanning Andrews’s nightly ritual.
- Key Ingredients: Glycerin, purifying water lily (from the Dior gardens), nymphaea alba root extract
- Type: Cream-to-foam
- Texture: Cream that emulsifies into a fluffy lather
- Foaming: Yes
- Non-Comedogenic: No
- Best For: Dry skin, normal skin, mature skin
- More to Know: N/A
Best Oil Cleanser: Sulwhasoo Gentle Cleansing Oil
- Why We Love It: What many consider the gold standard of cleansing oils, this beloved K-beauty essential effortlessly melts away every trace of makeup without compromising your skin’s moisture. Unlike thick cleansing balms, this oil treats skin with a silky featherlight touch. Powered by tangerine peel extract, squalane, and a nourishing blend of traditional Korean oils—think pine nut, camellia seed, and plum seed—the formula is as skin-loving as it is effective. Esthetician Amity Murray recommends it to her dry-skinned clients, previously calling it “a gorgeous, natural formulation that emulsifies and rinses clean, leaving the skin refreshed but never stripped.” And if you dread removing waterproof mascara, rest assured: one wash is all it takes.
- Key Ingredients: Glycerin, squalene, mulberry leaf extracts, mountain yam extracts
- Type: Oil
- Texture: Silky, lightweight oil that emulsifies into a milky lather
- Foaming: No
- Non-Comedogenic: No, while this pick isn’t inherently comedogenic, it contains more than six oils which be heavy on acne-prone skin
- Best For: Normal skin, dry skin, mature skin, combination skin
- More to Know: Formaldehyde-free, sulfate-free, phlates-free
Best Drugstore: CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser
- Why We Love It: The CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser is a long-time favorite among dermatologists and editors for a reason. “[It] removes impurities from the skin delicately and works well for those with the most sensitive skin,” dermatologist Dr. Carlos A. Charles tells Vogue. “Also, it’s a good choice when starting a prescription-strength acne or anti-aging regimen.” Dr. Penzi also names it her top pick for best drugstore face wash, praising its gentle, no-frills formula that doesn’t sacrifice performance. Made with skin-strengthening ceramides and deeply hydrating hyaluronic acid, this “works to restore skin’s natural barrier to help the skin lock in moisture.” That barrier-first approach makes it especially ideal for anyone dealing with dryness, irritation, or skin in recovery mode.
- Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, ceramides (NP, AP, and EOP)
- Type: Cream
- Texture: Jelly-like
- Foaming: No
- Non-Comedogenic: Yes
- Best For: Normal to dry skin, sensitive skin, drugstore
- More to Know: Non-comedogenic, fragrance-free, Cradle to Cradle Certified, accepted by National Eczema Association
Best for Oily Skin: iS Clinical Cleansing Complex
- Why We Love It: Those with oily or acne-prone skin should look to this iS Clinical formula as their daily cleanser (and it’s safe for dry skin too_. Powered by white willow bark, a botanical salicylic acid, and sugarcane, a plant-based AHA, this gently exfoliates the skin for a smoother, softer visage. Though one might expect its gel texture to be drying, centella asiatic, glycerine, and chamomile keep skin calm and nourished. Plus, it’s the actress Meghan Fahey’s face wash of choice to manage her adult acne. “Recently I’ve been getting regular facials and investing in the products I put on my skin—and I’m here to tell you, it really made a difference,” Fahey previously shared in her Vogue Beauty Secrets episode.
- Key Ingredients: Centella asiatica, chamomile flower, sugarcane, white willow bark
- Type: Gel
- Texture: Jelly-like
- Foaming: No
- Non-Comedogenic: Mostly (contains just one potential pore clogger in it’s formula).
- Best For: Oily skin, acne-prone skin
- More to Know: Free of parabens, phthalates, and sulfates
Best Exfoliating: SkinCeuticals LHA Cleansing Gel
- Why We Love It: Dermatologist Dr. Corey L. Hartman looks to the SkinCeuticals LHA Cleansing Gel to prep his oily, acne-prone skin each morning. Its lightweight gel texture delivers a deep, refreshing clean—ideal for jumpstarting your morning routine or resetting after a long day. A blend of glycolic acid and salicylic acid target blemishes, making it a smart pick for those who want their face wash to do more than just cleanse. These exfoliating acids works alongside glycerin and sorbitol to remove excess oils and refine congested pores to keep breakouts at bay without drying the skin. Though, the featured AHAs and BHAs might be a bit too potent for those with sensitive or reactive skin.
- Key Ingredients: LHA, glycolic acid, salicylic acid, glycerin
- Type: Gel
- Texture: Starts as a jelly-like and lathers to an airy foam
- Foaming: Yes
- Non-Comedogenic: Mostly (contains just one potential pore clogger in it’s formula).
- Best For: Acne-prone skin, enlarged pores, oily skin
- More to Know: Free of fragrance, soap, alcohol, dyes, and parabens
Best for Acne-Prone Skin: PanOxyl Acne Foaming Wash
- Why We Love It: Few acne treatments come as highly recommended as PanOxyl’s foaming wash. In fact, when we asked Dr. Shereene Idriss for her advice on calming stressed skin, she cited it “as a staple in [her] shower.” Why? It’s formulated with benzoyl peroxide and boasts antimicrobial properties that clear zits and prevent future breakouts. Plus, this more than just a foaming facial cleanser—it doubles as a body wash too. “Every summer like clock work, I buy PanOxyl and use it to combat any sweat-induced body acne,” says Vogue’s beauty shopping writer Conçetta Ciarlo, who admits the formula is a bit too intense on her sensitive, acne-prone face. “Bacne quite literally doesnt’t stand a chance.”
- Key Ingredients: 10% benzoyl peroxide
- Type: Cream
- Texture: A dense cream that lathers to a lush foam
- Foaming: Yes
- Non-Comedogenic: Mostly (contains just one potential pore clogger in it’s formula).
- Best For: Acne-prone skin, oily skin
- More to Know: Free of parabens, phthalates, and fragrances
Best for a Deep Cleanse: Sofie Pavitt Face Clean, Clean Gentle Cleanser
- Why We Love It: For a deep-clean with non-stripping ingredients, look to esthetican Sofie Pavitt’s gentle gel cleanser. “When I had a facial with Pavitt, she expeditiously told me I was doing way too much with my skin-care routine,” says Ciarlo. “The assignment she gave me was simple: a gentle face cleanser, with no additional actives, and a non-comedogenic formula.” Pavitt’s philosophy is that if you’re already using a gentle daily chemical exfoliant, you don’t need actives in every part of your routine. Reactive skin types can also rejoice, because it’s formulated with anti-inflammatory ingredients like panthenol and glycerin to keep complexions calm and balanced.
- Key Ingredients: Allantoin, panthenol, glycerin
- Type: Gel to foam
- Texture: Lightweight gel that lathers to a gentle foam
- Foaming: Yes, but only slightly.
- Non-Comedogenic: Yes
- Best For: Acne-prone skin, sensitive skin
- More to Know: Vegan, cruelty-free
Best Bi-Phase: Merit Great Skin Double Cleanse
- Why We Love It: “Merit’s new formula is shockingly good,” Murden previously told Vogue. “It lathers from a light foam to a milky serum that sweeps away impurities and leaves my skin baby soft.” Here, oat-derived surfactants gently lift away excess oil, grime, and leftover makeup for a deep cleanse that never strips. Meanwhile, a blend of plant-derived humectants and lightweight emollients work together to replenish the skin barrier, leaving behind a smooth-to-the-touch finish. The addition of PHA provides exfoliation so gentle, you can even remove eye makeup without a sting. Both luxurious and functional, this pick is perfect for sensitive skin types or anyone craving a softer cleanse. Plus, the chic packaging makes it a vanity staple that looks good as good on your beauty shelf as it performs.
- Key Ingredients: Jojoba esters, oat amino acids, caramel, tocopherol, bacillus ferment
- Type: Bi-phase foaming cleanser
- Texture: Milky serum to rich foam
- Foaming: Yes
- Non-Comedogenic: Yes
- Best For: Oily skin, combination skin, normal skin
- More to Know: Cruelty-free, clean, vegan
Everything You Need to Know
How to Find the Best Face Wash for Your Skin Type
Penzi continues that, generally speaking, sodium lauryl sulfate is the central ingredient of any face wash—acting as the “soap” that cleanses the skin. Otherwise, the ingredients to look for depend on your skin goals. “If you are dry, look for hydrating ingredients like glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and ceramides. If you are prone to acne look for acne-fighting ingredients like salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide. For pigment and texture issues, look for AHAs and BHAs.”
- Dry Skin: “Those with dry skin should opt for a cleanser that is hydrating and will help to nourish the skin, such as a cream-based cleanser containing ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, ceramides, and niacinamide,” explains Garshick.
- Acne Prone Skin: “Those with acne-prone skin should look for a cleanser that is oil-free to prevent clogged pores or one that contains key acne-fighting ingredients like benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid,” Garshick explains, adding that the former is best for red, inflamed blemishes while the latter works well with blackheads and whiteheads. “For those with oily skin who cannot tolerate active ingredients like salicylic acid, using a foam or gel-based cleanser can help to reduce excess oil without irritating the skin.”
- Pigmentation and Texture: “For those with pigmentation and textural changes, it can help to use an exfoliating cleanser that can help to get rid of dead skin cells and buildup while also improving the appearance of skin texture and tone,” Garshick notes.
Things to Consider When Trying a New Face Wash
Knowing a face wash works for you can feel tricky. Does my face feel too clean? Did this formula strip my skin of its natural oils? Do the featured ingredients work well in my skincare routine and help me actually achieve my goals? To help answer these questions and more, we tapped Garshick to detail the qualities to consider when trying a new face wash.
- Ingredients: Garshick explains that when looking at a cleanser, the main ingredient should be a gentle surfactant to thoroughly cleanse the skin, plus moisturizing agents like hyaluronic acid or ceramides to simultaneously nourish the skin. “Depending on an individual’s skin type or skin concerns, it may also help for a cleanser to contain other ingredients such as niacinamide to calm inflammation for those with sensitive skin, or acne-fighting ingredients like benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid in those with acne-prone skin.”
- Type: Take your pick of a handful of face wash types. “Gel and foam based cleansers are especially good for those with oily skin as they help to remove excess oil and build up, and may also be a good option for certain individuals in the summer months as temperatures rise,” she explains. “Cream cleansers are especially good for those with dry or sensitive skin as they help to moisturize the skin so it won’t be left feeling dry or stripped.”
- Skin Type: “When considering the type of cleanser, it is important to determine your skin type in order to select the most appropriate cleanser option,” says Garshick. “Certain cleansers are best for those with dry skin such as creamy hydrating cleansers while others may be preferred for those with oily skin, such as foaming or gel-based cleansers.”
- Fragrance: According to Garshick, those with sensitive skin should avoid cleansers with fragrance.
- Cruelty Free/Clean Products: “Ultimately deciding to use a ‘clean’ product comes down to personal preference,” Garshick notes. Remember: there is still no formal definition for what makes a product “clean.”
- Season: Board certified dermatologist Dr. Shereene Idriss emphasized the importance of paying special attention to introducing hydrating ingredients during the colder months. “I always recommend introducing different products into a routine during the winter as this is when skin tends to be a bit more dry and dehydrated,” she previously explained. “Skin lacks moisture in cold, dry climates, therefore, you want to load on all the hydration you can get.”
Qualities of a Good Face Wash
“A good quality face should be capable of effectively cleaning your face, but not strip the skin of its natural oils that would cause dryness and irritation,” Penzi explains. “It should be effective at removing makeup and other heavier buildup on its own, without the addition of other facial products.”
How Often Should You Wash Your Face
How often you wash also depends on your goals. Double cleansing, the K-beauty practice of cleansing with an oil ahead of a water-based wash, is best for those who wear a lot of makeup or are exposed to environmental pollutants or debris. Those with dry skin, on the other hand, might opt for the French pharmacy secret of washing just once daily. Keep in mind, though, that over-cleansing is possible. Per Penzi, avoid washing more than two times per day to avoid stripping the skin of its natural oils.
When we test and review a product, we take a holistic approach to deliver well-rounded product recommendations. First, we lean on Vogue’s vast network of experts—from board-certified dermatologists to celebrity estheticians—to gain professional acumen on the industry’s standout products, ones these specialists would actually use on their clients. We pair their expertise with our editorial best practices to curate the thoughtful edits you read on our site.
As it relates to face washes, we selected the best based on the following characteristics: ingredients, texture, finish, and the skin-care concerns they address. To do this, we paired our own personal tests of each formula with expert guidance and reviewer insights to determine which we would recommend to you.
Others Face Washes We Tested
It’s no secret the face wash category is crowded—narrowing it down to a tight edit of ten or fewer is no small feat. Whether you swear by drugstore staples (we see you, Vanicream), department store icons like Clinique, or lean into luxe indie finds, dermatologists give high marks across the board. And trust us—there’s no shortage of worthy contenders. Scroll on to discover the other cleansers truly worth making room for.
- Dr. Carlos A. Charles is a board-certified dermatologist and clinical instructor of dermatology at Weill Medical College of Cornell University.
- Dr. Marisa Garshick is a New York City–based and board-certified dermatologist and clinical assistant professor at Cornell University.
- Dr. Corey L. Hartman is a Birmingham, Alabama-based and board-certified dermatologist and founder of Skin Wellness Dermatology who specializes in dermatologic surgery, injectables, hair restoration, and laser dermatology.
- Dr. Karen Kagha is a Los Angeles–based and Harvard cosmetic and laser fellowship-trained dermatologist who specializes in hyperpigmentation, acne, and skin of color.
- Dr. Lauren Penzi is a New York-based board-certified dermatologist specializing in medical and cosmetic dermatology.
- Dr. Shereene Idriss is a New York City-based board-certified dermatologist specializing in cosmetic dermatology, facial rejuvenation, and minimally invasive body contouring.
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