18 Best Face Washes 2023 for a Clean Slate, Tested & Reviewed

Cleansing is hardly the most glamorous step in a skin-care lineup, but in many ways, it’s the most important — so we believe in using only the best face wash around. Whether your skin-care routine consists of a basic wash-and-moisture duo or you indulge in a 10-step ritual that your younger self would probably find very impressive, starting with a fresh canvas is vital.

Our Top Picks:

1. Best Overall: La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser, $17
2. Best for Oily Skin: SkinCeuticals Purifying Cleanser, $39
3. Multitasking Formula: Fresh Soy Face Cleanser, $39
4. Best for Dry Skin Types: Glow Recipe Avocado Ceramide Moisture Barrier Cleanser, $28
5. Antioxidant-Fueled Formula: Youth to the People Kale + Green Tea Spinach Vitamins Superfood Cleanser, $39
6. Skin-Soothing Formula: Dr. Jart+ Cicapair Foaming Cleanser, $28
7. Best Gel Cleanser: Rose Ingleton MD SuperFruit Brightening Cleanser, $38
8. Best Cleanser for Mature Skin: Ourself Daily Purifying Cleanser, $55

Only after you sweep away all of the breakout-causing dirt, makeup, and excess oil residing on your face, can your skin properly absorb and reap the benefits of all that skin-loving goodness — including, but not limited to, toners, essences, serums, and moisturizers — you layer on afterward.

Our team, comprised of staffers with wildly different skin types, tested dozens of face washes and put them to the test against our (sometimes waterproof) makeup. We considered factors such as ease of use, texture, ingredient lists, dermatologist recommendations, price points, and how our skin felt and looked after rinsing away the formulas.

Without further ado here are 18 dirt-eliminating, makeup-melting cleansers that’ll leave your skin feeling balanced, hydrated, and well, clean. with impressively softening hydration that’ll leave your face feeling refreshingly clean. (P.S. If you’re looking for cleansing balms or cleansing oils, we have separate roundups for those.)