The 9 Best Drugstore Face Washes for All Skin Types, Tested and Reviewed

$16.99

$13.49 $16.49 18% off

Part of WWD Shop’s list of the very best Amazon beauty products, CeraVe’s Hydrating Facial Cleanser is also a hit on TikTok with thousands of views to its name. What’s to love? It’s sensitive skin–friendly; has a lotion-like texture that doesn’t foam but instead nourishes skin; and is turbocharged by hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and glycerin that maintain the skin’s protective barrier while preventing clogged pores.

With over 96,000 five-star reviews on Amazon, it’s safe to say the cleanser entered the annals of skin care history. Score it now and watch as your face transforms from a dry nuisance (especially after the last few months of winter) to a masterclass in dewiness. PS: If you’re into cleansers that foam, CeraVe also delivers in that category, thanks to its launched-in-2020 Hydrating Cream-to-Foam Cleanser that helps remove makeup and sunscreen residue.

Editor testing and review notes: “This is one of the most effective — and gentle! — face washes I use to remove makeup. I find that just one pass with the formula is plenty to dissolve long-wear foundation and waterproof mascara. Most importantly, it doesn’t leave my skin feeling thirsty or overly oily like many makeup-removing face washes can.” — Senior Beauty and Lifestyle Commerce Editor Claire Sullivan

Price upon publish date of this article: $12.37

Olay Cleansing Melts With Hyaluronic Acid

$19.76

$9.99 $13.49 26% off

$9.99

Buy Now at olay

In less than a year since hitting virtual shelves, these small wonders from Olay have already raked in over 2,000 five-star reviews on Amazon, where they’re also deemed an “Amazon’s Choice” product. Rather than a traditional liquid, these waterless pads transform into a rich later with a few drops of water, making them travel-friendly and highly sustainable.

The Cleansing Melts are a holy-grail Olay offering for city slickers who wear makeup, as they work overtime to remove makeup, grime, and excess oil without robbing your skin of moisture in the process. Friendly for oily to dry skin types, these melts are also enriched with hyaluronic acid to boost moisture levels after you rinse. You’ll be instantly taken aback by how well and quickly they foam up, as well as just how gentle they are on your complexion without cutting corners on the deep clean you crave.

Editor testing and review notes: “I’ve tested cleansers in all sorts of formats — balms, oils, pads, et al. But the concept of a water-activated, fully dissolvable face wash pad is a first for me. The little cleanser tabs are surprisingly tiny, yet I found that with a few drops of water, it foamed up to the perfect dose for a deep cleanse. As someone with sensitive skin and occasional rosacea, I have to be ultra-careful about how much vitamin A I expose my skin to, but this was a Goldilocks amount. After one week of daily use, I noticed an improvement in the appearance of my blackheads, particularly around my nostrils.” — Sullivan

Price upon publish date of this article: $9.99

La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Facial Cleanser

$17.99

$19.99

Buy Now at la roche-posay

$17.99

Ideal for all skin types, La Roche-Posay’s Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Facial Cleanser is the great equalizer of face washes. It’s a standout pick we just had to mention, primarily due to the cleanser’s formula. Containing ceramides that are essential for a healthy skin barrier, glycerin for moisture, and the brand’s signature prebiotic thermal water (sourced from the French town of La Roche-Posay, hence the name, and containing vital antioxidants and minerals), the face wash is a true powerhouse in a bottle.

Good to use both in the mornings and evenings, this top La Roche-Posay product cleanses skin of buildup and impurities while balancing its natural pH levels. The face wash’s creamy texture, too, is something that will delight you with each application.

Editor testing and review notes: “When my skin is sensitive or I’m dealing with a bad reaction to a product I’ve tested, switching to this face wash is the first change I make to my routine to resolve the issue. Note that this looks and feels like an unscented face lotion when you massage it on (don’t expect too much of a lather), but it also calms my skin and leaves it soft to the touch.” — Sullivan

Price upon publish date of this article: $17.99

Neutrogena Stubborn Texture Acne Cleanser for Textured Skin

$11.49 $17.39 34% off

$17.49

$13.59 $16.99 20% off

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Neutrogena’s Stubborn Texture Acne Cleanser is an overachiever to the highest degree. Formulated with a trio of acids — glycolic, polyhydroxy, and salicylic — it helps clear even the most obstinate of acne, stops future breakouts in their tracks, and works like a face exfoliator to remove uneven texture and pore-clogging dead skin. The cleanser is also oil-free and fragrance-free. Do note that it might make your skin peel in as little as a few uses, which could lead to dryness, so pair it with your favorite moisturizer to balance out the skin.

What reviewers say: “I went through a horrible skin cycle… that left me with horrible texture on my cheeks. I had given up, since aestheticians told me there was nothing to be done other than a normal routine. I started using this, and after the first wash all of the gunk came to the surface. By the third wash, the texture was almost gone completely.”

Price upon publish date of this article: $11.49

Weleda Skin Food Face Care Nourishing Oil-to-Milk Cleanser

$16.79 $19.99 16% off

$21.79

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Weleda may be known for its Skin Food Original Ultra-Rich Cream — a product that counts celebs like Hailey Bieber as fans — but there’s more to love from the drugstore line, like the brand’s Nourishing Oil-to-Milk Cleanser which our editors can’t say enough good things about. Texture-wise, it starts out as a thick balm (similar to petroleum jelly) and then transitions to a milky cleanser when you warm it up in your palms.

The Weleda Skin Food face wash clears away grime while treating your complexion to sunflower seed oil that encourages skin to self-generate lipids and ceramides; chamomile flower extract with protective antioxidants; and pansy, a flower that supports hydration. Upon washing it off, your skin will feel soft and supple — effects that you can maximize by leaving the cleanser on as a mask layer over the face.

Editor testing and review notes: “During winter, I stay loyal to Weleda’s Skin Food face cream — it’s one of my favorite beauty products based on its ability to make my dull, dry skin look dewy. This cleanser, in the same line, has a similar effect on my skin. It ever-so-slightly lathers up: just enough to make it easy to work into my skin for when I want to wipe off the day. If needed, I’ll use it twice in a row to get rid of excess makeup.” — Sullivan

Price upon publish date of this article: $16.79

Differin 5% Benzoyl Peroxide Daily Deep Cleanser

$9.97 $12.47 20% off

$12.99

$12.99

Buy Now at walgreens

The key ingredient found in Differin’s Daily Deep Cleanser is benzoyl peroxide, which deeply penetrates the pores to target pimples at the source. The particular benzoyl peroxide used here is of the micronized variety — less irritating than the medication’s most common manifestation.

This cleanser also performs the dual functions of absorbing skin’s excess oils while releasing a noncomedogenic moisturizer to take their place. The fact that it does all this without causing irritation or redness makes this top face wash a solid choice for the sensitive-skinned among us, allowing for consistent use without hesitation. Over 9,000 five-star reviews on Amazon don’t lie, but the proof is in the pudding, so grab this effective cleansing product to finally put acne in your rearview mirror.

What reviewers say: “Differin Acne Cleanser is one of the best facial treatments that I’ve used. I’ve had acne since I was about 13, and I’m 18 now. Throughout those five years, I have used alcohol-based cleansing pads, Proactive, and just regular hand soap products, none of which achieve the success of Differin. I have been using the Differin Acne Cleanser for about a year now, and although it took my skin a couple of days to make the switch from different products, this treatment has decreased the number of breakouts I used to have, the redness in my face, and has just overall improved my skin.”

Price upon publish date of this article: $9.97

Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser

$8.86 $10 11% off

$12.99

$10.29

As the mildest formula offered by Vanicream — a brand whose sole specialty is helping sensitive skin thrive — the Gentle Facial Cleanser is soft and nurturing. It’s free of fragrance and other common skin irritants, and was even awarded with the National Eczema Association’s Seal of Acceptance. Plus, that under-$15 price tag (under-$10 at Amazon, due to the retailer’s frequent sales on the item) makes it a win for your wallet, not to mention your face.

Editor testing and review notes: “A dermatologist recommended this formula to me after I was dealing with incessant skin peeling from using a retinol product. Every face wash I used — even the gentle ones I can typically rely on — was making matters worse. Using this creamy cleanser with a basic face lotion had my skin back in shape in just a few days.” — Sullivan

Price upon publish date of this article: $8.86

Bioderma Sensibio Foaming Gel

$22.99

$22.99

$22.99

Bioderma’s award-winning skin care lineup receives tons of love on TikTok in the form of thousands of views and likes, and its Sensibio Foaming Gel is a top drugstore face wash for sensitive skin. The cleanser’s soap-free formula is mild but still achieves readily apparent outcomes by removing even the most clingy of makeup, capturing impurities through its micellar technology, calming irritation, and restoring lipids.

It’s especially friendly on the eyes (no more stinging and burning sensations!) and foams up quickly for easy breezy cleansing. Many reviewers also praise the product for how lightweight it feels and the fact that it requires only one pump to work its magic. That 500-milliliter bottle ensures you’ll have plenty to go through before repurchasing on Amazon or alternative retailers’ sites.

Editor testing and review notes: “It’s rare to find a gel face wash that plays well with sensitive skin — this Bioderma cleanser is the exception. The simple formula washes away makeup in one pass and doesn’t irritate skin or eyes in the process.” — Sullivan

Price upon publish date of this article: $22.99

Aveeno Calm + Restore Gentle Nourishing Oat Face Cleanser

$9.97 $14.69 32% off

$14.99

$13.49