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The truth is, finding facial cleansers and face washes that work for you is both essential and daunting. Not only are everyone’s needs different, but everyone has their own personal set of likes and dislikes: Dry skin? Moisture is a must because, well, you simply aren’t getting enough. Combination skin? Your regimen hinges on products that speak to both the dry and oily patches. Sensitive skin? Steering clear of irritating ingredients is key.
Since continuously using the wrong facial cleansers, face washes, or makeup removers can wreak havoc on your skin, we did the legwork for you. For this year’s Healthy Beauty Awards, we sought input from an expert panel of dermatologists, tasked a group of 70 judges to lather and rinse their faces with the latest skin-care products for days, and then narrowed it down to these standouts.
Here are the 11 facial cleansers that won our hearts (and our faces!) and snagged a 2020 SELF Healthy Beauty Award in the process.
Reviews have been edited and condensed for clarity and length.
Best Cleanser for Dry Skin: Milk Makeup Vegan Milk Cleanser
Milk/Morgan Johnson
Milk Makeup Vegan Milk Cleanser
From the pretty-hued packaging to the easy-to-dispense tube to the thick, rich texture, Vegan Milk Cleanser was the clear standout for users with dry skin. Testers loved how gentle it was, noting it left their skin feeling clean but not stripped. Not to mention, this product has a ton of moisturizing ingredients, including shea butter and argan milk. See full ingredients list here.
Bonus points, per the experts: From glycerin and squalene to aloe and shea butter, this creamy fragrance-free cleanser is chock-full of recommended ingredients. It also avoids sulfates, which can dry out skin.
One tester said: “For anyone who might wrongly believe that vegan products are inferior, think again! This cleanser totally blew me away. It’s a super-thick texture, similar to a hair conditioner. The scent is light with hints of coconut coming through. It turns into a creamy texture on the skin and truly did wash off all of my makeup easily, which included foundation, blush, and mascara. I’d say money well spent! This cleanser should rank high as a top contender for space in your makeup bag.”
Best Oil-Based Cleanser for Dry Skin: One Love Organics Botanical B Cleansing Oil Solid
One Love Organics/Morgan Johnson
One Love Organics Botanical B Cleansing Oil Solid
Talk about a lightweight balm you’ll love! This one, which testers said left their skin soft and hydrated, won rave reviews for how easily the combo of sunflower, pumpkin, and papaya oils removed makeup along with all the other gunk that settles onto your face throughout the day. See full ingredients list here.
Bonus points, per the experts: This product contains glycerin, which derms are a big fan of because of its hydrating effect.
Just so you know: This product contains salicylic acid—which can be great at helping dry up oil for those with acne-prone/oily skin. However, the same chemical can be irritating for the same reason if you’ve got dry skin, so it’s something our derms suggest you keep in mind.
One tester said: “This was my favorite oil cleanser by far! It has the consistency of Vaseline, and it smelled like coconut. Rubbing it on my face felt like a moisturizing experience, and it suds up (like a normal cleanser) once you start washing your face. There was absolutely no skin tightness after I finished using it, and my face looked well moisturized. Big fan of this one!”
Best Cleanser for Oily Skin: I Dew Care Namaste Kitten Clarifying Cannabis Sativa Hemp Seed Oil Cleanser
I Dew Care/Morgan Johnson
I Dew Care Namaste Kitten Clarifying Cannabis Sativa Hemp Seed Oil Cleanser
Yes, Namaste Kitten washes away dirt, grime, and makeup effortlessly, but its real power lies in its ability to nourish, calm, and, frankly, keep excess oil in check with a mix of cannabis sativa seed oil, heartleaf extract, and peppermint oil. Also, its funky green hue, which transforms to white as you lather, is a fun, unexpected touch. See full ingredients list here.
Bonus points, per the experts: This product is formulated with glycerin, which is an ingredient all skin types should say yes to, according to derms.
Just so you know: This product contains dyes and fragrances, which may cause irritation for those with sensitive skin.
One Tester Said: “Wow. I think I just found my new favorite product line. I Dew Care’s use of skin-calming sativa seed oil is a smart move for all of us acne-prone adults who watch their skin waiver between fine and full-on breakout. And my skin tends to get very red when breakouts are afoot, and this cleanser does the job to keep that color at bay. I love it.”
Best Cleanser for Combination Skin: Ole Henriksen Truth Juice Daily Cleanser
Ole Henriksen/Morgan Johnson
Ole Henriksen Truth Juice Daily Cleanser
From its energizing orange scent to its ability to thoroughly rinse away the day without overdrying skin, this gel creme scored top marks across the board. Testers were also big fans of how fresh and bright their skin looked post-use. See full ingredients list here.
Bonus points, per the experts: This product is formulated with PHAs, which are a great acne-fighting exfoliant for those with sensitive skin. It also contains glycerin, which traps moisture to keep skin hydrated.
Just so you know: This product contains fragrances and fruit extracts, which may be irritating to some skin types, according to derms.
One tester said: “Love this cleanser! The texture and smell are delightful—smells kind of like an orange starburst and has a light bouncy creamy feel. Develops a creamy lather with a subtle tingling sensation. After rinsing, my face looks smooth, bright, and slightly plumped. It’s great for waking up in the morning but is also very refreshing at night. Packaging is cute and minimal, something I’d happily display on my bathroom counter.”
Best Cleanser for Aging Skin: Kopari Tropical Glow Cleanser
Kopari/Morgan Johnson
Kopari Tropical Glow Cleanser
Reviewers raved about not only this cleanser’s delicious tropical scent, but how it gently cleaned and exfoliated skin. Orange peel oil, one of the key ingredients, can help rewind time for your skin, hydrating and brightening. The result: a lasting glow you’ll love. See full ingredients list here.
Bonus points, per the experts: This product contains the humectant glycerin, which locks in moisture, as well as tons of antioxidants, which have proven antiaging benefits.
Just so you know: This product contains fragrances, which may irritate some with sensitive skin.
One tester said: “Delicious, cheery smell. Transported me from #quarantinelife to the beach with the yummy smells of coconut, pineapple, and papaya. I loved the texture and how it wasn’t too foamy, which can be difficult to remove. This product effectively cleansed and didn’t leave a residue or dry out my skin, plus it has a nice light texture.”
Best Cleanser for Sensitive Skin: Tula Skincare Super Calm Gentle Milk Cleanser
Tula/Morgan Johnson
Tula Skincare Super Calm Gentle Milk Cleanser
Jam-packed with skin-soothing ingredients—oatmeal, aloe, and cucumber—this fragrance-free cleanser left our testers’ skin feeling super clean. They were also pleasantly surprised how moisturizing it was despite its watery consistency. See full ingredients list here.
Bonus points, per the experts: This product contains glycerin, which derms recommend, and is free from potentially irritating fragrances.
Just so you know: Overall this formula lends itself well to those with sensitive skin. One potential exception: fruit extracts, which some may find irritating.
One tester said: “Cleansers are really difficult for my skin to handle for some reason, but this was super gentle and effective. I really like how it smells—it’s not fragranced in any way, so I guess whatever the formula smells like on its own is really pleasant. It can’t take off a full face of makeup or thick sunscreen, but I also didn’t expect it to, so no biggie. Overall A++, 10/10, big fan.”
Best Makeup Remover: Neutrogena Makeup Remover Melting Balm
Neutrogena/Morgan Johnson
Neutrogena Makeup Remover Melting Balm
Simply put: Testers said this makeup remover gets the job done. Transforming from a thick balm into an oil when applied, it easily wipes away without a trace of greasiness. What did remain, though, was a clean and hydrated visage. See full ingredients list here.
Bonus points, per the experts: Derms give high marks for the antioxidants in this product, which is great for mature skin.
Just so you know: Derms note that those with combination skin should avoid comedogenic ingredients, like coconut oil, which this product contains.
One tester said: “I really liked this product! I used it to remove a pretty strong lip stain I was wearing, and it did better than my normal makeup remover. It also felt gentle on the skin, and I didn’t have any drying. I’d recommend it to someone looking for a good drugstore makeup remover.”
Best Face Wipes for Sensitive Skin: Simple Compostable Cleansing Wipes
Simple/Morgan Johnson
Simple Compostable Cleansing Wipes
Made from renewable plant fibers and sustainable wood pulp, these wipes, which manage to remove makeup in just a few quick swipes, are not only a win for your face, but for the environment too (they break down in 42 days!). Also noteworthy: Vitamin B5 both calms skin and helps keep it from looking or feeling parched. See full ingredients list here.
Bonus points, per the experts: This product meets several of the derm-approved ingredients for sensitive skin. They’re loaded with hydrating glycerin, while notable irritants, such as dyes and fragrances, are absent.
Just so you know: Our derms advise those with oily or acne-prone skin opt out of products with vitamin E, which this product has, as it is potentially comedogenic.
One tester said: “I was surprised at how much I love these—they might be my new favorite wipes! Wipes ALWAYS irritate under my eyes, and even my cheekbone area will sting. I’ve tried them all, and this is the first wipe that didn’t irritate anywhere, even under my eyes. It also worked to remove my waterproof mascara. Between the environmental guilt and the irritation, I’d given up on using wipes and had resigned myself to a lengthy makeup removal process. No more!”
Best Face Wipes for Oily Skin: Julep Love Your Bare Face Exfoliating Cleansing Cloths
Julep/Morgan Johnson
Julep Love Your Bare Face Exfoliating Cleansing Cloths
While the scent wasn’t a winner with all testers, these wipes still scored major points for being a gentle exfoliator as well as being super moisturizing without leaving behind a weird, filmy residue. The rose hip oil was also a big hit thanks to its antiaging and brightening agents. See the full ingredients list here.
Bonus points, per the experts: Derms recommend those with oily skin turn to chemical exfoliating ingredients, like lactic acid, which this product is formulated with, to slough skin and keep acne at bay.
Just so you know: This product contains citrus extracts, so it may be irritating to some, especially those with sensitive skin.
One tester said: “The Julep cloths did the job. I packed them in my gym bag to use after a workout. They aren’t very wet, which I found a little odd for a cleansing wipe, but the exfoliating acids were really nice and subtle. Since they’re resurfacing, my face turned a little red after use, but for the most part, the exfoliation was gentle. Overall, these wipes were just fine.”
Best Face Wipes for Dry Skin: Laura Geller Hydrating Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes
Laura Geller/Morgan Johnson
Laura Geller Hydrating Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes
Not only did our reviewers say that these soft-textured, coconut-scented wipes make the difficult task of clearing away makeup a cinch, but they were also fans of the packaging, noting that the hard plastic clasp helped keep the wipes moist between uses. See full ingredients list here.
Bonus points, per the experts: This product is jam-packed with derm-approved ingredients, including hyaluronic acid and glycerin.
Just so you know: This product contains fragrances, which derms say can cause irritation.
One tester said: “These cleansing towelettes are probably my favorite wipes ever! They are not overly wet, nor are they dry and rough. They have a delicate softness to their texture and take off all forms of makeup with ease. In addition to that, the oatmeal and chamomile scents that come from them is so calming. The packing is simple, and I have no trouble taking only one towelette out of the package at a time. I will be purchasing this product as my go-to makeup cleanser.”
Best Cleansing Device: Foreo Luna 3 Mini
Foreo/Morgan Johnson
Foreo Luna 3 Mini
Who doesn’t need a little bit of help putting your best face forward? The Luna 3 Mini, which connects through an app on your phone, is like a personal face massager (it has 12 settings!) and uses a circular motion to effectively rid your face of dirt and oil. See full product details here.
Bonus points, per the experts: Since it’s a beauty-tech device, you won’t have to worry about ingredients known to irritate skin.
Just so you know: If you have dry skin, derms recommend skipping harsh physical exfoliates, like brushes.
One tester said: “I am usually not the biggest fan of these motorized cleansing brushes, but I was pleasantly surprised at how soft and gentle the bristles on this one are! Using it felt like a very light massage on my skin and didn’t irritate me at all—unlike some other brushes. After using this little Foreo, my skin felt clean and very soft. I also really like the size of this one—I’m not sure you really need the full size!”