10 drugstore face washes that actually work, according to dermatologists
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I flinch at the thought of spending over $20 on face wash, which makes me a perfect candidate to write about the best drugstore face washes. Admittedly, I’m a bit of a penny pincher, the kind of guy who’ll mix his soap with water to eke out a few extra pumps. I also firmly believe that you don’t have to spend big bucks on luxury beauty products to get balanced, blemish-free skin.
Experts agree. Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Marisa Garshick says that cleansers “don’t need to be expensive to be effective,” adding that there are plenty of effective, affordable drugstore face washes. However, it’s hard to know which cleansers work.
Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Sumayah Jamal recommends talking to a specialist for that very reason. But not everyone has access to affordable healthcare, so we spoke to dermatologists to come up with a list of the best drugstore face washes under $20. I’ve tested several of these products personally, and as someone who’s tried countless cleansers to deal with my own oily, acne-prone skin, I’m confident in my recommendations.
What should you look for in a face wash?
Choosing the right cleanser will depend a lot on your skin type, but all the best cleansers should remove “sweat, residue and pollutants without making your skin dry,” according to board-certified, New York City-based dermatologist Dr. David Kim.
If cleansers usually leave your skin tight and stripped of its natural oils, Garshick recommends looking for moisturizing ingredients like ceramides, niacinamide and hyaluronic acid. Greasy skin? Try products with acids, which remove excess oil.
But not everyone falls into that binary. Say you have an oily forehead and dry cheeks (aka combination skin). In that case, you’ll need to find the Goldilocks of cleansers, one that’s able to cut through oil while also nourishing dry patches. And if some of the above ingredients make your skin burn, tingle or itch, you likely need a face wash for sensitive skin, which skips fragrances, alcohols and other common irritants.
Regardless of your skin type, you can address all these concerns without spending $100 on trendy products at Sephora. “There are great options [at the drugstore],” Kim says. “Cleansers shouldn’t be so expensive.”
How often should you wash your face?
Dermatologists recommend that you wash your face once or twice daily. “It is always important to wash the face at the end of the day to remove buildup of dirt, debris as well as excess oil and makeup from throughout the day,” Garshick says. Washing your face in the morning is fine too, she adds, though people with sensitive or dry skin may prefer sticking to a single cleanse at night.
Best drugstore face washes
CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser
For sensitive skin
If you’re lost and want a budget-friendly, widely available facial cleanser that accommodates a variety of skin types, add this moisturizing face wash to your skin care routine. According to Garshick, it removes dirt and buildup without stripping your skin, thanks in part to moisturizing hyaluronic acid and skin barrier-strengthening ceramides. I can also attest to its effectiveness, having tried this formula in college.
CeraVe Hydrating Cream-to-Foam Cleanser
For dry and combination skin
This fragrance-free cleanser feels more like a thick lotion than a face wash, making it suitable for normal-to-dry skin types. But true to its name, you can quickly work the ceramide-packed cream into a lather, which cleanses without stripping your skin. After using it for years, my only complaint was that it left my T-zone a bit oily.
Neutrogena Stubborn Texture Acne Cleanser
For oily and sensitive skin
Skin care connoisseurs talk about “holy grail” products, aka discoveries that they can’t live without. For me, that’s this fragrance-free cleanser, which cleared up my oily, pimply skin. It’s effective because it contains three acids that exfoliate — a reliable antidote to greasy, acne-prone skin — and not much else.
Dove Beauty Bar
For all skin types
For those who prefer a bar, Garshick recommends this cleanser from Dove, which has the benefit of being a body and hand wash too. Even though it looks like a normal bar of hand soap, this formula cleanses and moisturizes “unlike ordinary soaps, which can strip the skin of its natural oils,” Garshick says.
Cetaphil Gentle Clear Cleanser
For oily and sensitive skin
“This gentle cream-to-lather cleanser uses salicylic acid to help clean out pores and reduce breakouts and oil, without drying out the skin,” Garshick says, adding that it’s suitable for oily, acne-prone and sensitive skin. Aloe and white tea are also notable ingredients that keep this formula from being too drying.
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Purifying Foaming Cleanser
For combination skin
Jamal and Garshick are proponents of this foaming cleanser, with both highlighting the inclusion of niacinamide, which can help tackle hyperpigmentation, large pores and excess sebum production. On top of that, it also boasts ceramides and skin-hydrating glycerin.
Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser
For sensitive skin
If sulfates, fragrances and alcohol make your skin crawl (literally), start with Vanicream’s flagship over-the-counter face wash. “This cleanser helps to get rid of makeup, dirt and excess oil but is free of common irritants found in other cleansers such as fragrance, dyes, parabens, formaldehyde and other preservatives, making it a great option for those with sensitive skin,” Garshick says.
La Roche-Posay Lipikar Wash AP+
For dry skin
Dry, sensitive skin? The last thing you’ll want is a harsh cleanser. Instead, Jamal says you should opt for La Roche-Posay’s Lipikar Wash AP+, a hydrating foaming face wash that keeps skin from drying out with shea butter, niacinamide and glycerin.
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Gel Facial Wash
For oily skin
Alongside vocal online fans, Jamal endorses La Roche-Posay’s Effaclar face wash for its ability to remove oil while also maintaining moisture and pH levels. On top of citric acid, it’s got pore-purifying zinc pidolate.
Neutrogena Fragrance-Free Ultra-Gentle Daily Cleanser
For sensitive skin
“This is an effective cleanser that helps remove excess oil without damaging your natural skin barrier,” Garshick says of Neutrogena’s sensitive skin cleanser. “It’s also free of harsh ingredients and oil-free, so it can be used by all skin types.”
Dr. Bronner's Pure-Castile Bar Soap
Leaf Shave Twig Razor
Flamingo Estate Lavender & Activated Charcoal Soap Brick
Botnia Apothecary Mask Set
Note: The prices above reflect the retailers' listed price at the time of publication.
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