15 of the Best Drugstore Face Cleansers That Are Just As Good As the Pricey Stuff
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Regardless of how many steps you have in your skincare routine, a good face wash is essential. And while we appreciate the high-end beauty world, we’ve found that drugstore face cleansers can be just as good as a pricier pick from Sephora or Ulta. But with such a wide array of products, how are you supposed to know which ones are actually worth snagging? (Spoiler alert: The Cetaphil Healthy Radiance Face Wash is a must-have for winter.)
In our hunt to find the best drugstore face cleansers, we sorted through over 40 options, ultimately narrowing things down to the 15 best. To make our final list, we consulted dermatologists, analyzed ingredients and perused customer ratings and reviews (which is why we’re adding the CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser to our carts ASAP).
Ahead, check out the 15 best face cleanser we found, all of which are available for purchase at spots like Amazon, Target and CVS.
The 14 Best Face Cleansers for Sensitive Skin, Vetted by Experts
The Best Face Cleansers at a Glance
Meet the Expert
Dr. Geeta Yadav is a board-certified dermatologist and founder of FACET Dermatology, a clinic located in Toronto, Canada. She has a master’s degree in international health from Johns Hopkins University and an M.D. from the Northern Ontario School of Medicine. Her areas of expertise include skin conditions like rosacea, psoriasis, eczema and adult acne, skin cancer prevention and surgery and the treatment of skin color/BIPOC patients.
How We Chose the Best Drugstore Face Cleansers
With Dr. Yadav’s guidance, we created a checklist based on the following criteria:
1. CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser
Per Dr. Yadav’s expertise, our top pick for the best drugstore face cleanser went to CeraVe’s Renewing SA Cleanser. It contains salicylic acid, which works to exfoliate and soften rough skin texture, hyaluronic acid for hydration and ceramides 1, 3 and 6-II to support the skin barrier. The formula is also non-comedogenic, which means it won’t clog your pores.
We also love that it’s fragrance-free, developed by dermatologists and doesn’t have any harsh exfoliating microbeads, which can often hurt your skin instead of helping it.
Take it from this happy customer: “CeraVe SA Cleanser has exceeded my expectations. With its affordable price point for the value size, I suggest investing in it, as it will last for months. I highly recommend this cleanser to anyone looking for a reliable face wash.”
2. Differin Daily Deep Cleanser
If you’re dealing with pesky breakouts or have acne-prone skin, it can be tough to find a good face wash that won’t irritate your blemishes further. We chose Differin’s Daily Deep Cleanser as our pick for the best face cleanser for acne because it’s specifically designed to help with breakouts and suck up oils without drying out your skin. It contains 5 percent benzoyl peroxide as its primary ingredient, a topical antiseptic commonly used to treat acne.
It’s also free from dyes, parabens, phthalates and aluminum, making it a good option for folks with sensitive skin. It has a whopping 4.5-star rating from more than 760 Target shoppers, with one user describing it as a “magic fix.”
3. DERMA-E Anti-Wrinkle Cleanser
The DERMA-E Anti-Wrinkle Cleanser works to gently exfoliate, brighten and renew the skin. Active ingredients vitamin A and glycolic acid help to encourage skin cell turnover and clean the skin without drying it out, while sea kelp maintains skin elasticity.
DERMA-E is also a clean beauty brand that prioritizes sustainable ingredients. This product in particular is 100 percent vegan, cruelty-free and made without any parabens, sulfates, mineral oils, petroleum, soy or GMOs. As an added bonus, it’s packaged in a recyclable bottle.
4. Bioré Witch Hazel Pore Clarifying Acne Face Wash
With 2 percent salicylic acid and witch hazel in the formula, Bioré’s Clarifying Face Wash actively works to break down gunk in your pores, while preventing future blackheads. Dubbed by one recent shopper as their “go-to face cleanser,” it’s praised for removing dirt and oil on and in your skin.
Witch hazel is a natural astringent, and coupled with salicylic acid, which breaks down pore-clogging materials like oil and dead skin cells, this face cleanser helps reduce the appearance of blackheads.
5. Yes To Avocado Fragrance-Free Daily Cream Cleanser
Cruelty-free and Leaping Bunny certified, Yes To’s daily cream cleanser contains avocado oil and hyaluronic acid to really enhance hydration. According to the brand, when mixed with water, the formula transforms into a “milky lather” that helps remove oil and dirt. It doesn’t have any parabens, fragrances or silicones, instead the nourishing formula helps protect your natural skin barrier to leave your face feeling plump and healthy, even in the driest of seasons.
6. Cetaphil Healthy Radiance Face Wash
It can be difficult to pinpoint exactly what youneed in a face wash when you have combination skin (this means that parts of your skin may be oily or acne-prone, while others are dry). For optimal care, we recommend going with a mild cleanser like Cetaphil’s Healthy Radiance Face Wash (another one of Dr. Yadav’s faves).
Its primary ingredients are niacinamide and antioxidants, which work together to reduce the appearance of dark and age spots, hyperpigmentation and acne scars. Polyhydroxy acid (PHA) is another active additive, serving as a gentle exfoliant that gets rid of dead skin cells without causing irritation.
It’s also hypoallergenic and fragrance-free, plus it’s designed to protect from the five signs of sensitive skin (dryness, irritation, roughness, tightness and a weakened skin barrier).
7. CeraVe Hydrating Foaming Oil Cleanser
A personal favorite of PureWow freelance writer Melissa Lee, this ultra-hydrating face cleanser is a must-have for her during the colder months. Hyaluronic acid, a moisturizing super ingredient, and squalane oil, known to maintain the skin’s barrier, work together to defend against dryness. Meanwhile, the essential ceramides (1, 3, 6-II) that are found in most of CeraVe’s products are another great addition.
The formulation is fragrance-free, developed by dermatologists and non-comedogenic. As a bonus, if you have eczema, you’ll be happy to know that it has a seal of approval from the National Eczema Association, too.
8. Cetaphil Pro Oil Removing Face Wash
If you have oily skin, you’re probably looking for skin care products that will help with removing excess shine. This foam wash from Cetaphil is a good option for those who struggle with oil production, thanks to its gentle formula, which contains zinc, an ingredient has been found to regulate sebum production. We also really like that this face cleanser is free from any fragrances, is hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic. "This really cleans your pores, gently removing the oil. My face feels clean but not stripped dry," shares one reviewer.
9. Aveeno Calm + Restore Redness Foaming Cleanser
Formulated to address redness and irritation often found in sensitive skin types, the Calm + Restore facial cleanser from Aveeno is a foaming, fragrance-free pick. It’s also free from any parabens and phthalates, hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic, too, making it a Dr. Yadav approved option for sensitive skin.
It can be used to remove makeup, dirt and oil from the day, while gently cleansing the skin. Feverfew, a plant that’s been found to help reduce redness and soothe irritated skin, is one of the active ingredients found in this cleanser, alongside glycerin.
10. Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser
Neutrogena’s Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser delicately tackles key signs of sensitive skin, while also promoting the natural barrier and cleaning pores. It was developed by dermatologists and uses glycerin to enhance hydration, along with polymeric technology that, according to the brand, creates a foamy texture that won’t strip your skin and leave it feeling dry and tight.
Just be aware that while it’s hypoallergenic and made without any soaps or dyes, this cleanser does contain fragrance, in case you’re sensitive to that.
11. Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Skin Therapy Cleansing Facial Oil
Palmer’s is a brand that’s perhaps best known for its array of body care items, so it’s no surprise that this cleansing facial oil landed on our list. While it does have a rosy fragrance to it, which not everyone may like, it also features grapeseed and jojoba oils to help break down the day’s makeup and grime. Vitamin C is another good-for-you skin additive, since it’s been found to help with hyperpigmentation, dryness and uneven skin tone.
Although the brand notes that you can use this product for makeup removal, the directions suggest avoiding your eyes. We recommend taking a cleansing balm or eye makeup remover to those precious peepers before going in with this facial oil.
12. Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel Cleanser
If you’re trying to spend minimal dough on a highly-rated face wash, we recommend Neutrogena’s Hydro Boost Gel Cleanser. Though it’s on the smaller side at 2 fluid ounces, we assure you that a little goes a long way with this moisturizing formulation. Hyaluronic acid works deeply hydrate your skin, while gentle cleansing properties remove the day’s dirt. And, despite its low price point, quality definitely isn’t compromised since it’s still paraben-free, non-comedogenic and hypoallergenic.
13. CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser
Another great option from CeraVe, this hydrating facial cleanser checks all the boxes: it has hyaluronic acid, ceramides and glycerin, it’s certified by the National Eczema Association and is non-comedogenic, fragrance-free and hypoallergenic. It even uses CeraVe’s patented MVE Technology, which works to continually release moisturizing ingredients hours after you use it.
As if you needed any more convincing, it has a 4.6-star rating from more than 12,600 Target shoppers. One buyer even described it as their “holy grail face wash”.
14. Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser
People who have eczema know how frustrating it can be to find products that won’t cause further irritation. So we looked through the National Eczema Association’s site to find the best option and settled on Vanicream’s Gentle Facial Cleanser, which is free from dyes, fragrance, lanolin, parabens, formaldehyde, soap, botanical extract, sulfate, gluten and cocamidopropyl betaine. It’s described as the brand’s mildest formula, while still removing makeup and excess oil from your skin.
15. Cetaphil Cream to Foam Face Wash
It’s important to wash your face every night before bed, even if you didn’t wear any makeup that day. To rid your skin of excess oils and grime, we suggest this cream-to-foam cleanser from Cetaphil. Glycerin and vitamins B5 and B3 are the primary ingredients, while prebiotic aloe is another shining star for soothing dry or sensitive skin.
Like other Cetaphil products, it’s hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic and free from fragrances and parabens. One happy user wrote: “There are no harsh chemicals or weird smells. I just lather it on [a] wash cloth and go to town. After I’ve rinsed it off, I’m left with the most beautiful clean feeling.”
What Face Wash Is Recommended by Dermatologists?
According to Dr. Yadav, the best drugstore face cleanser will ultimately depend on your skin type, but in general, she’s a big fan of Cetaphil and CeraVe.
“They are carefully formulated, dermatologist-tested and clinically proven,” she says. “[They] contain blends of niacinamide, panthenol and glycerin to help purify, calm, condition and hydrate the skin.”
What Ingredients Should I Look for in a Drugstore Face Cleanser?
Dr. Yadav recommends looking for ingredients that will protect and support the skin’s natural barrier, like glycerin and ceramides. “[They will] help the skin function its best, staying balanced and hydrated without irritation,” she explains.
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