I’ve Tried Countless Skincare Products, and This Is the Cleanser I Recommend to Everyone

I even brought it with me on a cross-country move.

If there’s one thing that forces you to harness your inner Marie Kondo and purge your home (and soul) of anything that does not spark joy, it’s moving across the country. When I was faced with the challenge of packing my life up into a mere three suitcases, two shipping boxes, and one backpack last summer, I made some serious cuts.

One area of my apartment that needed a lot of attention was my medicine cabinet, which was overflowing with a mix of skincare products I’d purchased for myself or tested for work. I knew I could only take the absolute essentials with me, and that included my Superfood Cleanser from Youth to the People.

Packing a half-used bottle of a gel cleanser with a pump lid in a suitcase is the definition of risky, but if you tried this face wash for yourself, you’d understand why it had to be done. I tend to alternate between a mix of cleansers (mostly since I’m always trying out something new, but also because I think it keeps my skin on its toes) but I always reach for this one when my skin is feeling a bit irritated, dry, or in need of some general TLC.

The vegan face wash contains a powerful concoction of vitamins E, C, and B5, antioxidant-packed green tea, soothing aloe vera, and phytonutrient-rich superfood extracts like kale and spinach—the ingredient list makes it clear why the brand often refers to this product as “a green juice cleanse for your face.” And despite the natural formula, it’s still incredibly effective: It’s potent enough to wash off a full face of makeup, but gentle enough that it doesn’t leave my skin feeling totally stripped and dry afterwards.

I typically apply a small pump after wetting my face and let the sulfate-free gel foam up as I work it into my skin in small circles. Then, after rinsing my face with tepid water, I follow up with a few dabs of the brand’s Superfood Air Whip Moisture Cream mixed with a couple drops of the Superberry Hydrate & Glow Oil to give my skin an extra dose of hydration and nutrients. Immediately after finishing my regimen, I notice my skin looks bright and healthy, and I've even found that the face wash has a lasting effect when used regularly over time.

At $36 a bottle, it may be a bit pricier than drugstore skincare products, but a little goes a long way—and if you ask me, the results are definitely worth the splurge.

<p><img alt="Youth to the People Superfood Cleanser" src="https://www.realsimple.com/sites/default/files/1580332810/youth-to-the-people-superfood-cleanser.jpg" width="100%" /></p>

To buy: $36; nordstrom.com.