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Why use a facial cleanser?

Daily cleansing is important as it helps remove oil, dirt and debris from makeup or sweat, and helps remove dead skin cells from your face and neck. Keeping your skin clean and hydrated is also important in preventing acne and blemishes caused by clogged pores.

For those who wear makeup frequently, cleansing—specifically double cleansing with a makeup removing balm—is extra important to remove makeup residue and provide a clean, smooth surface to apply new coverage.

Even if you do not wear makeup, it’s important to wash your face at least once per day, although those with oily skin may benefit from more frequent washing.

What skin type do you have?

When deciding what type of cleanser to select, it is important to match one to your skin type.

Your skin type refers to the level of hydration in the skin. While there are many classifications for skin types (and it is possible to fall into several categories), most can be organized into the following: dry, oily/acne-prone, normal, combination and sensitive.

One common way to determine your skin type is by examining skin after cleansing. After washing, apply no products to your face and allow the skin to breathe. Examine the skin after one hour.

Normal skin

If you don’t have notice any oiliness or dryness on your face you likely have normal skin. Normal skin is less prone to breakouts and reactions to changing skincare. This skin type is also less likely to have blotting issues with makeup or drastic fine lines and wrinkles.

Dry skin

If you see dry or flaky patches or feel a “tightness” on your face after cleansing, you may have dry skin. Those with dry skin may also experience itchiness or sensitivities to changing skincare or weather conditions.

Combination Skin

If you notice oiliness around your T-zone—the area around your forehead, nose, and chin—but also experience dryness, you have combination skin. This skin type is particularly challenging, as it requires finding a balance between too drying and too moisturizing.

Oily Skin/Acne Prone Skin

If you notice oiliness over your entire face, you have oily skin. While it is possible to have oily skin without blemishes (and acne-prone skin without oil), these two skin issues typically go hand-in-hand.

Those with oily skin suffer from overproduction of sebum, which is produced by the body to keep the skin hydrated and healthy. Too much sebum, however, can lead to clogged pores and acne. An acne face wash will target this problem and prevent unsightly blemishes.

Sensitive Skin

If you see any redness or blotchiness or experience any skin reactions when using new products, you likely have sensitive skin. Skin that is sensitive may also have dry patches, be prone to flushing, or have rashes or bumps. This could be caused by skincare products, allergies, or genetics.

How Do you find the right skincare ingredients for your skin type?

Normal skin

Those with normal skin are blessed with having skin that allows them to try many different skincare products without worry. Normal skin is generally more neutral and will tolerate most ingredients.

Dry skin

For dry skin, locking in moisturizer is a priority. For this reason, we would suggest adding in products that include hyaluronic acid, a natural sugar that attracts water to the skin.

Other options include: glycerin, ceramides, or squalene.

It’s important to avoid skincare that has moisture-stripping properties, such as alcohols.

Combination Skin

For those with combination skin, the true test is finding skincare that does not overly strip the skin’s natural oils while making the oily areas worse. Look for gentle, balancing products for total skincare use and do not be afraid to spot correct as necessary. Combination skin can also benefit from the use of hyaluronic acid.

Avoid any products with stripping alcohols or sulfates.

Oily Skin/Acne Prone Skin

Salicylic acid can be crucial to help prevent clogged pores and clear out acne-causing bacteria. Those with oily skin can also benefit from using products that include Beta hydroxy acid (BHA), Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA), such as glycolic acid to remove excess oil and keep skin clear.

Avoid any overly hydrating products or moisturizers, or oily products, such as mineral oil or beeswax.

Sensitive Skin

Skin that falls in this category is highly susceptible to changes from parabens, sulfates or fragrances. As such, look for clean beauty options that are free of these formulations that could cause redness or irritation.

Stripping products, such as acids and alcohols may also be too much for sensitive skin and should be avoid.

Our favorite cleansers for all skin types

Once you’ve figured out your skin type above, we’re here to provide you with some of our favorite options for cleansers — for any skin type—as well as a few of our favorite options for daily use.

The Best Face Washes For Dry Skin

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Hydrating Gentle Cleanser

La Roche-Posay

A creamy cleanser that removes dirt and impurities and is formulated with niacinamide and ceramides to lock in moisture and prevent irritation. Ideal for those with sensitive skin.

Why we love it: A gentle, hydrating cleanser with an incredibly affordable price point.

Image: Sephora

Simple One-Step Facial Cleanser

Philosophy

A hydrating facial cleanser infused with meadow seed oil that is safe for the skin. The soapy cleanser deeply cleans pores and keeps your skin hydrated.

Why we love it: It’s an award-winning facial cleanser perfect for dry skin and can be used in the morning and evening!

Image: Sephora

Milky Jelly Cleanser

Glossier

If you didn’t know already, at Swift Wellness we love Glossier! This milky cleanser is made with rose water, comfrey root extract, and vitamin B5 for a power-packed, yet ultra-nourishing skincare routine.

Why we love it: Its all-natural formula smells great and deep cleans your face in less than a minute. It will also pair well with the other Glossier items you already love!

The Best Face Washes for Combination Skin

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Fantastic Face Wash

Ursa Major

A foaming face wash that cleanses and exfoliates dead skin cells without drying the face.

Why we love it: Natural ingredients, such as coconut, green tea, and aloe vera, as well as am AHA/BHA complex, leaving the skin feeling refreshed and brightened.

Image: Sephora

Daily Glycolic Cleanser

Demalogica

A cruelty-free facial cleanser with a formula that brightens and gently exfoliates skin. It is ideal for uneven skin texture, which is common for people with combination skin.

Why we love it: A sulfate-free glycolic cleanser that deeply rids of oil and other impurities to maintain a healthy glow!

Image: Ulta

Creamy Jelly Cleanser

BYOMA

This jelly cleanser gently breaks down dirt, leftover makeup, and other impurities, resulting in a fresh finish. It is made with licorice root and green tea to cleanse and protect your skin from any breakouts!

Why we love it: Vegan, cruelty-free, and cute sustainable packaging!

Image: Ulta

Rose Cream Cleanser

Pixi

A creamy foam cleanser with refreshing rose scents that deep cleans and nourishes the skin. Although recommended for combination skin, this face cleanser can be used for all skin types!

Why we love it: The great price and how a dime-size amount of the cleanser will go a long way!

Best Face Washes for Acne

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LHA Decongesting Cleanser Gel

Skinceuticals

A gel cleanser specifically formulated with problematic skin in mind, this glycolic and salicylic acid combo help to remove excess oil and free trapped pores. The best acne face wash choice.

Why we love it: LHA also helps to encourage cell regeneration, leading to a more even skin tone and a reduction in hyperpigmentation, blackheads, and signs of aging.

Image: Amazon

Kale + Green Tea Superfood Cleanser

Youth to the People

A lightweight water based cleanser infused with antioxidants to clean away makeup and dirt and keep skin healthy.

Why we love it: Sulfate-free, alcohol-free, and cruelty-free, non-drying and 100% vegan, plus it comes in recycled packaging!

Image: Sephora

Glucoside Facial Cleanser

The Ordinary

The Ordinary is a popular skincare brand for its reliable product line, and their glucoside facial cleanser isn’t any exception! An oil-free, liquid formula that easily spreads on the skin to deep clean, while also retaining the face’s natural moisture.

Why we love it: Who doesn’t love an affordable price point from a leading skincare brand with an ultra-effective cleansing formula?

Image: Ulta

Acne Clarifying Cleanser

Peach Slices

A cruelty-free face cleanser for the acne-prone. It clears breakouts, targets large pores, and helps prevent acne from returning. This can be used daily or when your skin is feeling stressed!

Why we love it: Low price point, clean ingredients, and from a new sustainable beauty brand!

Image: Sephora

Perfectly Balanced Foaming Cleanser

Paula’s Choice

A super facial cleanser that fights clogged pores, acne, oiliness, and dullness! It also has soothing and brightening ingredients, such as aloe vera and hyaluronic acid, to keep your skin healthy all day long.

Why we love it: It’s fragrance-free, gentle on the skin, yet still power-packed enough to get rid of acne and dark blemishes!

Best Face Washes for Sensitive Skin

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Pure Skin Face Cleanser

First Aid Beauty

An incredibly gentle cleanser for even the most sensitive skin types.

Why we love it: Calming ingredients, such as, aloe, allantoin, and glycerin team up in this fragrance-free, paraben- and sulfate-free, vegan cleanser to make a formula that leaves skin feel squeaky clean without dryness or redness.

Image: Amazon

Rice Wash Cleanser

Tatcha

A luxury skincare brand that celebrities and influencers can’t get enough of, especially this ultra-soothing face cleanser. The unique face wash has Japanese rice powder that cleans skin and creates a luminous porcelain finish after every wash.

Why we love it: It’s an amino-based cleanser that gently exfoliates, cleanses, balances, and brightens skin. The packaging is irresistible, too!

Image: Ulta

Soy Face Cleanser

Fresh

While Fresh has an entire highly-reviewed skin care line, their soy face cleanser is one of their best sellers. It’s proven to remove makeup and other impurities effectively without damaging or removing the skin’s natural oils. It gets rid of the ick and retains what keeps your face looking healthy!

Why we love it: A non-stripping formula that balances out all skin tones and textures and is ideal for sensitive skin.

Image: Amazon

Calm + Restore Nourishing Oat Cleanser

Aveeno

An affordable beauty care brand that focuses on sensitive skin! It nourishes dry or sensitive skin effectively with each use, leaving skin feeling soft, smooth, hydrated, and absolutely healthy.

Why we love it: The milky oat formula ensures it’s safe for the most sensitive skin and at a great price point! 

Best Clean Beauty Face Washes

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Gentle Gel Cleanser

Honest Beauty

A clean beauty cleanser that is perfect for daily use.

Why we love it: Formulated with camomile and calendula extracts, this affordable gentle cleanser is a great option for anyone looking for a natural face wash that can be used on all skin types, but perfect for those with sensitive skin.

Image: Ulta

AHA Jelly Cleanser

Cocokind

A pink jelly cleanser that minimizes pores, removes dull skin, and leaves it feeling soft, smooth, and hydrated. What else do you need? Cocokind also offers a full clean beauty skincare collection, including toners, moisturizers, and face masks.

Why we love it: Made with hibiscus extracts, grape oil, and other hydrating ingredients to keep your skin glowing!

Image: Ulta

Ocean Cleanser 

Osea

An all-natural cleanser that sweeps your face clean like the ocean, then leaves it radiant. It contains superfood seaweed to get rid of the deepest impurities and embedded oils in your pores and throughout your face.

Why we love it: Its citrusy scent and ingredients such as natural jojoba and sesame oils. We are also big fans of the whole Osea brand!

Image: Ulta

1000 Rose Cleansing Foam

Andalou

Andalou is a leading vegan beauty brand that sells clean beauty products at a very affordable price point. This cleansing foam is made of pomegranate, roses, aloe vera, and hyaluronic acid to sweep your face clean and bring out your skin’s natural glow!

Why we love it: The low price tag, 100% natural ingredients, and safe for all skin types, especially sensitive skin.

Best Makeup Removing Balms

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Green Clean Makeup Meltaway Cleansing Balm

Farmacy

A perfect addition to a double-cleanse routine, this gentle, yet powerful cleansing balm, removes makeup quickly and easily.

Why we love it: Not only does it get off the most stubborn makeup (hello waterproof mascara!), it does so without stripping the skin of oils. Plus, it comes in recyclable packing!

Image: Sephora

Superberry Dream Cleansing Balm

Youth to the People

Okay, we also can’t get enough of Youth to the People. Their cleansing balm is made of natural seed oils for hydration and super berry antioxidants to purify your face. It removes the dirt and debris, but retains and regenerates what keeps your face naturally healthy. It’s like a quality fruit smoothie for your face!

Why we love it: The sweet pear-scented balm easily melts makeup, moisturizers, and SPFs that you’ve been wearing all day!

Image: Amazon

Clean 10 Cleansing Balm

Juno & Co

This cleansing balm only contains 10 ingredients to safely deep clean skin! One of the key ingredients is pearl barley, which reduces hyperpigmentation, dark spots, and uneven skin tone. It comes off cleanly and leaves no residue–guaranteeing freshness after every use!

Why we love it: Its non-irritating ingredients are completely organic with a refreshing scent!

Image: Ulta

Clean It Zero 3-in-1 Makeup Remover Balm

Banila Co

This balm’s goal is to give you clear, clean skin. Its 3-in-1 formula to combats clogged pores, nourishes skin, and leaves you blemish-free.

Why we love it: Paraben-free, sulfate-free, and loaded with vitamins to create your clearest complexion yet!

Best Drugstore Face Washes

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Hydrating Facial Cleanser

Cerave

When it comes to affordable, reliable drugstore face washes, nothing beats the classic Cerave facial cleanser. Recommended by dermatologists and skincare aficionados alike, this simple face wash is your best budget-friendly option.

Why we love it: Packed with ceramides and hyaluronic acid, this gentle cleanser is non-drying, non-irritating and paraben- and sulfate-free.

Image: Amazon

Hydrating Foaming Cream Cleanser

Cetaphil

Cetaphil is another reliable skincare brand that is gentle enough for even the most sensitive skin. It transforms from cream to foam in seconds, effectively removing dirt and protecting the skin’s barrier. For a drugstore face wash, not only is it effective, but the large bottle ensures it lasts longer than other options on this list.

Why we love it: It is hypoallergenic, sulfate-free, fragrance-free, and sold in a 16oz bottle!

Image: Amazon

Refreshing Face Cleanser

Simple

Another hypoallergenic face wash that is perfume and color-free to protect and cleanse the skin, simply. It is made of nourishing and replenishing vitamins to maintain the skin’s natural and healthy state. A big drugstore bargain!

Why we love it: A drugstore face wash that is safe for the most sensitive skin with its simple, natural ingredients.

Image: Amazon

Hydrating Cleansing Gel

Eucerin

A gentle, dermatologist-recommended cleansing gel that is suitable for sensitive skin and loaded with hyaluronic acid to ensure that extra dose of moisture. Ideal for daily use to clean off dirt and oils, yet keep the skin feeling balanced and refreshed.

Why we love it: Fragrance-free and does not consist of any oils, parabens, alcohol, and soaps that are harmful to the most sensitive skin.

Best Korean Beauty Face Cleansers

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Rice Water Bright Face Cleanser

The Face Shop

The Face Shop is a top Korean beauty brand and this cleanser is one of their best-selling products! It is a rich and foamy paraben free face cleanser, made up of rice bran and rice water, both of which are commonly used throughout Korean history as natural cleansers to maintain smooth and healthy skin.

Why we love it: The eye-catching packaging and the natural ingredients that lock in moisture, along with leaving your skin smoother than it was before.

Image: Amazon

Gentle Cleansing Oil

Sulwasoo

A very common step in Korean skincare, a cleansing oil is another type of facial cleanser that can be added to your beauty routine. This mild cleansing oil includes extracts of tangerine, jobi seeds, and apricot to thoroughly refresh and clean skin. Just two pumps is the perfect amount to remove build-up and give your face a refreshing sensation!

Why we love it: It’s an award-winning K-beauty cleansing oil at an affordable price point! 

Image: Sephora

Green Tea Hyaluronic Acid Cleanser

Innisfree

A creamy facial cleanser that consists of green tea root, oil, and extracts. It is hydrating and restorative, yet removes impurities gently. Innisfree has other quality Korean skincare products worth a try, like their daily sunscreen–a must to complete your skincare beauty routine. 

Why we love it: It’s great for all skin types, but the green tea ingredients help regenerate tired, dry skin.

Image: Amazon

Green Plum Refreshing Cleanser

Beauty of Joseon

A gel cleanser made of traditional Korean skincare ingredients, such as green plum juice and mung bean. The gentle face wash cleans, refreshes, and hydrates the skin with just one wash.

Why we love it: It’s a low-pH cleanser that is safe for all skin types, smells great, and is gentle enough for daily and nightly use!