14 Best Face Washes to Thoroughly Melt Makeup, Sweat, and Oil

Key ingredients: sodium cocoyl wheat amino acids, glycerin, algae, chamomile oil | Who it's for: people with dry skin, people who want a makeup-removing cleanser | Fragrance-free: yes

Best Face Wash for Removing Makeup: Clinique Take the Day Off Cleansing Mousse

Why it's worth it: Nothing like a mousse to get out of bed and standing at the sink before 8 AM. Luckily, Clinique's Take the Day Off Cleansing Mousse is one of the more motivational products in that department. It's silky and hydrating and removes even the longest-wearing of long-wearing makeup, sunscreen, and more. Then, glycerin and hyaluronic acid condition and moisturize, while coconut helps to break down impurities. With the help of warm water, this formula lathers like a dream and leaves skin feeling smoother and fresher.

Tester feedback: Content editor Kara Mcgrath puts it simply: "This is my ideal cleanser." But wait, there's more! "It foams up luxuriously, doesn't feel stripping, and actually gets rid of makeup. It's also unscented, which I know is a big selling point for some," she tells Allure.

Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, glycerin, coconut | Who it's for: everyone | Fragrance-free: yes

Best Cream Face Wash: BeautyStat Microbiome Barrier Repair Purifying Cleanser

Why it's worth it: Consider this BeautyStat Microbiome Barrier Repair Purifying Cleanser a "farewell" to double cleansing. This all-in-one formula washes away stubborn makeup, soothes and staves away redness, and employs antimicrobial protection to soften signs of maturing—hydrating all the while. The brand's patented MicroSilverBG (a form of pure, elemental silver engineered into microscopic particles) plumps and protects your skin barrier against future stress. Oh, and it's so foamy.

Tester feedback: "If you're in the market for a thick, creamy cleanser, this is it! I love the sudsy-ness as a metric for how thoroughly I'm washing my face—it takes time, y'all!—and it makes my skin feel so soft afterward because the formula is packed with ceramides," commerce producer Sarah Hoffmann tells Allure. "I keep this cleanser in my shower and leave a layer of it intact on my face while I condition my hair for a little extra barrier boost."

Key ingredients: MicroSilverBG, pomegranate oil, glycerin, ceramides | Who it's for: people who want plumper skin and a strengthened moisture barrier | Fragrance-free: yes

Best Gel Face Wash: Indie Lee Brightening Cleanser

Why it's worth it: We pledge allegiance to the Indie Lee Brightening Cleanser for its antioxidant-rich, plant-based formula (shout out to strawberry and tomato extract) and non-stripping makeup removal abilities. It's gentle on sensitive skin but doesn't sacrifice efficacy or exfoliation. The gel consistency goes on refreshing and leaves your face feeling squeaky clean and brighter. If you leave it on for five minutes, it doubles as a face mask.

Tester feedback: "If you ask me about Indie Lee's Brightening Cleanser, I'll say it's great, but ask me about it on a deeper level, and I'll tell you it's my latest skin-care infatuation; the gel cleanser to top all gel cleansers; the main source of my skin's now-natural glow," gushes commerce writer Jen Hussein. "Like a summer salad for your skin, it features strawberry seed oil and tomato extracts, which happen to be rich in radiance-boosting antioxidants." Hussein loves how this cleanser moonlights as an exfoliating mask, which does an excellent job of breaking down her makeup—no double cleanse necessary.

Key ingredients: glycerin, strawberry seed oil, tomato extract | Who it's for: people who need a gentle exfoliation | Fragrance-free: yes

More face washes we (and derms) love:

Best Face Wash for Oily Skin: SkinCeuticals Purifying Cleanser

Why it's worth it: Brendan Camp, MD, a New York City-based board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology, says the SkinCeuticals Purifying Cleanser is a nourishing cleansing gel that contains glycolic acid, one of the best exfoliating alpha hydroxy acids that'll target clogged pores, dullness, dark spots, and uneven skin tone, all at once. It foams a little, but not too much, to target surface gunk and impurities, making skin feel conditioned and refreshed.

Editor's tip: This foaming gel cleanser also contains glycerin, a highly hydrating humectant that leaves skin feeling soft. This combats glycolic acid's drying effect, so your skin won't feel tight after use.

Key ingredients: glycolic acid, glycerin | Who it's for: acne-prone skin, hyperpigmentation | Fragrance-free: yes

Best Face Wash for Mature Skin: Tatcha The Rice Wash

Why it's worth it: Tatcha's The Rice Wash is packed with the brand's signature ingredient: Japanese rice powder. A staple of traditional Japanese cleansing practices, rice powder contains enzymes that soften, plump, and brighten skin (shout out to vitamins A, B2, B12, and E). A blend of Okinawa algae and hyaluronic acid strengthens the skin barrier and locks in hydration—a win for people with mature skin since retaining moisture as we age is more difficult.

Editor's tip: This cream cleanser is gentle enough to be used on dry skin, but if you're looking for a clarifying face wash, we recommend The Matcha Cleanse, which decongests pores using Japanese coix seed and willow bark (two gentler alternatives to traditional BHA).

Key ingredients: amino acid, Japanese rice powder, Onikawa algae, hyaluronic acid | Who it's for: dull, dry skin | Fragrance-free: yes

Best Face Wash for Sensitive Skin: La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser

Why it's worth it: Looking for a no-frills cleanser that does the job without rubbing your skin the wrong way—literally? The La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser is a creamy, soap-free formula that gently whisks away makeup and impurities without stripping your skin. It's void of common irritation-causes, like fragrance, dyes, and sulfates. Instead, it includes soothing ceramides, niacinamide, glycerin, and prebiotic thermal water to amp up hydration levels and restore your barrier.

Editor's tip: Our dermatologist friends agree that this is among the best face washes on the market. Elyse Love, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City, says it's "a great go-to cleanser for colder months that cleanses skin without stripping the skin." Mamina Turegano, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New Orleans, Louisiana, is a fan, too, but particularly when it comes to cleansing dry skin.

Key ingredients: ceramides, niacinamide, glycerin, thermal water | Who it's for: dry and sensitive skin | Fragrance-free: yes

Best Face Wash for Dry Skin: KraveBeauty Matcha Hemp Hydrating Cleanser

Why it's worth it: The editor-favorite formula stars an antioxidant-packed ingredient, matcha, which you'd be hard-pressed to find in the aisles of your local drugstore. This non-stripping face wash has a silky feel that breaks down sebum and stubborn makeup as it treats your pores to conditioning coconut-based surfactants, hemp seed oil, and a signature tone-evening ingredient, matcha. "Sometime in my mid-20s, my skin did a total 180-degree turn from slick-as-shined-marble oily to wildly dry and dehydrated," says associate director of special projects Hunter Lacey, who says Matcha Hemp has been the steadfast hero throughout his skin-care rollercoaster. "The viscous gel works into the perfect lather, which is hard to come by in gentle cleansers and is free of any obtrusive fragrance," they add.

Editor's tip: This cleanser can tackle oil, sunscreen, and light makeup, but if you have a full face of waterproof cosmetics, we suggest double-cleansing with a cleansing oil or balm. KraveBeauty's Makeup Re-Wind is an editor favorite with a delightful jelly-to-oil texture that melts everything away.

Key ingredients: matcha, hemp seed oil, coconut-based surfactants, sodium PCA | Who it's for: anyone who wants a moisturizing, budget-friendly cleanser. | Fragrance-free: yes

Best Face Wash for Combination Skin: DamDam Nomad's Cream Purifying Cleanser

Why it's worth it: When commerce editor Sarah Han needs a kick of exfoliation, she says the Damdam Nomad's Cream Purifying Cleanser is her go-to. "I'm all about hydrating, no-fuss cleansers to kick off my extensive-ish nighttime routine, but the one exception is DamDam's Nomad's Cream Purifying Cleanser," she says. "The exfoliation, powered by an AHA found in Japanese rice and the tiniest granules of Japanese tuber plant, is supremely gentle and leaves my skin feeling so freakin' soft (and not tight, which is key)."

Editor's tip: Since this is an exfoliating formula with active ingredients, we don't recommend using it around your eyes or sensitive areas of skin.

Key ingredients: Japanese tuber plant, phytic acid, tea tree oil | Who it's for: those with normal, oily, and combination skin that want an acne-reducing cleanser | Fragrance-free: yes

Best Face Wash for Eczema-Prone Skin: Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser

Why it's worth it: Dr. Turegano says Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser "has been a go-to cleanser recommendation by dermatologists for years for those with sensitive skin." The ingredient list is short and sweet, with purified water and glycerin at the top, and doesn't include common irritants like dyes, fragrances, lanolin, parabens, soap, and more. "If you deal with eczema, extra dryness, or are allergy-prone to various ingredients, try this one," Dr. Turegano adds.

Editor's tip: We recommend pre-cleansing with gentle micellar water or cleansing balm if you're taking off particularly stubborn makeup.

Key ingredients: water, glycerin | Who it's for: sensitive and dry skin | Fragrance-free: yes

Best Exfoliating Face Wash: SkinMedica AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser

Why it's worth it: Take it from the professionals: Dermatologists love the Skinmedica AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser, and Morgan Rabach, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City, previously told Allure why. "If my skin is greasy and clogged, I start with SkinMedica's AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser," she attests. "It has gentle beads that help exfoliate in addition to the acids." On the other hand, NYC-based board-certified dermatologist Michelle Henry, MD, likes to end her day with the cleanser. "It removes the dirt, oil, environmental pollutants, and debris that accumulate over the course of the day," Dr. Henry said.

Editor's tip: This resurfacing formula contains AHA (alpha hydroxy acid), which increases your skin's sensitivity to UV rays and sunburning. So, be vigilant about applying and refreshing your sunscreen when using this product (and in the week following discontinuation).

Key ingredients: salicylic acid, lactic acid, glycolic acid, citric acid, jojoba oil | Who it's for: all skin types, especially oily and combination | Fragrance-free: yes

Best Face Wash for Blackheads: Fresh Soy Face Cleanser

Why it's worth it: Dr. Camp is a big fan of the best-selling Fresh Soy Face Cleanser, a foaming face wash that washes away blackhead-inducing bacteria and excess sebum while skin-soothing ingredients like cucumber extract, soy-derived proteins, and aloe vera target redness and irritation. "This soy-based wash smooths dry lines and soothes visible redness with its calming formula," Dr. Camp says.

Editor's tip: The mini, 1.6-ounce tube ($16) is a fabulous option for your travels, especially after your skin is put through the wringer—notably, moisture-sucking airplane air.

Key ingredients: aloe vera, cucumber extract, soy protein | Who it's for: all skin types | Fragrance-free: yes

Most Sensorial: EltaMD Oil-in-Gel Cleanser

Why it's worth it: Bid adieu to your double-cleansing routine with EltaMD's Oil-in-Gel Cleanser. This formula begins as a gel that breaks down stubborn waterproof makeup and SPF, and as you lather, you'll feel it transform into a conditioning cream cleanser. It finishes its transforming journey as a cushiony emulsion that breaks down lingering excess oil, sweat, and dead skin. Our editors were so impressed by this cleanser's complexion-enhancing abilities that it nabbed an Allure Best of Beauty Award in 2023. "It's really gentle, doesn't sting my eyes, and has a pleasing consistency that melts away all of my makeup," Han says.

Key ingredients: pumpkin enzyme, meadowfoam seed oil, vitamin E, turmeric | Who it's for: anyone looking for a deep-cleansing face wash with a sensory experience for the books | Fragrance-free: yes

Most Pleasing Scent: Youth to the People Superfood Cleanser

Why it's worth it: Youth to the People Superfood Cleanser sounds like cold-pressed juice, smells like apples, and looks like dish detergent, but don't be fooled, this face wash is something worth talking about—and clearing off some counter space for. The antioxidant-heavy formula is a two-time Readers' Choice Award winner (2022 and 2023) because it's packed with everything it touts in all caps on the front of the bottle (kale, green tea, spinach, and vitamins—C, E, and K, to be exact). The ingredients work double-time to wash away daily grime, reduce inflammation, and keep skin bright and dewy.

Editor's tip: This gel cleanser is a fan-favorite but also a skin-care staple for a few Allure staffers. "The texture and color make it look a little like dishwater detergent, and it smells like the inside of a Granny Smith apple, but as soon as it begins to lightly foam on your face, your skin cells will sigh in relief," Allure contributor Brennan Kilbane says.

Key ingredients: green tea extract, vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin K, aloe vera | Who it's for: Normal and oily skin, dullness | Fragrance-free: no

Frequently Asked Questions

Washing one's face is the basic foundation of an effective skin-care regimen. Only after you sweep away all of the breakout-causing dirt, makeup, and excess oil on your face can your skin properly absorb and reap the benefits of other nourishing products. "Cleansing your face removes makeup, oil, dirt, and other debris," Sejal Shah, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City, previously told Allure. “Even if you don't wear makeup, the skin on your face comes into contact with residue from other skin-care products as well as pollutants, microbes, dirt, and other debris, not to mention oils, sweat, and dead skin cells.”

Different face washes tackle different skin concerns, so keep your skin type in mind when picking out a new cleanser. If you have sensitive skin, reach for a moisturizing cleanser that will go easy on your skin barrier. "You want to use gentle, hydrating cleansers that remove impurities without stripping the skin barrier of all its natural moisturizing factors," explained Washington, D.C.-based dermatologist Adam Friedman, MD. He also suggests looking for humectants like hyaluronic acid and ceramides on the back of the bottle, as they "help keep water in the skin," which is essential for sensitive skin.

According to NYC-based board-certified dermatologist Brandith Irwin, MD, people with sensitive skin should seek products with short and sweet ingredient lists. "For sensitive skin, specifically, you want products free of artificial fragrances, parabens, and phthalates," Dr. Irwin says.

If you experience acne, choose a facial cleanser with active ingredients like benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid to tackle blemishes (whiteheads/blackheads). Claire Chang, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City, has some handy guidelines she abides by. She always recommends gentle cleansers over harsh soaps—especially ones with physical exfoliants—to clear the skin of dirt and excess oil. She also backs the inclusion of soothing tea tree oil and green tea.

Oily skin needs—you guessed it—oil-fighting ingredients. According to cosmetic chemist Ginger King, oil-absorbing cellulose and niacinamide (a form of vitamin B3) can benefit oily skin, adding niacinamide also helps reduce the look of pores.

There's more to double cleansing than just washing your face twice. "I define double-cleansing as using two separate types of cleansers to wash your face," board-certified dermatologist Rita V. Linkner, MD, previously told Allure.

We have an entire dermatologist-approved guide to double-cleansing if you want to perfect the art, but here's the gist: You start your cleansing routine with an oil-based cleanser or micellar water to break down and remove makeup and sunscreen. The type of your second cleanser is up to you as long as it's gentle and washes away pollutants, acne-causing bacteria, and debris.

• Elyse Love, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City
• Mamina Turegano, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New Orleans, Louisiana,
• Brendan Camp, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology based in New York City
• Sejal Shah, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City
• Rita V. Linkner, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City
• Adam Friedman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Washington, D.C.
• Brandith Irwin, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City
• Claire Chang, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City
• Ginger King, a cosmetic chemist
• Morgan Rabach, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City
• Michelle Henry MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City

We always enlist a range of testers for any review, but skin-care products are another story. While some can be used across different skin types, tones, textures, and concerns, many are created with specific consumers and their needs in mind. We guarantee that these factors are considered when determining whether a skin-care product is worthy of a recommendation.