22 Best Face Washes for Every Skin Type

This article was published in partnership with Blu Atlas.

Face washes are one of the most crucial components of anyone’s skincare routine. Since they’re the first skincare product we use morning and night, they build the basis for the rest of our routine to work efficiently. So with that comes great responsibility—a good face wash needs to do more than just cleanse dirt and oil. It needs to set the skin up for future success, whether that’s through added hydration, moisture barrier repair, zapping zits, or supplying the skin with anti-aging antioxidants.

Below, we’ve found the 22 best face washes on the market in 2022. All of which will give your skin the deep, satisfying clean it deserves, without stripping or drying it out. Each wash also packs its own unique punch. From exfoliating cleansers to blemish busters, our list is guaranteed to have at least one face wash your skin will fall in love with.

1. Blu Atlas Volcanic Ash Face Cleanser Courtesy of Blu Atlas

We can’t get enough of Blu Atlas’ Volcanic Ash Face Cleanser—so it’s no wonder that it’s our pick for the best face wash of 2022.

The formula is gentle enough for daily use, but it’s also exfoliating, so you get that satisfying clean feeling every time. This face cleanser has just eleven ingredients (yes, you heard that right) to ensure skin receives a concentrated dose of the ingredients that count.

Volcanic ash is the star ingredient in this cleanser as its ultra-fine, uber absorbent particles remove excess oil and impurities from the skin, so pores look instantly tighter and clearer. Lactobacillus ferment filtrate calms and soothes skin to avoid any irritation. It also balances and strengthens the skin for ultimate health.

[$20; bluatlas.com]

Get it 2. Youth to the People Superfood Antioxidant Cleanser Courtesy of Youth to the People

Youth to the People’s Superfood Antioxidant Cleanser has remained one of the best face washes on the market since the brand’s initial launch in 2015. This gentle daily cleanser refreshes skin with a superfood-packed formula that includes ingredients like kale, spinach, green tea, and loads of skin-healthy vitamins.

The face wash is lightweight with a cooling gel consistency that is great for all skin types (from normal to oily to sensitive). Spinach supplies the cleanser with natural moisturizing benefits while antioxidant-rich kale provides skin with a lovely dose of vitamins C and E. Anti-inflammatory green tea is always a bonus, especially in skincare, since it packs the skin with its antioxidant and soothing properties.

[$36; youthtothepeople.com]

Get it 3. La-Roche Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Facial Cleanser Courtesy of Amazon

For a simple yet elegant formula, there’s the Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Facial Cleanser by La Roche-Posay. This French drugstore skincare brand is a favorite among dermatologists because the formulas are backed by skin science and are safe for sensitive skin.

With their hydrating creamy cleanser, you’ll experience smoother, more moisturized skin thanks to ingredients like ceramides that lock in moisture and niacinamide, which calms irritation and strengthens skin. The brand’s coveted prebiotic thermal water also makes an appearance to hydrate, soothe, and protect skin with beneficial antioxidants. Because the formula is milky and moisturizing, it’s best for those with normal, dry, or sensitive skin.

[$15; amazon.com]

Get it 4. Revision Skincare Brightening Facial Wash Courtesy of Amazon

If brighter, clearer skin is your goal, then this Brightening Facial Wash by Revision Skincare is an instant add to cart. Brimming with brightening ingredients, moisture boosters, natural exfoliators, and protective antioxidants, this face wash formula is one of the best.

Key ingredients include salicylic acid, a beta hydroxy acid that goes deep into the skin to unclog pores and prevent future breakouts. Glycolic acid, an alpha hydroxy acid, exfoliates surface dead skin cells for smoother texture and brighter tone. Additional skin brightening ingredients like vitamin C, licorice extract, and lily extract do their magic to brighten and even skin tone naturally. The formula also contains moisturizing and hydrating ingredients like vitamin E, so skin doesn’t become dry or irritated.

[$38; amazon.com]

Get it 5. Sunday Riley Ceramic Slip French Green Clay Cleanser Courtesy of Sephora

Warning: You might become obsessed with this cleanser. Full of nourishing and detoxifying natural clays (like French green clay, bentonite, and white kaolin), Sunday Riley’s Ceramic Slip Cleanser is fantastic at cleaning and tightening pores without stripping the skin of its natural moisture.

Skin softening ingredients like rice and olive oil esters also ensure skin stays balanced and nourished so that all skin types can enjoy the benefits of these natural clays.

Neroli extract gives the cleanser a spa-like scent that also happens to be soothing and brightening for the skin. Use this as your daily cleanser and leave it on for a few minutes before rinsing for a mini face mask session.

[$35; sephora.com]

Get it 6. Murad Acne Control Clarifying Cleanser Courtesy of Murad

Acne-prone skin needs a face cleanser that will go to work on treating and preventing breakouts. Enter Murad’s Acne Control Clarifying Cleansers. This is without a doubt one of the best acne face washes on our list because it works for all skin types and targets acne with proven blemish-busting ingredients like salicylic acid.

At a concentration of 1.5-percent, encapsulated salicylic acid immediately treats acne by going deep into the pores to tackle excess oil and congestion. And because it’s encapsulated, the salicylic acid will continue to work for hours on the skin, even after you’ve washed it off. Soothing ingredients like green tea extract calm redness and inflammation, while black cohosh root extract ensures skin stays moisturized.

[$33; murad.com]

Get it 7. CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser Courtesy of Amazon

For a fuss-free face wash that does the job but also leaves skin feeling incredibly nourished, there’s CeraVe’s Hydrating Facial Cleanser. This best-selling face wash—seriously, it has over 69,000 positive reviews on Amazon alone—is beloved for its simple yet effective approach to skincare.

Anyone can use this cleanser (no matter your age, skin type, skin tone, or gender) for deeply cleaned skin that doesn’t feel stripped or dry. Three essential ceramides in the formula ensure the skin’s moisture barrier is healthy, while hyaluronic acid draws in water from the environment, so skin is plump and well hydrated.

[$15; amazon.com]

Get it 8. KraveBeauty Matcha Hemp Hydrating Cleanser Courtesy of KraveBeauty

Korean skincare brands continue to take over the beauty world in 2022 with their innovative formulas and exceptional ingredients. KraveBeauty’s Matcha Hemp Hydrating Cleanser has made waves in the Korean skincare market. It has a jelly-like texture that emulsifies with water into a silky, milky wash that cleanses away dirt, oil, and debris.

With green tea leaf water as its first ingredient, the wash is ultra-hydrating, soothing, and gives skin a potent concentration of antioxidants. Other nourishing ingredients like hemp seed oil, oat kernel extract, and Panthenol (aka vitamin B5) leave skin feeling healthier and more hydrated than before you washed your face, which is why it’s on our top 22 list.

[$16; kravebeauty.com]

Get it 9. Eminence Organic Skin Care Clear Skin Probiotic Cleanser Courtesy of Amazon

It’s no secret that some face washes on the market can be overly drying and stripping of your skin’s essential moisture barrier. And it also shouldn’t be a secret that those are the types of cleansers to avoid. Instead, opt for something nourishing like Eminence Organic’s Clear Skin Probiotic Cleanser. Bursting with skin-healthy ingredients like vitamins, astringents, and antioxidants, this face wash is designed to transform breakout-prone skin into clear and radiant skin.

The formula contains unique yet well-known ingredients like cucumber juice (to tone and purify pores), yogurt (to gently exfoliate and moisturize), and sweet almond milk (to soften and nourish skin). Natural acne-fighting ingredients tea tree oil and willow bark extract control oil production and prevent breakouts, while antioxidants like Coenzyme Q10 prevent premature aging.

[$22; amazon.com]

Get it 10. Skinfix Barrier+ Foaming Oil Cleanser Courtesy of Sephora

This award-winning cleanser by Skinfix solves the irritating skin issues that a traditional foam cleanser can cause with its lightly foaming, sulfate-free formula that’s packed with nourishing, hydrating ingredients. The face wash is pH-balanced (so it won’t upset your skin’s delicate balance) and fragrance-free, making it suitable for even dry or sensitive skin types. Coconut-derived cleansers gently froth and cleanse the skin.

A hydrating triple-lipid complex strengthens the skin barrier by restoring ceramide and fatty acid levels. A visibly plumping seaweed hyaluronate blend draws in water for hydrated, bouncy skin, while aloe vera leaf juice moisturizes and nourishes with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

[$30; sephora.com]

Get it 11. Well People Juice Cleanse Soothing Aloe Face Cleanser Courtest of Well People

A juice cleanse for healthy skin that doesn’t require actually drinking juice? Sign us up! In Well People’s Juice Cleanse Soothing Aloe Face Cleanser, a gentle gel formula rinses away dirt, oil, and pollution so all skin types can rock a healthy, hydrated complexion.

Plant-based ingredients like aloe vera (soothes and moisturizes), broccoli seed oil (brightens and smooths), and pelargonium graveolens flower oil (tightens and renews) pack skin with hydration and skin-brightening benefits. The vegan, cruelty-free formula is great for anyone looking for a gentle, nourishing daily cleanser that harnesses the power of plants.

[$18; wellpeople.com]

Get it 12. Tatcha The Rice Wash Skin-Softening Cleanser Courtesy of Sephora

The benefits of rice water for skin and hair cannot be overlooked. The centuries-old Japanese technique of using the milky leftover water of rinsed rice is a cherished beauty ritual, one that packs the skin with nourishing vitamins like A, B2, B12, and E.

To embody the benefits of rice water, Tatcha’s The Rice Wash combines rice ferment filtrate with other nourishing ingredients to create a hydrating wash that targets dryness. Key ingredients include a curated blend of Japanese algae that nourish and soften skin, hyaluronic acid to smooth and hydrate, and Tatcha’s signature Hadasei-3, a trio of fermented Japanese superfoods that plump skin and promote a more youthful appearance.

[$36; sephora.com]

Get it 13. Pai Skincare Light Work Rosehip Fruit Extract Cleansing Oil Courtesy of Pai Skincare

Cleansing oils make great first cleanses to break down dirt, oil, makeup, and sunscreen before you jump into a cream or gel cleanser. They’re also ultra-nourishing for those times when your skin feels super dry or sensitive. Pai’s Light Work Cleansing Oil soothes skin and melts away impurities with a nourishing base of olive, sunflower, and castor oils.

Rosehip fruit extract comes in hot to give skin a potent dose of glow-boosting omega fatty acids and antioxidants that defend skin from environmental damage. Additional oils and extracts from jasmine, lime, orange, and basil calm and brighten skin while also giving this wash a grounding, aromatic scent.

[$49; paiskincare.us]

Get it 14. Botanic Tree Glycolic Acid Exfoliating Cleanser Courtesy of Amazon

Instead of using a separate exfoliator in your skincare routine, get the best of a deep clean and satisfying exfoliation with Botanic Tree’s Glycolic Acid Exfoliating Cleanser. With over 13,000 positive ratings, this exfoliating cleanser is definitely one to try. It targets dark spots, dullness, and blemishes with a ten-percent glycolic and salicylic acid concentration that buff away dead skin cells, dissolve excess sebum, treat acne, and even skin tone.

Other plant-based ingredients like tea tree oil and willow bark extract help treat acne, while bamboo and shea butter heal and restore the skin. Lather this wash onto slightly damp skin and leave it to sit for a few minutes before rinsing to get the best of its exfoliating effects.

[$25; amazon.com]

Get it 15. First Aid Beauty Pure Skin Face Cleanser Courtesy of Sephora

For those looking for a gentle, fragrance-free cleanser that keeps skin hydrated and balanced—look no further. First Aid Beauty’s Pure Skin Face Cleanser is very effective, thanks to its pH-balanced formula that removes dirt, oil, and grime without leaving the skin feeling tight and dry.

The lightweight creamy texture soothes dryness and redness with ingredients like aloe vera, allantoin, and glycerin. Coconut cleansers make sure skin stays nice and clean, while plant-based ingredients like licorice root calm redness and brighten the skin tone.

[$24; sephora.com]

Get it 16. Paula’s Choice RESIST Perfectly Balanced Foaming Cleanser Courtesy of Paula’s Choice

From Paula’s Choice RESIST line comes the brand’s Perfectly Balanced Foaming Cleanser. If a foaming face wash is your thing, you’ll love the way this cleanser uses gentle surfactants to cleanse away dirt and oil. It gives you all the sudsy satisfaction of a foam face wash without the harsh chemicals that strip your skin and cause dryness.

Hydrating and nourishing ingredients like aloe vera, ceramides, and hyaluronic acid ensure skin is plump and moisturized. Other beneficial elements like glycerin and sunflower seed oil relieve dryness and prevent premature signs of aging.

We don’t typically recommend people with dry skin to reach for a foaming cleanser, but this option is great for those with normal, oily, combination, or acne-prone skin.

[$20; paulaschoice.com]

Get it 17. Typology Purifying Cleansing Gel Courtesy of Typology

Wave goodbye to clogged pores with Typology’s Purifying Cleansing Gel. As one of the best face washes on our list for combination and oily skin types, this cleansing solution removes pollution, dirt, and oil from the surface of the skin.

Plus, it’s packed with blemish-fighting actives like zinc and bamboo. Zinc PCA targets inflammation, excess sebum production, and acne-causing bacteria, while natural bamboo extract absorbs oil. Other natural ingredients like prebiotic inulin hydrate and balance the skin’s microbiome, and eucalyptus oil prevents future breakouts with its antibacterial prowess.

[$25; typology.com]

Get it 18. Humanrace Rice Powder Cleanser Courtesy of Humanrace

One of the most innovative formulas on our list comes from Humanrace. Their Rice Powder Cleanser comes in a gentle powder to foam formula that lets you control how much active product you get. Rice powder acts as a mild exfoliant on the skin to soften and buff away dead skin cells without causing micro-tears and future skin damage like other physical exfoliants can.

A blend of fruit-derived alpha hydroxy acids gives your skin another gentle hit of exfoliation while purifying kaolin clay balances and cleans. Snow mushroom extract moisturizes even the deepest layers of skin, so skin feels supple and soft. The final star of the show is geranium extract, which acts as an anti-inflammatory and antibacterial agent that instantly makes skin brighter and clearer.

[$32; humanrace.com]

Get it 19. PCA SKIN Facial Wash Courtesy of Amazon

Target redness and sensitivity with this soothing Facial Wash by PCA Skin. Ideal for normal, sensitive, and rosacea-prone skin, this no-nonsense face wash effectively cleanses skin from dirt, oil, and pollutants while maintaining balance and moisture.

Lactic acid provides a gentle form of chemical exfoliation, helping smooth fine lines and reduce the appearance of dark spots while also hydrating and firming the skin. Allantoin moisturizes and soothes skin, aloe vera leaf juice hydrates and heals, and konjac root powder provides a light amount of exfoliation that benefits even the most sensitive skin types.

[$35; amazon.com]

Get it 20. The Nue Co. Barrier Culture Cleanser Courtesy of The Nue Co.

Our skin’s natural moisture barrier regulates what comes in and what goes out of the skin. It’s what blocks out harmful pollutants and bacteria and keeps in beneficial hydration. When the skin barrier is compromised and stripped (sometimes from using a face wash that’s too harsh), you’ll experience concerns like dryness, redness, itchiness, and flaking.

To prevent said skin problems, The Nue Co. created their Barrier Culture Cleanser. Protective of the skin’s preferred pH levels, this soap-free cleanser uses gentle surfactants (like those derived from apple amino acids) to clean the skin. Additional microbiome-friendly ingredients like hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and squalane hydrate, strengthen, and protect the skin against environmental stressors.

[$42;..