Hydrating facial cleansers
When it comes to keeping up facial hygiene, nearly nothing helps more than a quality daily cleanser. Cleansing the face every morning and night washes away dirt, detritus and urban pollution and also brings much-needed moisture back to the skin.
Despite the wide range of options when it comes to facial cleansers, some offerings can actually extract the skin’s natural oils without replenishing them, which may do more harm than good. Consider your skin type and your daily routine while deciding which hydrating facial cleanser is right for you.
Should I use a hydrating face cleanser?
If your usual facial cleanser always leaves you with that classic “squeaky” clean feeling, you might think that’s a good sign of healthy skin hygiene. In reality, that feeling may indicate that your face has been dried out by your cleanser. Instead of overwashing your face, it’s important to find a cleanser that keeps you clean and fresh without scrubbing or drying your skin. Luckily, there are many top-quality cleansers on the market that don’t strip the skin of its moisture and leave your face feeling nurtured, nourished and, of course, clean.
The best hydrating facial cleansers
Best of the best facial cleanser
Revision Skincare Papaya Enzyme Cleanser: available at Amazon and Lovely Skin
Our take: This is a well-rounded daily cleanser with antibacterial and antioxidant benefits.
What we like: The unique dermatologist-grade formula that includes salicylic acid, which is known for its antibacterial properties and for unclogging pores. Free of parabens and colorants.
What we dislike: This cleanser falls on the pricier side, but it doesn’t take much of this liquid treatment to feel fully clean.
Best bang for your buck facial cleanser
Hada Labo Tokyo Gentle Hydrating Foaming Facial Cleanser: available at Amazon
Our take: This cleanser’s coconut oil and hyaluronic acids soothe the skin. You only need a small drop for each wash.
What we like: A tiny dot of this specialty Japanese cleanser will last for a whole rinse, making it the most economical option on our list. The formula is free of alcohol, fragrances and parabens.
What we dislike: Coconut oil might clog pores of sensitive skin, so if you’ve had a reaction to coconut oil before, there’s a chance it will cause a pimple flare-up.
Best vegan hydrating cleanser
Glossier Milky Jelly Cleanser: available at Amazon
Our take: A vegan, cruelty-free cleanser with all the benefits of a traditional high-end cleanser at a fraction of the price.
What we like: Includes five separate facial conditioners to lock in moisture as well as Poloxamer, which is safe for the eyes and helps remove eye makeup without stinging.
What we dislike: “Milky Jelly” lives up to its name and the texture — nothing short of a heavy pudding — might be off-putting if you’re not accustomed to it.
Best facial cleanser for normal to oily skin
CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser: available at Ulta Beauty
Our take: This clear foaming cleanser was dermatologically formulated for skin types that lean towards oily or acne-prone.
What we like: Produced with ceramides, which help maintain the skin’s natural lipid barrier. Non-irritating, non-drying and free of fragrances at a great price point.
What we dislike: Not ideal for non-oily skin types, as it may cause breakouts in dry or neutral skin.
Best facial foaming cleanser for neutral skin
Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cleanser: available at Amazon, Sephora and Ulta Beauty
Our take: This well-rounded cleanser foams to the touch and gently washes away dirt and grime for normal skin types.
What we like: With pH-balanced ingredients like vitamin E and squalane, this cleanser helps restore skin’s elasticity.
What we dislike: This cleanser is on the pricier end of the spectrum. The formula isn’t alcohol-free, so it might irritate sensitive skin.
Best facial cleanser for dry skin
KORRES Greek Yoghurt Foaming Cream Cleanser: available at Amazon, Sephora and Ulta Beauty.
Our take: Pre- and probiotic properties from real Greek yogurt provide anti-inflammatory effects that specifically help heal redness.
What we like: This cult favorite smells great and can help overcome issues with acne.
What we dislike: Some find that the fragrance is a bit too strong for their liking.
Best acne-prone facial cleanser
Mario Badescu Acne Facial Cleanser: available at Amazon, Ulta Beauty and Sephora
Our take: Fan-favorite Mario Badescu offers an herbal-heavy blend of chamomile, aloe and thyme for this botanically-balanced acne cleanser.
What we like: Contains salicylic acid, which targets acne and enlarged pores. It smells like a walk through a garden.
What we dislike: The same parfum that makes this cleanser smell great can also inflame certain delicate skin types. It also might dry out skin that doesn’t tend towards acne.
Best facial cleanser for sensitive skin
Purity Made Simple Cleanser: available at Amazon, Sephora and Ulta Beauty
Our take: This clinically-tested blend of meadowfoam seed oil is a top-selling hit across the board and is especially helpful for gently cleansing pores while treating dryness.
What we like: Free of parabens and formaldehyde, this cleanser is great for delicate skin and easy to use once or twice daily.
What we dislike: This cleanser is on the more expensive side of our list.
Micayla Mead is a writer for BestReviews. BestReviews is a product review company with a singular mission: to help simplify your purchasing decisions and save you time and money.
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. BestReviews and its newspaper partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links.
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
