On The Go Face Cleanser

Neogen Real Fresh Cleansing Stick

I really like this cleansing stick by Neogen. Its one of my go-to cleansers when traveling and backpacking, and I have nothing but good things to say about it. It has a skin balanced pH, removes everything but the toughest waterproof makeup, and it doesnt leave a film or strip my skin. Ive also had no breakouts as a result of its use and prefer it over most of the other cleansers on this list because of its ease of use and convenient packaging.

Its formula includes ingredients such as green tea leaves, olive oil, coconut oil, sunflower seed oil, glycerin, green tea seed oil, and evening primrose oil. If that list looks like a lot of oils, thats because it is. This cleansing stick was designed to work as a makeup remover and a cleanser, so that when youre traveling you dont have to rely on a double cleansing method. The majority of the formula is oils actually, with thirteen out of twenty ingredients being naturally derived oils.

I love this cleanser, and if I were to recommend just one travel friendly face wash out of this entire list, it would be this.

Please note that this article contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase using one of them, I earn a commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products that I 100% stand behind.

The Best Drugstore Face Washes And Cleansers You Can Buy In 2022

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Believe it or not, radiant skin doesn’t necessarily require an elaborate, 12-step skincare routine. Sure, it’s fun to experiment with new trends in skin care like face masks and serums, but are they really the key to keeping your skin healthy? Dermatologists will often tell you that’s not the case, and that with skin care, it’s best to stick with the basics. The Cleveland Clinic’s Shilpi Khetarpal, M.D. says she tells her patients that their “priority should be cleansing, daily sunscreen and daily moisturizing” . Celebrity esthetician Nicole Caroline even told the New York Post that she considers face wash “one of the most important parts of your skincare regimen.”

Skin care is not one-size-fits-all, and with so many options on the market it can be difficult to choose which face wash is right for you. Fear not, because we’ve compiled a list based on expert and customer reviews of the best drugstore face washes, for all skin types.

Best Face Wash For Men

Weve compiled a list of best cleansers for men that address a variety of skin concerns, depending on your personal skin needs. Even if mens skin is generally thick and oily, you may still deal with problems like dryness and sensitivity. This list has a little something for everyone

Clinique for Men Charcoal Face WashIf you have very oily and acne-prone skin, a charcoal-based face wash is a great choice. Activated charcoal draws out impurities like dirt, sebum and dead skin cells to give you clean and clear pores.

Kiehls Facial Fuel Energizing Face WashThis is an invigorating gel cleanser formulated with caffeine, menthol and vitamin E to give your skin a wake-up call. With use of this cleanser, skin will not only cleanse your skin but also stimulate it and make it feel refreshed. It will also give fatigued skin a big boost.

Clarins Men Active Face WashThis is a soap-free foaming gel that is great for oily and sensitive skin. It is especially formulated to remove pollutants and impurities to help fight acne-causing factors and help combat aging.

Jack Black Pure Clean Daily Facial CleanserJack Blacks Pure Clean Daily Facial Cleanser does double duty as a cleanser and toner. Key ingredient witch hazel acts as an astringent, toner and antioxidant to clear away excess oil while aloe and chamomile are there to reduce redness and to soothe and calm skin.

Also Check: Aveeno Ultra Calming Foaming Cleanser Review

Drunk Elephant Pekee Bar

As you may or may not know, Drunk Elephant is on the pricier side of skincare, so if youre not willing to splurge a little on a good bar of soap, Id skip this and the next listing.

Drunk Elephants bar soap line was, and is, very well received. Its good really good. Theyre some of the few bar soaps that play well with facial skin, and its no surprise why so many people vouch for them despite their high price tag.

Their Pekee Bar is infused with blueberry extract, marula oil, honey, and glycerin. It gently cleanses the skin, and leaves it feeling balanced and supple, which is quite the feat for bar soaps. Its got a skin balanced pH of 6.5 and is soap-free, which are the reasons it doesnt strip your skin the way most bar soaps do.

Also, for those of you who struggle with fungal acne, this is one of the only cleansers on this list that is fungal acne safe.

This Foundation To Any Skin Care Routine Cleanses And Primes The Skin For Optimum Effectiveness Of Any Regimen For All Skin Types

Geothermal Clay Cleanser | 30 ml Our detoxifying Geothermal Clay Cleanser for day uses the power of negatively charged ions to remove impurities released during the bodys night time healing process. A cocktail of oils maintains the skins moisture mantle. Uplifting spearmint, basil and elemis awaken the spirit for the perfect beginning to any day. This versatile cleanser doubles as a clay mask.Mandarin Cleansing Milk | 30 ml Our deeply cleansing and brightening Mandarin Cleansing Milk for night uses natural citrus oils to break through makeup, oil and the days debris without stripping the skin. This milky cleanser, originally created for professional use, uses the power of citrus essential oils and licorice root to brighten, vitamin E and C for anti-aging support and seaweed extract to nourish and support acne control. The citrus scent calms the senses to prepare the mind and body for evening relaxation.Dew Perfector | 30 ml This perfect primer for day and night pH balances the skin. Amino acids nourish. Witch hazel and aloe soothe. Lactic acid gently resurfaces without flaking and pulls moisture into the skin for powerful hydration. Camphor controls oil and provides acne support. Leaves the skin with a plump, dewy, après ski finish.

The Minimalist

• Detoxifying Geo Cleanser followed by Dew pH Perfector

Nighttime

• Hard working, dirt busting, brightening Mandarin Cleansing Milk followed by Dew pH Perfector

The Maximalist

Day and Night Double Cleanse and Treatment

Expert Tips

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Why Use A Facial Cleanser

While of course youcan wash your face with the same soap you use on the rest of your body, there are several compelling reasons to stick with a product formulated specifically for facial skin. Body soaps are far harsher than facial cleansers, and many contain deodorants and other potentially drying or irritating ingredients.

• Removes makeup, oil, and pollutants

• Leaves your face feeling clean, not tight

• Softens your complexion without leaving it greasy

• Suits your skin type, whether that is oily, dry, normal, sensitive, or mature

• Rinses easily and doesnt irritate your eyes

• Doesnt break your budget

• Is convenient to use

Many facial cleansers offer further benefits, such as moisturizing dry skin or treating acne.

Why You Should Cleanse At Night

While your morning cleanse can help create a fresh, glowing canvas for your other products, your evening cleanse is essential to cleaning away the days dirt, oil and impurities even if you didnt wear makeup that day.

The evening is the most important time of day to cleanse your skin, regardless of whether you wore makeup or not, Yadav said. Of course, makeup can congest the skin, but so can sunscreen as well as the excess oil and pollutants that can build up on the surface of the skin throughout the day.

Like your morning cleanse, your nighttime cleanse will allow for your formulas to better penetrate the skin before you sleep. This is crucial because your body regenerates itself while you sleep, and having a clean canvas will help support and enhance this regenerative process, Yadav said.

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How To Choose The Best Cleanser For You

When choosing the best face wash, Dr. Rogers suggests avoiding harsh products or manual exfoliation that can leave micro-cuts in your skin and irritate it. Additionally, avoid overly-drying bars of soap and opt for a liquid, gel, or cream cleanser, based on your skin type.

Dr. Rogers notes to check the ingredient list for familiar ingredients, like water or aloe, and avoid products that try to do too much. I like cleansers that dont have a huge number of ingredients, she says. Plus, she warms against products that tout labels like clean, natural, or organic, which arent standardized well in the beauty industry.

And if youre hoping your cleanser will not only clean but also ward off breakouts, youll want to check for active ingredients like benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, or alpha hydroxy acid, says Heather Richmond. M.D., F.A.A.D., a board-certified dermatologist in Houston. Ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin are particularly important for those with dry or sensitive skin to restore moisture, adds Dr. Garshick.

Additionally, Dr. Richmond notes that those with oily or acne-prone skin should opt for a foaming or gel-based cleanser, and those with dry or mature skin can use an oil-free or cream cleanser to help minimize stripping of oils and moisturize while cleaning. Dr. Garshick adds that those with acne-prone skin should opt for a gentle cleanser if theyre using any anti-acne ingredients that promote drying.

A Gentle Bubbling Face Wash And Makeup Remover That Effectively Hydrates

Active Ingredients

Ceramide Complex

This gentle complex reinforces your skins barrier, protecting it against visible damage from environmental stressors while giving you plumper, smoother, firmer-feeling skin.

Key Plant-Based Ingredients

Goji Berries, Blueberries, Strawberries, and Raspberries

These super berry oils slow aging skin, fight free radicals, promote cell turnover, increase collagen production, and protect your complexion from environmental stressors like pollution and wind.

Plant-based Lathering Agents

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Best Face Wash For Sensitive Skin

It is generally recommended that you only cleanse once a day to avoid stripping away too many of your natural oils. If you tend to exfoliate, you should limit it to once per week or perhaps even less . These gentle face washes are popular and highly rated, and come recommended by many dermatologists.

Cetaphil Daily Facial CleanserCetaphil is a popular drugstore brand and a recommended choice for sensitive skin. It is unscented and non-comedogenic, which means it wont clog pores.

Avène Antirougeurs CLEAN Redness-Relief Refreshing Cleansing LotionThis is one of the gentlest cleansers available on the market, and will help reduce redness and irritation. It is paraben-, fragrance- and soap-free to boot.

The mint and lavender in this gel formula help soothe and calm skin. This cleanser is considered very gentle and pleasing overall.

Skinceuticals Soothing Cleanser FoamGreat for dry or combination sensitive skin, this foaming cleanser helps remove impurities and grime without over-drying. It hydrates with ingredients like glycerin and cucumber extract.

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gentle Cleansing LotionThis gentle formula is sulfate- and fragrance-free, and features hydrating hyaluronic acid to keep skin plump. It also wont clog pores and happens to be very affordable.

Eucerin Ultra Sensitive Cleansing LotionEucerins Ultra Sensitive Cleansing Lotion is free of preservatives, parabens, fragrances and emulsifiers. This cleanser will help reduce redness and calm irritation.

Clean It Zero Purifying Balm

Banila Cos Clean It Zero Purifying variation was created for individuals with sensitive complexions, and its focus is providing the skin with calming ingredients. Some of the formulations highlights include glycerin, centella asiatica extract, green tea extract, licorice root extract, rosemary leaf extract, chamomile extract, and chamomile flower water.

Of all the different variations, this one is my favorite. This is because I have sensitive skin and it does a superb job of limiting post cleanse redness.

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Best Face Wash For Dry Skin

Taking care of dry skin doesnt have to be a chore. The following cleansers have been vetted and come highly recommended by users and dermatologists alike. We hope you find exactly what youre looking for for your dry skin.

La Roche-Posay TolerianeHydrating Gentle CleanserCeramides, glycerin and niacinamide team up to bring a burst of hydration to dry skin in this formula. Prebiotic thermal water is added to soothe and calm very dry skin that may also be red and irritated. You really cant go wrong with this one.

Eve Lom Gel Balm CleanserThis is a soothing gel-to-balm formula. It is fortified with shea butter and grapeseed oil, both highly moisturizing ingredients that will help keep skin soft and smooth. It also removes waterproof makeup easily.

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Cleanser GelNeutrogenas popular Hydro Boost Cleanser Gel is paraben-free, soap-free, oil-free and hypoallergenic. It also wont clog pores. Hyaluronic acid is the key ingredient that helps draw in moisture to keep skin plump and soft.

Bioderma Sensibio H20 Micellar WaterThis micellar water cleanser from Bioderma is free of sulfates, parabens, fragrances, oil, soap and alcohol. It is very gentle and thoroughly cleanses skin of grime and makeup without stripping away the skins natural oils.

This is another popular drugstore option that is affordable and very helpful for dry skin. It is soothing and extremely gentle and doesnt contain any harsh soaps.

Cerave Hydrating Cleanser Bar

On the entirely different end of the spectrum, if youre looking for a cheap bar of soap that is safe for facial use, look no further.

CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser Bar is the bar soap version of their highly acclaimed hydrating cream cleanser. If youre battling with a damaged skin barrier, this is the bar of soap I would recommend for you. It contains ingredients like ceramides, cholesterol, hyaluronic acid, and glycerin, all of which aid in the restoration and maintenance of the skin barrier. It also has a skin balanced pH of 5.5 and is soap-free.

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Sebamed Sensitive Skin Cleansing Bar

Another more affordable option, Sebamed Sensitive Skin Cleansing Bar is one of the very first pH balanced, soap-free bar soaps ever to be produced. That its still relevant and sought-after to this day shows just how great of a facial cleanser it is.

Like all the other bar soaps on this list, it has a skin balanced pH . Its also a hundred percent soap/alkali free, hypoallergenic, and non-comedogenic. Its formulated with vitamin E, amino acids, inulin, and panthenol a wound healing ingredient, and one of my all-time favorites.

Its ultra-mild and compatible with sensitive skin, and gently cleanses without stripping like standard soaps can.

What Do Cleansers Do For My Face

Facial cleansers help remove all impurities, including makeup, from your face. They get rid of the daily grime like oil, pollutants, and dirt which can contribute to the aging process through free radical damage.

At the same time, facial cleansers like Isdin Micellar Solution can tone and hydrate your skin. Finally, because its the first step in a face care routine, a cleanser can prep your skin for other products like serums.

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Choosing The Right Cleanser

Of course cleansing will not serve much of a purpose if you havent chosen the right facial cleanser for your needs. Know your skin type and pick accordingly. Dry skin can benefit from cream cleansers that are gentle and hydrating and dont have too much alcohol. Sensitive skin types should avoid cleansers with too much fragrance. Oily skin types can turn to foaming cleansers that will adequately get rid of too much sebum. Combination skin needs a moisturizing cleanser that will nonetheless also remove oil from the T-zone.

Gentle cleansers are particularly good at removing oil and dirt without stripping the skin of the natural oils necessary to keep it hydrated and soft. Look for gentle formulations if you have sensitive, dry or combination skin. If you sweat a lot from working out, you might want to look into an exfoliating cleanser that will help unclog pores.

A word on oil-based cleansers: Dont panic if you have oily or acne-prone skin, you can still use oil-based cleansers. Oil-based cleansers attach to the oil onto your skin and remove it when you rinse it off with water like attracts like, after all. Oil-based cleansers also wont strip your skin of its natural oils. When cleansers are too abrasive, they strip away natural oils and leave skin more prone to dryness. Oil-based cleansers are also great at removing very stubborn makeup.

Drunk Elephant Juju Bar

Much like their other bars, Drunk Elephants Juju Bar is expensive, yet overwhelmingly effective. It differs from the Pekee Bar in that it not only cleanses, but exfoliates as well.

With ingredients like thermal mud and bamboo powder, the bar lathers into a gently exfoliating cream that washes away oil, grime, and dead skin cells. It includes notable ingredients such as acai fruit extract, goji berry extract, sunflower seed oil, marula oil, and bamboo extract. Its gentle and non stripping, has a skin balanced pH of 6.34, and is soap-free, making it safe for some of the most sensitive complexions.

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Wishtrend Green Tea Powder Wash

I like this enzyme powder by Wishtrend specifically because its use of green tea. My skin loves all things Camellia sinensis, and its one of the main ingredients in this powder. Thats not all there is to love though its got a bunch of other great ingredients including vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, and sodium hyaluronate. Its also pH balanced and cruelty free.

Clean It Zero Revitalizing Balm

If youre looking to boost antioxidant levels in your skincare, cleansing with Clean It Zero Revitalizing Balm is an effective way to do so. Its formulated with more antioxidants and free radical fighting ingredients than any of the other variations of clean it zero.

Its ingredients include resveratrol , rooibos extract, gardenia extract, angelica extracts, olive oil, and grapeseed oil.

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