Wash your way to better skin. Whatever your skin type, removing dirt, oil, sunscreen and makeup with a gentle face cleanser is an essential first step for healthy radiant skin.
But with so many different types of facial cleansers available, it can be difficult to find the best formula for your skin type. That’s where this guide comes in. We’ll walk you through the benefits of each natural face wash and cleanser—so you can quickly find the best cleanser for your needs.
Each face wash and cleanser in our collection is made with natural and organic ingredients and free from synthetic fragrances, parabens, phenoxyethanol, sodium laurel sulfates, denatured alcohol or other harsh chemicals.
BEST FACE CLEANSER FOR YOUR SKIN TYPE
We’ve highlighted our most popular face cleansers for men and women — organized by skin type —to help you get started. All will remove light makeup but opt for a cleansing oil or balm if you wear heavier makeup.
Most of our facial cleansers are suitable for all skin types so feel free to mix it up depending on your mood and preferences. See below for full details.
- Face cleanser for dry skin: Aloe Milk Cleanser, Essential Cleansing Oil, Cleanse My Face, Inner Clarity Cleanser, Marigold Morning Creamy Gel Cleanser, Moonlight Milk Balm Cleanser
- Face cleanser for oily skin: Pa'akai Cleansing Cream, Lavender Oat Milk Soothing Cleanser, Daily Face Wash, Inner Clarity Cleanser, Cleanse My Face
- Face cleanser for sensitive skin: Makeup Remover & Cleansing Oil, Aloe Milk Cleanser, Inner Clarity Cleanser
- Face cleanser for men: Pa'akai Cleansing Cream, Daily Face Wash, Inner Clarity Cleanser, Aloe Milk Cleanser
- Makeup remover: Moonlight Milk Balm Cleanser, Makeup Remover & Cleansing Oil
WHICH TYPE OF FACE WASH OR CLEANSER SHOULD I USE?
Squeaky clean comes with a price. How you wash your face can make a huge difference in how it looks and feels. It’s essential your cleanser removes buildup, dirt, makeup, and sunscreen from the face without damaging the skin’s delicate protective barrier.
Yet a 2020 CeraVe survey found many of us are using the wrong cleansers for our skin type. The survey found facial cleansers are often thought of as one-size-fits-all. Six in ten adults surveyed do not look for cleansers formulated for their skin type. And, many associate clean skin with: a squeaky clean feeling (41%), skin feeling tight (32%) and a tingly sensation (22%) – all indicators that your skin has lost moisture, which can lead to dryness and irritation.
So, how do you choose a better cleanser?
The best face wash is one that specifically targets your skin’s needs. Some face cleansers are hydrating; others eliminate excess oil without over drying or stripping skin. There are also facial cleansers that remove heavy makeup or exfoliate the skin’s surface leaving it brighter and more even looking.
Not sure what your skin needs? A facial cleanser formulated for “all skin type” is a good place to start. For everyday cleansing, here’s what to look for depending on your age and current skin care routine:
Source: 8 Secrets to Glowing, Radiant Skin in 2023 (FREE DOWNLOAD)
BEST FACE WASHES AND CLEANSERS TO TRY
We'll walk you through the benefits of each natural cleanser so you can quickly find which cleanser is best for your needs.
1. Honua Hawaiian Skincare Paʻakai Cleansing Cream
Type | Softening cream cleanser that lightly exfoliates
Ideal For | All skin types
Natural & Organic | Organic & natural ingredients. Vegan
Price | $24 for 2 fl oz
Made for all skin types, this gentle daily cleanser works particularly well for skin that’s normal or a little oily. Sea salt cleanses pores, while balancing oil production and keeps bacteria at bay so skin stays clear, balanced and healthy looking.
2. Black Chicken Remedies Cleanse My Face
Type | Purifying cleansing oil that balances and hydrates
Ideal For | All skin types
Natural & Organic | Organic & natural ingredients. Vegan
Price | $49 for 3.38 fl oz
Formulated to indulge the senses while bringing out the very best in your skin, this award-winning natural cleansing oil washes away everyday dirt and debris as well as hard-to-remove makeup—all while helping to moisturize the skin.
Ideal for both dry and oily skin, the expertly crafted blend of 14 restorative and essential oils works with your skin’s systems to dissolve excess oil and target impurities held deep within your skin without disturbing your skins natural oil balance.
The Beauty Shortlist Awards 2023 - Editors Choice award winner
3. Graydon Skincare Aloe Milk Cleanser
Type | Soothing cleansing milk for sensitive skin
Ideal For | Normal to dry skin types
Natural & Organic | Natural & organic ingredients. Vegan.
Price | $35 for 1.7 fl oz
Graydon’s Aloe Milk Cleanser is especially great for those with dry, dehydrated or sensitive skin. This super gentle, yet effective, face cleanser easily breaks down makeup and impurities without stripping your skin of its natural moisture. Aloe vera, black tea and niacinamide help calm and balance your skin. For the ultimate face cleansing experience, pair the Aloe Milk Cleanser with the Bamboo Charcoal Konjac Sponge for sensitive skin.
Winner Best Cleanser for Sensitive Skin (2023)
4. Free +True Morning Marigold Creamy Gel Cleanser
Type | Gentle face cleansing lotion that hydrates
Ideal For | All skin types
Natural & Organic | Natural & organic ingredients. Vegan.
Price | $38 for 4 fl oz
This pH balanced gel cleanser from Free + True Skincare removes impurities with ease, then rinses away clean. Infused with papaya enzymes to gently exfoliate, as well as a blend of plant extracts and hyaluronic acid to balance oil production and prevent moisture loss, it leaves all skin types feeling hydrated and refreshed.
5. Mokosh Makeup Remover & Cleansing Oil
Type | Makeup removing oil cleanser that hydrates
Ideal For | All skin types including sensitive skin
Certified Organic | Organic ingredients. Vegan. Essential oil free
Price | $39.95 for 3.3 fl. oz.
This 100% organic cleansing oil from Mokosh Skincare gently removes makeup, dirt and excess sebum, leaving the skin clean, soft and deeply hydrated. It includes pumpkin seed, jojoba, baobab and sesame oil which work together to cleanse the skin and pores without clogging and restore the skin’s barrier. When used as a daily treatment, customers report it helps eliminate blackheads and normalize sebum.
It's essential oil-free, and non-comedogenic making it ideal for anyone with sensitive skin.
6. Strange Bird Inner Clarity Facial Cleanser
Type | Gentle exfoliating cleanser
Ideal For | All skin types
Natural & Organic | Organic & natural ingredients. Vegan
Price | $58 for 4 oz
7. Kari Gran Essential Cleansing Oil
Type | Hydrating oil cleanser
Ideal For | All skin types
Natural & Organic | Organic & natural ingredients. Vegan
Price | $41 for 3.4 fl. Oz.
Kari Gran’s Essential Oil Cleanser is a potent mix of organic oils, namely soothing sunflower seed oil, moisturizing avocado oil, and softening castor oil, that gently cleanse the skin removing all traces of makeup, sunscreen, and pollution. All skin types benefit as this does not strip dry skin and balances oil production for oily skin.
8. Free + True Skincare Moonlight Milk Cleansing Balm
Type | Nourishing cleansing balm
Ideal For | All skin types
Natural & Organic | Organic & natural ingredients. Vegan
Price | $42 for 1.7 fl. Oz.
Free + True Skincare’s Moonlight Milk balm cleanser is an oil-based cleanser that works like a dream quickly dissolving heavy makeup, and washing away dirt and sunscreen at the end of your day. Whether you’re removing makeup or double cleansing, this cleansing balm leaves skin soft and nourished.
9. Carina Organics Daily Face Wash
Type | Face wash
Ideal For | Combination and oily skin types
Natural & Organic | Organic & natural ingredients. Vegan
Price | $19.98 for 8.4 fl. Oz
This budget friendly face wash effectively removes excess oil, makeup and surface impurities without making skin feel stripped. The no nonsense formula features coconut-based surfactants to cleanse the skin, as well as certified organic plant, vegetable, and fruit extracts to soothe and soften skin.
10. 100% Pure Lavender Oat Milk Soothing Cleanser
Type | Water activated powder face cleanser
Ideal For | Oily and combination skin types
Natural & Organic | Organic & natural ingredients. Vegan
Price | $32 for 1.4 oz
Skeptical about powder? Don’t be. Common in Korea and Japan, powder cleansers are easy to use and let you control the cleanse. This gentle face cleanser uses skin soothing colloidal oatmeal–based powder and rose petals, deeply purifying lavender, moisturizing coconut milk, to gently exfoliate and cleanse.
