2024's "5 Best" Face Wash On The Market

When it comes to skincare, finding the right face wash for your specific needs is key. Everyone has different skin types—be it oily, combination, dry, or sensitive—and it’s essential to choose a face wash that works best for you. Our research team has looked into countless products to bring you the top 5 face washs that stand out for their effectiveness and quality. So, what makes a good facial face wash? It’s not just about getting rid of dirt or makeup. It’s choosing a product that’s just right for your skin type. Maybe you’re after a gentle face wash for sensitive skin, a deep-cleaning face wash for those days you really need it, or a face wash that helps brighten your skin. And remember, skin care isn’t just for one gender. Men and women often have the same skincare needs. What’s important is finding a product that addresses your skin’s needs, not whether it’s labelled for men or women. So if you’re on the hunt for the best facial face wash, whether it’s a cleansing gel or a soap-free option, focus on what’s inside the bottle. Using the right face wash helps you tackle skin issues, slow down signs of ageing, and protect against everyday dirt and pollution. Think of it as your first step towards healthier, glowing skin. Ready to find the perfect fit? Check out our top 5 face wash recommendations.

So, what makes a good facial face wash? It’s not just about getting rid of dirt or makeup. It’s choosing a product that’s just right for your skin type. Maybe you’re after a gentle face wash for sensitive skin, a deep-cleaning face wash for those days you really need it, or a face wash that helps brighten your skin.

And remember, skin care isn’t just for one gender. Men and women often have the same skincare needs. What’s important is finding a product that addresses your skin’s needs, not whether it’s labelled for men or women. So if you’re on the hunt for the best facial face wash, whether it’s a cleansing gel or a soap-free option, focus on what’s inside the bottle.

Using the right face wash helps you tackle skin issues, slow down signs of ageing, and protect against everyday dirt and pollution. Think of it as your first step towards healthier, glowing skin. Ready to find the perfect fit? Check out our top 5 face wash recommendations.

What to look for in a face wash?

When it comes to maintaining a radiant complexion, the face wash you choose plays a pivotal role. And it’s the key ingredients within these face wash that truly make the difference.

Gel face wash infused with glycolic acid have been gaining traction, and for a good reason. Glycolic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) that gently exfoliates the skin, sloughing away dead skin cells and revealing a brighter, more youthful complexion underneath. By promoting cell turnover, glycolic acid not only refines skin texture but also aids in reducing fine lines and superficial scars.

But glycolic acid isn’t the only star in the skincare universe.

Salicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid (BHA) renowned for its ability to penetrate and exfoliate inside the pore lining, making it a favorite for those with oily skin or prone to acne.

Hyaluronic acid, on the other hand, acts as a potent hydrator, drawing moisture into the skin. This ensures that while your skin is being cleaned, it’s also being nourished and hydrated.

Ceramides are lipids that bolster the skin’s natural barrier, locking in moisture and protecting the skin from external irritants.

While these ingredients bring substantial benefits, it’s equally crucial to know what to avoid. Added fragrances and soap in face wash can be harsh, potentially leading to irritation or stripping the skin’s natural oils. Especially for those with sensitive skin, selecting a fragrance-free face wash can be pivotal to maintaining skin harmony.

In essence, understanding these ingredients isn’t just about knowing what’s in your face wash; it’s about making an informed choice for your skin’s health. Whether you’re dealing with dry skin, combination skin, or anything in between, there’s a well-formulated face wash out there tailored for your specific needs.

Best cleanser: At a glance

Best overall cleanser: Habitual Skin Brightening Gel Cleanser 100ml
Best splurge: Youth To The People Superfood Cleanser 237ml
Best for breakout-prone skin: Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant 118ml

Choosing the Right Skincare

Selecting the right skincare products can be daunting. It’s easy to gravitate towards the most affordable options, but quality often correlates with price. Higher-priced products typically offer superior results due to their quality ingredients and formulation. With a myriad of brands and products to sift through, it can be overwhelming. That’s why we’ve done the legwork for you, researching, testing, and curating this concise list of five top-rated products

The Good - What to Look For

Selecting the ideal cleanser amidst the vast options can be daunting. To streamline your decision, we’ve conducted thorough research and pinpointed the following key factors:

Active Ingredients – Beyond catchy marketing phrases, the efficacy of a product largely hinges on its active ingredients. These are compounds scientifically demonstrated to exert a specific benefit on the skin. They’re the powerhouses ensuring the product’s claims align with actual outcomes.
Optimal Concentrations – It isn’t just about having the right ingredients but having them in correct concentrations. Effective skincare requires ingredients at their research-determined optimal levels—potent enough to target specific skin concerns without inducing irritation. Eliminating unnecessary fillers ensures undiluted effectiveness.
Ingredient Integrity – The origin and processing of ingredients play crucial roles in a product’s safety and efficacy. Natural or lab-synthesized, the key is purity. Ingredients derived through meticulous methods ensure both safety and maximum benefit, while those from questionable processes can be detrimental.

The Bad - What to Avoid

When choosing a cleanser, it’s essential to be discerning for both your skin’s health and broader ethical considerations. Here’s what to avoid:

Inadequate Concentrations – Comprehensive ingredient lists can be deceiving. Too many components might mean that the active, beneficial ingredients are present in sub-optimal amounts, limiting their ability to deliver tangible skin improvements.
Redundant Additives – Terms like fillers or carrier ingredients denote substances that might not directly benefit the skin. Their presence can dilute the core active ingredients, reducing the product’s efficacy and potentially affecting skin health.
Animal Testing – Simply put, ethical skincare avoids products tested on animals. Their well-being is paramount.
Fragrances – Though a pleasant aroma can enhance product experience, the vague term “fragrance” can encompass a myriad of potentially harmful substances that remain largely unregulated.
Unjustified Price Tags – A steep price doesn’t always equate to superior quality. While some premium products merit their cost due to high-quality ingredients, others might be pricey due to marketing, fancy packaging, or unverified proprietary components. Always cross-check the ingredient efficacy with its price point.

The System - Our 10-Step, Research-Backed Ranking Method

There is so much more to choosing a cleanser, than just taking marketing and labels at face value. That simply isn’t enough. Instead, we choose to test and compare each cleanser against our 10-point ranking system:

1 The purity and quality of ingredients and sourcing.
2 The presence or lack of artificial fillers, preservatives, and additives.
3 Regulated manufacturing facilities and high-quality processes.
4 The information behind the product - science, research, and development.
5 Level of active ingredients availability, digestibility and absorption.
6 Manufacturer governing bodies registrations and certifications.
7 Third-party testing to determine validity and accuracy of label information.
8 Filtering customer reviews to remove paid/fake reviews to highlight truthful customer experience.
9 Price and value for money.
10 Return and money-back guarantee policies.

Save on our favorite cleanser

Right now at Habitual Skin, you can save up to 10% on best sellers and up to 35% off bundles. This includes the Brightening Cleanser 100ml from our roundup – a gentle cleanser made from 97% naturally derived ingredients that removes impurities, unclogs pores, and maintains the skin’s natural moisture barrier. Use code JUNE24 at checkout to bring the price down to just $38.70.

Habitual Skin | Was $43 | Now $38.70

The Guide - How We Evaluated the Top 5

Our Top 5 face wash were chosen based on studious research that dove deep into the quality of each individual product; consultation with leading skin care clinicians to gain their expert opinions; and a multitude of user experience interviews, to ensure the products you find below are the best on the market and most beneficial for your skin.

TOP 5 FACE WASH IN 2024

Habitual Skin #1

Habitual Skin Brightening Gel Cleanser 100ml

Overall Rating (4.9)

 4.9/5

The Habitual Skin Brightening Gel Cleanser is a gel-based wonder that’s become a favorite among our testers. Many have hailed it as a game-changer, with its potent blend of glycolic acid and hyaluronic acid offering brightening, exfoliating, and hydrating benefits all at once. Formulated with 97% naturally derived ingredients, this face wash delivers real results, underlined by the significant transformations our testers observed in their skin’s texture, pore size, and overall brightness.

Its efficacy is further enhanced by key ingredients like phytic acid, soothing neroli floral water, and rejuvenating pumpkin enzymes. They work synergistically to banish impurities, refine pores, and maintain hydration levels. Being vegan-friendly and gluten-free, it caters to a wide range of skincare enthusiasts.

With compelling benefits, coupled with bulk order discounts, free Canada shipping on orders over $60, and a 100% satisfaction guarantee, it’s clear why the Habitual Skin Brightening Gel Cleanser is quickly rising to the top of many skincare routines.

The Desirables

Gel Precision: Delivers transformative exfoliation as a gel-based formula, ensuring gentle yet effective cleansing.
Praised by Panels: Testers celebrated a tangible skin transformation—minimised pores, smoother texture, and radiant complexion.
Glycolic Supercharge: A potent infusion of glycolic acid to masterfully exfoliate dead skin cells, diminishing fine lines and scars, and revealing a brighter complexion beneath.
Triple-Threat Formula: Expertly brightens, exfoliates, and hydrates with 97% naturally derived active ingredients.
Exfoliation Elevated: Enhanced with a curated blend of phytic acid, neroli floral water, and pumpkin enzymes for deep skin rejuvenation.
Above and Beyond Ethics: Not only vegan and cruelty-free, but rooted in dermatological best practices and its UK Made.
Premium, Yet Practical: Exclusive benefits include enticing bulk offers, free Canada shipping on orders over $60, and a 90 day money back guarantee.

The Undesirables

The Final Word

The Habitual Skin Brightening Gel Cleanser is a superior product in the market, thanks to its use of naturally derived ingredients. It delivers optimal results through its highly potent yet gentle formulation. Unlike other brands, which may contain filler or abrasive ingredients that strip the skin of its natural moisture, Habitual Skin’s formula ensures a deep clean and removal of impurities, promoting clear, healthy, and radiant skin.

Habitual Skin offers free shipping on orders over $60 and a 90-day money-back guarantee, reflecting their confidence in the product’s efficacy. These features make Habitual Skin’s Brightening Gel Cleanser a highly recommended option for anyone seeking a high-quality, trustworthy cleanser.

Why Habitual Skin Is Our #1 Pick

Habitual Skin’s Brightening Cleanser is a top-market product due to its high-quality ingredients, brand reputation, customer service, and experience. This clinically tested, carefully formulated cleanser is gentle, avoiding dryness and irritation, and suitable for all skin types, gluten-free, cruelty-free, vegetarian, and vegan-friendly, accommodating various lifestyles.

The brand also frequently offers special deals and promotions, making it a great option for those looking for a high-quality and effective cleanser.

Dr. Dennis Gross #2

Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Pore Perfecting Cleansing Gel

Overall Rating (4.5)

 4.5/5

The Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Pore Perfecting Cleansing Gel effectively cleanses the skin using Alpha Hydroxy Acids without stripping it of vital oils allowing the skin to stay hydrated and balanced. Our testers experienced clean and nourished skin, reduced pore size, and a reduction in fine lines after a few weeks of use of twice-daily use.

However, despite the promise that this prevents breakouts, a few of our testers experienced this even after giving the skin time to adjust to the product. At $52 for a 225ml bottle, we believe it’s worth the try on the basis that only a small amount is required for a thorough and effective cleanse. We recommend patch testing and slowly introducing the product to prevent breakouts and harsh reactions.

The Desirables

Soap and sulfate free
Dermatologically founded and tested
Pleasant foaming application
Cruelty-free
Stocked by many retailers globally
Does not leave the skin feeling dry and stripped

The Undesirables

Paula’s Choice #3

Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant

Overall Rating (4.3)

 4.3/5

The Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant from Paula’s Choice has been a top-rated and extensively reviewed cleansing product for the past 22 years, and it remains the brand’s best-selling item. With the active ingredient of Salicylic Acid (BHA), this product is highly effective for those with acne-prone or breakout-prone skin.

However, we recommend that those with sensitive skin introduce it gradually and use it sparingly since it can lead to skin irritation, according to feedback from our testers. This cleanser is better suited for those with oily or combination skin, and it is a leave-on exfoliant that can help to brighten, hydrate, minimize the appearance of fine lines, and improve the skin barrier within four weeks, making it a must-try.

The Desirables

The Undesirables

Youth To The People #4

Youth To The People Superfood Cleanser

Overall Rating (4.0)

 4/5

Youth to the People is a vegan, cruelty-free, and FSC-verified brand that uses natural superfoods in its products. The Superfood Cleanser comes in a 59ml or 237ml bottle, ranging from $19 to $52.50. We were disappointed to find that the application dropper only comes with the 237ml size which means when trying the 59ml bottles, our testers had to either very carefully pour a few drops onto their palm or unhygienically flip the bottle in their palm to access the gel-like cleanser.

Our testers with oily and combination skin types saw better results in comparison to our testers with dry skin who have experienced irritation, but most have experienced reduced congestion. We would recommend this product if you pride yourself on sustainability and have oily to combination skin.

The Desirables

The Undesirables

Kiehl’s #5

Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cleanser 150ml

Overall Rating (3.9)

 3.9/5

Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cleanser is a gentle facial cleanser that is suitable for all skin types. It effectively removes dirt and debris from the skin without depriving it of essential moisture. Besides dissolving excess oil and dirt, this cleanser is pH-balanced, which aids in maintaining the skin’s natural balance and protective barrier. It has been dermatologist-tested and is made with Squalane, Avocado Oil, and Glycerin, which are all beneficial for the skin.

However, despite being marketed as suitable for all skin types, our testers with dry skin found that this cleanser exacerbated their dryness, resulting in breakouts and irritation. Some testers also reported that they found the chemical scent of the product unpleasant to use.

The Desirables

The Undesirables

Honorable Mentions

While we have a clear winner among our top 5, we have included the following 5 products, to round off our top 10 after researching, testing, and evaluating a multitude of options.

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel

IT Cosmetics Confidence in a Cleanser Skin-Transforming Hydrating Cleansing Serum

Glossier Milky Jelly Cleanser

Tatcha The Rice Wash Soft Cream Cleanser

The Ordinary Glucoside Foaming Cleanser

Final Thoughts

Cleansers are an essential component of any effective skincare routine, providing a range of benefits such as removing dirt and impurities, preventing premature aging, improving skin texture, and more. With so many options available, it can be difficult to choose the right one for your needs. That’s why we conducted a rigorous evaluation of multiple cleanser brands using a 10-point ranking system that considered factors such as scientific research, packaging, marketing, and customer feedback. Our analysis led us to conclude that Habitual Skin’s Brightening Cleanser is the best-performing product currently available. This gentle yet effective cleanser not only removes dirt and impurities but also contains ingredients that can brighten the complexion and leave the skin feeling soft and hydrated.

Citations

The science behind skin care: Cleansers
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29231284/