The Best Facial Cleansing Washes
We compared eight top-rated facial cleansing washes on Amazon, analyzing over 300,000 owner ratings and dozens of expert and video reviews.
Updated
The bottom line
The CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser (B01N1LL62W) is our top pick for its effective yet gentle cleansing, suitable for daily use on oily skin. It transforms from a gel to a foam, leaving skin feeling clean without tightness or dryness, and is priced at $15.97. The closest alternative is the La Roche-Posay Toleriane Cleanser (B01N34XW93), which offers similar benefits for sensitive skin at $19.99. For a budget option, the PanOxyl 10% Benzoyl Peroxide Acne Foaming Wash (B081KL2QYJ), at $8.66, is effective for acne-prone skin but may be too drying for daily use.
CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser $15.97
Best all-around foaming cleanser for oily skin
The CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser is highly rated by owners and experts for its gentle yet effective cleansing. Priced at $15.97, it transforms from a gel to a foam, suitable for daily use on oily skin. The tradeoff is its higher price compared to some alternatives.
Check price on Amazon
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Cleanser $19.99
Best for sensitive skin
The La Roche-Posay Toleriane Cleanser is praised for its gentle, non-stripping formula suitable for sensitive skin. Priced at $19.99, it effectively removes impurities without disrupting the skin barrier. The tradeoff is its higher price point.
Check price on Amazon
PanOxyl 10% Benzoyl Peroxide Acne Foaming Wash $8.66
Best budget option for acne-prone skin
The PanOxyl 10% Benzoyl Peroxide Acne Foaming Wash is effective for acne-prone skin at $8.66. However, it may be too drying for daily use and can bleach clothing. Those with sensitive skin should consider alternatives.
Check price on AmazonThe field, ranked
- CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser Best for daily use on oily skin 9.6/10 $15.97 Amazon
- La Roche-Posay Toleriane Cleanser Best for sensitive skin 9.4/10 $19.99 Amazon
- CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser Best for dry skin 9.4/10 $14.24 Amazon
- PanOxyl 10% Benzoyl Peroxide Acne Foaming Wash Best budget option for acne-prone skin 9.2/10 $8.66 Amazon
- PanOxyl Acne Foaming Wash Effective for acne but may be too drying 9.2/10 $8.49 Amazon
- La Roche-Posay Toleriane Cleanser Good for sensitive skin but slightly lower rated 9.2/10 $18.99 Amazon
- La Roche-Posay Toleriane Cleanser High-end option for sensitive skin 9.4/10 $39.94 Amazon
- La Roche-Posay Toleriane Cleansing Good for sensitive skin but fewer ratings 9.2/10 $15.99 Amazon
Who should buy which
Those with oily skin will benefit most from the CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser (B01N1LL62W), while those with sensitive skin should consider the La Roche-Posay Toleriane Cleanser (B01N34XW93). The PanOxyl 10% Benzoyl Peroxide Acne Foaming Wash (B081KL2QYJ) is best for acne-prone skin but may be too drying for daily use. The La Roche-Posay Toleriane Cleansing (B0835T9PCR) is a good option for sensitive skin but has fewer ratings compared to other products.
What owners complain about
Owners of the PanOxyl 10% Benzoyl Peroxide Acne Foaming Wash (B081KL2QYJ) frequently mention its drying effect and potential to bleach clothing. Some users of the La Roche-Posay Toleriane Cleanser (B01N34XW93) note that the bottle size may be larger than expected, but this is often seen as a positive due to the product's longevity.
The also-rans
The La Roche-Posay Toleriane Cleansing (B0835T9PCR) and the La Roche-Posay Toleriane Cleanser (B01N7T7JKJ) did not earn picks due to either fewer ratings or slightly lower effectiveness compared to the top picks. The La Roche-Posay Toleriane Purifying Foaming Facial Cleanser (B0GHBTLVYK) is a high-end option but is significantly more expensive without clear additional benefits over the runner-up.