The 17 Best Face Washes to Keep You Looking Fresh (2024)

The 17 Best Face Washes to Keep You Looking Fresh (1)

Every product was carefully curated by an Esquire editor. We may earn a commission from these links. Here’s how we test products and why you should trust us.

We're going to assume you’re already washing your face as part of your skincare routine. If you’re not, you need to be—seriously. When you do wash it, which for the record should be both morning and night, what you use to cleanse your mug is just as important as actually doing it. Using your body wash or bar soap isn’t going to cut it. Those products tend to be too harsh for your face and can cause more issues than they solve, like dryness, breakouts, and stripping away the protective skin barrier (which is what's happened when you get that too-tight feeling after cleansing). You need to be using a face cleanser.

Face cleansers come in all shapes and sizes, but what they all have in common is that they’re specifically designed to be used...on your face. And that’s a good thing. When you’re choosing a cleanser, think about your specific skin issues. If you have oily skin or are prone to breakouts, look for a gel cleanser that controls oil or has a pimple-busting ingredient like salicylic acid. If you have sensitive skin, go for a non-foaming cream cleanser that won’t be too harsh. And if you’re not sure where to even start thinking about a face wash, this list will help.

Scotch Porter Restoring Face Wash

The 17 Best Face Washes to Keep You Looking Fresh (2)

This deep cleaning, but refreshing gel helps cut oil and shine and keep it away throughout the day.

This cleanser is specifically formulated to deep clean pores and help keep ingrown hairs and razor bumps away, but it’s still gentle enough for all skin types.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

OLEHENRIKSEN Truth Juice Daily Cleanser

The 17 Best Face Washes to Keep You Looking Fresh (4)

The combination of lightly exfoliating polyhydroxy acid and brightness-boosting Vitamin C is tailor made for morning cleansing and leaves your face looking fresh and ready to take on the day.

Paula's Choice CLEAR Pore Normalizing Cleanser

The 17 Best Face Washes to Keep You Looking Fresh (5)

This soothing cleansing gel helps clear up pimples and blackheads (and keep them away) thanks to a dose of salicylic acid.

La Roche-Posay Toleriane Purifying Foaming Cleanser

The 17 Best Face Washes to Keep You Looking Fresh (6)

This foaming gel cleanser is perfect for skin that tends toward oiliness, and thanks to ingredients like ceramides, it cleans deeply but doesn’t disrupt your skin barrier and leave your face feeling tight.

CeraVe Hydrating Cream-to-Foam Cleanser

The 17 Best Face Washes to Keep You Looking Fresh (7)

The 17 Best Face Washes to Keep You Looking Fresh (8)

Cream cleansers are great for dry and sensitive skin, but sometimes you want a little bubble to really feel fresh. This does both—it starts as a cream but lathers into a foam for a deep clean.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Origins Checks and Balances Frothy Face Wash

The 17 Best Face Washes to Keep You Looking Fresh (9)

This face wash froths up to balance out your skin and leave you smelling and feeling fresh, without drying you out. Great for acne-prone and normal skin alike.

Baxter Daily Face Wash

The 17 Best Face Washes to Keep You Looking Fresh (10)

Sulfate-free, fragrance-free, and paraben-free, this Baxter cleanser will hydrate your skin and reduce redness.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Perricone MD makes a great hypoallergenic exfoliating face wash for any skin type.

Drunk Elephant Beste No. 9 Jelly Cleanser

The 17 Best Face Washes to Keep You Looking Fresh (12)

A cleansing MVP, this lightly foaming gel is great for all skin types and can whisk away even heavy oils like sunscreen easily.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Grown Alchemist Gentle Gel Facial Cleanser

The 17 Best Face Washes to Keep You Looking Fresh (13)

If you have sensitive skin (or like avoiding harsh ingredients), Grown Alchemist's plant-based products wash gently.

Indie Lee Brightening Cleanser

The 17 Best Face Washes to Keep You Looking Fresh (14)

Indie Lee’s Brightening Cleanser removes impurities and firms skin. It smells fruity and is rich with antioxidants and vitamins.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Kiehl's Calendula Deep Cleansing Foaming Face Wash

The 17 Best Face Washes to Keep You Looking Fresh (15)

This gel cleanser transforms into a dense foam when you lather up, helping lift impurities without drying out your skin.

Fresh’s Soy Face Cleanser is a all-natural lightweight gel that works for all skin types. Both gentle and powerful, it’s a cult classic for a reason.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel

The 17 Best Face Washes to Keep You Looking Fresh (17)

For ultra-sensitive skin, this soap-free formula won’t disturb your skin’s natural moisture balance.

Aesop Parsley Seed Facial Cleanser

The 17 Best Face Washes to Keep You Looking Fresh (18)

This purifying cleanser will clean and exfoliate skin that has to face city pollution and dirt.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cleasner

The 17 Best Face Washes to Keep You Looking Fresh (19)

This mild cleanser from Kiehl's is a great everyday choice for normal skin that just needs freshening up.

Get Expert Grooming Advice, Every Day

JOIN ESQUIRE SELECT

The 17 Best Face Washes to Keep You Looking Fresh (2024)

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Trent Wehner

Last Updated:

Views: 5951

Rating: 4.6 / 5 (76 voted)

Reviews: 91% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Trent Wehner

Birthday: 1993-03-14

Address: 872 Kevin Squares, New Codyville, AK 01785-0416

Phone: +18698800304764

Job: Senior Farming Developer

Hobby: Paintball, Calligraphy, Hunting, Flying disc, Lapidary, Rafting, Inline skating

Introduction: My name is Trent Wehner, I am a talented, brainy, zealous, light, funny, gleaming, attractive person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.