Which face wash is best for deep cleaning?

All skin types | Creamy | Glycerin, vitamin B5, and niacinamide

Backed by three of the experts I spoke to, this Cetaphil face wash features powerful ingredients like glycerin to hydrate, vitamin B5 to protect the skin’s barriers, and niacinamide, which smoothes and helps retain moisture. Plus, this noncomedogenic face wash “works on every skin type, even sensitive skin,” according to Raleigh-based Dr. Sheel Desai Solomon, who has recommended it to patients with acne, eczema, and rosacea. It’s nothing fancy, and honestly, won’t be life-changing, but it’s a simple, soap-free, hypoallergenic, and fragrance-free cleanser that removes dirt, oil, and makeup without stripping the skin or causing irritation. The best part is it’s extremely affordable, allowing you to focus your dollar on other products like moisturizers and serums that have a longer-lasting impact on your skin.

Dry skin | Creamy | Glycerin, ceramides, and niacinamide

Dermatologists seemed to like CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser and this La Roche-Posay pick equally for dry skin. The CeraVe face wash has hyaluronic acid, which the La Roche-Posay cleanser doesn’t include. But in our expert opinion, the La Roche-Posay might actually be a little bit better because you get an ounce more product for the same price, and it has more actives than the CeraVe, including ceramides, glycerin, and niacinamide. It also features the brand’s famed thermal spring water, which hydrates and soothes irritated, dry skin thanks to its antioxidant properties. Ami Dalal, a certified physician assistant with Schweiger Dermatology Group, specifically calls out the glycerin within the formula, because it’s “a wonderful ingredient that helps hydrate your skin without the overproduction of oil.”

Oily skin | Gel | Salicylic Acid

Those with acne-prone skin should strongly consider using a cleanser with either salicylic acid, which reduces swelling and inflammation as it unclogs pores, or benzoyl peroxide, an antiseptic that decreases the amount of bacteria on your skin to prevent future breakouts. We deep-dive into all the best options here if you’d like to shop around, but overall, this Neutrogena cleanser with salicylic acid might just be your best bet, according to the dermatologists we consulted. It only has 2 percent salicylic acid, so it’s gentle enough for sensitive skin while still being able to tame serious breakouts. The gel texture also makes it particularly good for treating oily skin without drying it out.

Oily Skin | Gel to foam | Green tea, vitamins C, E, K

Much like a foaming face wash, a gel one will work best for those with oily or acne-prone skin because it can cut through excess oil on the skin’s surface (and inside pores). But the downside of gel face washes is that many can be too drying, causing more harm than good. Dr. Corey L. Hartman, founder of Skin Wellness Dermatology in Birmingham, Alabama, and Dr. Hope Mitchell, founder of Mitchell Dermatology in Perrysburg, Ohio, say this face wash is an exception. It’s formulated with organic antioxidants like kale, spinach, and green tea, which Mitchell says “boost moisture in the skin, provide anti-inflammatory protection,” and won’t “leave the skin dry or tight.”

Oily Skin | Gel | Salicylic acid, antioxidants

If you like the texture of gel cleansers like the Youth to the People option above but prefer something that exfoliates, two of our experts recommend this gentle cleanser from iS Clinical. “It works for all skin types and is sulfate- and phthalate-free,” says Dr. Jessie Cheung of Cheung Aesthetics and Wellness, noting that the willow bark in the formula (a form of salicylic acid) “helps break up oils, exfoliate skin, and tighten pores.” The inclusion of salicylic acid also makes this excellent for acne-prone skin because it will deep-clean your pores while reducing inflammation. On top of that, the antioxidants in the formula protect the skin from environmental stressors while also brightening.

Sensitive skin | Gel | Cucumber extract

Arguably, those with sensitive skin have it the hardest. Because your skin can react adversely to specific ingredients, it’s important to read labels and exclude any cleansers that are too harsh. A good place to start is this Fresh soy cleanser recommended by makeup artist Sofiia Strykova, who says it’s “perfect for extra-sensitive skin.” It gently cleanses while also leaving your skin “toned and brightened.” It has a gel texture, which typically we’d say is too harsh for sensitive skin, but this one is lightweight and feels cool and soothing. I credit that sensation to the combination of soy proteins, which keeps skin soft thanks to its high concentration of amino acids, and the cucumber extract and rose water, which hydrate and calm.

For something a little less expensive,Karan Lal recommends this cleanser from Aveeno that contains an “oat complex” and is made with essentially three types of oat:oat oil that conditions the skin, oat extract that soothes the skin, then oat flour that moisturizes. It’s formulated without alcohol, fragrance, sulfates, and phthalates, so you don’t have to worry about any of these ingredients irritating your skin.

Combination skin | Cream to foam | Ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and amino acids

Cleansing combination skin can be like dancing a waltz: You have very specific steps you need to take, but one wrong move and the delicate balance of the routine can be thrown off. You have to take into account having both dry and oily skin, which can be tough, but that’s what makes this CeraVe cleanser so good. Mitchell says it’s a best-of-both-worlds scenario for combination skin. It transforms from a cream to a foam, giving dry areas the creamy, hydrating nourishment they need, while the foam removes excess oil “without leaving [the skin] feeling tight or dry,” Mitchell adds. The cleanser also contains essential ingredients like “ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and amino acids that help maintain the skin’s natural barrier and lock in moisture.”

All skin types | Gel | Glycerin

Hyperpigmentation is a skin reaction that can be triggered by inflammation of any kind and leaves challenging-to-get-rid-of dark marks behind. While serums and retinols can help, a good cleanser is just as important. Hartman says Melē’s gel-based face wash will complement “any skin-care regimen aimed at treating hyperpigmentation” and can also help even skin tone in the process. According to Hartman, it cleanses thoroughly enough to remove any impurities, but has a gentle formula that won’t irritate — only refresh — skin. Glycerin is among its star ingredients, so you can count on this to hydrate without leaving an oily film behind. For those who prefer a foam instead of gel, we’ve also heard good things about this Ambi exfoliating face wash, which is formulated with soy extract, salicylic acid, and vitamins C and E. Plus, it’s a smidge cheaper and fragrance-free, which the Melē cleanser isn’t.

All skin types | Oil | None

Once more: Oil attracts oil without stripping the skin and is “actually perfect for dissolving waterproof makeup and getting deep into pores to remove sebum,” Cheung says. While it doesn’t include some of the standout ingredients we mentioned in our criteria, this Pai formula does contain a mix of rose hip, olive, and sunflower oils, all of which are gentle yet effective for lightly cleansing the skin. Best of all, this can work for all skin types, so it all just comes down to whether you enjoy the silky feeling of applying an oil.