Looking for the Best Face Wash? 17 ‘Vogue’ Editors Weigh In on Their Favorites

Find your next best face wash, whether your skin is sensitive, combination, or oily.

Looking for the Best Face Wash? 17 ‘Vogue’ Editors Weigh In on Their Favorites

Many would say washing your face is the most important part of a skin-care routine. Now the quest to find the best face wash is even more imperative: Our vital, necessary use of face masks has led to an uptick in maskne and other irritations.

From dermatologist Carlos A. Charles’s perspective, it’s most important to find a cleanser that removes buildup, dirt, makeup, and other unwanted particles from the face without damaging the skin’s protective barrier. The founder and medical director of Derma di Colore recommends three go-to cleansers to clients: Jurlique Revitalizing Cleansing Gel because it “thoroughly cleanses the skin and leaves it feeling fresh without overdrying or stripping the skin,” and does so without parabens, polyethylene glycols, or artificial fragrances and colors; Ren Evercalm Gentle Cleansing Gel, as it cleans without being rough on the skin; and, lastly, CeraVe’s Hydrating Cleanser. “It removes impurities from the skin delicately and works well for those with the most sensitive skin. Also, it’s a good choice when starting a prescription-strength acne or anti-aging regimen,” Charles notes.

CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser

Jurlique Revitalizing Cleansing Gel

REN Clean Skincare Evercalm Gentle Cleansing Gel

And while doctors certainly know best, everyone’s skin is different (and cleansers tend to elicit strong feelings), so we asked Vogue staffers to share their favorites in the hopes of making your search for the best face wash a little bit easier.

Chioma Nnadi, Editor of Vogue.com

Orveda Cleansing Bamboo & Enzymatic Water

“I’ve always been quite a traditionalist when it comes to cleansers but recently I made the switch from a face wash to a cleansing water solution by Orveda. I immediately found it far more soothing than anything else I’ve used in the past. And maybe it’s because it’s formulated with Ayurvedic principles as well as science in mind. Whatever the case, I’ve gotten tons of compliments on my skin since I started using it—it seems to be visibly brighter—a rare feat for a deceptively simple looking cleanser.”

Atalie Gimmel, Social Media Manager

Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cleanser

“I got this cleanser as a gift three years ago and haven’t gone back to whatever I used to use since! I have combination skin, so the biggest thing for me was to find a cleanser that doesn’t strip my face too harshly, which this one definitely doesn’t. It’s gentle, and leaves my skin feeling clean and naturally moist.”

Emily Farra, Senior Fashion News Writer

RMS Beauty Raw Coconut Cream

“I love oil cleansers, and RMS’s raw coconut cream is one I always go back to. It doesn’t strip your skin like a traditional face wash, so I don’t feel like I need to immediately layer on serums and moisturizers after I rinse it off. I’ve been trying to simplify my routine as much as possible during quarantine, so this has been key!”

Julie Tong, Senior Commerce Editor

Fresh Soy Face Cleanser

“I love this lightweight, fresh-scented gel cleanser. Not only is it gentle enough to use every day on my skin, but it leaves it feeling hydrated and refreshed each and every time. Plus, its compact size makes it easy to pack during weekend getaways.”

Ella Riley-Adams, Senior Living & Beauty Editor 

Naturopathica Aloe Cleansing Gel

“When I told Follain founder Tara Foley that I hadn’t yet found the right natural face wash, she steered me toward Naturopathica’s Aloe Cleansing Gel. I now use it every night, and it leaves my face feeling clear without any of the tightness or dryness that I’ve experienced with other cleansers. I also find I don’t need to use much for it to be effectively cleansing and hydrating, which means the five-ounce bottle has lasted me many months (a win on the less-waste front).”

Rachel Besser, Market Editor

Grown Alchemist Hydra-Restore Cream Cleanser

“There are many reasons why I love this face wash: It’s gentle and hydrating on my sensitive skin, it looks pretty on my countertop, and it smells good too.”

Lauren Valenti, Senior Beauty Editor

Kate Somerville DeliKate Soothing Cleanser

“I have sensitive, rosacea-prone skin and have to be careful about what I use daily to steer clear of dryness and irritation. Since it launched, Kate Somerville’s DeliKate Soothing Cleanser has become a reliable go-to for washing off the day in gentle, yet all-business fashion. For starters, it’s fragrance free, and has a nice creamy texture that works into a nice lather, so as not to aggravate my already stressed-out skin. Then, thanks to ginger root and cucumber seed oil, it targets redness flare ups, while peptides and ceramics work to keep my skin barrier in check. Even after double cleansing, I find that my skin still feels bouncy and hydrated—a true feat!”

Cassandra Pintro, Editorial Producer

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Facial Cleansing Gel

“I’m a drugstore enthusiast when it comes to basic facial care. My skin is very sensitive and I found that this is one of the only cleansers that truly caters to my skin type. Because it’s hypoallergenic, I felt confident in giving it a chance, and I haven’t looked back since. My face is always left feeling refreshed and under control.”

Sarah Spellings, Fashion News Editor

Eve Lom Cleanser

“I am sorry to inform you that this Eve Lom Cleanser is worth every penny. Never in my life would I think I'd be someone to pay $80 on a facial cleanser, but I am. Because of the price, I use it sparingly, but it always makes my skin look and feel much better. I love the ritual of putting it on and taking it off by using a muslin cloth that's been soaked in warm water. Plus, you can't beat that clean smell.” 

Michella Oré, Beauty Assistant

Amala Nourishing Gentle Cleansing Balm

“I usually rely on a cleansing balm to breakdown sunscreen and occasional makeup before following up with a water-based cleanser, but sometimes my skin simply can't take a double cleanse. This silky cleansing balm by Amala has been a blessing in that it leaves my skin feeling clean without stripping it of hydration. After a month of using it, I've noticed that my texture has improved, and become more smooth and radiant.”

Steff Yotka, Senior Fashion News & Emerging Platforms Editor

Philosophy Purity Made Simple Cleanser

“I’ve used this face wash since high school—thank you to my local Sephora for the introduction! Despite trying posh, highbrow cleansers and drugstore staples, I’ve found that the Philosophy wash is the only one that leaves my skin feeling and looking fresh.”

Liana Satenstein, Senior Fashion Writer

Neutrogena The Transparent Facial Bar

“I use Neutrogena’s Transparent Facial Bar. It’s like a tried-and-true wardrobe classic but for cleansers, maybe comparable to the turtleneck of skin-washing regimes. I’ve been using it since high school. The crisp bar, which comes in a hue of honey, lasts forever, and is under $5. How can you go wrong?”

Willow Lindley, Accessories Director

Naturopathica Manuka Honey Cleansing Balm

“My favorite face wash is more of a balm. Made from manuka honey, this Naturopathica cleaner cleans effectively and without drying out my face. You can also apply it with a little brush that feels supernice on the face and, I think, gives me a little extra exfoliation bang for my buck. This is definitely a hero product for me and one of the most natural but effective cleansers I’ve found in my clean beauty searches. Plus, it smells so amazing you almost don’t want to wash it off.”

Puja Prakash, Senior Social Media Manager

Avène Gentle Milk Cleanser

“I am very picky about face washes because I have extremely sensitive skin (eczema, rosacea, you name it!), and this has been my favorite cleanser for a year now. Once something lasts in my skin-care routine for more than a few months, it’s going to stay there forever. I love the consistency of this cleanser; it’s gel-like but not sticky, and so soothing, always leaving my skin feeling so clean!”

Zoe Ruffner, Contributing Beauty Editor

Lesse Refining Cleanser

“I swear by Eve Lom’s cleanser (a classic for a reason!), but for an extra-deep clean I always go to Lesse’s all-natural scrub, which contains ultrafine apricot granules to gently exfoliate the skin—a must after long beach days (and lots of sunscreen). Plus, the charcoal-blue-colored formula is just about as pretty as they come.”

Janelle Okwodu, Senior Fashion Writer

Dermalogica Clearing Skin Wash

“There are very few constants in my skin-care routine, but the one product I will always go back to is Dermalogica’s Clearing Skin Wash. I can try other cleansers, but this is the one that I repeatedly purchase and always have on hand (I own the largest possible size and keep travel versions at my parents’ house just in case). My skin tends to be oily, but this saves me from needing a thousand blotting papers.”

Talia Gutierrez, Beauty Assistant

Tatcha The Rice Wash Skin-Softening Cleanser

“Tatcha was the first skin-care brand I splurged on growing up; the brand’s infamous inclusion of milky rice water brings an extra boost of moisture to my otherwise dry, and at times, flaky skin. The gentle texture combined with ingredients like hyaluronic acid and Okinawa algae (known to plump and lock in moisture), leaves my skin feeling supple and bouncy every morning.”

Naomi Elizée, Market Editor

Epi Logic True Calm Rosehip Gel Cleanser

“All I can say is God bless Chaneve Jeanniton and every product in the Epi.Logic line! Chaneve created this face wash to soothe sensitive skin, and since using it, I never have to worry about my skin getting irritated while washing my face in the morning!”

Lilah Ramzi, Features and Commerce Editor

Chantecaille Pure Rosewater

“This is not necessarily a face wash, but I’ve been loving Chantecaille’s rosewater spray. It leaves me looking dewy and is naturally perfumed with a faint floribunda smell. Plus, it comes in the prettiest packaging designed by tastemaker extraordinaire John Derian. I spritz my face liberally each night with it so it might as well be a wash!”

This story originally appeared on: Vogue - Author:Akili King