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I asked seven top dermatologists from coast to coast about something many of us do every day: washing our faces. Do we really need to do it? Their answer: definitely.The Guardian’s journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link. Learn more.Think about what your face faces in a single day. You might slather on moisturizer, sunscreen or makeup. You get blasted with car exhaust fumes and UV rays. Your office may be dusty, your home even dustier (with a soupçon of pet hair). “And skin’s natural process is to accumulate oil in response to that daily grind – that’s the barrier protecting you,” says Dr Corey L Hartman, a dermatologist in Birmingham, Alabama. “But all that has to come off.”“Think of your cleanser as the foundation of your skincare routine,” says Dr Joshua Zeichner, a dermatologist in New York City. “The right cleanser can add to the health of your skin, while the wrong one can actually impair it. Using a cleanser that is not strong enough means that it won’t fully remove dirt and oil. Using one that’s too harsh can lead to dryness, irritation and inflammation.”But you don’t need to spend a fortune. “So many of my patients are obsessed with purchasing the most expensive cleansers,” says Dr Divya Shokeen, a dermatologist in California, “but the inexpensive ones are sometimes the best.” And, if you like a certain cleanser, but need to scrimp, check out drugstore-brand dupes. “If the ingredient list is nearly identical, I say go for it,” she says.Which facial cleansers do dermatologists recommend? We asked all seven of them which products they recommend for all skin types: oily, dry, acne-prone, sensitive, older and more.Meet the experts:
Dr Doris Day, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City and clinical associate professor of dermatology at New York University Langone medical center.
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Dr Corey L Hartman, a board-certified dermatologist based in Birmingham, Alabama, and adjunct associate professor of dermatology at UAB Heersink School of Medicine.
Dr Michelle Henry, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City.
Dr Divya Shokeen, a board-certified dermatologist and hair transplant surgeon based in southern California.
Dr Mamina Turegano, a board-certified dermatologist, internist and dermatopathologist based in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Dr Claire Wolinsky, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City and clinical instructor of dermatology at Weill-Cornell medical center.
Dr Josh Zeichner, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City and associate professor of dermatology and director of cosmetic & clinical research at Mount Sinai hospital in New York City.
At a glanceAll prices current at time of publication.Best for sensitive skin:If your skin is sensitive, less is more. Look for cleansers without fragrances or preservatives, which can be irritating, says Dr Hartman. Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cleanser can be used on all skin types, he says, “but I love it for sensitive skin as the formula is fragrance-free and gently removes dirt, oil and impurities from the face without disrupting the skin barrier or stripping natural oils. Its active moisturizing ingredients – squalane, avocado oil and glycerin – are ideal for sensitive skin as they are proven to not cause irritation.”Dr Shokeen opts for Avène Tolerance Extremely Gentle Cleanser Lotion. “This is perfect for my rosacea and sensitive skin patients that have a difficult time tolerating anything,” she says.Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cleanser$16.00 at Kiehl’s$16.00 at Sephora Photograph: Kiehl’sAvène Tolerance Extremely Gentle Cleanser Lotion$27 at Avène$27 at Ulta Beauty Photograph: SephoraBest for dry skin:Skin naturally contains moisturizing elements: ceramides (lipids, or fats, that help maintain the skin barrier) and hyaluronic acid (HA, a humectant that draws and holds water in skin). If you feel parched, your barrier is not effectively retaining moisture. Dr Turegano recommends adding back these elements with an extra-hydrating cleanser that utilizes ceramides and HA, such as CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser.Dr Henry likes La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser, containing spring water and ceramides.CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser$14.24 at Ulta Beauty$15.49 at Amazon Photograph: Ulta BeautyLa Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser$19.99 at La Roche-Posay$19.99 at Amazon Photograph: La Roche-PosayBest for exfoliating:Exfoliating generally means skimming off surface dead skin cells that can clog pores and make skin look dull – and you can do it the hard way (with potentially abrasive scrubs) or the easy way. Dr Turegano prefers the latter approach and recommends chemical exfoliators such as beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) or alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), which help the shedding of skin cells. Best to start slow, she says: “Some skins can’t tolerate an exfoliating cleanser more than a few times a week. The goal is to not overdo.” Cetaphil Gentle Exfoliating SA Cleanser contains 2% salicylic acid, a BHA.Dr Hartman suggests a product that may be appropriate for daily use: Olay Cleansing Melts + Vitamin C Face Cleanser. Just add water to the little pad for a cleansing foam; the Vitamin C “can also help to brighten skin, leaving it more even-toned and glowing”.Cetaphil Gentle Exfoliating SA Cleanser$9.49 at Amazon$9.74 at Ulta Beauty Photograph: AmazonOlay Cleansing Melts + Vitamin C Face Cleanser$4.94 at Walmart$13.99 at Amazon Photograph: AmazonBest for acne-prone skin:“A cleanser with benzoyl peroxide is ideal for active breakouts,” says Dr Hartman. He likes La Roche-Posay Effaclar Dual Action Acne Face Wash with 4% Benzoyl Peroxide. That’s enough benzoyl peroxide to be effective in treating acne, he says, “without being too harsh on the skin. The formula contains lipo-hydroxy acid, a derivative of salicylic acid, which will aid in acne reduction and evening skin texture.”Dr Day recommends the gentle gel-to-foam formula of Panoxyl Acne Gel Wash, which contains salicylic acid to help deep clean pores and prevent future breakouts and allantoin help fight blemish-causing bacteria.La Roche-Posay Effaclar Dual Action Acne Face Wash with 4% Benzoyl Peroxide$14.99 at Ulta Beauty$19.97 at Walmart Photograph: Ulta BeautyPanoxyl Acne Gel Wash$9.74 at Ulta Beauty$10.99 at Target Photograph: Ulta BeautyBest for oily skin:Dr Hartman is a proponent of CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser. “Salicylic acid in the formula can help regulate sebum production, leading to skin feeling less oily,” he says. Ceramides and hyaluronic acid add moisture and niacinamide soothes skin while protecting the skin barrier.Oily skin benefits from foam or gel cleansers that gently lift off excess oil without depositing heavy-feeling moisturizers, says Dr Turegano. Cetaphil DermaControl Oil Removing Foam Wash contains zinc, which has been linked to reduced oil production.CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser$11.99 at Ulta Beauty$12.37 at Walmart Photograph: Ulta BeautyCetaphil DermaControl Oil Removing Foam Wash$12.47 at Walmart$12.49 at Target Photograph: WalmartBest for rosacea:In sensitive or rosacea-prone skin, “the skin barrier is not functioning optimally,” says Dr Zeichner, who opts for RoC Barrier Renew Cleanser. “The cleanser starts as a gel but gives mild lather without drying the skin. Plus, ceramides in the cleanser help seal in cracks in the outer skin layer, while green tea antioxidants provide soothing effects.”“This is one of the most sensitive skin types out there; it’s more reactive than the average person,” says Dr Turegano. “Keeping things gentle means minimizing added chemicals like fragrances or preservatives.” She is a fan of LaRoche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Facial Cleanser with ceramides and calming niacinamide.RoC Barrier Renew Cleanser$12.99 at RoC$12.99 at Amazon Photograph: RoCLa Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser$19.99 at La Roche-Posay$19.99 at Amazon Photograph: La Roche-PosayBest for combination skin:Dr Shokeen, Hartman and Henry are fans of Fresh Soy Face Cleanser. “It has been a classic for years,” says Dr Hartman. “It gently cleanses the skin without stripping the natural oils. Soy helps the skin retain moisture and elasticity and aloe vera adds moisture.”Eucerin Gentle Cleansing Hydrating Cleansing Gel “uses a dual molecular weight hyaluronic acid technology that is comfortable and effective for all skin types, making it useful for people with combination skin”, says Dr Zeichner.Fresh Soy Face Cleanser$39 at Fresh$39 at Sephora Photograph: SephoraEucerin Gentle Cleansing Hydrating Cleansing Gel$12.77 at Amazon$12.99 at Target Photograph: TargetBest for those with beards or moustaches:“CeraVe Hydrating Cream-to-Foam Cleanser is great,” says Dr Shokeen. “It lifts grime without drying, and it’s beard-friendly. If they shave, something with calming ingredients like niacinamide or allantoin is helpful to avoid irritation.” e.l.f. Pure Skin Face Cleanser contains both, along with soothing oat milk and hydrating ceramides and hyaluronic acid.CeraVe Hydrating Cream-to-Foam Cleanser$15.13 at Amazon$16.97 at Walmart Photograph: Walmarte.l.f. Pure Skin Cleanser$9.74 at Walmart$10 at e.l.f. Photograph: WalmartBest for ageing skin:As you get older, skin almost always gets drier, according to Dr Day. This is because your skin barrier contains less firming, structural elastin and collagen. It gets thinner and more fragile, produces less natural oil, and isn’t as good at retaining moisture. Her solution: reload skin with ceramides and hyaluronic acid, found in CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser.Rather than paying extra for anti-ageing ingredients in a cleanser (which is only in contact with skin for a short time), Dr Wolinsky suggests saving those for serums or creams. For results, she says, “you’re always better off with a product that you can leave on skin.” Instead she suggests washing with an active ingredient that’s superficially exfoliating to give skin “a bit of a glow” and following with a hydrating serum or cream. Her pick: Neutrogena Hydro Boost Exfoliating Cleanser balances exfoliating glycolic acid with moisturizing hyaluronic acid.Cerave Hydrating Facial Cleanser$14.24 at Ulta Beauty$15.49 at Amazon Photograph: UltaBeautyNeutrogena Hydro Boost Exfoliating Cleanser$9.97 at Walmart$13.49 at CVS Photograph: CVSMost sustainable ingredients/packaging:A major way to be eco-conscious in skincare is to minimize and reuse packaging, says Dr Shokeen. Youth to the People Superfood Cleanser comes in a refillable glass bottle and contains no artificial dyes, parabens or phthalates, and was not formulated with animal testing.Dr Hartman points out that many drugstore and high-end brands now offer refills, including Clarins and Neutrogena. “That’s next-level,” he says. He likes LaRoche-Posay Toleriane Purifying Foaming Face Wash, which offers refill packs; the brand claims that this uses 73% less plastic.Youth to the People Superfood Cleanser$39 at Youth to the People$39 at Sephora Photograph: SephoraToleriane Purifying Foaming Face Wash$17.99 at Ulta Beauty$19.99 at La Roche-Posay Photograph: UltaBeautyBest for makeup fans:There’s something called “double cleansing” and it’s perfect for those who have a heavy hand with maquillage, as well as those who are diligent with sunscreen. “Mineral-based sunscreens can build up on the skin as you reapply over the day,” says Dr Day. “So you might need to do a double cleanse to get that off.”For a clean face, Dr Wolinsky suggests first patting skin with a micellar water cleanser on a cotton pad. Garnier SkinActive Micellar Cleansing Water contains micelles, ingredients that cling to makeup particles. Follow with a moisturizing face wash like Cetaphil Gentle Cleanser; “It’s a really soft, lovely cleanser.”Garnier SkinActive Micellar Cleansing Water$8.99 at Ulta Beauty$11.99 at CVS Photograph: UltaBeautyCetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser$13.44 at Amazon$18.49 at CVS Photograph: AmazonMaria Ricapito is a former beauty features editor at Self magazine, and has covered beauty, style, and wellness for Allure, Health, Marie Claire, Harper’s Bazaar, InStyle, the New York Times Styles section, and Vanity Fair. She specializes in writing about the intersection of pop culture, trends and personal style This article was originally published on 21 August 2025. Reviews published in the Filter may be periodically updated to reflect new products and at the editor’s discretion. The date of an article’s most recent update can be found in the timestamp at the top of the page.
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