Cleansing is the first step, and arguably the most important part, of any solid skincare routine. After all, a clean face is the first key to getting a supple, glowing complexion. But washing your face is easy, right? Just grab a random cleanser and scrub away? Wrong! It's crucial to find the best facial cleanser for your needs, especially if you want to maximize the effectiveness of the rest of your skincare regimen.

Want to find the best face wash for your skin type? Here are some of the best face cleansers you can get. From cult classics to dermatologist favorites, you'll find some impressive formulations that will leave your skin immaculately clean and perfectly smooth.

CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser

This award-winning product is one of the best budget facial cleansers you can get. The gentle cleansing lotion is formulated with hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and glycerin so it can clean your skin of any dirt and leftover makeup residue while still maintaining your skin's hydration levels. This facial cleanser is also paraben-free, fragrance-free, and non-comedogenic, making it gentle enough for everyone, including those with sensitive and acne-prone skin. With everything it offers, it's not a surprise that this facial cleanser is also recommended by countless dermatologists all around the world.

Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser

Here's another affordable option for everyone, Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser. This product has an all-star formulation that's non-comedogenic, soothing, and non-irritating, making it a favorite among dermatologists. The super-light formula is soap-free and guaranteed to perfectly clean your skin and leave it soft and smooth. It's perfect for every skin type, even the most sensitive ones. In fact, this facial cleanser is so gentle that it can be used on the delicate skin of babies!

Garnier SkinActive Micellar Cleansing Water

Interested in double cleansing? Double cleansing is perfect for those who wear makeup since it can break down all the makeup first and strip off the rest of the impurities afterward. This particular one from Garnier is a classic cult favorite. It lifts away dirt and excess oil effectively without stripping your skin of its essential oils. This product is compatible with all skin types and it will leave your skin feeling soft and fresh.

La Mer The Cleansing Oil

Prefer an oil-based cleanser for your double cleansing regimen? La Mer's Cleansing Oil is the best facial cleanser for the job. This detoxifying oil cleanser will melt away every bit of makeup, sebum, pollution, and grime stuck on your skin. Formulated with precious marine oils and white pearl powders, this cleanser will polish and revitalize your skin, revealing a hydrated and luminous complexion. Better yet, the milky lather produced by this oil feels rich and luxurious, definitely a spa-like experience to look forward to after a long day at work. And here is the best choice if you have sufficient budget.

Kate Somerville ExfoliKate Cleanser

Need a deep cleanse? Ditch the harsh face scrubs and get Kate Somerville's ExfoliKate Cleanser instead. Boasting a duo of alpha-hydroxy acids, glycolic and lactic, along with pineapple, pumpkin, and papaya enzymes, this face cleanser is a chemical exfoliant. That means, it offers all the goodness of an exfoliant without all the irritation a face scrub may cause. This foam face wash will gently exfoliate dead skin cells and strip away all the impurities from your skin, revealing a radiant, moisturized, and glowing complexion afterward.

Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm

Gentle yet effective, it's no wonder that this cleansing balm has quickly risen to the top cult-favorite status. Cleansing balms, like this one from Clinique, works wonderfully on dry skin. Once rubbed onto the skin, it turns into an oil that dislodges any trace of makeup and impurities while also moisturizing it. The cleverly designed formula is enriched with Safflower Seed Oil, which will not only cleanse and moisturize your skin, but also brighten your complexion, minimize pores, as well as reduce the risk of breakouts and irritation.

Tatcha The Deep Cleanse

Get a luxurious, spa-like cleansing experience with Tatcha's The Deep Cleanse. This daily gel cleanser is formulated with amino acids and the Japanese Luffa fruit, which are the secret of the beautiful and flawless skin of Japanese women. Once massaged onto your skin, the oil-free gel will turn into a fluffy foam, which will dissolve any dirt, excess sebum, and impurities without over-drying your skin. The formulation is gentle enough even for the most sensitive skin, leaving the skin looking smooth, supple, and flawless.

The Inkey List Salicylic Acid Cleanser

Struggling with acne and breakouts? Salicylic acid will be your new best friend. The Inkey List Salicylic Acid is a great affordable option for acne-prone skin. Formulated with beta-hydroxy acid with allantoin and zinc compound, this facial cleanser will not only cleanse your skin, but it will also keep oil production under control, unclog pores, and help reduce acne as well as other blemishes. This light foam cleanser is guaranteed to soothe your irritated skin, stimulate healthy skin cell growth, and reduce acne significantly with regular use.

Dr. Jart+ Teatreement Cleansing Foam

Tea tree extract is another awesome active ingredient to fight acne and breakouts. Dr. Jart+ Teatreement Cleansing Foam is a K-beauty cult favorite cleanser. It is formulated with different kinds of tea tree extract and other natural ingredients that will not only cleanse impurities from your skin, but also hydrate and soothe it. This cleanser also has a spot-targeting technology, which can fight breakouts from occurring, shrink the appearance of pores, and nourish your skin to promote healthy skin cell production.

Closing Thoughts

Cleansing is the first and most crucial step of any skincare regimen. It's the first step to reaching the ideal glowy complexion. Whether you have dry and sensitive skin or oily and acne-prone skin, the best face cleanser for you should be the one that matches your skin type and needs. It should be able to cleanse your skin while still maintaining the skin's pH balance and hydration barrier. Hopefully, you're able to find a face wash that works for you from our recommendation list.