We all know it’s important to wash your face twice a day, but you may not realize just how important your cleanser really is. Your cleanser can actually help improve the health and appearance of your skin, both immediately and over time. There are face washes designed specifically for each skin type and condition, so it may take some time to find the perfect one for your skin.

What Is Face Wash?

Face wash, or facial cleanser, is a product designed to clean your skin and remove dirt, oil, makeup, and other harmful pollutants from the skin’s surface. Along with cleansing your skin, they can also help to unclog pores, prevent acne, and leave your skin feeling clean and refreshed. It is important to use a quality face wash every morning and night, as a part of your daily skin care regimen.

Top 5 Face Washes

CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser

CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser is an Amazon bestseller and is also one of the “Most Wished For” items because this fan favorite has received rave reviews from both beauty experts and consumers alike. Developed with dermatologists, the CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser helps repair the skin’s protective skin barrier and is perfect for all skin types, including dry and sensitive skin, because it is gentle, free of fragrances, and is formulated with highly beneficial ingredients. It will remove all traces of dirt, oil, and makeup, including stubborn eye makeup. It will repair and restore the skin barrier, reduce skin redness, and help produce more natural ceramides in the skin.

This non-comedogenic, non-drying, non-irritating foaming facial cleanser won’t dry out your skin, but instead will leave it feeling soft and smooth. It feels like you are washing with a lotion and your skin will feel hydrated immediately after each use. This can be used twice per day, everyday, because it won’t disrupt the skin’s natural protective barrier.

TotalBeauty selected this as one of the best facial cleansers and it is backed by unmatched online reviews. You can’t go wrong with CeraVe’s scent-free products. In fact, their hydrating cleanser and moisturizers also top the list of best skin care items for Amazon and several independent review sites. If you need something more hydrating or have sensitive skin, ConsumerSearch, Real Simple, and TotalBeauty recommends the CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser.

Currently $14.50 on Amazon

Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser

Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser is ideal for all skin types, including dry and sensitive skin, and softens as it cleans. The mild, non-irritating, soap-free, non-comedogenic, fragrance-free formula gently cleanses the skin and removes dirt, oil, and makeup (even stubborn eye makeup). There are no harmful chemicals, perfumes, or ingredients in Cetaphil products, so it is gentle on the skin and helps skin retain its moisture.

The creamy cleanser was originally formulated for dermatologists and is commonly recommended by dermatologists and pediatricians because the baby-mild product won’t damage or irritate even the most sensitive skin. It is even gentle enough for use on skin with conditions like psoriasis, rosacea, acne, eczema, diaper rash, and severe dryness. The gentle formula rinses easily and will leave your skin feeling soft and smooth, like you washed with a lotion. In fact, the daily cleanser can be used with or without water. It can also be used on the hands and body, or on a baby’s delicate skin.

This highly effective cleanser was chosen as one of the best facial washes by Elle Magazine and Good Housekeeping. This drugstore must-have needs to be tried to be believed. You can also pair this with the award-winning Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion for optimal results.

Currently $15.89 on Amazon

Philosophy Purity Made Simple One-Step Facial Cleanser

Philosophy Purity Made Simple One-Step Facial Cleanser is an award-winning fragrance-free daily cleanser formulated to gently cleanse, tone, and hydrate the skin. It is ideal for all skin types, even dry and sensitive skin, and offers a one-step process to simplify your morning routine. It can thoroughly remove any dirt, oil, and makeup (even stubborn eye makeup), while leaving your skin soft, smooth, and moisturized. The natural oil extracts help condition the skin, so you will feel like you washed with a lotion. The gently-scented cleanser can be used twice a day, everyday, and will continue to provide great results over time.

This creamy natural cleanser tops the list for the best facial cleansers for About.com, is a Readers Choice Winner for Allure, and is one of the most popular cleansers on Amazon and Sephora. There are a number of award-winning Philosophy facial cleansers to choose from, so you can find the one that best suits your skin. In fact, the Philosophy Microdelivery Exfoliating Wash has also topped the list of facial cleansers for several independent review sites, including ConsumerSearch.

Currently $33.33 on Amazon

Biore Pore Unclogging Scrub

Coming from the same brand that makes the wildly popular Biore blackhead strips, this Biore Pore Unclogging Scrub can penetrate deep where blemishes start to help treat current breakout and prevent future problems from forming. It can diminish pores and leave your skin feeling clean and soft, after the very first use. It also contains salicylic acid to help fight acne blemishes and blackheads. The spherical beads can gently scrub away impurities, leaving you with softer, smoother skin after every use. It is gentle enough to use daily and is ideal for all skin types, particularly acne-prone skin.

Chosen as one of the best drugstore acne products by TotalBeauty, this oil-free scrub will deep clean your skin to remove every bit of dirt, oil, makeup, and sunblock. Biore offers a number of products to help keep skin clear and healthy, such as the warming anti-blackhead cleanser, charcoal cleanser, and heating one-minute mask. Using these products together can help you create your most beautiful skin.

Currently $4.74 on Amazon

Neutrogena Men Invigorating Face Wash

As Amazon’s #1 best seller in facial cleansing washes, the dermatologist tested, oil-free, non-comedogenicNeutrogena Men Invigorating Face Wash is more than just a great face wash for men; it is the best face wash for men. Not many cleansers target men, which makes this specially designed face wash even more unique. The affordable cleanser for men can deep clean pores and invigorate the skin without over-drying. The cooling lather penetrates deep into the skin to remove excess oil and dirt and can refresh the skin early in the morning. It also has an invigorating scent to leave your skin smelling fresh.

This affordable cleanser is backed by outstanding reviews online and comes from the trusted Neutrogena brand. Consider the Neutrogena Men’s Skin Clearing Acne Wash if you have combination or acne prone skin.