It’s hard to sort through piles of off-name brands to find the best drugstore face wash. The key, though, is not so much in the name but in the ingredients. Check out the list below for 14 different face wash products that are highly ranked by dermatologists for their content and their results. Remember, all skin types respond differently to products, so pay close attention to their purpose and application. In fact, the application is often overlooked in skincare, but it’s the little alterations in how you use a product that go a long way towards healthier skin.
14 Effective Drugstore Face Wash Ideas to Improve Your Skin Care Routine
Between battling acne, makeup, and oil, it can seem impossible for a tiny bottle of face wash to make a difference, but there’s more to skincare than just cream or gel. Finding the right way to take care of your skin is about understanding the product you need that’s right for you. If your skin feels tight and flaky, you probably struggle with dry skin and should look for products that tailor to that. Contrarily, if your face always seems shiny or has a coarser texture, you may be dealing with oily skin. Pay attention to blemishes and your skin’s sensitivity, and wash your hands before applying any product to your face.
No matter what your skincare process is, enjoy it. That sounds strange, doesn’t it? The reality is that your face is your own and you should take pride in how you treat it. Have fun finding the next best face wash to improve your daily routine, and if a product doesn’t seem to work, don’t be afraid to try something new. Use the list below as a guide to maximize your skin care experience.
1. Neutrogena: Hydro Boost Gentle Cleansing Lotion
This lotion instantly removes makeup while hydrating the skin. It’s perfect for dry skin and moisturizes without leaving residue. It is a light product that goes on smoothly, almost like a gel, and it rinses off easily, never leaving your skin dry or tight. This is a good face wash for sensitive skin and it’s fragrance-free to avoid any possible irritation when applied.
2. La Roche-Posay Hydrating Cleanser
This facial cleanser is designed for sensitive skin. It has a creamy texture and is meant to be applied on wet skin only. It hydrates with a gentle cleanse that doesn’t leave your skin tight and dry. It may not strip all of the makeup away, but it’s perfect for refreshing your face in the morning and a cleansing moisturizer at night. This is a good face wash for those who are looking for something light yet effective.
3. Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser
The Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser lives up to its name. This is a great product for daily use and has been awarded the National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance. This facial cleanser is designed for skin that is irritated and sensitive from tretinoin usage. It foams slightly yet doesn’t dry out the skin. If you struggle with redness or irritation, this cheap face wash product offers the perfect gentle cleanse.
4. CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser
The CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser doesn’t just cleanse and hydrate, it actually works to maintain the natural moisture of your skin. It features three essential ceramides that help restore the skin’s barrier and then uses MVE delivery technology to nourish it. They are very upfront about all of their ingredients, and they use no hidden fragrances. This cleanser is the best drugstore face wash for dry, chapped skin.
5. Earthtoskin Nourishing Cleanser
If you’re looking for a natural product to boost your skin’s hydration, you should definitely check out the earth-to-skin nourishing cleanser. It uses broccoli, kale, cucumber, and aloe vera to replenish your skin’s moisture. The vitamins in the greens protect your skin from free-radicals and offer a solution other than harsh chemicals. This product also works to reduce stress, aging lines, and fatigue. If you’re looking for a natural product, earth-to-skin is the best drugstore face wash for combination skin.
6. Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser
This product takes off dirt, makeup, and oil without stripping your face or causing dryness and tightness. It offers a deep cleanse that’s perfect for combination to oily skin. It’s clinically tested and proven to be effective on sensitive skin, so there’s no need to worry about it clogging your pores. It does a great job of digging deep while still staying soft and gentle. This is a cheap face wash product that delivers a large amount of bang for your buck.
7. CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser
This cleanser contains salicylic acid to exfoliate and detoxify your skin in addition to moisturizing it. This cleanser is great for regular to combination skin and focuses on smoothing out any roughness or irritation. It’s hard finding a cleanser for combination skin that doesn’t either clog your pores or dry them out. Thanks to salicylic acid, it is one of the best drugstore products available that cuts through dirt and oil.
8. CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser
This cleanser is a refreshing gel that hydrates your skin and a little bit goes a long way. It’s gentle on sensitive skin and leaves your face feeling fresh and clean. It uses Niacinamide to help calm the skin and hyaluronic acid for optimal cleansing. If you have oily skin, you should try this product. It’s a cheap face wash product that is also dermatologist recommended.
9. Purifying Foaming Facial Wash
The LaRoche Pose face wash is a purifying foaming cleanser that works to remove all makeup, dirt, and oil while still maintaining the skin’s natural barrier and pH balance. It won two beauty awards and the price matches the quality of the product. It’s a good face wash for both eye makeup and those with oily skin. Just be careful not to use too much or it could dry out your skin!
10. Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash
This product uses Salicylic Acid to treat acne as well as give your skin a deep cleanse. It’s residue-free and non-comedogenic, which means it won’t clog your pores. Those who have oily, acne-prone skin say this is the best drugstore face wash they’ve used. It clears up acne and clogged pores while staying cheap and affordable for customers.
11. Effaclar Gel Facial Wash for Oily Skin
This gel face wash uses zinc pidolate to cleanse your skin of dirt and oil while maintaining its pH balance. It’s designed for oily skin and cleanses without clogging your pores or over-drying your skin. Use this product twice daily for maximum results, as it is light and non-stripping on your skin. It’s a good face wash for a deep cleanse that doesn’t leave your skin dry.
12. The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser
Not sure if your skin is dry, oily, or combination? The Squalane Cleanser offers a gentle, moisturizing face cleanse for all skin types. It’s targeted to remove makeup while leaving your face smooth and hydrated. Not only does it have great results, but it is also vegan, gluten-free, and cruelty-free. The trick is to rub it on dry skin so that it turns from a cream into an oil that you can easily rinse off. This cheap face wash product works wonders on sensitive skin and removing eye makeup.
13. Aveeno Absolutely Ageless Nourishing Face Cleanser
Choose the Nourishing Face Cleanser for a gentle cleanse that strips away 99% of skin-aging impurities without stripping your skin. It preserves your skin’s natural moisture barrier and increases your skin’s hydration. It contains a blackberry complex to nourish your skin and reduce the visible effects of elastin and collagen loss. This is a good facewash to leave your skin smooth and vibrant while thoroughly removing all unwanted makeup, dirt, and oil.
14. Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser
This hypoallergenic cleanser is gentle on sensitive skin and effective on all skin types. It’s free of sulfates, parabens, and phthalates, it’s backed by 16 clinical studies, and it gives you the best drugstore face wash for a deep, unscented cleanse. You can use it every day without it drying out your skin as it protects your natural moisture barrier and leaves your skin soft and smooth.
14 Powerful Solutions to Your Personal Skin Care Problems
Every face is different, so while it’s important to choose products with strong references, remember that just because it works for someone else, it might not always work for you. This is why it’s so important to understand your skin and how to best keep it clean and hydrated. Try out a product that seems to fit your skin type, but if it doesn’t, don’t be discouraged! Try something else – all of the products listed here are under twenty dollars and most are under ten. Face cream doesn’t have to be an expensive name brand. You can find the best drugstore face wash at an affordable price that still gives you stunning results.
FAQ About Drugstore Face Wash
Can you wash your face with just water?
Using just water to wash your face can help get rid of any dirt that's on the surface of your skin. If you want a thorough clean, though, you'll want to get a facial wash that has ingredients to help remove any dirt or debris, while leaving or improving your skin's natural oils.
Why should you not wash your face in the shower?
Most people take hot showers and this temperature isn't great for your face. The skin is much more sensitive and the heat can actually completely dry it out or take away the helpful natural oils. It can also cause your pores to get clogged since heat helps open them up.
Should you wash your face with hot or cold water?
Overall, the best water temperature to use when washing your face is warm. Coldwater doesn't do a great job at removing dirt and debris, while hot water can dry out your skin. With warm water, though, you'll have an easier time removing any dirt and debris without worrying about losing your skin's natural oils.
How many times a day should you wash your face?
If possible, you should try and wash your face twice a day. The morning wash will remove any dirt or build-up that happened while you were sleeping and the evening wash is for removing any makeup or dirt from your day. Remember, washing too little won't get your skin clean, and washing too much can dry out the skin.
How often should you wash your face if you don't wear makeup?
Even if you don't wear makeup, you should still be trying to wash your face twice a day. You'll still get dirt and debris build-up from your daily activities and it's better to make sure the skin is clean.
