Best Cleansers for All Skin Types (2025 Edition)

 

Choosing the right cleanser is the foundation of a healthy skincare routine. Many people use harsh, drying face washes that strip the skin of natural oils, causing breakouts, irritation, and dullness. Here are the best dermatologist-approved cleansers for oily, dry, sensitive, and combination skin.

Best Cleansers for Each Skin Type

1️⃣ Oily Skin

Look for: salicylic acid, gel formulas
Benefits: Controls oil, unclogs pores, prevents acne.

👉 Good Options: Gel-based face washes

1. CeraVe Balancing Air Foam Face Wash, Foaming Facial Cleanser For Combination Skin, 8HR Oil Control + 24HR Hydration, Fragrance-Free & Non-Comedogenic, With Glycolysine™ & 3 Essential Ceramides, 8oz
2. Replenix BP Acne Face Wash, 6.7 Fl Oz, Non-Oily Benzoyl Peroxide Facial Cleanser with Medical-Grade Ingredients for Acne-Prone Skin, Gently Unclogs & Refines Pores, Non-Drying & Non-Irritating
3. CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser, Daily Face Wash for Oily Skin, Hyaluronic Acid + Ceramides + Niacinamide, Fragrance Free & Paraben Free, Non-Drying Oil Control Face Wash, 19 Fluid Ounce 
4. CeraVe Hydrating Cream To Foam Cleanser, Makeup Remover Face Wash For Dry Skin, Foaming Facial Cleanser With Hyaluronic Acid, Normal To Dry Skin, Fragrance Free & Non Comedogenic, 19 Fluid Ounce
5. OUND LAB Birch Juice Moisturizing Cleanser | Unclogs hidden sebum, Clears away dead skin cells., Soothing, Low pH, Gel Type Cleanser (5.07 fl.oz)

2️⃣ Dry Skin

Look for: ceramides, hyaluronic acid, creamy formulas
Benefits: Restores moisture + prevents tightness.

👉 Good Options: Moisturizing cream cleansers

1. CeraVe Intensive Moisturizing Cream, Body Moisturizer With Shea Butter, 72H Hydration + Skin Barrier Repair, Fragrance-Free Body Lotion For Extremely Dry Skin, 19oz
2. Creamy Gentle Oil-Control Cleansing Gel | Effective Cleansing for Balanced Skin | Gentle Hydration | Sulfate-free formula
3. Neal's Yard Rejuvenating Frankincense Cleanser with Aloe Vera & Cocoa Butter, Smoothes & Refines, All Skin Types, Vegan Approved, Cruelty-Free 100mL
4. Olay Face Wash, Daily Facial Cleanser with Retinol, Peptides & Glycerin  Smoothing, Noursihes Skin Surface, Hydrates while Cleansing - Sulfate-Free, Paraben-Free, 16 Oz
5. Jack Black Pure Clean Daily Facial Cleanser for Men - Mens Face Wash, Jack Black Face Wash Men's, Face Wash for Men, Face Cleanser for Men, 2-in-1 Mens Facial Cleanser & Toner, Gifts for Men
6. Proactiv Green Tea and Hyaluronic Acid Moisturizer for Dry Skin, Hydrating Face Moisturizer for Oily Skin, Dry Skin and Acne Prone Skin - 3 Oz

3️⃣ Combination Skin

Look for: gentle gel or foam cleansers
Benefits: Balances both dry & oily areas.

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4️⃣ Sensitive Skin

Look for: fragrance-free, pH-balanced, non-foaming cleansers
Benefits: Prevents redness + irritation.

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5️⃣ Acne-Prone Skin

Look for: salicylic acid, tea tree, benzoyl peroxide
Benefits: Reduces active acne + prevents future breakouts.

How to Choose the Right Cleanser

• Match it with your skin type
• Avoid alcohol-heavy cleansers
• Use only 2 times a day
• Don’t scrub harshly

Best Cleansers for All Skin Types

• Gel cleanser
• Hydrating cleanser
• Salicylic acid cleanser
• Ceramide-based cleanser