An effective skincare routine will always start with a decent facial cleanser, but what if I told you that it’s not something you necessarily have to splurge on?As someone who’s tested dozens of cleansers throughout the years, I can say that there are plenty of face washes sitting in the aisles of your local drugstore that do the same job as the more luxury or high-end formulas—affordability is just a bonus.
When I was building out a skincare routine as a college student, drugstore cleansers were all that was in my budget, and while the options were pretty limited then (this was over a decade ago), the category has since expanded far beyond the basic formulas that only had one type of customer in mind. These days, you can find store shelves full of cleansers touting effective ingredients that exfoliate, hydrate, soothe, and even gently remove makeup.
Don’t know where to start? You’ve come to the right place. Read ahead to discover the drugstore cleansers that I believe are worth every penny.
My skin thanks these cleansers every day.
(Image credit: Danielle Jackson)
Best of the Best
When it comes to drugstore cleansers, there are a lot of formulas to choose from that are good at getting the job done, but if I had to list my all-time favorites, I’m always naming these.
These water-activated pads are still fairly new to the Olay lineup, but they’re still at the top of my list when it comes to elite drugstore cleansers. Whenever I sing the praises of these, I usually talk about how easy they are to travel with (my refusal to check bags means that I need to keep liquids to a minimum at all times), but to be honest, I love using them at home, too.
TULA
The Cult Classic Purifying Face Cleanser
I’m an oily girl who likes to wear makeup most days, so I like a cleanser that can foam up and get all the gunk off of my face without drying me out. This cleanser from TULA always delivers.
La Roche-Posay
Toleriane Purifying Foaming Face Wash for Oily Skin
Again, as someone with oily/combination skin, I rely on sudsy, foaming formulas that actually feel like it’s deep cleaning my pores. This jelly cleanser is one of those. I typically use it after applying a cleansing balm or micellar water and it removes every trace of oil like nothing.
Spot Treatment
I’ll admit that I haven’t consistently had to deal with a major breakout since I was a teenager, but I do find myself having to treat a small whitehead or two once every few months. When that happens, I’ve found that these acne-fighting formulas get rid of said breakouts with ease.
PanOxyl
10% Benzoyl Peroxide Acne Foaming Wash
Benzoyl peroxide is a known acne-fighter, and it’s the main ingredient in this cleanser. It’s a foaming formula that actually deep cleans your pores to clear out all the dirt and blemish-causing bacteria.
Neutrogena
Oil-Free Salicylic Acid Acne Fighting Face Wash
Around the time that I started high school, this (and almost everything from Neutrogena) was one of my go-tos. Not only was it super-affordable, but it took care of my sporadic breakouts and helped with my excessive oiliness.
Gentle Touch
Harsh sulfates and active ingredients aren’t for everyone, and sometimes they can do more harm than good and lead to irritation and tenderness in certain areas of the face. If your skin is on the more sensitive side, these affordable cleansers will be your best friends.
Cetaphil
Gentle Skin Cleanser Face Wash for Sensitive Skin
This is a simple, no-fuss formula filled with all-stars like niacinamide (for irritation and redness), glycerin (for moisture), and panthenol (for barrier repair). It gets the job done without leaving the skin feeling tight or dry, but be warned that it’s for skin that’s on the normal to dry side, so don’t expect it to lather or foam up when you use it.
CeraVe
Hydrating Facial Cleanser
This gentle cleanser is packed with barrier-protecting ceramides while hyaluronic acid drives moisture back into normal skin types and keeps them from feeling tight post-wash. This is a lotion-based cleanser, so it’s another formula that you shouldn’t expect to get incredibly sudsy while using.
Makeup Melters
If you wear makeup frequently (especially eyeliner and waterproof mascara), you’ll likely need something a little more heavy duty to remove it at the end of the day. Sure, a makeup wipe can do the trick, but a cleansing oil or micellar water is a more sustainable approach that doesn’t involve you tugging or rubbing on your face too much. These are just some of my favorites.
La Roche-Posay
Lipikar AP+ Gentle Foaming Cleansing Oil
I’ve never been let down by a La Roche-Posay cleanser, but this one in particular comes in handy when I want to remove foundation, concealer, and waterproof mascara. It’s an oil-to-foam formula that gently lathers up once it comes in contact with water.
Garnier
Skinactive Micellar Cleansing Water All-In-1 Cleanser & Makeup Remover
Okay, so I wouldn’t consider this to be a traditional cleanser as much as it is a pre-cleanser since it does have a slightly slick texture, but it’s perfect for removing stubborn eye makeup quickly before you wash your face. Just pour some on a reusable cleansing pad and you’re good to go.
Prequel
Pre-Gleanse Nourishing Oil Cleanser
This is another product that should definitely be followed by a second cleanser (preferably, a foaming one), but it’s a light oil that gently dissolves heavy makeup and moisturizers without clogging the pores.
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