Since we’re evaluating and revising our skincare routine from the ground up, you might be wondering what’s the best face wash for me? But before we start looking into different kinds of face wash, we need to determine your skin type. 

At the end of this post, we’ll tell you what our skin type is and what we consider the best face wash for our faces.

**Please Note: This post contains affiliate links and we will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on our links. All Amazon prices are current as of 1/2/22.

Skin Types

There’s five skin types – normal, dry, oily, combination and sensitive. 

Normal skin is just that, normal. It’s not oily or dry, and isn’t as prone to acne (although breakouts do happen!). 

Dry skin can be rough, dull and flaky. Plus, it can feel really tight and itchy at times. 

Oily skin is more prone to acne, and can appear shiny and feel greasy. This is caused by an excess of sebum, an oil produced by your skin. 

Combination skin is both dry and oily. Typically the t-zone area (forehead and nose) tend to be oily, while the cheeks are either dry or normal. 

Any skin type can be sensitive, but it’s categorized by reactions to trying new products, fragrances and dyes with overall redness, itchiness or dryness. 

If you aren’t sure what your skin type is, here’s a quick and easy way to find out – wash your face with a gentle cleanser and pat it dry. Don’t put on any moisturizer, and observe your skin over the next 30 minutes. 

Over that 30 minutes, if you notice any shine or oil, your skin is oily. Tightness or flakiness means you have dry skin. If just your t-zone is oily, you likely have combination skin. And if your face feels hydrated but not oily, you have normal skin. 

Makeup Removers

Don’t be mad at us for adding an extra step, but if you’re wearing makeup you likely also need to double cleanse. 

What the heck does that mean? Well, if you’re wearing makeup and only wash your face once, you’re probably not getting all the makeup and dirt off your skin. 

So step one, let’s focus on getting all the makeup off your face. Some of these products can also be used as a regular face wash too, so try and find the products you like the best. 

Cleansing Balms

A cleansing balm is a thick formula that uses natural oils to break down makeup, dirt and grime on your face. 

Balms are great for retaining the moisture in your skin, and breaking down a lot of heavy products you’re wearing day-to-day. 

While we’re mostly talking about face washes and makeup removers, we did want to mention that we do use a different product for our eyes. You can use micellar water on your eyes, but I (Dianne) have had some issues with my eyes, especially when it comes to styes, so I am extra careful with removing makeup on my eyes.

Cleansing Oil

It seems counterintuitive to use a cleansing oil when you’re trying to get rid of the oil on your skin, but it’s a great option! 

Cleansing oils essentially remove the bad oils from your skin, leaving good oils behind and your skin feeling hydrated and nourished. 

Face Wipes

Makeup removing face wipes aren’t great for the environment, or your skin if you’re overly rough trying to get everything off. Use them occasionally to take off your makeup, and then follow up with a face wash to make sure you’ve gotten everything off. 

Makeup Towels

If you’re looking for a sustainable option to remove your makeup, a towel is a great option! Wet the towel with just water, and it gets almost all of your makeup off. After using, just toss in the wash and you’re all set for the next use! 

If you like to use a new pad every day (especially if you have sensitive skin), then we recommend these disposable cleansing pads.

Best Face Wash for Different Skin Types 

Now that we know what our skin type is, we can find the right cleanser! You want to make sure you’re working with your skin type, and not against it. 

Something I heard a long time ago that stuck with me was because face wash is on your skin for such a brief period of time, it’s not necessary that it’s a super expensive brand with high-end ingredients. You just end up rinsing it down the sink! Save money here, and spend it on the products you want to sink into your skin. 

Whichever you think is the best face wash for your skin, make sure your face doesn’t feel “squeaky clean” after using it. You’re stripping your skin of too many of its natural oils and is counter-productive to what you’re trying to achieve!

Gel Cleansers 

Great for deep pore-cleansing, but also simultaneously hydrating and great for protecting your skin’s moisture barrier. Because gel cleansers are the most pore cleansing, they’re great for acne-prone skin. Gel cleansers are water-based and may contain essential oils. 

Great for oily and acne-prone skin types. 

Cream Cleansers

Cream cleansers are a thicker formula, and are great for deeply hydrating skin, while cleaning at the same time. Some cream cleansers, like Pond’s Cold Cream, don’t even need to be washed off

These are great for dry and sensitive skin types. 

Foaming Cleansers

Foaming cleansers turn into a rich foam (as the name suggests), when pumped out of the tube or combined with water. These aren’t as deep-cleansing as a gel, but can remove oils from the skin, making it not ideal for dry skin types. 

Micellar Water

Water-based, non-soap cleansers that don’t need to be washed off. Use a cotton dampened round all over your face to remove oil and dirt. 

Micellar water isn’t great as a standalone cleanser if you have oily skin or wear a lot of makeup on a daily basis. 

Using a micellar water after you wash your face once is a great way to get any lingering makeup or dirt off your face. 

There’s are conflicting thoughts on toners, but I (Dianne) currently still use one. I do alternate between toner and micellar water to get my skin completely clean.

The Best Face Wash for Jen

After a lot of trial and error (I was a fan of the “squeaky clean” feeling for a while, but was doing more harm than good), I’ve found products that work well for me. 

For the most part, I have combination skin. My nose and t-zone can occasionally be oily, while my cheeks can be dry. I’m not overly oily and I don’t have flaky skin, but my cheeks will feel tight if I don’t put on moisturizer after a deep cleanse or drying face mask. 

For removing makeup: e.l.f Cosmetics Holy Hydration Cleansing Balm

I was an avid Makeup Eraser fan for years (and still am), but I’m in love with this cleansing balm. It does an amazing job at removing makeup and still leaving my skin feeling hydrated. 

For face wash: Neutrogena HydroBoost Hyaluronic Acid Cleansing Gel

After using the “squeaky clean” cleanser for a long time, I started looking for the best face wash for my skin, not what everyone recommended. I used other products from the HydroBoost line, and decided to give the face wash a try. 

It does a great job at getting my skin clean, and also keeping it hydrated too. 

Bonus face wash: Garnier SKINACTIVE Micellar Cleansing Water

I’ve found my skin reacts well to not over-washing it every day and evening. If I haven’t worn makeup or gone out during the day, at night I’ll use a cotton round and “wash” my face with micellar water, and continue my routine as usual. 

In the morning, I’ll also use the micellar water to refresh my face before doing my skincare for the day. Because I usually wash my face/shower right before bed at night, my skin isn’t too dirty by morning time.

The Best Face Wash for Dianne

As I am writing this, I am at a crossroads for my face wash/skin care. In the last few months, I’ve been struggling with some adult acne. It’s not horrible and makeup will cover it, but it was such a change in my skin that I went to see my dermatologist.

He was surprised to see me since I had never seen him for acne before. So I am currently on a prescription gel to help with that and it is helping. What’s interesting is that he told me to not change anything else, but I have decided that it’s time to try something new.

That said, I am going to list what I’ve been using, since we don’t think that’s been the “culprit”. As much as I hate to admit it, it’s most likely hormonal changes.

For face wash: Estee Lauder Perfectly Clean now, will be trying CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser

Bonus face wash: Estee Lauder Perfectly Clean Toner and Garnier Micellar water now, will be trying CeraVe Hydrating Micellar Water

Looking for more skin care tips? Try these skin care posts!

The Best Face Masks and Skin Care Treatments

Retinol vs. Hyaluronic Acid. The Best Products for Your Face