Ole Henriksen Vitamin C Power Bright

Ole Henriksen Vitamin C Power Bright

Ask any dermatologist and they'll tell you cleansing is a crucial part of any skincare regimen. A clean face is the canvas on which all your other creams, serums, toners and lotions can be placed. After all, you want all those expensive potions to do their best work, but they can't when your face is covered in excess oil and grime — they simply won't absorb well. A good, thorough cleansing can make skin feel luminous and help it breathe, removing the day's accumulation of grease and dirt.

Cleansing also removes product residue, dead skin cells, SPF, bacteria, excess sebum and the dirt that has settled on your face throughout the day. That's a lot of stuff you certainly don't want to seep into your pores and clog them up. Proper cleansing can help treat blemishes and comedones (clogged pores), and even give the skin a boost of hydration and anti-aging benefits. Some cleansers these days are sophisticated enough to treat a variety of skin concerns.

Related:Best skin care products of 2021

When to Wash Your Face

Most dermatologists recommend washing both in the morning and before you go to sleep. Washing before you go to bed makes perfect sense. A full day can take quite a toll on your skin, and if you wear makeup, you'll want to remove every stitch to make sure your skin can breathe again. Washing at night also allows your skin to recuperate after a day of absorbing pollutants and other irritants. Our skin also repairs itself at night as blood flow increases (in fact, this is one of the reasons anti-aging products and moisturizers absorb better at night), thus why cleansing can help keep it healthy and looking its best.

Washing in the morning is also important because overnight sebum is still accumulating on your skin as are dead skin cells. Washing once you wake allows you to start the morning with a clean slate, and if you put on a daily moisturizer or other products, a clean face will help the ingredients in these products absorb to the fullest.

Popular Ingredients in Cleansers

In this list, you will often encounter ingredients like allantoin, hyaluronic acid, glycolic acid and aloe. Allantoin is included in a number of skincare products because it is hydrating and soothing, helping to moisturize and calm in equal measure. Hyaluronic acid is a humectant like glycerin (also a popular ingredient) that helps skin to retain water and stay nicely plump and soft. Glycolic acid is a very good exfoliator that helps skin shed dead skin cells that can cluster and clog up pores or dull a complexion. Aloe helps soothe irritation while also providing moisture and anti-aging benefits.

Choosing the Right Cleanser

Of course cleansing will not serve much of a purpose if you haven't chosen the right facial cleanser for your needs. Know your skin type and pick accordingly. Dry skin can benefit from cream cleansers that are gentle and hydrating and don't have too much alcohol. Sensitive skin types should avoid cleansers with too much fragrance. Oily skin types can turn to foaming cleansers that will adequately get rid of too much sebum. Combination skin needs a moisturizing cleanser that will nonetheless also remove oil from the T-zone.

Gentle cleansers are particularly good at removing oil and dirt without stripping the skin of the natural oils necessary to keep it hydrated and soft. Look for gentle formulations if you have sensitive, dry or combination skin. If you sweat a lot from working out, you might want to look into an exfoliating cleanser that will help unclog pores.

A word on oil-based cleansers: Don't panic if you have oily or acne-prone skin, you can still use oil-based cleansers. Oil-based cleansers attach to the oil onto your skin and remove it when you rinse it off with water — like attracts like, after all. Oil-based cleansers also won't strip your skin of its natural oils. When cleansers are too abrasive, they strip away natural oils and leave skin more prone to dryness. Oil-based cleansers are also great at removing very stubborn makeup.

Take a look below at some of our choices for the best face washes and facial cleansers — you'll surely find something that's just right for you!

Best Face Wash for Dry Skin

Taking care of dry skin doesn't have to be a chore. The following cleansers have been vetted and come highly recommended by users and dermatologists alike. We hope you find exactly what you're looking for for your dry skin.

La Roche-Posay Toleriane
Hydrating Gentle Cleanser
Ceramides, glycerin and niacinamide team up to bring a burst of hydration to dry skin in this formula. Prebiotic thermal water is added to soothe and calm very dry skin that may also be red and irritated. You really can't go wrong with this one.

Eve Lom Gel Balm Cleanser
This is a soothing gel-to-balm formula. It is fortified with shea butter and grapeseed oil, both highly moisturizing ingredients that will help keep skin soft and smooth. It also removes waterproof makeup easily.

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Cleanser Gel
Neutrogena's popular Hydro Boost Cleanser Gel is paraben-free, soap-free, oil-free and hypoallergenic. It also won't clog pores. Hyaluronic acid is the key ingredient that helps draw in moisture to keep skin plump and soft.

BiodermaSensibio H20 Micellar Water
This micellar water cleanser from Bioderma is free of sulfates, parabens, fragrances, oil, soap and alcohol. It is very gentle and thoroughly cleanses skin of grime and makeup without stripping away the skin's natural oils.

CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser
This popular drugstore face wash contains ceramides and hyaluronic acid. Ceramides are also naturally occurring lipids that help hydrate and moisturize. Like hyaluronic acid, they are non-irritating and highly effective in keeping skin plump and youthful.

First Aid Beauty Face Cleanser
Allantoin, aloe and glycerin are three of the main ingredients in this face wash from First Aid Beauty. These are all soothing, non-irritating and hydrating ingredients that will help calm and moisturize your dry skin.

AveenoUltra-Calming Foaming Cleanser & Makeup Remover
This formula will give you clear and clean skin without overdrying it. It also contains calming feverfew extract to help ease symptoms of irritation like redness and itchiness, which can often accompany very dry skin.

Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cleanser
Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cleanser cleanses without overdrying thanks to ingredients like avocado oil, apricot kernel oil and squalane. It has also been specifically tested for safety and gentleness.

Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser
This is another popular drugstore option that is affordable and very helpful for dry skin. It is soothing and extremely gentle (good enough for a baby's skin) and doesn't contain any harsh soaps.

Best Face Wash for Oily Skin

CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser
Foaming facial cleansers are recommended for oily skin by dermatologists. This one from CeraVe is affordable and helps cut through oil but also provide hydration thanks to nourishing ingredients ceramides, hyaluronic acid and niacinamide.

Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Hydrating Cleanser
This ultra gentle formula from Neutrogena can even be used on those with sensitive skin or who are dealing with eczema and psoriasis. It only has a few ingredients, with glycerin near the top to provide hydration after oil is cleansed away.

Renée Rouleau AHA/BHA Blemish Control Cleanser
AHAs and BHAs are acids that help combat acne and oiliness. If your oily skin is acne-prone this is a great choice because it will reduce pimples and blackheads by helping to unclog blocked pores. It features salicylic, lactic and glycolic acids to effectively cut through excess oil without leaving skin feeling too dry or tight.

La Roche Posay Effaclar Medicated Gel Cleanser
Featuring salicylic acid, this foaming face wash for oily skin exfoliates without overdrying. It also includes lipo-hydroxy acid to further unclog pores.

AveneCleansing Foam
A lightweight, gentle foaming cleanser for oily skin, this offering from Avene has been clinically shown to reduce oiliness by 54% after only one use. It is soap-free, oil-free and non-comedogenic.

NeoCutis Exfoliating Skin Cleanser
Glycolic acid and glycerin team up to provide exfoliation and hydration in this cleanser from NeoCutis. It is formulated without harsh sulfates, dyes and fragrances.

DermalogicaDermal Clay Cleanser
Kaolin and green clay are among the key ingredients in this cleanser, and they are great at wiping away excess oil and giving skin a matte complexion. These clays also help unclog pores to prevent acne formation.

Tatcha The Deep Cleanse Exfoliating Cleanser
This is a gel cleanser that is mildly exfoliating with ground fibers from the Japanese Luffa fruit. It provides a deep clean without causing overdrying or that uncomfortable tight feeling.

Sunday Riley Ceramic Slip Clay Cleanser
Another clay cleanser with the superb ability to cut through oil, this one from Sunday Riley is great for unclogging blocked pores and also tightening pores to make smaller in appearance.

Ole Henriksen Find Your Balance Oil Control Cleanser
This is a top reviewed cleanser for oily skin at Sephora. It is said to be able to clear out pores, reduce blackheads, shrink pores in size and mattify the T-zone area.

Mario Badescu Glycolic Foaming Cleanser
Glycolic acid is a great ingredient for oily skin because it helps mattify skin and gently exfoliates to reduce the appearance of blackheads and large pores. This cleanser will fight acne without disrupting the skin's natural pH balance.

Formulyst Clarifying AHA Cleanser
Formulated with AHA (alpha hydroxy acids), this cleanser both cleanses and exfoliates while thoroughly removing dirt, grime and makeup.

Best Face Wash for Men

We've compiled a list of best cleansers for men that address a variety of skin concerns, depending on your personal skin needs. Even if men's skin is generally thick and oily, you may still deal with problems like dryness and sensitivity. This list has a little something for everyone

Clinique for Men Charcoal Face Wash
If you have very oily and acne-prone skin, a charcoal-based face wash is a great choice. Activated charcoal draws out impurities like dirt, sebum and dead skin cells to give you clean and clear pores.

Kiehl's Facial Fuel Energizing Face Wash
This is an invigorating gel cleanser formulated with caffeine, menthol and vitamin E to give your skin a wake-up call. With use of this cleanser, skin will not only cleanse your skin but also stimulate it and make it feel refreshed. It will also give fatigued skin a big boost.

ClarinsMen Active Face Wash
This is a soap-free foaming gel that is great for oily and sensitive skin. It is especially formulated to remove pollutants and impurities to help fight acne-causing factors and help combat aging.

Jack Black Pure Clean Daily Facial Cleanser
Jack Black's Pure Clean Daily Facial Cleanser does double duty as a cleanser and toner. Key ingredient witch hazel acts as an astringent, toner and antioxidant to clear away excess oil while aloe and chamomile are there to reduce redness and to soothe and calm skin.

CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser
The Hydrating Facial Cleanser from CeraVe is great for men who don't want to spend too much on their skin care products, but still want results. A popular drugstore brand, CeraVe is a tried and tested line that includes ingredients like ceramides and hyaluronic acid to hydrate and protect.

Anthony Glycolic Acid Cleanser
A glycolic acid cleanser like this one is great for those with acne-prone skin. It will not only cleanse skin thoroughly, but thanks to glycolic acid, it will also exfoliate to unclog pores and fight signs of aging like wrinkles and age spots. It can further help combat razor bumps and ingrown hairs.

Best Face Wash for Sensitive Skin

It is generally recommended that you only cleanse once a day to avoid stripping away too many of your natural oils. If you tend to exfoliate, you should limit it to once per week or perhaps even less (it all depends on how your skin reacts to certain exfoliants). These gentle face washes are popular and highly rated, and come recommended by many dermatologists.

CetaphilDaily Facial Cleanser
Cetaphil is a popular drugstore brand and a recommended choice for sensitive skin. It is unscented and non-comedogenic, which means it won't clog pores.

Avène Antirougeurs CLEAN Redness-Relief Refreshing Cleansing Lotion
This is one of the gentlest cleansers available on the market, and will help reduce redness and irritation. It is paraben-, fragrance- and soap-free to boot.

CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser
Another popular drugstore brand, this cleanser is fragrance-free and non-comedogenic. It features ceramides (naturally occurring fats) that hydrate and nourish.

La Roche-PosayToleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser
This creamy and luxurious face wash will not only remove all traces of makeup, but also nourish skin with its gentle ingredients of thermal water, glycerin and ceramides.

Fresh Soy Face Cleanser
Fresh's popular Soy Face Cleanser is also free of soaps and fragrances. It features lovely ingredients like soy, aloe vera and cucumber to keep sensitive skin refreshed and calm.

First Aid BeautyFace Cleanser
First Aid Beauty as a brand usually features very gentle products. This one is no exception, as it contains aloe, glycerin and allantoin to keep skin hydrated and cleansed without stripping away crucial oils.

Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel
The mint and lavender in this gel formula help soothe and calm skin. This cleanser is considered very gentle and pleasing overall.

Skinceuticals Soothing Cleanser Foam
Great for dry or combination sensitive skin, this foaming cleanser helps remove impurities and grime without over-drying. It hydrates with ingredients like glycerin and cucumber extract.

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gentle Cleansing Lotion
This gentle formula is sulfate- and fragrance-free, and features hydrating hyaluronic acid to keep skin plump. It also won't clog pores and happens to be very affordable.

Formulyst Gentle Foaming Cleanser
This cleanser turns into a lovely foam upon application, giving you a luxurious cleansing experience. Regenerative ingredients like rosehip seed oil and vitamins A, C and E provide hydration while also protecting from free radical damage.

Eucerin Ultra Sensitive Cleansing Lotion
Eucerin's Ultra Sensitive Cleansing Lotion is free of preservatives, parabens, fragrances and emulsifiers. This cleanser will help reduce redness and calm irritation.

Best Overall Cleansers

Estee LauderPerfectly Clean
Estee Lauder's Perfectly Clean cleanser is also a purifying mask — a true multitasking wonder. It works itself into a rich foaming lather immediately and feels soft and calming against skin. To use this as a purifying mask, massage it onto dry skin and leave it on for three minutes before rinsing off. Among its nourishing ingredients are lady's thistle, gentian root extract, algae extract and sodium hyaluronate. Lady's thistle is an antioxidant that also soothes as it works to fight free radical damage. Free radicals can be a result of everyday pollution that we don't realize is having an adverse effect on our skin. Free radicals can also speed up aging. Cleansers with antioxidants help to reverse this damage. Gentian root extract is also a skin-soother and antioxidant. It helps to cleanse while also keeping skin soft. Algae extract moisturizes and helps fortify the skin barrier. The skin barrier is basically a wall of lipids and skin cells that protects from outside irritants. A breached barrier can result in redness, itching and flakiness. You won't have to worry about excessive dryness with this cleanser, as it also contains sodium hyaluronate, the salt of hyaluronic acid. Great at retaining water, this ingredient will ensure skin stays supple as it gets clean.

Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cleanser
Thisis a very gentle cleanser that is appropriate for all skin types. It won't overdry or remove too much of the skin's natural oils. This formulation contains squalane, apricot kernel oil and vitamin E as its main ingredients. All of these are highly moisturizing. Squalane is a lipid derived from olives. It helps moisturize and keep skin soft. Squalane is also non-comedogenic and can help curb oil production, making it ideal for oily or combination skin types. Apricot kernel oil helps to nourish and hydrate skin. It is an emollient that soothes and softens for a supple feel and look. The vitamin E in this cleanser also softens while using its antioxidant powers to fight off free radicals. With squalane and vitamin E working together, you could say this cleanser has anti-aging benefits as well.

OriginsChecks and Balances Frothy Face Wash
This delightfully frothy face wash is ideal for combination skin, as it helps to balance out the dry (cheeks) and oily (T-zone) areas of the face. Infused with broad leaf kelp extract, wheat protein and tourmaline, it controls oil production but also keeps skin hydrated. Tourmaline cleanses, broad leaf kelp extract reduces excess sebum while wheat protein moisturizes to counterbalance this reduction. Skin never becomes overly dry or develops that uncomfortable tight feeling. It's also left feeling refreshed and balanced. This lotion is very rich and smells like spearmint, bergamot and lavender thanks to those essential oil notes.

Eve Lom Cleanser
The Eve Lom Cleanser is actually a balm that can also be used as a very effective makeup remover. It contains a variety of oils that cleanse, tone and soften. Clove oil has antiseptic properties, which can help it reduce bacteria on the surface of skin, leaving it perfectly clean and free of blemishes. Eucalyptus oil helps remove toxins. Hops oil tones to remove any and all remaining oil, dirt and grime and restore pH balance. Egyptian chamomile oil hydrates to soften and soothe for a very smooth overall look. Finally, cocoa butter conditions and moisturizes even further to fully soften and keep skin from becoming excessively dry. This cleanser is great for all skin types, but might be especially good for dry and sensitive types.

Fresh Soy Face Cleanser
This is a very gentle cleanser that can also serve as an effective makeup remover, even on stubborn makeup like mascara. Active ingredients include soy proteins, rosewater, cucumber extract and borage seed oil. Soy proteins condition both hair and skin. It can restore softness and improve elasticity as well as smooth out wrinkles and rough texture. Rosewater is very soothing, acting as a toner that can hydrate while also calming and cooling irritated skin and reducing blemishes. Cucumber extract is also soothing with noted skin lightening effects. It calms angry skin that may have been irritated, helping to reduce redness. Borage seed oil nourishes, hydrates and conditions for a truly soft and supple feel.

Purity Made Simple Facial Cleanser
Purity's Made Simple Facial Cleanser offers a 3-in-1 solution as it cleanses, tones and hydrates, eliminating the need for three products — if you're not in the mood for a full-on skincare routine, that is. It fully eliminates makeup as well. The truth is, sometimes you don't want to cleanse, tone and moisturize separately, and this product can help you do all three at once. Meadowfoam seed oil is one of the main ingredients in this formulation. It is an antioxidant that nonetheless also nourishes and hydrates phenomenally. It helps lock in moisture to keep skin as supple as possible. Rosewood oil, another active ingredient, has an abundance of uses. It can help control excess oil production and treat blemishes. It can treat cuts, dermatitis and inflammation, while also conditioning skin and improving the appearance of wrinkles. Overall, not a bad oil to have in a skincare product, and that's an understatement. Sandalwood oil is especially great for chapped and dry skin conditions, as well as excessively oily conditions. It is a great balancing oil that would benefit combination skin.

CliniqueTake The Day Off Cleansing Balm
Taking the day off sounds awfully refreshing, doesn't it? After a full day of working and toiling, it is so wonderful to be able to remove all the dirt, grime and accumulated oil off your face — not to mention to strip away all vestiges of makeup. This is also a balm that transforms into an oil upon application. It is technically a makeup remover that nonetheless works as a cleanser as well. You apply it to dry skin in circular motions and rinse off with warm water. It has a rather short ingredient list with safflower oil near the top. Safflower oil contains linolenic acid. This is a fatty acid that is essentially a skin-conditioning agent that also protects and improves skin barrier function. The skin barrier is a combination of lipids and flattened skin cells that keeps pollution, irritants and other unfriendlies out. Your skin barrier may be compromised if you're experiencing redness, peeling or flakiness, or itching. Despite containing oil, this formula is non-greasy, won't clog pores and won't dry out skin.

Mario BadescuEnzyme Cleansing Gel
This is a non-foaming cleanser that works for all skin types but may be especially great for oily skin, as it removes excess oil and reduces shine. It contains fruit enzymes and alpha hydroxy acids to not only cleanse but also exfoliate to remove dead skin cells. This can help exceptionally for those who are acne-prone or have rough texture and dullness. Papaya and grapefruit extract are the main ingredients in this formulation. They naturally contain alpha hydroxy acids (glycolic, lactic and citric). These acids help renew and rejuvenate by removing the "glue" that holds skin cells together and makes them cluster and sometimes even form into comedones (blackheads). However, this won't cause skin to flake like some stronger peels, instead it will give you a lovely and fresh glow. And isn't that what we all want from a cleanser?

EltaMD Foaming Facial Cleanser
This is a great cleanser for oily skin prone to breakouts. It cleanses and helps reduce blemishes without overdrying, a common concern with many cleansers that promise to treat pimples. Key ingredients include bromelain and apple amino acids. Bromelain is an enzyme found in pineapples that is an anti-inflammatory. As pimples are a result of inflammation, this explains why this cleanser is so good at treating them. This is also what causes the cleanser to foam. Bromelain is even used in medical settings to decrease inflammation after injury or surgery. Apple amino acids are also foaming agents, but they also hydrate and condition skin to keep it from overdrying or becoming unbearably taut. If you have oily skin, definitely give this cleanser a try.

First Aid BeautyFace Cleanser
If you're looking for a solution to dryness and redness, this cleanser is a sure bet. Key ingredients include aloe, allantoin and glycerin, with an antioxidant boost courtesy of feverfew, licorice root and white tea extracts. Aloe has many benefits, among them the ability to calm redness and inflammation — you may have used it on sunburns in the past. It is full of vitamins A, C and E, which are antioxidants. It is also wound-healing and a great moisturizer to boot. Allantoin is a chemical compound derived from the comfrey plant. It also, like aloe, exhibits calming and moisturizing properties. Glycerin is a humectant commonly found in a variety of skincare products. It helps the skin retain water and keeps it soft and fresh. Feverfew, licorice root and white tea extracts are in this formula for their antioxidant properties. Antioxidants neutralize free radicals, giving this cleanser an anti-aging component that is sure to satisfy users. We all want a bit of anti-aging power in our products, don't we? Licorice root is also a whitening agent that can treat acne scars and other discoloration, helping to even out skin tone. This cleanser will leave skin feeling relaxed, smooth and hydrated with a little something extra to keep it healthy.

ShiseidoBenefiance Extra Creamy Cleansing Foam
This luxurious cleanser feels like heaven on the skin. Thanks to sodium hyaluronate, it keeps skin extremely soft and richly hydrates for a supple complexion. Sodium hyaluronate is the salt of hyaluronic acid. Like hyaluronic acid, it is able to retain 1,000 times its weight in water. This means it can lock in moisture in the skin to give it a plump and beautiful effect. It can also plump up fine lines and wrinkles to make them less noticeable. This cleanser can also potentially lighten and brighten skin, as it contains sophora angustifolia root extract, which has shown the ability to reduce melanin transfer as effectively as other melanin-inhibiting ingredients like hydroquinone and niacinamide. If you have acne scars, melasma or other discoloration, regular use of this cleanser may be able to give you a more even tone.

AmorepacificTreatment Enzyme Peel
For a truly thorough clean, try Amorepacific's Treatment Enzyme Peel. This product delves deep into pores to exfoliate and dissolve dead skin cells that can cause dullness and uneven texture. Key ingredients include papaya extract, green tea leaf extract, ginger root extract and allantoin. Papaya extract contains alpha hydroxy acids, which are the exfoliators in this cleanser that can unbind dead skin cells and slough them away to reveal clearer skin. Green tea leaf extract contains polyphenols, which are free radical scavengers. They not only neutralize free radicals, but also improve moisture content of skin and reduce roughness. Ginger root extract is an antioxidant that also works against free radicals. It can soothe inflammation as well. Allantoin is a skin soothing ingredient that hydrates for a deliciously smooth feel.

La MerCleansing Foam
Nothing is quite as luxurious as La Mer, and this cleansing foam is right in line with the company's other fabulous products. This cleanser of course contains the trademarked Miracle Broth as one of its main ingredients. Miracle Broth ingredients include sea kelp, copper, calcium, magnesium, potassium, lecithin, iron, vitamins C, E, and B12, and citrus, eucalyptus, wheat germ, alfalfa and sunflower oils. A three-month fermentation technique is used to get all of these ingredients to unlock their magic powers, we assume. Unfortunately, we're not privy to exactly how the fermentation technique works, but the proof is in the pudding, as La Mer products continue to be among the best-selling products in the world. Although several types of seaweed go into this "broth," the company claims Macrosys pyrifera is of the best quality. Seaweed, or marine algal compounds, in general has shown many skin improving benefits. There is evidence that it can both prevent collagen degradation and even out skin tone. It also has anti-inflammatory action that can prevent inflammation and soothe skin overall. Other ingredients besides the Miracle Broth that can provide moisturizing and soothing effects are aloe leaf water and sodium hyaluronate.

BeautyCounterCleansing Balm
If you prefer balms to foaming cleansers, consider tryingBeautyCounter'sCleansing Balm. You use it by massaging a nickel-sized amount onto dry skin then wiping it off with a damp muslin cloth (included with the balm), and rinsing your face. This can also be used as an overnight mask. This balm hydrates skin thanks to raspberry and cranberry seed oils, while lightening with vitamin C. Vitamin C inhibits tyrosinase, an enzyme that stimulates melanin production. It can help remove dark spots and even out skin tone for an overall brighter complexion. Other superbly hydrating ingredients include apricot kernel oil, sweet almond oil, jojoba oil, shea butter and avocado oil. These oils soothe and moisturize to leave skin feeling soft and pure. Vitamin E, on the other hand, contains a bit of anti-aging appeal thanks to its strong free radical scavenging abilities.

Clinique Moisture Surge
Clinique Moisture Surge is an oil-free, gel-cream moisturizer that is said to provide hydration that goes over 10 layers deep and lasts for 100 hours, even after washing your face. The high concentration of silicones in this formula give it a smooth, silky feel upon application, while the humectants — like glycerin, trehalose, sucrose, and aloe vera — draw moisture into the skin. Another hydrating ingredient in Clinique Moisture Surge is sodium hyaluronate, the sodium salt form of hyaluronic acid that has the ability to attract and hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water. By improving the skin's moisture retention, sodium hyaluronate provides a plumped up, bouncy complexion.

AveneXeraCalm A.D Lipid-Replenishing Cleansing Oil
Avene's XeraCalm Cleansing Oil is exactly what inflamed, itchy skin needs. This cleanser is specially formulated to treat those suffering from eczema or atopic dermatitis. It contains patented I-Modulia, a complex derived from Avene thermal spring water to soothe itching and irritation, and cer-omega, derived from evening primrose, to hydrate and restore the skin barrier. The skin barrier is essentially what keeps skin protected, but it can be damaged, and when damaged, it usually results in flakiness, itching and redness — symptoms often associated with eczema and atopic dermatitis. This cleanser also contains aquaphilus dolomiae extract, which has been shown in studies to have an anti-inflammatory effect. Evening primrose oil, another ingredient, has been shown to improve hydration and transepidermal water loss (TEWL). TEWL refers to the loss of moisture through the epidermis. It can aggravate inflammation and lead to even more dryness.

DHCDeep Cleansing Oil
A cult favorite, this cleansing oil removes dirt, oil, and makeup in one fell swoop. Like other cleansing oils, you first apply it to dry skin and massage onto your face in circular motions, then rinse off. The very first ingredient in this cleanser is olive oil. Phenolic compounds in olive oil serve as effective antioxidatr  nts. Olive oil has also demonstrated wound healing and anti-inflammatory effects, with a possible positive effect on skin aging. Olive oil is mainly made up of oleic acid, which is a fatty acid that is deeply hydrating and non-comedogenic (won't clog pores). It is also an antioxidant that can help combat wrinkles and other signs of aging. This formulation also contains vitamin E, another formidable antioxidant that reverses free radical damage. A third key ingredient, rosemary oil, has been shown to increase hydration and have a moderate effect on increasing skin elasticity.

Mario BadescuGlycolic Foaming Cleanser
An exfoliating cleanser enables you to kill two birds with one stone.Mario Badescu'sGlycolic Foaming Cleanser cleanses as it exfoliates t o give you a smooth and bright complexion. Say goodbye to acne scars, discoloration, large pores and fine lines, as glycolic acid goes to work to refine and rejuvenate. Glycolic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid that helps shed old dead skin cells to reveal more youthful-looking skin. It's great to use one or three times a week to target those signs of aging and other common skin problems. This formula also soothes with a blend of chamomile (an anti-inflammatory), marshmallow (also used for eczema and dermatitis), yarrow (an anti-inflammatory and astringent), St. John's wort (an anti-inflammatory) and sage (an anti-inflammatory and astringent) extracts.

CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser &Foaming Facial Cleanser
Cerave is a drugstore brand that is affordable and effective. The Hydrating Cleanser is a non-foaming cleanser that gently removes dirt, oil and makeup, while also quenching thirsty, dry skin with hyaluronic acid and ceramides. Hyaluronic acid is a very popular ingredient in skincare products because it can retain a lot of water (1,000 times its weight), enabling it to deeply hydrate skin. Ceramides are lipid molecules present in the strateum cornum, or the skin barrier. Oftentimes, in skin disorders like atopic dermatitis and eczema, ceramides in the skin barrier are diminished. Replenishing them can potentially help treat these problems. In the case of this cleanser, ceramides provide hydration and ensure the skin barrier is kept strong and healthy.

CeraVe's Foaming Facial Cleanser thoroughly cleanses with its robust foaming action to remove surface oils without disrupting the skin barrier. This formula also contains ceramides and hyaluronic acid, and adds a third ingredient: niacinamide. Niacinamide, or vitamin B3, performs many duties. In studies, it has shown to be effective in treating discoloration, improving elasticity, reducing redness and reducing wrinkles.

Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser
Another great drugstore brand, Cetaphil is claimed to be "gentle enough for a baby's skin." That certainly sounds promising! This formulation works for all skin types, including sensitive ones, thanks to a soap-free composition that won't strip skin's natural oils or overdry. This is a very gentle cleanser with a skin-conditioning agent called propylene glycol and a foaming agent called sodium lauryl sulfate. Though the ingredient list is sparse, together these two substances help to cleanse (with sodium lauryl sulfate) and moisturize (with propylene glycol). One thing going for this cleanser is the fact that it only has eight ingredients. This may account for its gentleness. If you don't like too many ingredients in your cosmetics, this may be just the right cleanser for you.

SkinMedica Facial Cleanser
Like any good cleanser, SkinMedica's best-selling facial cleanser removes dirt and oil while also being highly moisturizing. The two key ingredients in this cleanser are panthenol (a provitamin of vitamin B5) and camellia oleifera leaf extract. Panthenol is the ingredient that accounts for the superb moisturizing ability of this cleanser. In studies, it has shown a propensity for binding moisture to the skin to keep it hydrated for a long time. Camellia oleifera leaf extract, on the other hand, is an antioxidant that helps counter free radical damage. It is also an anti-inflammatory and astringent that can help calm and soothe while also dealing with excess oil production.

SkinCeuticals Gentle Cleanser
This cleanser is designed for sensitive, dry or post-procedure skin. Post-procedure skin refers to skin that has undergone some type of treatment like chemical peels, microneedling, microdermabrasion or laser treatments. This is a cream cleanser that is non-foaming. It contains orange oil, allantoin and glycerin to soothe, combat oil and moisturize. Orange oil is an antiseptic that also calms irritated or red skin. Allantoin is also very soothing and very hydrating, and can be found in a number of cleansers. Glycerin is a humectant that helps lock in moisture to keep skin silky soft. With these three key ingredients, this cleanser can address issues like heightened sensitivity, aging and dehydration.

Advanced DermatologyDaily Renew Cleanser
The Daily Renew Cleanser is formulated with a variety of botanicals and humectants to help counter aging and dryness. Glycerin is the third ingredient on the list. A powerful humectant, it keeps skin adequately hydrated even as it is being depleted of excess oil by the cleansing process. The top plant extracts in this formula include rosa rubiginosis seed oil, eriobotrya japonica extract and chondrus crispus extract. Other plant botanicals include green tea leaf extract and chamomile extract, both antioxidants. Rosa rubiginosis seed oil contains vitamin A and vitamin C, making it a good exfoliator and skin brightener. It's also an antioxidant (fighting free radicals) and diuretic (reducing puffiness). Eriobotrya japonica extract is used to firm up skin and reduce wrinkling while also providing moisturizing effects. Chondrus crispus extract is hydrating and water-binding, meaning it locks moisture into the skin to keep it soft and rejuvenated.

Formulyst Gentle Foaming Cleanser
The ideal cleanser should give skin a deep clean without stripping it of too much moisture, which means your face will be squeaky clean without feeling tight and dry. Formulyst's Gentle Foaming Cleanser does exactly that. This ultra-gentle foaming cleanser whisks away dirt, sweat and makeup but won't over dry the skin. Skin is left clean and feeling soft and supple thanks to nourishing rosehip seed oil as well as vitamins A, C and E.

Ole Henriksen Vitamin C Power Bright

Source: https://thedermreview.com/best-face-wash-and-facial-cleanser/