Best face washes July 2026
Finding the right face wash is key to a good skincare routine. This guide helps you compare the best options on the market right now, from gentle hydrating creams to purifying foaming gels. Our independent ranking makes it easy to see the pros and cons of each product and choose the perfect fit for your skin type and needs.
Last updated: 23 June 2026
CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser 473ml climbed 2 positions
Face Wash: Top 5
1
CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser 473ml
from £11.9510 stores
2
from £11.95
10 stores
2
CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser 473ml
from £13.006 stores
from £13.00
6 stores
3
La Roche Posay Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel 400ml
from £10.908 stores
from £10.90
8 stores
4
La Roche Posay Toleriane 2in1 Foaming Cleanser 400ml
from £11.926 stores
from £11.92
6 stores
5
Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm 125ml
from £9.5015 stores
from £9.50
15 stores
CeraVe's Hydrating Cleanser is a gentle, non-foaming cream that cleanses the skin while maintaining its natural moisture barrier. It is particularly well-suited for those with normal to dry or sensitive skin. It also effectively removes makeup and is free from parabens.
Pros
Moisturising cream formula
Suitable for dry and sensitive skin
Removes makeup
Large 473 ml bottle
Paraben free
Cons
May not feel 'cleansing' enough for oily skin
Lacks exfoliating or anti-acne ingredients
This Foaming Facial Cleanser from CeraVe is designed for normal to oily skin. Its mousse formula cleanses and removes makeup without disrupting the skin barrier. It is also enriched with Niacinamide (Vitamin B3) and is fragrance-free.
Pros
Good for normal to oily skin
Contains Niacinamide (Vitamin B3)
Fragrance free
Large 473 ml bottle
Effectively removes makeup
Cons
Can be too drying for very dry skin types
The Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel from La Roche Posay is a facial cleanser designed to purify the skin. The product is both paraben-free and claims to be cruelty-free, making it suitable for ethically-conscious buyers.
Pros
Purifying foaming gel formula
Paraben free
Cruelty free claim
Suitable for men and women
Cons
May be too harsh for dry or sensitive skin
Limited product specifications available
This 2-in-1 foaming cleanser from La Roche Posay's Toleriane line is designed to be gentle and soothing. It's suitable for a wide range of skin types, including sensitive skin, and works to remove makeup. It was also a finalist in the Swedish Beauty Awards 2025.
Pros
Soothing formula for sensitive skin
Versatile for most skin types
Removes makeup
Paraben free
Swedish Beauty Awards Finalist 2025
Cons
May not remove heavy waterproof makeup alone
Mousse texture might not be for everyone
Clinique's Take The Day Off is a cleansing balm with a unique solid-to-oil texture that melts away makeup and sunscreen. It's suitable for all skin types and stands out for its ethical claims, being vegan, cruelty-free, and paraben-free.
Pros
Excellent for removing heavy makeup
Unique balm-to-oil texture
Vegan and cruelty free
Paraben free
Cons
Smallest container size (125 ml)
May require a second cleanse for some skin types
Compare specifications
| Skin type | Normal, Dry, Oily, All, Sensitive | Normal, Combination, Oily, All | — | Normal, Combination, Dry, Oily, All, Sensitive, Mature | Normal, Combination, Dry, Oily, All, Sensitive, Mature |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suitable for | Women, Men | Women, Men | Women, Men | Women, Men | Women, Men |
| Consistency/Type | Cream | Mousse/Doam | — | Mousse/Doam | Balsam |
| Claims | Paraben free | Fragrance free | Cruelty free, Paraben free | Paraben free | Vegan, Cruelty free, Paraben free |
| Quantity | 473 ml/g | 473 ml/g | — | 400 ml/g | 125 ml/g |
| Features | Moisturising, Make up removal | Make up removal, Vitamin B3 (Niacinamide) | — | Soothing, Make up removal | Make up removal |
How we create the list
The ranking is updated monthly and is based on data we collect from our own platform. Products that rank highly are popular among our users while also maintaining high quality according to editorial expert assessments. Specifically, we weigh how many users follow the product via price alerts or lists, how it is rated by experts and users, as well as how much traffic it generates to stores and how well it is represented in retail. The texts on this page are AI-generated and created to give you a quick and clear overview. No products are paid placements – the ranking is driven solely by data.
