Best Face Washes September 2026
A good face wash effectively removes dirt, excess oil, and makeup without disrupting your skin barrier. This independent guide compares top-rated facial cleansers by skin type compatibility, active ingredients, and formula texture to help you choose the ideal match for your daily routine.
Last updated: 1 September 2026
La Roche Posay Toleriane 2in1 Foaming Cleanser 400ml climbed 1 position
Face Wash: Top 5
1
CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser 473ml
from £12.956 stores
from £12.95
6 stores
2
CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser 473ml
from £13.499 stores
from £13.49
9 stores
3
La Roche Posay Toleriane 2in1 Foaming Cleanser 400ml
from £11.926 stores
1
from £11.92
6 stores
4
La Roche Posay Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel 400ml
from £12.088 stores
from £12.08
8 stores
5
CeraVe Foaming Cleanser Refill 473ml
from £13.004 stores
from £13.00
4 stores
CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser is formulated to wash away daily impurities, excess oil, and makeup without stripping the skin. Its light foaming texture is enriched with vitamin B3 (niacinamide) to help calm normal to oily skin types. The fragrance-free recipe makes it gentle enough for everyday morning and evening use.
Pros
Contains soothing niacinamide
Fragrance-free formula
Effective makeup removal
Large 473 ml bottle
Cons
Foam may feel drying on very dry skin
Bulky bottle size for traveling
CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser provides a non-foaming lotion texture that cleanses while supporting natural skin moisture. It effectively removes light makeup and daily grime without leaving tight or dry sensations. The paraben-free formula works especially well for dry and sensitive complexions.
Pros
Non-drying creamy texture
Paraben-free formulation
Suitable for sensitive and dry skin
Generous 473 ml capacity
Cons
Does not produce a foaming lather
May feel too rich for very oily skin
La Roche Posay Toleriane 2in1 Foaming Cleanser is designed to purify the skin while keeping sensitive and reactive complexions calm. The mousse texture gently dissolves makeup and daily buildup without causing irritation. Its paraben-free composition caters to virtually all skin types, including mature and delicate skin.
Pros
Soothing formula for reactive skin
Award-finalist formulation
Paraben-free recipe
Removes daily makeup easily
Cons
Smaller bottle than CeraVe options
Foaming finish may not suit severe dryness
La Roche Posay Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel provides targeted cleansing to wash away excess sebum and surface impurities. The clear gel turns into a light lather that leaves the skin feeling clean and fresh. It is both cruelty-free and paraben-free, offering a reliable choice for daily clarity.
Pros
Cruelty-free certified
Paraben-free formula
Purifying gel texture
Generous 400 ml pump bottle
Cons
Can feel drying on dry skin types
Holds less product than 473 ml rivals
CeraVe Foaming Cleanser Refill lets you replenish your favourite daily face wash while reducing plastic packaging waste. It features the same skin-friendly formula containing moisturising agents and niacinamide to balance and cleanse normal to oily skin. The paraben-free gel easily removes daily makeup and dirt.
Pros
Eco-friendly refill format
Enriched with vitamin B3
Paraben-free formula
Same large 473 ml capacity
Cons
Requires a separate reusable pump bottle
Pouch packaging can be tricky to store open
Compare specifications
| Skin type | Normal, Combination, Oily, All | Normal, Dry, Oily, All, Sensitive | Normal, Combination, Dry, Oily, All, Sensitive, Mature | — | Normal, Dry, Oily, Sensitive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suitable for | Women, Men | Women, Men | Women, Men | Women, Men | Women, Men |
| Consistency/Type | Mousse/Doam | Cream | Mousse/Doam | — | Gel |
| Claims | Fragrance free | Paraben free | Paraben free | Cruelty free, Paraben free | Paraben free |
| Quantity | 473 ml/g | 473 ml/g | 400 ml/g | — | 473 ml/g |
| Features | Make up removal, Vitamin B3 (Niacinamide) | Moisturising, Make up removal | Soothing, Make up removal | — | Moisturising, Make up removal, Vitamin B3 (Niacinamide) |
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.
