The best drugstore cleansers prove that a great skin-care routine doesn’t begin with a luxury price tag. For less than $30, these hardworking, no-nonsense formulas do it all: wash away makeup and sunscreen, clear out the day’s buildup, and leave your skin feeling calm, comfortable, and balanced.
Whether you’re dealing with shine that shows up by lunchtime or dryness that won’t quit, there’s a drugstore cleanser for you. They’re packed with dermatologist-loved ingredients like ceramides, glycerin, and hyaluronic acid, so they cleanse without undoing all the good work your serums and moisturizers are doing. Bottom line: These wallet-friendly formulas make washing your face feel less like a chore and more like the easiest upgrade you can make to your routine.
Our Top Drugstore Cleansers
Frequently Asked Questions
We’ve tested tons of formulas and sought dermatologists to give us the in on the drugstore cleansers we should add to-cart now.
Best Overall: La Roche-Posay Hydrating Gentle Cleanser
Why it’s worth it: La Roche-Posay’s Hydrating Gentle Cleanser is the kind of everyday hero your skin can count on, no matter what time of year. Loved across all skin types—Dara Spearman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Fort Wayne, IN, highlights its fragrance-free, non-foaming, and ceramide- and glycerin-boosted formula thoroughly cleanses while supporting the skin barrier—so it’s especially great for those with sensitive skin. Need further proof? It has a Seal of Acceptance from the National Eczema Association and Allure Best of Beauty Awards. It’s perfect for anyone dealing with dryness, eczema, and rosacea, thanks to a hydration dream team (ceramides, niacinamide, glycerin, and prebiotic thermal water) that maintains moisture.
Tester feedback from contributing commerce editor Deanna Pai
“Sorry, but I love to beat up my skin. There’s nothing that I won’t put on or in it—Retinol! Glycolic acid! Botox! And whenever that comes around to bite me—meaning my skin feels tight and raw—I rely on this cleanser, which feels instantly nourishing. It’s powerful enough to remove my makeup (although I do tackle waterproof mascara with my micellar water) but always leaves my skin calm, cool, and comfortable.” —Deanna Pai, contributing commerce editor
- Key ingredients: ceramides, glycerin, niacinamide
- Who it’s for: all skin types
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Makeup Removal: Cetaphil Nourishing Oil to Foam Cleanser
Why it’s worth it: Cetaphil’s Nourishing Oil to Foam Cleanser turns a daily routine into a moment of skin-care magic. The formula starts as a silky oil that swiftly dissolves makeup, SPF, and dirt, and then transforms into a gentle foam that rinses clean without leaving skin tight or dry. Pentavitin (a plant-based carbohydrate complex that mimics skin sugars and acts as a humectant) works behind the scenes to hydrate and lock in moisture for up to 24 hours, while flaxseed oil soothes —leaving skin feeling refreshed and balanced (no stripping here!), all for under $10.
Tester feedback from associate manager of audience development Melanie Curry
“I’m a huge fan of drugstore cleansers, especially Cetaphil products. This cleanser easily removes my makeup (when I’m wearing it) and the gunk and grime of the day without leaving my skin super dry and stripped. It has a lathering formula that gets into the crevices of my skin, like the edge of my nostrils and underneath the lips, where dirt is stubborn to remove.” —Melanie Curry, associate manager of audience development
- Key ingredients: flaxseed oil, pentavitin
- Who it’s for: people with normal or dry skin
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Sensitive Skin: Aveeno Calm + Restore Face Cleanser
Why it’s worth it: Stressed-out skin meets its match in Aveeno’s Calm + Restore Face Cleanser. This fragrance-free formula pairs soothing feverfew (a herb that looks like a daisy) with nourishing oat to gently wash away dirt and buildup while helping protect the skin barrier. The texture starts light and creamy, then transforms into a soft foam that cleanses thoroughly without overdoing it. The result is skin that feels calm, cushioned, and comfortably hydrated long after you rinse.
“My skin isn’t normally sensitive but every now and then the skin around my eyes will get very irritated. When that happens I bust out my Aveeno Clam + Restore cleanser. This foaming face wash is gentle yet effective in cleaning my face and it always leaves my skin feeling moisturized—not dry and cracked.” —Annie Blay-Tettey, associate beauty editor
- Key ingredients: oat, feverfew
- Who it’s for: people with sensitive skin
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Combination Skin: CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser
Why it’s worth it: if your skin can’t make up its mind between dry and oily, CeraVe’s Foaming Facial Cleanser gets it. This crowd-pleasing formula strikes the rare balance of deeply cleansing without tipping skin into tight, squeaky territory. A trio of barrier-supporting ceramides (1, 3, and 6-II) helps keep skin strong and resilient, while hyaluronic acid pulls moisture to the surface. Niacinamide steps in to soothe and keep redness in check, making this a smart pick for combo, sensitive, or “it changes daily” skin types. The gel-to-foam texture lifts away excess oil, dirt, and makeup, leaving skin feeling clean and balanced.
“This has been my ride or die cleanser for years! I always come back to it. It lathers up so satisfyingly and lifts every ounce of dirt, oil, and makeup away without drying out my super-sensitive skin. I love that it’s not too thick or sticky and doesn’t leave a residue, like some other cleansers I’ve tried. Sometimes, simple is best, and I think this cleanser really proves that.” —Sarah Felbin, senior commerce editor
- Key ingredients: ceramides, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide
- Who it’s for: people with combination, dry, or oily skin
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best Cleansing Oil: Skin1004 Madagascar Centella Light Cleansing Oil
Why it’s worth it: Skin1004 Madagascar Centella Light Cleansing Oil feels almost too good to be true. The brand builds every formula around calming Centella asiatica (also known as cica) sourced from Madagascar, where the plant thrives in untouched conditions for maximum potency. The cleansing oil itself is incredibly lightweight, making it suitable for every skin type. Our oily, acne-prone editors love it, and Joyce Park, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Washington, calls it a favorite for her sensitive, rosacea-prone skin. “The cica is super calming, and the texture is delightfully light,” she says. True to Skin1004’s minimalist approach, the formula keeps it simple with just four oils—bergamot, sunflower seed, olive fruit, and jojoba—delivering gentle yet effective cleansing without any heaviness.
“I don’t want to be dramatic, but this has capital-T transformed by cleansing routine. I got it in a set paired with the brand’s Cleansing Ampoule Foam, but this is a non-negotiable first step for melting all of my makeup off before I go in with the lather. It has a generous slip, little to no scent, and a lightweight texture that’s easy to emulsify and rinse. My only complaint is that I will need a jumbo size made.” —Deanna Pai, contributing commerce editor
- Key ingredients: Centella asiatica, bergamot, sunflower seed, olive fruit, and jojoba seed oils
- Who it’s for: all skin types
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Acne: PanOxyl Acne Treatment Bar
Why it’s worth it: The PanOxyl Acne Treatment Bar is a $9 upgrade that can improve bump, textured skin with consistent use. Packed with the maximum, over-the-counter dose of benzoyl peroxide (10%), which kills bacteria, unclogs pores, and reduces inflammation, this sudsy face and body bar is “highly effective for both inflammatory acne (red pimples) and comedonal acne (blackheads and whiteheads),” Kristina Collins, MD, a dermatologist based in Austin, told us. It also includes benzoyl peroxide and glycerin to soften and plump, so your skin isn’t left feeling stripped. “What makes this product unique is that it comes in a convenient bar format, making it easy to use on both the face and larger body areas like the chest and back,” says Dr. Collins. In fact, the PanOxyl Acne Treatment Bar won a 2025 Allure Best of Beauty Award for Best Body Acne Bar, so it’s a one-trick pony for all-over acne.
“After a few weeks of using this bar, I was impressed. My skin looked so much smoother with less texture and had that just-left-a-facial glow that lasts all day. I don’t need it every night because it could be too drying, but I can see myself reaching for it three to four times a week to use on my face and body, especially after a full day of wearing makeup or a sweaty workout. It gives that extra-deep clean that dives into your pores and leaves skin feeling fresh.” —Lily Wohlner, commerce writer
- Key ingredients: 10% benzoyl peroxide, glycerin
- Who it’s for: acne-prone skin
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Oily Skin: Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser
Vanicream
Gentle Facial Cleanser
Why it’s worth it: If you have oily skin and want a cleanser that does the job without exacerbating inflammation-prone areas, Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser delivers. Board-certified dermatologist David Kim, MD, frequently recommends it for patients who deal with excess oil but also need something non-irritating. The pH-balanced formula effectively lifts away makeup, bacteria, and daily buildup, then rinses off easily without leaving residue behind. Skin is left feeling comfortable and balanced—not tight or greasy. It’s also free of fragrance, dyes, and parabens, and has the National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance, making it a reliable pick for anyone who wants a thorough but gentle pick.
- Key ingredients: purified water, glycerin
- Who it’s for: people with oily skin
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best Hydrating: Neutrogena Hydro Boost Fragrance-Free Gel Cleanser
Neutrogena
Hydro Boost Hydrating Gel Cleanser Fragrance Free
Why it’s worth it: Manhattan Beach, California–based dermatologist Divya Shokeen, MD, counts Neutrogena’s Hydro Boost Fragrance-Free Gel Cleanser as a go-to because it lifts away dirt, oil, and makeup without leaving skin feeling stripped. “It’s powered by hyaluronic acid, which helps skin hold onto moisture, making it a great option for dry, normal, and combination skin types,” she says. Glycerin, another derm-beloved ingredient, adds an extra layer of moisture, so skin feels extra soft and comfortable after rinsing. It’s also fragrance-free, so it’s a great option for sensitive skin that’s also on the drier end.
Tester feedback from Curry
“I’ve tried a lot of cleansers, okay? Drugstore and high-end, but nothing beats this one from Neutrogena. It lathers perfectly and cleanses oh so well. It even gets those hard-to-reach places around my nose and under my mouth. If you need a simple but uber effective cleanser that actually removes dirt and grime without stripping your skin, grab this stat!”—Melanie Curry, associate manager of audience development
- Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, glycerin
- Who it’s for: people with dry or sensitive skin
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best No-Rinse: Eau Thermale Avène Tolerance Extremely Gentle Cleanser
Avène
Eau Thermale Avène Tolérance Extremely Gentle Cleanser
Why it’s worth it: Eau Thermale Avène’s Tolerance Extremely Gentle Cleanser Lotion is a no-rinse, wipe-off formula designed for sensitive skin—it’s even gentle enough for kids—and features soothing thermal spring water plus the brand’s D-sensinose postbiotic to support and calm stressed skin. “I often recommend this for dry skin because it cleanses without stripping or disrupting the skin barrier,” Whitney Hovenic, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Reno, Nevada, told Allure. While it’s not meant for heavy makeup removal, it’s perfect for a quick morning refresh or post-workout cleanse, leaving skin soft and free of residue every time.
- Key ingredients: D-sensinose (patented probiotic), thermal spring water, arginine
- Who it’s for: all skin types
- Fragrance-free: yes
Frequently Asked Questions
What ingredients should you look for in a drugstore cleanser?
“Look for gentle surfactants, humectants like hyaluronic acid or glycerin, and barrier-supporting ingredients,” says Dr. Shokeen. If you’re acne-prone, she says that salicylic acid can be helpful for light exfoliation. “If you have sensitive skin, make sure to avoid harsh sulfates, alcohol, and heavy fragrance.”
How do you know which drugstore cleanser is right for you?
To find the best cleanser for your skin type, Dr. Spearman recommends starting by identifying your skin type and primary concerns, such as dryness, acne, or sensitivity. “Read ingredient lists rather than focusing on marketing claims and look for fragrance-free formulas if you are prone to irritation,” she says. “When in doubt, keep it simple—a gentle pH-balanced cleanser used often will outperform more aggressive formulas.”
Meet the experts
- Dara Spearman, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
- Divya Shokeen, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist based in Manhattan Beach, California.
How we test and review products
When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that’s included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.
For our list of the best drugstore cleansers, we considered each product’s performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, fragrance, texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors—along with special consideration from dermatologists. To learn more information on our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the “best” for people over 50 if the only testers we’ve solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it’s never been tested on curls? We’re proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.
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