Best face cleansers and toners
Pick the cleanser for your skin and your makeup, not the trend: gentle non-foaming washes suit dry or sensitive skin, foaming gels suit oily skin, and a balm or micellar water helps if you wear sunscreen and makeup. A toner is optional.
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Compare all 25 at a glance
Prices are estimates and change often. Amazon shows the current one.
| Product | Best for | Est. price | Biggest plus | The catch | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| I'm From Rice TonerI'm | Rice Toner | $16-$22 | Soft, milky feel | Fragrance-free only in some versions, so check the label | Amazon |
| Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Hyaluronic Toner Fragrance FreeHaruharu | Hydrating Rice Toner | $12-$17 | Fragrance-free and hydrating | Subtle results | Amazon |
| Anua Heartleaf 77% Soothing TonerAnua | Korean Soothing Toner | $17-$23 | Soothing, lightweight | Contains plant extracts that may not suit every skin | Amazon |
| CeraVe Hydrating TonerCeraVe | Hydrating Toner | $9-$13 | Hydrating, non-sticky | Does little for oily or acne-prone skin by itself | Amazon |
| Thayers Alcohol-Free Unscented Facial TonerThayers | Cult Toner | $3-$6 | Alcohol-free feel | Contains plant extracts that can bother some reactive skin | Amazon |
| Eucerin Hydrating Micellar WaterEucerin | Dermatologist Brand | $9-$13 | Hydrating feel | Pricier than Garnier | Amazon |
| Simple Kind to Skin Micellar Cleansing WaterSimple | Budget Gentle | $8-$12 | Low price | Fragrance-free only in some versions, so check the label | Amazon |
| La Roche-Posay Micellar Water UltraLa Roche-Posay | Sensitive Pick | $13-$18 | Gentle formula | Takes more than one cotton pad | Amazon |
| Bioderma Sensibio H2OBioderma | French Pharmacy Classic | $17-$23 | Gentle and fragrance-free for sensitive skin | Needs a rinse for some people | Amazon |
| Garnier SkinActive Micellar Cleansing Water All-in-1 Pink CapGarnier | Budget Micellar | $7-$11 | Low price | Contains fragrance in some versions | Amazon |
| JUNO & Co. Clean 10 Cleansing BalmJUNO & Co. | Hydrating Balm | $13-$18 | Smooth, easy-glide balm | Pricey for the size | Amazon |
| CeraVe Makeup Removing Cleanser BalmCeraVe | Drugstore Balm | Balm that rinses to a milk | Smaller jar than some rivals | Amazon | |
| Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing BalmClinique | Premium Balm | $39-$51 | Silky texture | High price for a cleanser | Amazon |
| Banila Co Clean It Zero OriginalBanila Co | Cult Classic | $26-$34 | Melts even stubborn makeup | Oily feel if you do not rinse well | Amazon |
| e.l.f. Holy Hydration! Makeup Melting Cleansing Balme.l.f. | Makeup Remover | $9-$13 | Melts into an oil-like balm | Needs a second cleanse for a clean feel | Amazon |
| Youth to the People Superfood CleanserYouth to the People | Splurge Foam | $63-$81 | Pleasant fresh feel | Premium price for a wash-off product | Amazon |
| Neutrogena Hydro Boost Fragrance-Free Hydrating Cleansing GelNeutrogena | Gel Hydrator | $10-$14 | Gel texture that feels light | Gel cleansers can feel too light for heavy sunscreen | Amazon |
| Cetaphil Daily Facial CleanserCetaphil | Easy Daily Wash | $10-$14 | Rinses off clean | Fragrance and foaming agents may bother very sensitive skin | Amazon |
| La Roche-Posay Toleriane Purifying Foaming CleanserLa Roche-Posay | Oily-Skin Pick | $17-$23 | Clear, fresh foaming feel | Can leave dry skin tight | Amazon |
| CeraVe Foaming Facial CleanserCeraVe | Everyday Foam | $14-$19 | Foams like a classic wash | Can feel stripping on dry skin | Amazon |
| Aveeno Calm + Restore Nourishing Oat CleanserAveeno | Oat Comfort | $8-$12 | Oat-based and soothing feel | Contains fragrance in some versions | Amazon |
| La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle CleanserLa Roche-Posay | Sensitive-Skin Pick | $17-$23 | Gentle hydrating feel | Costs more than drugstore basics | Amazon |
| Vanicream Gentle Facial CleanserVanicream | Fragrance-Free Pick | $8-$12 | Free of dyes and fragrance | Barely foams, which some people dislike | Amazon |
| Cetaphil Gentle Skin CleanserCetaphil | Classic Gentle | $12-$16 | Mild, familiar formula | Light lather may feel like it leaves a film | Amazon |
| CeraVe Hydrating Facial CleanserCeraVe | Budget Staple | Non-foaming and gentle on dry skin | Can feel too mild after a full face of makeup | Amazon |
Every cleansers & toners pick, in detail
Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Hyaluronic Toner Fragrance Free
Haruharu
A calming layerable toner for people who like a watery, simple step.
Thayers Alcohol-Free Unscented Facial Toner
Thayers
A classic toner that people like because it is gentle and cheap.
Eucerin Hydrating Micellar Water
Eucerin
A step up in hydration if you like micellar water but have dry skin.
Simple Kind to Skin Micellar Cleansing Water
Simple
A simple, low-cost water for light makeup removal.
La Roche-Posay Micellar Water Ultra
La Roche-Posay
A gentle micellar water for sensitive skin and contact lens wearers.
Bioderma Sensibio H2O
Bioderma
The micellar water many people mean when they say they want a gentle one.
Garnier SkinActive Micellar Cleansing Water All-in-1 Pink Cap
Garnier
A cheap way to remove light makeup and sunscreen without a sink.
JUNO & Co. Clean 10 Cleansing Balm
JUNO & Co.
A treat-yourself balm for dry skin that wants a comfortable cleanse.
CeraVe Makeup Removing Cleanser Balm
CeraVe
A cheaper balm from a familiar brand that fits a sensitive-skin routine.
Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm
Clinique
A luxe cleansing balm for people who want a pampering routine.
Banila Co Clean It Zero Original
Banila Co
The classic balm that proved double cleansing works for waterproof makeup.
e.l.f. Holy Hydration! Makeup Melting Cleansing Balm
e.l.f.
A cheap way to try the cleansing-balm habit for makeup and sunscreen.
Youth to the People Superfood Cleanser
Youth to the People
A popular, gel-like cleanser that costs more than the drugstore basics.
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Fragrance-Free Hydrating Cleansing Gel
Neutrogena
A light gel cleanser that suits dry-to-normal skin that likes a fresh feel.
Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser
Cetaphil
A no-fuss cleanser for people who like the feel of a lather.
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Purifying Foaming Cleanser
La Roche-Posay
A foaming cleanser designed to cut oil without a squeaky finish for many users.
CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser
CeraVe
A familiar foaming option for normal to oily skin that does not feel harsh.
Aveeno Calm + Restore Nourishing Oat Cleanser
Aveeno
A calming everyday cleanser for skin that feels easily irritated.
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser
La Roche-Posay
A step up in feel without turning the routine into a project.
Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser
Vanicream
Good when you react to scents or dyes and want the plainest option.
Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser
Cetaphil
The old-school pick that dermatologists often mention for sensitive skin.
CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser
CeraVe
A low-drama daily cleanser that rarely stings and is easy to find.
Common questions
Do I need a toner?
No. A toner is an optional extra step. It can add light hydration or a calming layer, but a cleanser, moisturizer and sunscreen cover the basics.
How do I choose between a balm, micellar water and a regular cleanser?
A balm melts sunscreen and waterproof makeup, micellar water is a quick option for light makeup, and a regular cleanser handles the second wash. Many people use a balm first, then cleanse.
General information only, not medical advice. Patch-test new products and ask a dermatologist or stylist about your situation.