Whether you’re obsessed with all things skin care or prefer simplicity, a good facial cleanser is the foundation of any routine. Today’s face wash formulas are capable of not only providing an effective cleanse but also additional benefits that can boost your skin’s health and appearance. There’s a formula out there for every skin concern you might have, so we’re here to help you meet your match. Here, you can learn more about our recommendations for:

• The best face wash for acne

• The best face wash for oily skin

• The best face wash for dry skin

• The best face wash for sensitive skin

• The best face wash for aging skin

• The best brightening face wash

• The best face wash for redness

• The best smoothing face wash

Best face wash for acne:

LovelySkin LUXE Clarifying Gel Cleanser

“I recommend this cleanser for my patients who are struggling with acne because it helps resolve existing breakouts and also keeps future breakouts from forming in the first place,” says Dr. Joel Schlessinger, LovelySkin CEO and board-certified dermatologist, Mohs surgeon and cosmetic surgeon. “In addition, it really helps with pigmented areas or dark spots that remain after acne has gone away.” The active ingredients include three potent exfoliants: salicylic acid, glycolic acid and afaLUXE—a dermatologist-developed molecule of amino-based filaggrin antioxidants with Dead Sea minerals and vitamin C. They work together to boost cellular turnover, which reduces acne.

Best face wash for oily skin:

Epionce Lytic Gel Cleanser

If your primary skin concern is managing oily skin, this gel-based facial cleanser could be the best match for your needs. It thoroughly cleanses skin by dissolving all traces of makeup, dirt and excess oil, leaving your skin feeling clean and prepped for subsequent steps in your skin care routine. The formula features beneficial botanical ingredients, such as willow bark extract to unclog pores, marshmallow extract to reduce puffiness and menthol for a refreshing cooling effect.

Best face wash for dry skin:

ALASTIN Skincare Ultra Calm Cleansing Cream

Dry skin types can benefit from a cream-based cleanser with emollient ingredients to help preserve your skin’s moisture balance. From ALASTIN Skincare, this cleansing cream features a number of nourishing ingredients that are beneficial for dry skin, including vitamin E, glycerin and lipids. It also contains snow mushroom extract, which helps bind moisture in your skin and can hold up to five hundred times its weight in water.

Best face wash for sensitive skin:

Avene Tolerance Extremely Gentle Cleanser Lotion

This no-rinse facial cleanser has earned a stamp of approval from the National Eczema Association. It gently removes makeup and helps support a healthy skin barrier with mineral-rich Avene Thermal Spring Water, soothing amino acids and gentle cleansing agents. It has a lotion-like texture that you’ll massage onto your skin and then gently wipe off with a tissue rather than rinsing with water.

Best face wash for aging skin:

SkinMedica AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser

The best anti-aging regimens begin with a renewing cleanser. We love that this one from SkinMedica offers a double dose of exfoliation with salicylic acid (a BHA chemical exfoliant) and jojoba beads (which act as a physical exfoliant) to improve skin tone and texture by encouraging healthy skin cell renewal. Licorice and bilberry extracts also help reduce the appearance of discoloration and dark spots that you may have developed over time as a result of sun exposure.

Best brightening face wash:

Revision Skincare Brightening Facial Wash

Wash away dullness, smooth your skin and soften rough texture with this brightening face wash, which contains potent exfoliating ingredients salicylic and glycolic acid. Brightening agents such as lily extract, licorice extract and vitamin C help bring out your skin’s healthy glow and natural radiance. You can start off by using this gel cleanser once a day and work up to twice-daily use as tolerated.

Best face wash for redness:

EltaMD Skin Recovery Amino Acid Foaming Cleanser

If redness is your top skin care concern, start your skin care routine with a gentle redness-reducing cleanser, such as this formula from EltaMD. This foaming face wash contains a blend of amino acids to help reduce visible facial redness along with ginger root and bisabolol to help soothe irritated skin. It gently removes makeup, dirt, excess oil and sunscreen without leaving your skin feeling dry or tight.

Best smoothing face wash:

Jan Marini Skin Research C-ESTA Cleansing Gel

This innovative facial cleanser contains vitamin C to help combat signs of aging, including rough texture and dark spots. The gel formula is concentrated, so you’ll want to start with a dime-sized amount and add water to work up a lather.

Are you curious about the double cleansing method? You can learn more about double cleansing and how it might be a good fit for your skin care routine on the LovelySkin Blog.