Ranked by ingredients
Best Cleansers
The 10 highest-scoring of the 163 cleansers we scored, ranked on what is in the bottle rather than what is on it. Every score comes from the product's own ingredient list; no brand pays to be here.
- 1
CeraVe$18.99CeraVe Brightening Vitamin C Cleanser for Dull & Uneven Skin Tone3 high-impact actives: Niacinamide, Salicylic Acid, Phytosphingosine. Loses points on safety: moderate comedogenic potential (avg 1.5/5)
Actives: Niacinamide, Salicylic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Phytosphingosine
A90 - 2
Cetaphil$12.99Cetaphil Gentle Exfoliating SA Cleanser3 high-impact actives: Gluconolactone, Niacinamide, Mandelic Acid. Loses points on safety: moderate comedogenic potential (avg 2.0/5)
Actives: Gluconolactone, Niacinamide, Mandelic Acid, Tocopherol
A90 - 3
First Aid Beauty$29.00First Aid Beauty Brighten + Glow Exfoliating Gel Cleanser with AHA and Jojoba Pearls2 high-impact actives: Azelaic Acid, Niacinamide. Fragrance-free
Actives: Azelaic Acid, Niacinamide
A90 - 4
Naturium$17.00Naturium The Brightener Vitamin C Brightening Body Wash3 high-impact actives: Papaya Enzyme, Niacinamide, Bromelain. Loses points on safety: moderate comedogenic potential (avg 1.0/5)
Actives: Ascorbyl Glucoside, Niacinamide
A90 - 5
CeraVe$18.99 · 16.0 ozCeraVe Hydrating Cream-to-Foam Cleanser4 high-impact actives: Niacinamide, Salicylic Acid, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid (LHA) +1 more. Loses points on safety: moderate comedogenic potential (avg 1.3/5)
Actives: Niacinamide, Salicylic Acid, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Phytosphingosine
B89 - 6
Murad$37.00 · 5.0 ozMurad AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser2 high-impact actives: Glycolic Acid, Salicylic Acid. Loses points on safety: 1 moderate-irritation ingredient: Glycolic Acid
Actives: Glycolic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Tocopherol
B89 - 7
Skinfix$35.00 · 5 ozSkinfix 2% BHA Cleanser4 high-impact actives: Salicylic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Niacinamide +1 more. Loses points on safety: 1 moderate-irritation ingredient: Glycolic Acid
Actives: Salicylic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Niacinamide, Azelaic Acid, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
B89 - 8
Skinfix$30.00Skinfix Pre-Biotic Face + Body Foaming Oil Cleanser2 high-impact actives: Phytosphingosine, Hexapeptide-11. Loses points on safety: moderate comedogenic potential (avg 1.8/5)
Actives: Colloidal Oatmeal, Tocopherol, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Phytosphingosine
B89 - 9
Byoma$13.99 · 5.9 ozByoma Creamy Jelly Cleanser1 high-impact active: Phytosphingosine. Loses points on safety: 1 moderate-irritation ingredient: Propylene Glycol
Actives: Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Phytosphingosine, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate
B88 - 10
Byoma$13.99Byoma Milky Moisture Cleanser1 high-impact active: Phytosphingosine. Loses points on safety: moderate comedogenic potential (avg 1.9/5)
Actives: Tocopherol, Phytosphingosine, Astaxanthin
B88
153 more cleansers are scored in the Formulate app.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best cleanser?
CeraVe Brightening Vitamin C Cleanser for Dull & Uneven Skin Tone by CeraVe scores highest of the 163 cleansers Formulate has scored, at 90/100 (grade A). 3 high-impact actives: Niacinamide, Salicylic Acid, Phytosphingosine. Loses points on safety: moderate comedogenic potential (avg 1.5/5).
How are these cleansers ranked?
Each product is scored out of 100 on its formula: how well-researched its actives are, whether the label discloses their concentration, the research behind them, and how complete and well-built the formula is. Safety is checked separately — irritants, fragrance, EU-listed allergens, endocrine concerns and pore-clogging ingredients — and only costs points when it falls below 95. No brand pays to be listed.
Are these cleansers fragrance-free?
127 of the 163 cleansers scored contain no synthetic fragrance. 97 lost points on the safety check.
Best skincare by type
Educational only. Scores rate a product's formula, not how it will suit your skin. Patch-test new products, and see a dermatologist for persistent skin conditions. Some links are affiliate links; they never affect a score.