Ranked by ingredients
Best Cleansers
The 10 highest-scoring of the 77 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
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 - 5
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 - 6
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 - 7
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 - 8
Kosas$38.00Kosas Plump + Juicy Gel Cleanser1 high-impact active: Beta-Glucan. Loses points on safety: 2 EU 26 allergens: Linalool, Limonene
Actives: Beta-Glucan, Phytic Acid, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Oil
B88 - 9
Anua$14.00 · 5.07 ozANUA Heartleaf Quercetinol Pore Deep Cleansing Foam2 high-impact actives: Betaine Salicylate, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid (LHA). Loses points on safety: 1 moderate-irritation ingredient: Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
Actives: Betaine Salicylate, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Tocopherol, Quercetin
B87 - 10
Murad$20.80Murad Clarifying Cream Cleanser1 high-impact active: Salicylic Acid. Loses points on safety: 1 moderate-irritation ingredient: Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Oil
Actives: Salicylic Acid, Salix Alba (Willow) Bark Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Oil, Tocopherol
B87
67 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 77 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?
62 of the 77 cleansers scored contain no synthetic fragrance. 43 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.