10 Face Washes from $2 We Tell Our Friends to Buy at Walmart, Amazon, and CVS

Pros: Gentle formula, cleanses without stripping

Cons: Can be considered pricey for the size (and drugstore aisle)

Size: 8 oz. | Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, ceramides | Texture: Cream

If you ask pretty much anyone—including dermatologists!—they’ll probably tell you that the CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser is their favorite face wash, period. Drugstore formula or not, this simple cleanser does everything most skin types require: effectively removes makeup, cleanses the skin without stripping it, and doesn’t leave your skin feeling tight or raw after you towel off.

Garshick favors this pick for people with normal to dry skin, but she confirms that it’s a great contender for all skin types. “It effectively gets rid of dirt and buildup without leaving the skin feeling dry,” she explains. “[Plus,] it contains both hyaluronic acid and ceramides, so it helps to hydrate the skin and support the skin barrier.”

Customer review: “I really rely on this cleanser to do the job without stripping my skin. I have dry skin and must be careful in choosing which cleansers to us so I don't make the dryness worse. This cleanser is gentle while doing a great job.”

Pros: Sensitive skin-friendly, fragrance-free, can also be used on body and hands

Cons: Extremely basic function

Size: 2.6 oz. | Key ingredients: Glycerin | Texture: Cream to foam

You don’t have to spend much to get a good lather—in fact, you don’t even have to spend $2. Not only is this Dove bar soap exceedingly affordable, but Garshick say’s it’s perfectly suitable for all skin types. “For those who prefer a bar, [this cleanser] effectively washes away dirt without drying out the skin… unlike ordinary soaps which can strip the skin of its natural oils,” says Garshick. “It is formulated with 1/4 moisturizing cream which helps to leave the skin feeling soft and nourished,” she adds. Not to mention that it’s fragrance-free, which makes it extra great for sensitive skin.

Customer review: “I have eczema and the quality of this product makes my life easier.”

Pros: Lathers well, refreshes skin, cleanses without dehydrating

Cons: None we can think of

Size: 7.8 oz. | Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid | Texture: Gel

It can be hard for people with dry skin to find a formula that leaves their skin thoroughly cleansed and not subsequently dry, but this pick from Neutrogena defies the odds. Less than $20 and bursting with hydrating hyaluronic acid (a must for dry skin), this is one of the best moisturizing face washes we've tried from the drugstore. It's proven to boost the skin’s hydration levels while also getting rid of makeup and other inevitable impurities in one fell swoop.

Customer review: “This is the only product I wash my face with. I have used it for years, and what I love most about it is how it does not irritate my skin! I have very sensitive skin, and this takes ALL of my makeup off (even waterproof eyeliner and mascara) while still being gentle on my skin.”

Pros: Gentle enough for sensitive skin, lathers well, busts acne

Cons: Salicylic acid acne treatment may be too much for dry skin

Size: 4.2 oz. | Key ingredients: Salicylic acid | Texture: Foam

If having acne-prone skin makes you wary of the drugstore aisle, allow a dermatologist to put your worries to rest. Garshick recommends this face wash from Cetaphil not only because of its low price tag, but because of its tangible, skin-clearing results. “This gentle cream-to-lather cleanser uses salicylic acid to help clean out pores and reduce breakouts and oil without drying out the skin,” the dermatologist explains. “This is a good option for someone who is oily and acne-prone, but also has sensitive skin.”

Customer review: “I have very sensitive acne prone skin I use it when i feel a breakout coming on or have an active breakout it works really well without drying out my skin.”

Pros: Controls excess oil, minimizes pores, great value for size

Cons: Not hydrating enough for dry skin

Size: 13.5 oz. | Key ingredients: Niacinamide, ceramides, thermal water | Texture: Gel to foam

We beauty editors have been obsessed with La Roche-Posay’s attainable French skincare for quite some time, and this oily skin-friendly face wash is a brand standout for several reasons. “This foaming cleanser works to effectively reduce oil, but also contains ceramides [and] niacinamide to support the skin barrier, minimizing the potential for dryness or irritation,” Garshick explains. It has a gentle, foaming gel texture that provides that extra-clean feeling while effectively removing makeup and oil, all without stripping the skin. In fact, it’s so gentle that you can use it up to twice a day.

Customer review: “I recently bought this face wash and both my husband and I have noticed a great difference in our skin. It works really well on our acne prone skin. We have different skin types yet it meets both of our needs his is a bit more oily with less acne, while mine is very sensitive with acne. It’s nice and gentle on the skin and suds up really well.”

Pros: Services all skin types, fragrance-free, minimizes pores

Cons: Nothing to note here

Size: 12 oz. | Key ingredients: Ceramides, glycerin, antioxidant green tea | Texture: Gel to Foam

Combination skin can be tricky to treat. With dry skin spots and oily zones all within the same complexion, nailing down a product that services all of your skincare needs is a rare, but celebrated feat. Luckily, Roc’s Barrier Renew cleanser checks all of the boxes thanks to its formula made with ceramides and green tea antioxidants, which support and soothe the skin barrier. “This gel to foam cleanser helps to effectively remove oil without leaving the skin feeling dry or stripped,” says Garshick. Not only will this formula decognest your pores and control excess oil, but it will nourish and hydrate your skin, too.

Customer review: “I was a little iffy on the gel-to-foam deal, but I was surprisingly pleased. It comes in a pump bottle and a little goes a long way. It turns into a thick, foamy richness of cleansing wonder. It just feels good while you're washing. It doesn't leave your face feeling like it's still covered in residue. It leaves it feeling clean and hydrated, not dry. YES! The first time I used it, my face was singing because it felt so clean and good.”

Pros: Very gentle formula, effectively removes makeup

Cons: May not be sebum-controlling enough for oily skin

Size: 5.07 oz. | Key ingredients: Inulin, alpha-glucan oligosaccharide, D-panthenol | Texture: Foam

Sensitive skin is typically quick to react to scented or strong products, resulting in redness, irritation, and dryness. This makes finding a good face wash sometimes difficult, but luckily, the drugstore aisle has a few good options for reactive skin—but if we had to choose one on our next Walgreens run, we’d nab this Pharmaceris foam. Packed with prebiotics and hydrating ingredients, this face wash gently scrubs the skin clean while restoring the barrier to a healthy, moisturized state. According to Garshick, sensitive skin-havers can use this product up to twice a day, which is pretty rare for this skin type subgroup.

Customer review: “Finally found a cleanser that doesn't strip my sensitive skin! This foam is incredibly soft and creamy—removes makeup and dirt without any tightness or irritation. My skin feels clean but still moisturized afterward. No redness or burning like other cleansers. Perfect for my dry, reactive skin. Highly recommend!”

Pros: Lathers nicely, gentle enough for babies, soothes very dry skin

Cons: Pricier than most drugstore options

Size: 13.5 oz. | Key ingredients: Postbiotic complex, cer-omega complex (Omega-6), Avène thermal spring water | Texture: Oil, foamy

We won’t lie, this is a pretty pricey pick for a drugstore purchase—but if you’re serious about clearing up your eczema, you’ll want to consider adding this French pharmacy cleanser to your next Amazon order. The XeraCalm A.D cleansing oil is chock-full of restorative lipids, which deeply calm, soothe, and moisturize intensely dry skin, eczema, and atopic dermatitis. “Containing Avéne thermal spring water, as well as the postbiotic complex known as I-Modulia, it also helps to calm itching,” Garshick adds. It’s approved by the National Eczema Association for microbiome restabilization, and it’s so gentle that it’s certifiably safe to use on babies during bathtime.

Customer review: “This is definitely not a typical oil cleanser, in fact, it’s more of a gel cleanser, but it does contain oils and it removes waterproof sunscreen perfectly… It leaves my skin super soft with no irritation, which is rare because I use high dose tretinoin, spironolactone, tranexamic acid, azaleic acid, salicylic acid, vitamin C, and PHA, so needless to say my skin is extremely [sensitive] and I absolutely cannot use any irritating cleansers. The Avéne is perfect! The bottle is huge for the price too."

Pros: Smooths skin texture, effectively cleanses, gentle on sensitive skin

Cons: May be too drying for dry skin

Size: 7.1 oz. | Key ingredients: Niacinamide | Texture: Gel

Ukeleghe is a fan of Naturium’s face washes for its reasonable price points and measurable results. “Naturium makes cleansers that are gentle yet effective,” she explains, the ingredients lists staying relatively short compared to most drugstore face washes. This niacinamide-packed cleaner works hard to wash away makeup, debris, and oil while simultaneously making the skin look and feel softer and smoother—its niacinamide hero ingredient helping to shrink pores, control excess oil production, and calm redness. Customers agree: If you have a finicky complexion that doesn’t adhere to one skin type and weighed-down pores, you’ll want to try this skin-smoothing cleanser.

Customer review: “This review is NOT incentivized. I just loved it. This cleanser is perfect for my dry combo skin. Gentle enough to not strip my dry parts, and removes excess oil from my T-zone. The niacinamide is so good for my large pores too. Highly recommend.”

Pros: Safe for all skin types, deeply hydrating, multi-functional

Cons: None we can think of

Size: 13.5 oz. | Key ingredients: Glycerin, inulin, aloe | Texture: Gel, foam

Ukeleghe also recommends the Prequel Facial Gleanser for its versatility and gentle formula. Called the “Gleanser” because of its glycerin-packed formula, this face wash effectively washes away debris while soothing and hydrating the skin with inulin, aloe, arginine, and oat extract. “The glycerin cleanser is perfect for normal to dry types,” says Ukeleghe. Accepted by the National Eczema Association and National Rosacea Society, this hydrating cleanser is also great for the body—it comes in a fairly large bottle that can be used to suds up in the shower. (Because after all, your bodycare should get the same attention as your skincare.)

Customer review: “The ONLY cleanser my eczema-prone skin actually loves. Been using this for months and never noticed [that] my clothes weren’t riddled with dry skin or [that] I didn’t itch. Until today, when I used an Olay bar with shea butter. I was quickly reminded and saw the evidence everywhere. Works better than oatmeal soaps or soaps tagged with the eczema approval. Try this—it really works.”