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Beauty & Personal Care Scrubs & Soaps Cleansers

Best Facial Cleansing Gels

Eliza McGowen
Written by Eliza McGowen
Updated March 2023
Bottom line
Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel
Dermalogica
Special Cleansing Gel
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Maintains Moisture Balance

This special purifying skincare gel removes impurities without changing your skin’s moisture balance.

Check Price at Sephora
Maintains Moisture Balance
Bottom Line

This special purifying skincare gel removes impurities without changing your skin’s moisture balance.

Pros

It’s best for normal, oily, and combination skin types and targets dull and oily patches plus the pores. It contains no sulfates or parabens. It’s cruelty-free and compatible with vegan lifestyles.

Cons

Those with sensitive or dry skin found it too harsh to use. Others disliked the scent.

Best Bang for the Buck
Mario Badescu Enzyme Cleansing Gel
Mario Badescu
Enzyme Cleansing Gel
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Fruit-based

A popular daily face wash with alpha hydroxy acids from papaya and grapefruit.

More stores

Walmart $25

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$25 at Walmart
Fruit-based
Bottom Line

A popular daily face wash with alpha hydroxy acids from papaya and grapefruit.

Pros

Gentle non-foaming cleanser that doesn’t strip the skin. Light exfoliation that leaves skin feeling smooth. Grapefruit brightens skin, while papaya breaks down dull skin.

Cons

Doesn’t remove makeup very well.

Clinique Acne Solutions Cleansing Gel
Clinique
Acne Solutions Cleansing Gel
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Prevents Breakouts

This medicated gel helps treat and prevent breakouts.

More stores

Walmart $19

Check Price at Sephora
$19 at Walmart
Prevents Breakouts
Bottom Line

This medicated gel helps treat and prevent breakouts.

Pros

Powerful cleanser that gives results close to those of prescription remedies. Prevents blackheads and breakouts. Unclogs pores to leave skin feeling fresh. Works especially well in conjunction with a Clinique Sonic System Purifying Cleansing Brush or a Clarisonic.

Cons

Contains alcohol, which was too drying for some.

Peter Thomas Roth Anti-Aging Cleansing Gel
Peter Thomas Roth
Anti-Aging Cleansing Gel
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Extra-strength

Revitalizing and brightening gel with glycolic acid.

More stores

Walmart $10

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$10 at Walmart
Extra-strength
Bottom Line

Revitalizing and brightening gel with glycolic acid.

Pros

Powerful cleanser that sloughs off old skin, grime, and makeup. Oil-free, anti-wrinkle technology. Leaves skin feeling soft. Promotes regeneration and a youthful complexion.

Cons

Can dry out the skin.

Fresh Soy Face Cleanser
Fresh
Soy Face Cleanser
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Gentle Cleanser

One of Fresh's more affordable products that leaves skin clean and soft.

More stores

Walmart $24

Check Price at Sephora
$24 at Walmart
Gentle Cleanser
Bottom Line

One of Fresh's more affordable products that leaves skin clean and soft.

Pros

Effectively cleans away makeup, oil, and dirt without drying skin. Includes amino acids to improve skin's elasticity. Cucumber extract soothes skin and gives a gentle scent. Gel cleanser is great for sensitive skin.

Cons

Not ideal for oily skin as it may not clean away enough oil and is not oil-free.

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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.About BestReviews 
HOW WE TESTED

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

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First Reviewed
December 25, 2021
52
Models
considered
14
Hours
researched
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The team that worked on this review
Our Top Picks
Dermalogica
Best of the Best
Dermalogica
Special Cleansing Gel
Bottom Line
This special purifying skincare gel removes impurities without changing your skin’s moisture balance.
Shop Now
Mario Badescu
Best Bang for the Buck
Mario Badescu
Enzyme Cleansing Gel
Bottom Line
A popular daily face wash with alpha hydroxy acids from papaya and grapefruit.
Shop Now
Clinique
Top Pick
Clinique
Acne Solutions Cleansing Gel
Bottom Line
This medicated gel helps treat and prevent breakouts.
Shop Now
Peter Thomas Roth
Top Pick
Peter Thomas Roth
Anti-Aging Cleansing Gel
Bottom Line
Revitalizing and brightening gel with glycolic acid.
Shop Now
Fresh
Top Pick
Fresh
Soy Face Cleanser
Bottom Line
One of Fresh's more affordable products that leaves skin clean and soft.
Shop Now
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