14 Best Drugstore Face Washes Under $25

Olay’s Regenerating Cream Cleanser is a non-abrasive treat for your skin. Featuring tiny beads that gently exfoliate and break down as it’s massaged into the skin, the formula imparts anti-aging properties to induce regeneration and youthfulness over time.

Key ingredients: Glycerin, salicylic acid, vitamin B5 and E

Size: 5 fl oz

Ulta rating: 4.5/5 stars

Our expert says: “This a good anti-aging face wash. It has a beta hydroxy acid (salicylic acid) and tiny skin polishers suspended in an emollient cream for added hydration.”—Dr. Stacey Tull, MD MPH dermatologist and owner of St. Charles County Dermatologic Surgery

It’s more than likely that everyone’s entry to skin care was this orange bottle from Neutrogena. The Oil-Free Acne Wash contains the powerful acne-fighting ingredient salicylic acid, which works to kill bacteria and keep breakouts to a minimum.

Key ingredient: Salicylic acid

Size: 9.1 fl oz

Amazon rating: 4,7/5 stars

Our expert says: “Neutrogena’s Oil Free Acne Wash is prefect for oily and/or acne-prone skin. It won’t leave our skin overly dry, and it won’t bleach your towels and sheets like benzoyl peroxide-based products can.”—Dr. Stacey Tull, MD MPH

Fans of the brand’s cult-favorite Moisturizing Cream can round out their routine with a gentle cleanser to match. Free of all the bad and packed with the good, this nourishing cleanser washes all traces of the day away without stripping the skin.

Key ingredient: glycerin

Size: 8 fl oz

Amazon rating: 4.7/5 stars

Our expert says: “Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser is made for anyone with very sensitive skin. The company is a long-time dermatology favorite for not having any irritating ingredients such as preservatives, fragrances, or dyes.”–Dr. Stacey Tull, MD MPH

If hydration is what you seek, this cleanser restores what your skin lacks. Made with hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and amino acids, this hydrating formula serves as a cushion for your skin to help protect against any subsequent acids or potent ingredients.

Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, ceramides, amino acids

Size: 19 fl oz

Amazon rating:

Our expert says: “Cerave’s Hydrating Cream-to-Foam Cleanser combines ceramides and hyaluronic acid to restore the skin’s protective barrier and seal in moisture.”—Dr. Stacey Tull, MD MPH

The milky, creamy cleanser is chock-full of good-for-you ingredients that help the skin, not hurt. With assistance from niacinamide and thermal spring water, the formula imparts moisture sans any filmy residue left behind.

Key ingredients: Niacinamide, thermal spring water

Size: 13.52 fl oz

Ulta rating: 4.5/5 stars

An ELLE Editor says: “Ever since I learned what the different lines under La Roche-Posay’s brand meant, it made skin care shopping easier. Toleraine is my favorite line to use on my super reactive, sensitive skin because it is equally nourishing and effective, and doesn’t leave my skin feeling stripped bare.”—Nerisha Penrose, ELLE.com beauty commerce editor

Oats are as versatile as they come. In this composition, oats are employed to soothe and calm any irritation or dryness. The oats, mixed with feverfew, an antioxidant, create a barrier of support to prevent further damage.

Key ingredients: Oats, feverfew

Size: 7.8 fl oz

Ulta rating: 4.3/5 stars

An Ulta reviewer said: “This is so refreshing on the face in the morning for me, it’s nice on my skin, which I love since I have sensitivities to a lot of products. This also has essentially no scent so I enjoy that too.”

Step one of a thorough makeup removal is a good initial cleanse. Garnier’s micellar water does a great job of removing dirt, oil, and makeup first, so your follow-up cleanser doesn’t have to do too much heavy lifting.

Key ingredient: Glycerin

Size: 3.4 fl oz

Amazon rating: 4.7/5 stars

An ELLE editor says: “Effective does not have to equate expensive and this micellar water is proof of that. When I’m in full on glam, I like to incorporate this into my double cleansing routine.” — Danielle James, ELLE.com digital beauty director

Acne-prone skin needs a hydrated, nourished, and oil-free barrier to keep future blemishes at bay. Avéne’s Cleanance Cleansing Gel does just that in a lightweight gel formula that strips away dirt and oil, not the skin’s nutrients.

Key ingredients: Comedoclastin, thermal spring water

Size: 6.7 fl oz

Ulta rating: 4.3/5 stars

An Ulta reviewer said: “I’ve been using this cleanser for a few months and it’s definitely helped with oiliness and some irritation. I love the consistency and the foaming, my skin feels clean without being stripped.”

A favorite of skin experts and obsessives alike, Cetaphil’s Gentle Cleanser is a cleansing salve you can trust to remove impurities and makeup. Because it’s so gentle, it’s safe for everyday use, and hydrates and gradually restores a healthy barrier.

Key ingredients: Niacinamide, vitamin B5, glycerin

Size: 20 fl oz

Amazon rating: 4.6/5 stars

An Amazon reviewer said: “Great for dry skin. It doesn’t foam up like soap and it doesn’t make your skin squeaky clean. It leaves your face feeling clean but not stripped.”

Using salicylic acid to kill acne-causing bacteria, this cleanser—as the name suggests—promotes renewal by gently buffing away impurities to reveal softer, smoother, healthier skin.

Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, ceramides

Size: 8 fl oz

Amazon rating: 4.7/5 stars

An ELLE Editor says: “Salicylic acid is one of my favorite acne-fighting ingredients. I love it, especially in this formula, because it merges with ceramides to exfoliate while moisturizing, which is a treat for my acne-prone skin.”—Nerisha Penrose

The name immediately gives the purpose of this cleanser away, but there’s so much goodness packed in this drugstore gem. The Hydro Boost cleanser washes away dirt without stripping the skin and restores moisture with the help of hyaluronic acid.

Key ingredient: Hyaluronic acid

Size: 6 fl oz

Amazon rating: 4.7/5 stars

An Amazon reviewer said: “This is a large bottle with great cleanser. I like that you don’t have to “pop up” the plunger, rather you just turn it clockwise to unlock. This cleanser foams easily and cleans without drying skin. My face feels clean and moisturized! Really like it!!!”

Double cleansing is a must for makeup wearers. This cleansing oil from Bioderma effectively cleanses the skin, especially when wearing heavy makeup formulas, and leaves the skin soft to the touch.

Key ingredients: Vitamin B3, lipids

Size: 33.8 fl oz

Amazon rating: 4.6/5 stars

An Amazon reviewer said: “It takes a tiny bit to wash my face and neck—very luxurious. Does not dry out my skin. Does not irritate my sensitive skin.”

On the list of the best acne fighters out there is benzoyl peroxide, a powerful yet effective ingredient for removing and preventing acne. While strong (be sure to introduce it into your routine slowly), PanOxyl’s fan-favorite wash works to lighten the dark spots left behind from acne and reduce breakouts altogether.

Key ingredient: Benzoyl peroxide

Size: 5.5 fl oz

An ELLE Editor says: “I use this cleanser at least once or twice a week to remind my breakouts that they’re only temporary residents on my face. After lathering it on my skin, I wait about a minute before washing it off completely so the product can really hit those target areas. Sometimes, I use this wash as a body cleanser for those stubborn back- and chest breakouts.”—Nerisha Penrose

Another benzoyl peroxide wash, this version from Differin uses just five percent of the ingredient to seep deep into the skin as to clear out existing or impending acne while also controlling oil.

Key ingredient: Benzoyl peroxide

Size: 4 fl oz

Amazon rating: 4.5/5 stars

An Amazon reviewer said: “This cleanser works very well to clean your pores. I like that it doesn’t over-dry my sensitive skin. It is not a thick cleanser nor gritty. Rinses off easily and leaves my skin smooth.”