Face Wash

The best face wash whisks away substances that lead to clogged pores and dull skin, helping the rest of your skin care routine work even better. Good facial cleansers are gentle (free from: fragrance, irritants, and harsh, drying cleansing agents) and cleanse thoroughly without stripping skin.

We take this simple-yet-important step seriously at Paula's Choice. Get informed on the benefits of various types of facial cleansers, so you can find your perfect match.

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Face Cleanser for Dry Skin

A woman applies Paula's Choice foaming cleanser to her face.The best facial cleansers for dry skin nurture its moisture balance while rinsing away impurities. Three products to try:

RESIST Optimal Results Hydrating Cleanser: Non-stripping face wash with a lotion texture softens skin, prevents moisture loss, and easily removes makeup without leaving residue.


SKIN RECOVERY Softening Cream Cleanser: Cleansing cream that feels protective as you wash and leaves a weightless veil of hydration after rinsing, for those whose dry skin needs extra care.


Face Cleansers for Oily Skin and Combination Skin

A bottle of Paula's Choice Clear Cleanser upside down with gel face wash squeezing outThe best face washes for oily and combination skin remove excess oil, makeup and surface impurities without making skin feel stripped dry. Options to consider:

RESIST Perfectly Balanced Foaming Cleanser: Cushiony formula specially formulated for oily, aging skin gently removes oil and makeup without disturbing skin’s barrier.

SKIN BALANCING Oil-Reducing Cleanser: Cream-to-foam cleanser removes impurities while leaving skin feeling exceptionally clean, never tight or dry.

Face Wash for Acne

Whether your acne-prone skin is oily, dry, or combination, look for a soothing cleanser that removes excess oil, dead skin and makeup without drying skin or causing redness.

CLEAR Pore Normalizing Cleanser: Conditioning gel formula gently dissolves pore-clogging debris, setting the stage for your acne treatments.

Face Cleanser for Sensitive Skin

If your skin is prone to redness and sensitivity, a face wash loaded with soothing ingredients and gentle cleansing ingredients is the start of a routine to help skin feel less irritated.

CALM Ultra-Gentle Cleanser: A gel face wash that removes makeup and impurities while protecting skin’s delicate moisture barrier, leaving skin feeling silky-smooth and hydrated. Prebiotic sugars help balance skin’s microbiome to inhibit sensitivity over time. It’s even gentle enough for skin prone to rosacea.

Cleansing Oil, Cleansing Balm, Cleansing Wipes & Face Scrub

Cleansing oils and balms are great if you wear heavier makeup or want to double cleanse. The oils in these types of formulas leave skin feeling soft and smooth, while quickly removing even the most tenacious makeup.

Perfect Cleansing Oil: Five cleansing oils, including coconut and sunflower, quickly dissolve heavy makeup, leaving skin feeling hydrated and clean.

Omega+ Complex Cleansing Balm: This fragrance-free cleansing balm is made with oils rich in omegas 3, 6 and 9 that easily melt away makeup, sunscreen and impurities while rinsing completely clean and leaving skin softer.

Makeup removing wipes come in handy for those times when you’re too tired to make it to the sink (these are great on your bedside table!) or on-the-go (keep a pack in your gym bag!).

Many people like the physical sensation of using a face scrub, but most contain large, irregularly shaped, harsh scrub particles that aggravate skin. When formulated (and used) gently, however, face scrubs can be a nice extra step in your double cleansing routine.

The UnScrub: This one-of-a-kind gentle cleansing face scrub removes makeup, sunscreen and impurities while renewing skin with round, biodegradable jojoba beads.

Other Articles You May Enjoy

Guide to Face Scrubs

Many people like to use face scrubs as part of their daily skin care routines. Historically, we haven’t been big fans of most scrubs for one significant reason: most of them are way too harsh and abrasive for skin (and we’ve evaluated hundreds over the last 30+ years). But we’ve always said that a gentle scrub used gently (yes, over-scrubbing is a thing!) can be a great option as an extra cleansing step for all skin types.
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Is Double Cleansing Necessary?

Washing your face with a gentle cleanser is a great first step to any skin care routine, but what about the technique known as “double cleansing”? Is it necessary or a waste of time and money? While it can be helpful in some situations, double cleansing is not absolutely necessary for everyone. It depends primarily on your skin type and the type of makeup or sunscreen you wear. We’ll help you decide if double cleansing is right for you.
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Which Type of Face Wash is Best for You?

When it comes to skin care routines for any skin type or concern, cleansing your face is the first and most basic step. Although cleansing itself is pretty straightforward, deciding which cleanser or face wash (these two terms are interchangeable) is best for you can be confusing.
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What Is a Cleansing Oil and Who Is It Best For?

It seems as if almost every skin care brand offers a cleansing oil, so you’re likely curious about how they work and if they’re right for you.
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Too Lazy to Wash Your Face? Try This (+ Other Skin Care Shortcuts)!

Keep gentle cleansing cloths on your nightstand and in your travel bag. When you’re too tired to do your normal facewash routine, cleansing cloths pinch-hit to remove pore-clogging debris, oil, and makeup. The quick 30 seconds it takes can make all the difference for your skin.
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