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At ELLE.com we know that, in addition to daily sunscreen, washing your face is the most important part of any skincare routine—but we all use different products to get the job done. Here are the cleansers we swear by. One makes all the bubbles, one is especially good at breaking down makeup, and another costs a whopping six bucks.
"I'll tell you what I want, what I really really want: A face wash that doesn't dry my already dry skin. Okay, there's no Spice Girls jam about that, but this Garnier face wash is super gentle and effective. It doesn't have a scent, it washes off easily, and that's all a girl (spice or not) can ask for." — Estelle Tang, ELLE.com Senior Culture Editor
"I'm a skincare girl. Open up my beauty cabinet, and you'll find an endless rotation of serums, eye creams (with and without SPF), essences and concentrates, toners, creams, sleeping masks, sheet masks, exfoliants, lip scrubs and balms, oils...the list goes on. But my one constant—and cheap fix!—is my cleanser. Cetaphil's Gentle Cleansing Bar, which comes in a pack of three for less than $10, is the only cleanser I use. It's sudsy, gentle on my sensitive skin, and leaves my complexion soft and moisturized after rinsing—not tight like harsher cleansers do. If ever I'm plagued with a breakout, there's an equally-as-gentle antibacterial version that clears me right up." — Angel Lenise, ELLE.com Lead Video Producer
"I like sudsy bubbles in my face wash, and I don't like to end the job with overly tight, taught, thirsty-feeling skin. This fulfills both requirements, with the happy bonus of a lovely, ever-so-slight floral scent and a cheerful green bottle." — Leah Melby Clinton, ELLE.com Director of Branded Content
"This drugstore goodie was recommended to me by my dermatologist who loves it because it's gentle. I was using cleansers with acids and, turns out, I was doing more damage than good. The foaming action makes me feel like I'm getting a really good clean, and I don't feel like my face is being totally stripped." — Kristina Rodulfo, ELLE.com Senior Beauty Editor
"While researching the rise of A-Beauty, aka Australian Beauty, I came across Go-To. The brand was created by a former magazine beauty editor, so I can trust that she's tried everything and knows what really works. I instantly fell in love with the light, whipped foam that comes out smelling fresh and zesty. It instantly wakes me up in the morning and, most importantly, leaves skin feeling baby-soft." — Kristina Rodulfo, ELLE.com Senior Beauty Editor
"A face wash that does it all. Glossier's Milk Jelly Cleanser removes all of my makeup in a gentle manner. The creamy formula goes on super smooth and nourishes my skin with its five different conditioners. Every time I wash my face I feel like I'm in a mini spa at my house. It also smells like roses which is the cherry on top of my vacation in the shower." — Chloe Hall, ELLE.com Special Projects Editor & Producer
"At this point, Cerave owes me money. I converted a bulk of my friends to use their Renewing Gentle SA Face Cleanser like it’s a MLM scam, and we all swear by it. My skin is super sensitive and will break out from a soft breeze, but this this face wash, which includes typically harsh salicylic acid, is a gentle chemical exfoliant. My skin has never been smoother." — Justine Carreron, ELLE.com Market Editor
Drunk Elephant Beste No. 9 Jelly Cleanser
"While I still love my trusty Trader Joe’s face wash, I’ve also been having a brief love affair with Drunk Elephant’s Jelly Cleanser. It’s feels gentle on my sensitive skin, leaves my face feeling extra clean, and honestly brings me joy every time I see the bright orange packaging in my bathroom cabinet." — Madison Feller, ELLE.com Staff Writer
"Can we take a moment of silence for the magic that is the La Roche Posay Hydrating Cleanser? I spotted this gem during a random trip to my local CVS and after one wash, I haven’t looked back. The milk-like formula is gentle enough of my acne-prone, dry skin and gives my skin a fresh, soft feel after each wash." — Nerisha Penrose, ELLE.com Assistant Editor
"They make a good face wash. Gentle, smells like cucumber, what more can you ask for, really?" — Ariana Yaptangco, ELLE Social Media Editor
"All my life, I have been sadly underwhelmed by face wash. With sensitive, dry, and acne prone skin, many face washes have left my face feeling extremely parched and tight. But then, Erno Laszlo's Hydra Therapy Foaming Cleanser came into my life. Using it for the first time was like an actual dream— it had the perfect amount of lather, which left my face feeling clean and super soft, thanks to its hydrating combination of shea butter and marula oil. It's the forever star of my top shelf!" — Starr Bowenbank, ELLE.com Editorial Fellow
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