The skincare industry is constantly evolving, and with it, the demand for ethical and cruelty-free products has skyrocketed. Consumers are becoming more aware of the impact their purchases have on animals and the environment, and are searching for alternatives that align with their values.
In this article, we’ll be taking a look at 21 of the best cruelty-free face washes and cleansers available in 2023. These products have been carefully selected for their effectiveness, ingredients, and commitment to cruelty-free and eco-friendly practices.
Whether you’re looking for a gentle cleanser for sensitive skin, or a deep-cleaning formula for oily skin, there’s something for everyone on this list.
For more information about clean beauty, check our articles about cruelty-free moisturizers, and vegan & cruelty-free makeup brands.
Preview of the Article
- Best Cruelty-Free Face Washes for Oily Skin
- Best Cruelty-Free Face Washes for Dry Skin
- Best Cruelty-Free Face Washes for Aging Skin
- Best Cruelty-Free Face Washes for Acne Prone Skin
- Best Cruelty-Free Face Washes for Sensitive Skin
- Best Cruelty-Free Face Washes for Combination Skin & All Types
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BEST CRUELTY-FREE FACE WASHES FOR OILY SKIN
1. Best Cruelty-Free Face Wash For Oily Skin
Product | RESIST Perfectly Balanced Foaming Cleanser – Paula’s Choice
Features | Fragrance-Free, Parabens-Free, Sulfate-Free
Review | 4.8/5 Stars on 190 Reviews
Price | $22
- Effective cleanser removes dirt and makeup without drying the skin
- Reduces the appearance of pores
- Formulated with hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and aloe vera to keep skin hydrated and balanced.
Customer review
“This cleanser is honestly so bomb. I have oily acne prone and sensitive skin, it’s so hard to find products that help and don’t irritate my skin. This one I can say has helped so much with skin issues. I use it at the end of the night with my FOREO device. Works amazingly!”
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2. Best Cruelty-Free Face Wash To Regulate Oily Skin
Product | Daily Glycolic Cleanser – Dermalogica
Features | Without Sulfates SLS & SLES, Vegan
Review | 4.8/5 stars on 352 reviews
Price | $37
- Cleanses and brightens
- Renews dull, uneven skin tone and helps remove buildup caused by environmental factors
- Formula contains Glycolic Acid to brighten and achieve healthy-looking skin & Calendula Extract and Jojoba Seed Oil to maintain the skin’s lipid barrier
Customer review
“First time using this product and I am very impressed. This cleans well and makes my skin feel super soft!”
3. Best Cruelty-Free Face Wash For Oily and Pore Prone Skin
Product | Squalane + Amino Aloe Gentle Pore-Minimizing Cleanser – Biossance
Features | Vegan, and Made Without Parabens or Synthetic Fragrances.
Review | 4.4/5 stars on 515 reviews
Price | $28
- Deep cleanse with this gentle non-stripping foaming gel
- Leaves your skin soft and hydrated and your pores unclogged
- Formulated with Amino acid complex to eliminate pore-clogging dirt & Aloe vera leaf juice for a glowing skin
Customer Review
“Great cleanser for Combo/Oily skin. I felt like my skin got brighter since I started using it about two weeks ago. It cleans my skin of excess oils without drying. As mentioned by other reviews, the formula probably had essential oils in it so beware if you have sensitive skin. I used to wash my face for maybe less than 15secs, which to really have the benefit you should wash for longer, but it smells so good that I want to wash my face for longer!.”
BEST CRUELTY-FREE FACE WASHES FOR DRY SKIN
4. Best Cruelty-Free Face Wash For Dryness and Dehydration
Product | Botanical B Enzyme Cleansing Oil + Makeup Remover – One Love Organics
Features | Synthetic Fragrance-free, Dermatologist Tested, Certified Organic and Natural Ingredients
Review | 4.8/5 stars on 579 reviews
Price | $42
- Gentle cleansing oil.
- Formulated with sunflower seed oil, skin-softening papain, a vitamin B complex, and antioxidant-rich ingredients
- Your skin feels polished, fresh and rejuvenated but never dry.
Customer Review
“One of my all time favorite products by one love organics and definitely my go to cleansing oil. It smells so good and is amazing at removing waterproof mascara. So gentle and nourishing but not greasy! Would 100% recommend!”
5. Best Cruelty-Free Face Wash For Dry and Sensitive Skin
Product | Brightening Cleanser – Indie Lee
Features | Phthalate and Parabens free
Review | 4.8/5 on 131 reviews
Price | $36
- Cleanser, makeup remover and mask in one.
- Strawberry Seed Oil, hydrolyzed Wheat Protein and Tomato extracts exfoliate and nourish your skin
- Delicious strawberry scent for hydrated, silky and luminous skin.
Customer Review
“This is the best cleanser that I keep repurchasing! I have dry, sensitive skin and this product cleans my face and does not leave a film after that you find with a lot of cleansers! Plus the smell is fantastic and I love the clean ingredients! Give it a try!”
6. Best Cruelty-Free Face Wash For Dryness
Product | Mini Squalane Cleanser – The Ordinary
Features | Vegan, Gluten free, Free of Parabens, Formaldehydes, and Phthalates.
Review | 4/5 stars on 93 reviews
Price | $9
- Cleanser to remove makeup and dirt
- Squalane ingredient supports skin’s moisture barrier through hydration
- Non-comedogenic and soap-free formula
Customer Review
“I love this I been using it for a new months it’s my favorite face wash. Leaves me feeling soft and hydrated unlike most brands. I love that it doesn’t have harmful toxic perfumes or ingredients.”
7. Best Cruelty-Free Face Wash For Free Radical Damage, Dryness and Dehydration
Product | Deep Cleansing Oil – DHC
Features | Natural Ingredient, Fragrance, Colorant, and Parabens-Free
Review | 4.78/5 stars on 1275 reviews
Price | $15
- Removes makeup, dirt and other pore-clogging impurities
- Water-soluble formula infused with olive oil and vitamin E
- Nourishes and hydrates the skin, while rinsing completely clean
Customer Review
“Love to use this oil to remove my make up. Its very gentle and leaves my face smooth and hydrated.”
BEST CRUELTY-FREE FACE WASHES FOR AGING SKIN
8. Best Cruelty-Free Face Wash For Aging Skin, Fine Lines and Wrinkles
Product | Daily Enzyme Cleanser – Ignae
Features | Vegan, Gluten-Free, Free from Parabens, Fragrance, PEGS’s (polyethylene glycol), Mineral oils, Sulfates (SLS, sodium lauryl sulfate and SLS, sodium laureth sulfate), DEA, Heavy metals, Talc, Petrolatum, and Paraffin
Review | 5/5 stars on 6 reviews
Price | $103
- Deep cleanse & Gentle exfoliation
- Moisturizes & Regenerates the skin profoundly
- Transports potent actives into the deepest layers of the skin
Customer Review
“Refreshing lightweight cleanser that not only removes my makeup, but I love leaving it on for a minute or so to give the enzymes a chance to work their magic! The cleanser actually doubles as a gentle peel to resurface the skin — revealing baby soft skin 😊”
9. Best Cruelty-Free Face Wash For Anti-Aging Skin Care
Product | Renewal Refining Cleanser – Burt’s Bees
Features | Natural Ingredients, Formulated without Parabens, Phthalates, and SLS
Review | 4.5/5 stars on 12,054 reviews
Price | $9.99
- Cleans without stripping vital moisture from your skin
- Formulated with Bakuchiol and Vitamin E
- Prepares your skin for the rest of your skincare routine
Customer Review
“My skin has never been better after using this item. The scent is amazing and it is very effective. The price and service is also amazing.”
BEST CRUELTY-FREE FACE WASHES FOR ACNE PRONE SKIN
10. Best Cruelty-Free Face Wash For Acne and Blemish-Prone Skin
Product | Cleansing Complex – iS Clinical
Features Dermatologist Approved, Parabens-Free, Phthalate-Free, Sulfate-Free
Review | 4.8/5 stars on 961 reviews
Price | $45
- Exfoliates and breaks up pore-clogging oil
- Tightens the appearance of your pores
- Formulated with chamomile and centella asiatica to prevent damages from free radicals
Customer Review
“I’ve been using this for several months and have noticed a big improvement in my skin. It feels very clean after I use it too.”
11. Best Cruelty-Free Face Wash For Acne, Blackheads and Oily Skin
Product | Salicylic Acid Acne + Pore Cleanser – The INKEY List
Features | Gluten-free, Free From Phthalates and Formaldehyde
Review | 4,4/ 5 stars on 1215 reviews
Price | $11.99
- Non-drying and lightly foaming cleanser that removes makeup and dirt
- Reduces blackheads and breakouts
- Formulated with Salicylic Acid to unclog pores and exfoliates, Zinc Compound to reduce excess oil, and Allantoin to soothe irritation.
Customer Review
“I have sensitive skin, and besides some dryness (also winter in MN) this product has helped my acne immensely.”
12. Best Cruelty-Free Face Wash For Acne and Large Pores
Product | Clear Skin Probiotic Cleanser – Eminence Organic Skin Care
Features | Certified Organic, Gluten-Free, Natural, Parabens-Free, Phthalate-Free, Sulfate-Free
Review | 4.64/5 stars on 242 reviews
Price | $48
- Purifies your skin without stripping essential moisture
- Reduces the visible signs of aging with a biocomplex of vitamins A, C, E, Coenzyme Q10 and antioxidants
- Formulated with tea tree oil to prevent breakouts, lactic acid to exfoliate, and cucumber juice to shrink pore size.
Customer Review
“Although I have acne prone skin, it is very dry and sensitive. I was worried this would strip my face of moisture like other acne cleansers and since it’s recommended for those with oily skin, but it’s actually incredibly gentle and doesn’t dry out my face! It also smells so natural and refreshing so I really enjoy using it [ |”.
13. Best Cruelty-Free Face Wash For Blackheads, Cystic Acne, Whiteheads
Product | LHA Cleanser Gel – SkinCeuticals
Features | Fragrance-Free, Parabens-Free, Phthalate-Free
Review | 4.47/5 stars on 549 reviews
Price | $42
- Deep-digging facial wash
- Creates a refined skin texture and a brighter skin tone
- Formulated with a combination of LHA, glycolic and salicylic acid encouraging cell renewal
Customer Review
“This cleanser is a must have. I have tried other SC face washes and this is by far a favorite. It cuts through makeup, dirt, oil immediately and leaves skin feeling tingly and clean. Have repurchased multiple times now.”
BEST CRUELTY-FREE FACE WASHES FOR SENSITIVE SKIN
14. Best Cruelty-Free Face Wash For Sensitive Skin
Product | Ocean Cleanser – Osea
Features | Vegan certified
Review | 4.8/5 stars on 125 reviews
Price | $48
- Seaweed-infused gel cleanser removes impurities and excess oil
- PH-balanced formula with sweet jasmine and a citrusy light note of bergamot
- Delivers mineral-rich hydration
Customer Review
“Love this gentle cleanser. I use it every morning to wash off the products from the night before. The subtle natural scent reminds me of lime and is so refreshing; it wakes my skin up without drying out my face. I was using a cheaper clean face wash and realized it was much more harsh and drying”.
15. Best Cruelty-Free Face Wash For Redness and Dryness
Product | Pure Skin Face Cleanser – First Aid Beauty
Features | Dermatologist Tested, Gluten-Free, Nut-Free, Soy-Free, Vegan, Free from Parabens, Petrolatum, Phthalates, Propylene Glycol, Sulfates, Talc.
Review | 4.4/5 stars on 4696 reviews
Price | $24
- Fragrance-free gentle cleanser for sensitive skin
- Creamy non-stripping texture for a skin soft and supple
- Maintains skin’s natural acidity
Customer Review
“I have tried so many cleansers (that. Ost so much more than this) but I keep coming back to this one. My skin feels thoroughly cleansed without feeling dry.”
16. Best Cruelty-Free Face Wash For Reactive Skin
Product | Green Clean Makeup Removing Cleansing Balm – Farmacy
Features | Natural Ingredients and Vegan Formula
Review | 4.7/5 stars on 5827 reviews
Price | $36
- Removes long-wear makeup and impurities from pollution
- Skin feels hydrated and silky smooth
- Formulated with sunflower, ginger root oils and all-natural Moringa extract
Customer Review
“This is pricey for a makeup remover, especially since I tend to be cheap with my purchases. But it’s so so worth it, nothing else compares. This magic balm gets off every speck of makeup, including waterproof mascara, without any need to rub and tug harshly. It leaves my skin soft and smooth, doesn’t dry my face out and also doesn’t leave an oily residue behind, unlike similar products.”
BEST CRUELTY-FREE FACE WASHES FOR COMBINATION SKIN & ALL TYPES
17. Best Cruelty-Free Face Wash For Dry, Combo, and Normal Skin
Product | Juneberry & Collagen Hydrating Cold Cream Cleanser – Alpyn Beauty
Features | Vegan, Free from Phenoxyethanol, Parabens, Sulfates, Phthalates, Gluten, and Fragrance.
Review | 4.9/5 Stars on 226 reviews
Price | $39
- Purifying cleanser removes dirt, oil and makeup
- Exfoliates dryness
- Leaves skin soft and smooth
Customer Review
“This is a great cleanser for dry winter skin. It doesn’t leave your skin feeling stripped while giving a nice deep cleanse. The tingling sensation is an added bonus. Definitely a must have to add to your cleansing routine.”
18. Best Cruelty-Free Face Wash For Normal and Combination Skin
Product | Face Wash – Fleur & Bee
Features | Dermatologist Tested, Natural and Organic Ingredients
Review | 4.6/5 stars on 273 reviews
Price | $30
- Removes impurities and eases redness
- Leaves skin feeling soft, smooth, and clean
- Cleanses without drying
Customer Review
“This product is wonderful. So refreshing and clean – I use it twice a day. And for a company to be socially aware and doing something about it as well….is just an added plus. Good Job !”
19. Best Cruelty-Free Face Wash For Combination and Oily Skin
Product | Sea Foam Face Cleanser – Pacifica Beauty
Features | Formulated Without Parabens, Phthalates, SLS or Sulfate
Review | 4.6/5 stars on 8011 reviews
Price | $10
- Foaming and pH-balanced cleanser
- Gently removes makeup, oil and impurities
- Skin is refreshed and luminous
Customer Review
“This face wash was inexpensive, doesn’t have harmful ingredients, smells good, and works great! It takes all of my makeup (including mascara) off easily! It has a slight coconut scent. I will definitely continue buying this!”
20. Best Cruelty-Free Face Wash For All Skin
Product | Holy Hydration! Daily Cleanser – e.l.f. SKIN
Features | Vegan and Free From Phthalates, Parabens, Nonylphenol Ethoxylates, Triclosan, Triclocarban, and Hydroquinone
Review | 4.7/5 stars on443 reviews
Price | $6
- Hydrating cleanser
- Formulated with hyaluronic acid and ceramides
- Skin is moisturized, clean, and healthy-looking
Customer Review
“ I love how this facial cleaner makes my skin feel clean and refreshed. You only need a small amount since it lathers up well. I have learned that I get better results from gently applying the cleanser in a circular motion on my face and neck.”
21. Best Cruelty-Free Face Wash For Normal Skin
Product | Brightening Face Wash – Native
Features | Fragrance-free, Parabens-free, Silicone-free and Dye-free
Review | 4.6/5 stars on 156 reviews
Price | $9.94
- Everyday use moisturizing cleanser
- Removes dirt, oil and impurities
- Skin is radiant and bright.
Customer Review
“ I really love the NATIVE Citrus and Bergamot Brightening Facial Cleaner. It lathers really well and rinses clean. It makes my skin super soft and I can see a visible difference in my skin tone. I love that it’s sulfate and parabens free!”
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