6 Best Natural Face Washes for All Skin Types

Finding the perfect face wash is not an easy task—some are too drying, some don’t get you feeling clean enough, and others may not target your specific skin needs. 

Not to mention, many face washes can be loaded with hormone disruptors, preservatives, artificial fragrances, and other harmful ingredients that do more harm than good. 

In this article, we’ve got you covered with the best natural face washes on the market today, which are primarily derived from plant-based extracts and avoid toxic chemicals or artificial ingredients. 

This includes our top natural face cleanser, CLEARstem GentleClean, plus options for people on a budget, those with acne-prone or dry skin, and the best makeup-removing and exfoliating cleansers.  

Best Natural Face Wash Overall: CLEARstem Gentle Clean 

Best for: People with acne-prone or oily skin, dry skin, or sensitive skin; anyone looking for a non-toxic natural face wash that isn’t drying. 

Our number one natural facial cleanser pick is CLEARstem GentleClean, a non-toxic and non-hormone-disrupting face wash that is perfect for all skin types and removes makeup well—even mascara. 

We especially love this one as a natural face wash for acne, as all of the ingredients are vetted for comedogenicity—how likely they are to clog pores. 

It’s also great for people with a dry, combination, normal, or sensitive skin type, as it contains hydrating and soothing natural ingredients like sea buckthorn, green tea, cucumber, grapefruit, mango, chamomile, goldenseal, and vitamin C bioflavonoids. 

These ingredients are pH-balancing, do not dry out skin, and can brighten and even out complexion. 

CLEARstem is fragrance-free, using no perfumes to cover up the natural scent of the plants and herbs. 

While CLEARstem GentleClean face wash is a little on the pricey side, at $38 for 6oz, a little bit goes a long way and each bottle can last two months or more when used twice a day. 

Best Natural Face Wash for Dry Skin: The Organic Skin Co. Clean Slate

Best for: Anyone with dry skin looking for a gentle and mostly-organic face cleanser that doesn’t strip the skin of natural moisture. 

For people with dry skin, The Organic Skin Co. Clean Slate is a highly hydrating and nourishing facial cleanser that doesn’t strip the skin of its natural moisture. 

The Organic Skin Co. is known for their supercritical CO2 technology, which uses low temperatures and CO2 instead of chemical/alcohol solvents to get all of the essential compounds from a plant or herb, leading to purer and more concentrated extracts. 

Some of the key natural ingredients in this all-natural face wash include: 

• Anti-aging and pore minimizers: Neem leaf, honeysuckle, pomegranate, and rosemary extracts
• Natural exfoliants: Sugar cane extract, sugar maple extract, European blueberry extract, orange fruit extract, and lemon fruit extract are natural sources of AHAs (alpha-hydroxy acids) that remove dead skin cells.
• Natural antioxidants: Amla berry, honeysuckle, pomegranate, neem, sweet orange oil, and jojoba oil
• Hydrating and soothing ingredients: Aloe vera, shea nut butter, sunflower seed oil, and jojoba oil

However, one downside is that The Organic Skin Co. Clean Slate is one of the more expensive organic face washes, and only comes in a small 3oz tube. 

Best Affordable Natural Face Wash: Pacifica Beauty Sea Foam Face Cleanser 

Best for: People with normal or combination skin types that need an affordable natural face wash.

At less than $2 per ounce, Pacifica Beauty Sea Foam Face Cleanser is our top choice for an affordable natural face wash. 

This foaming cleanser is great for removing makeup, and it contains sea algae extract to remineralize and moisturize the skin, papaya extract to gently exfoliate, and coconut oil to hydrate and tone. 

While this face wash does not include harsh and drying sulfates, some reviewers report that it does dry out their skin, making this cleanser ideal for people with combination or normal skin. 

However, Pacifica Beauty Sea Foam Face Cleanser is also not our first choice for acne-prone skin, as it contains coconut oil—a highly comedogenic ingredient. 

Best Anti-Acne Face Wash: TULA Keep It Clear Acne Foam Cleanser 

Best for: People with active acne or those looking to prevent breakouts; anyone looking for a natural cleanser that also helps to fade acne scars.

The best face wash for acne we came across is TULA Keep It Clear Acne Foam Cleanser, as it contains a blend of natural ingredients that target active acne, prevent new breakouts from forming, and even help to fade old acne scars. 

These key acne-fighting ingredients include: 

• 2% salicylic acid: The highest percentage of salicylic acid available without a prescription; this acid reduces swelling and redness and clears blocked skin pores to reduce breakouts 
• Probiotics: Help to balance the skin microbiome and improve skin smoothness 
• Tea tree oil and ginger: Soothe and calm irritated skin
• Licorice and azelaic acid: Brighten and fade acne scars

Plus, internal research found that, after four weeks of use, 93% of people reported clearer and smoother skin and 87% agreed that it helped to minimize the severity of breakouts. 

However, while salicylic acid is beneficial for fighting acne, it commonly causes dry skin. 

Best Makeup-Removing Face Wash: Farmacy Clean Bee Gentle Facial Cleanser 

Best for: People who wear a lot of makeup and want a natural cleanser that removes it well.

Our top choice for a makeup-removing natural face wash is Farmacy Clean Bee Gentle Facial Cleanser, which includes exfoliating, cleansing, hydrating, and soothing ingredients. 

The most unique ingredient in this face wash is the proprietary honey blend—which comes from bees on their own farm—which is antioxidant-rich and has humectant properties that retain moisture. 

This natural cleanser also contains coconut, sugar, and amino acids to gently remove makeup, dirt, and other impurities, plus hyaluronic acid for added moisture and hydration. 

Lastly, you’ll find a botanical blend of turmeric, licorice, root, chamomile, aloe, and calendula in Farmacy Clean Bee Gentle Facial Cleanser to reduce redness and calm the skin. 

Although many people love the honey-coconut scent, others with an extra-sensitive skin type (or noses) may find it irritating. 

Best Exfoliating Face Wash: goop Beauty Exfoliating Jelly Cleanser

Best for: People looking for a gentle exfoliating face wash that removes dry, flaky skin and brightens skin tone. 

Say what you will about goop, but they do make a great natural face wash—including their goop Beauty Exfoliating Jelly Cleanser.

This natural face wash is loaded with skin-loving natural ingredients, including: 

• Tropical fruit enzymes soften skin and refine texture 
• Bitter orange peel physically exfoliates skin and removes impurities
• Arctic cloudberry (yes, apparently that’s a thing) helps to retain moisture 
• Australian kakadu plum is rich in vitamin C and brightens skin 
• Sugarcane-derived squalane retains moisture and nourishes skin 

In a brand-led study of 32 women who used goop Beauty Exfoliating Jelly Cleanser, 100% agreed that the cleanser removed dry and flaky skin, 97% found it reduced excess oil or sebum, and 91% had glowing or luminous skin after 7 days. 

However, as with all goop products, this jelly cleanser is not inexpensive, at $8.75 per ounce. 

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