BEST CLEANSING MILK
Inspired by the pure mountain air of the French Alps where the brand cultivates its herbarium, Clarins Velvet Cleansing Milk ($30) sweeps away the day while preserving skin’s healthy bacteria with nutrient-rich herbs.
BEST MICELLAR WATER
A gentle micellar water that cleanses, brightens and costs less than $10 sounds too good to be true, but Garnier Brightening Micellar Cleansing Water + Vitamin C ($9) made us believers. Plus, it’s also a great makeup brush cleaner.
BEST FOAM CLEANSER
Though some foams get a bad rep for stripping skin, glowoasis CloudCleanse Cloud-Whipped Foaming Cleanser ($26) beats the stigma with its pH-balancing, vitamin-rich formula and deep-cleaning microbubbles that leave pores gunk-free.
BEST EYE MAKEUP REMOVER
Skin around the eyes is delicate, so removing mascara and liner shouldn’t be a tug-of-war situation. Mary Kay Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover ($17) takes everything off—even waterproof—without irritating eyes or leaving behind a greasy mess.
BEST OIL-FREE CLEANSER
This gentle holy grail now comes in an oil-free version: philosophy purity made simple one-step oil-free facial cleanser ($25) uses bamboo extract to deliver a clean, matte finish without any pore-clogging ingredients.
BEST CLEANSING OIL
Year after year, hydrophilic BABOR HY-ÖL ($36) hits the high note for delivering deep-cleaning, pore-clearing power—no matter your skin type—using natural plant oils.
BEST CREAM CLEANSER
Guinot Clean Logic Cleansing Cream ($54) feels like a cozy down comforter on dry skin as it swaps dirt and makeup for serious moisturizers like shea oil, hyaluronic acid and seaweed that help strengthen the skin’s lipid barrier.
BEST GEL CLEANSER
This year marks the fifth time we’ve crowned Epionce Lytic Gel Cleanser ($38) because no other gel we’ve tried seems to banish oil and grime the way this willow bark based one does. If your skin veers on the too-shiny side, add this to cart ASAP.
BEST CLEANSING BALM
Ideal for double-cleansing experts and novices alike, citrus-scented The Beauty Spy Seoul Cleansing Balm ($19) turns makeup removal into an indulgent massage, melting away a full face of makeup.
BEST MAKEUP-REMOVING WIPES
So much more than your average cleansing cloths, plant-based Billie Wonder Wipes ($9) are biodegradable and soaked in hyaluronic acid and vitamin C to treat your skin on even the laziest days.
