The Best Natural Face Wash
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Are you trying to find a face wash that gently cleanses the skin while maintaining the skin’s natural barrier? If yes, then you have come to the right place.
Previously, facial cleansers meant to cleanse skin used to contain harsh cleansers such as sulfates as well as other chemicals that strip away the skin’s moisture making it drier over time. These chemicals are not good for human health and the environment in general.
Luckily, with raising awareness of these issues more and more natural chemical-free face washes have emerged in the skincare scene that are gentle on the skin and the planet as well. We have curated a list of the best natural face wash to make it easier for you to pick an appropriate face wash for yourself.
Related: The Best Natural Body Wash
| Image | Product | Our Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
Best Overall  | Osea Malibu OSEA Ocean Cleanser
| 9.7 | Check Price on Amazon |
Best Vegan  | Ursa Major Fantastic Face Wash
| 9.6 | Check Price on Amazon |
Best Value  | Neutrogena Naturals Purifying Daily Facial Cleanser
| 9.6 | Check Price on Amazon |
The Best Natural Face Wash
1. Best Overall: OSEA Ocean Cleanser
OSEA Ocean Cleanser
OSEA Ocean Cleanser is a refreshing seaweed face wash featuring a pH-balanced formula that removes impurities and excess oils and exfoliates the skin gently while protecting its natural barrier.
The cleanser has a gel-like consistency that melts into a smooth, silky texture when applied to damp skin. The formula features hydrating and clarifying oils such as juniper, cypress, and jojoba. A vegan lactic acid derived from fermented beets is also present in the formula that gently exfoliates the skin.
When you apply this natural face wash to your skin you feel a soothing, cooling sensation, unlike harsh exfoliating products that make your skin feel tight or stripped.
Apart from the cleansing and skin-protecting properties, this product has a citrusy scent derived from orange and lime oils that offers a refreshing wake-up call.
The following key benefits offered by the OSEA Ocean cleanser make it the best natural face wash that is a must-have for your skincare routine:
- Gently removes surface impurities, exfoliates, and restores radiance
- Organic Seaweed hydrates the skin deeply
- Vegan Lactic acid derived from beets offers gentle exfoliation
- Exfoliation leads to a more balanced, healthy complexion and minimized pores
- A pH-balanced formula
- Lime, Cypress, Juniper, and Jasmine essential oils help calm the skin
- Features an invigorating citrusy scent
- Jojoba Seed Oil and Sesame Oil are humectants that hydrate the skin and also have antibacterial and antioxidant properties
- The formula of this face wash is free of Sulfates, parabens, petroleum, phthalates, and synthetic fragrances
2. Best Vegan & Cruelty-Free: Ursa Major Fantastic Face Wash
Ursa Major Fantastic Face Wash
Ursa Major Fantastic Face Wash is the best natural facial cleanser that thoroughly cleanses and exfoliates, without removing moisture from your skin or disturbing its pH balance. The gentle formula of this face wash is ideal for normal, oily, combination, and acne-prone skin.
Ursa Major Fantastic face wash is a brightening face wash made using naturally-derived ingredients such as cleansing coconut-derived surfactants, brightening sugarcane, calming aloe, and moisturizing rice seed.
This is the best vegan and cruelty-free face wash that you can buy which has no sulfates, unlike typical facewashes. Instead, mild, naturally-derived cleansers such as Lauryl glucoside, coco-glucoside, sodium cocoyl glutamate, and sodium lauroamphoacetate are added to the Fantastic Face wash.
A nature-based skin conditioning agent inulin derived from chicory is also added to moisturize the skin.
At a glance, Ursa Major Fantastic face wash offers the following irresistible benefits that make it at the top of our list:
- Vegan, cruelty-free, and gluten-free face wash
- Features gentle foaming, the pH-balanced formula for clean and glowing skin
- Offers an invigorating cleanse, AHA exfoliation, and hydration in one formula
- Makes use of coconut-derived cleansing agents that do not dry out the skin
- Lemon extract provides a natural form of alpha-hydroxy acids that exfoliate and brighten the skin
- Sugarcane provides a natural source of glycolic acid that brightens and clarifies the skin
- Features white tea extract that is rich in antioxidants and promotes healthy skin
- Aloe present in the formula soothes and hydrates
- Removes oil and grime, exfoliates and brightens, soothes, and hydrates the skin at the same time
- Has a delightful scent from a unique blend of cedar, lime, and spearmint
- Chemical-free face wash that does not use petrochemicals, sulfates, parabens, glycols, synthetic fragrance or color, silicones, or PEGs
3. Best Value: Neutrogena Naturals Purifying Facial Cleanser
Neutrogena Naturals Purifying Daily Facial Cleanser with Natural Salicylic Acid from Willowbark Bionutrients
The best budget-friendly natural face wash is Neutrogena Naturals Purifying facial cleanser. It contains naturally derived ingredients such as natural salicylic acid extracted from Willowbark that penetrate deep into pores to remove dirt, oil, and makeup.
It cleanses the skin without clogging the pores so that your skin feels healthy and clean.
At a glance, this product offers the following skin cleansing benefits at a fraction of the price:
- Gently removes impurities
- Helps improve complexion for clear, glowing skin
- Contains natural salicylic acid derived from willow bark that penetrates deep to remove dirt, oil, and makeup without clogging pores
- Neutrogena is a dermatologist-recommended brand
- The formula contains 90% naturally derived ingredients
- This product is also suitable for acne-prone skin
- Suitable for daily use, this cleanser is hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic
- The formula is free of harsh chemical sulfates, parabens, petrolatum, dyes, phthalates
4. Best Moisturizing Face Wash: Atmos Skin Natural Facial Cleanser
Atmos Skin Natural Facial Cleanser
Atmos Skin is a skincare brand that aims to discover the best natural ingredients that help rejuvenate and restore damaged skin caused by blue light and environmental pollutants.
The Atmos Skin natural facial cleanser is a natural alternative to chemical options, formulated to help you achieve a youthful, glowing appearance.
The all-natural formula of this facial cleanser glides on smoothly, helping to remove dead skin cells, oil, dirt, and other pollutants while moisturizing the skin with pure essential oils.
- Protects the skin from blue light and other pollutants
- Helps hydrate and moisturize the skin
- Slows down the production of cellular waste
- Prevents oxidative stress that has an anti-aging effect
- Features an all-natural formula that is free of sulfates, gluten, fragrance, dyes, parabens, petrochemicals, phthalate, DEA, and TEA
- It is a cruelty-free product made in the USA
5. Best Foaming Face Wash: Heyedrate Foaming Tea Tree Face Wash for Women
Foaming Tea Tree Face Wash for Women
This face wash is a product of Eye love, a company started by a team of doctors that aims to produce skincare products that are formulated to be gentle enough for dry, irritated skin.
Products that have harsh chemicals damage the skin causing redness, irritation, and inflammation that can cause blemishes, patchy skin, and eyelid bumps.
Heyedrate’s Foaming Tea Tree Face Wash and Eyelid Cleanser is a chemical-free face wash that cleanses and hydrates your skin with organic coconut oil, organic olive oil, and 19 other plant extracts and botanicals that are beneficial for the skin.
Tea Tree Oil has antimicrobial properties and helps to reduce redness and blemishes on your face. Another star ingredient of this face wash is Aloe Vera which helps to soothe and calm red, dry, itchy skin and helps reduce the appearance of dark spots, dark circles, and wrinkles.
This face wash also features a refreshing scent from peppermint that will wake you up in the morning, while lavender calms your senses. Here is the list of key benefits:
- 19 botanicals and plant extracts such as tea tree oil, aloe vera, lavender, lemon, and peppermint essential oils
- Organic olive oil, coconut oil, and sunflower oil added for a rich moisturizing experience
- Free from parabens, formaldehyde, phthalates, fragrances, and dyes
- Portion of the profits to someone in need of eye care
Related: Best Natural Hand Soap without Harmful Chemicals
6. Best for Sensitive Skin: Burt’s Bees Face Cleanser
Burt’s Bees Face Cleanser
Burt Bee’s gentle face cleanser is the best cleanser for sensitive skin which is why it is on our best natural face wash list.
Burt’s fragrance-free sensitive face cleanser hydrates the skin and does not clog pores.
It is a dermatologist tested, hypoallergenic face wash for sensitive skin that has been awarded the National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance making it suitable even for people who have sensitive skin due to Eczema.
The clean formula of this product is 99.6% natural with ingredients that are responsibly sourced in a way that respects land and communities. This face wash supports a strong and healthy skin barrier so that your skin is cleansed gently such that it is not irritated.
Burts Bees Sensitive Facial Cleanser washes away dirt, oil, and makeup and moisturizes your skin at the same time. This soap-free cream cleanser does not cause redness or irritation. It consists of a variety of skin-loving botanicals such as cotton extract that softens the skin and rice extract and aloe that moisturize and soothe. This cleanser offers a naturally gentle way to cleanse very sensitive skin to keep it clean and moisturized every day.
- 99.6% natural
- Gentle, hypoallergenic face wash for sensitive skin
- Soap-free cream cleanser does not cause redness or irritation
- Awarded the National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance
- Nutrient-rich formula consists of 75 vitamins and minerals
- Contains cotton extract that softens the skin and rice extract and aloe that moisturize and soothe
- Improves the skin’s moisture barrier
- Responsibly sourced ingredients.
- Leaping Bunny certified
- Comes in recyclable packaging
7. Best for Acne: Burt’s Bees Natural Acne Solutions Purifying Gel Cleanser
Burt’s Bees Natural Acne Solutions Purifying Gel Cleanser
Burt’s Bees Purifying Gel cleanser is the best cleanser for acne. It washes away excess oils, acne-causing bacteria, and makeup residues. This gel cleanser has been specifically designed to control and prevent acne. The naturally derived salicylic acid present in this face wash penetrates the skin and unclogs pores to prevent the formation of acne.
This cleanser has been formulated with 99% natural ingredients that deep clean your skin and calm skin irritation helping you achieve smooth, clear healthy-looking skin.
Burt’s Bees acne cleanser may help reduce and prevent acne breakouts.
The carefully selected noncomedogenic ingredients of this product make it suitable even for oily, acne-prone skin.
The brand claims that this cleanser has been clinically tested as a purifying acne cleanser that reduces blemishes and prevents breakouts.
In summary, the following points make Burt Bee’s Purifying Gel cleanser the best option for acne-prone skin:
- 99% natural ingredients
- Noncomedogenic acne cleanser that is dermatologist tested
- Contains salicylic acid extracted from willow bark that penetrates clogged pores, reduces acne, and prevents new breakouts
- Evening primrose and beetroot extracts present in this formula work together to help soothe acne-prone skin
- Naturally rich in botanicals that nurture the skin and prevent it from drying out
8. Best Activated Charcoal Facial Cleanser: Detox All-Natural Detoxifying Face Wash
All-Natural Activated Charcoal Facial Cleanser
The Detox All-Natural detoxifying face wash naturally deep cleanses the skin with activated charcoal that dives deep into the skin to remove toxins and reduce wrinkles and dark spots. The activated charcoal traps and removes impurities, opening up clogged pores.
The formula of this cleanser features a combination of three calming teas, Rooibos Tea, White Tea, and Green Tea Extract, that offer an antioxidant remedy that defends your skin from environmental pollutants.
This enriched, gentle cleanser shields your skin every day from irritants and inflammation by providing it with Vitamin C and Vitamin B5 that help build an antioxidant barrier that protects your skin and promotes healing.
This cleanser not only cleanses the skin but also hydrates it gently using natural ingredients like coconut oil, orange peel oil, and aloe vera gel extracts. This face wash unclogs, moisturizes, and invigorates your skin making it suitable for sensitive, acne-prone and oily skin as well.
The Detox charcoal cleanser for men and women boasts the following features:
- Activated charcoal cleanser detoxifies your skin
- The antioxidant-rich formula contains triple tea extract that protects your skin from damage caused by environmental pollutants
- Offers natural skincare with anti-aging vitamins that nourish the skin from within
- Contains moisturizing and revitalizing oil extracts
- 100% natural cleanser made in the USA
- This product is paraben-free, cruelty-free, and is hypoallergenic
Related: The Best Natural Shampoo for Beautiful, Healthy Hair
9. Best for Men: Brickell Men’s Purifying Charcoal Face Wash
Brickell Men’s Purifying Charcoal Face Wash for Men
Brickell is a skincare brand that natural and certified organic products designed for men’s skin. Their products are sold in more than 20 countries and have been featured in popular men’s magazines such as GQ, Men’s Health, and Men’s Journal.
The Brickell Men’s Purifying charcoal cleanser is the best face wash for men that penetrates deep into the skin to gently remove oil and bacteria from the pores without drying out the skin.
This non-irritating natural face wash is suitable for men of any age and skin type. Even those who have a sensitive, dry skin type can use this face wash without the fear of irritation.
The refreshing formula of this face wash is packed with moisturizing extracts and vitamins that nourish your skin and provide antioxidant benefits while Charcoal deep-cleans your pores gently.
The Natural & Certified Organic ingredients present in this formula include activated charcoal, olive oil, jojoba oil, and aloe vera which may help you achieve clean, hydrated skin.
At a glance, The Brickell Men’s Purifying charcoal cleanser offers the following benefits that get it on our best natural face wash list:
- Ideal for men with dry or sensitive skin
- Thoroughly cleanses the skin without drying or irritating
- Helps remove dead skins cells and clears pores
- A charcoal face wash that is 99% natural and 60% organic
- Carries a pleasant scent from a refreshing essential oil blend of peppermint, eucalyptus, and lemongrass
- Made in the USA
- Cruelty-free product
10. Best for Oily Skin: Pacifica Beauty Sea Foam Cleanser
Pacifica Beauty Sea Foam Face Cleanser
The Pacifica Beauty Sea Foam cleanser harnesses the power of nature with potent marine phytonutrients. It is a foaming, sulfate-free cleanser best suited for oily skin. This face wash gently removes makeup, oil, and impurities for balanced, clean, and glowing skin.
The formula comprises skin-loving, natural ingredients such as Coconut water, Coconut oil, Sea algae, and White tea that work together to clean and rejuvenate your skin.
In a nutshell, The Pacifica Beauty seafoam cleanser offers the following benefits:
- Gentle formula is also suitable for all skin types, even though great for oily skin
- Formula smells like fresh coconut
- Features a coconut water & sea algae complex
- Coconut water has antimicrobial properties that might help fight acne
- Sea algae are popular skincare and anti-aging ingredients that heal, revitalize, and strengthen the skin
- Efficiently removes makeup, cleanses, and tones the skin
- Packs a powerhouse of antioxidants
- The sulfate-free formula uses only naturally derived ingredients
- No parabens, phthalates, SLS, or mineral oil
Related: The Best Non-Toxic Toothpaste for Clean Teeth and a Healthy Smile
Why Switch to a Natural Face Wash?
Typical chemical face washes contain harsh chemicals and physical exfoliators that strip away the skin’s natural moisture barrier. They eliminate the oils naturally present in our skin that protect it from damage and transepidermal water loss. This makes the skin more vulnerable to damage and also triggers the formation of wrinkles.
To protect the skin’s moisture barrier it is best to use a natural face wash that is pH neutral and gentle on the skin. Natural face washes contain ingredients derived from nature that work efficiently as cleansers, exfoliators, and moisturizers.
Related: DIY Foaming Hand Soap Recipe
| Image | Product | Our Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
Best Overall | Osea Malibu OSEA Ocean Cleanser
| 9.7 | Check Price on Amazon |
Best Vegan | Ursa Major Fantastic Face Wash
| 9.6 | Check Price on Amazon |
Best Value | Neutrogena Naturals Purifying Daily Facial Cleanser
| 9.6 | Check Price on Amazon |
Final Thoughts About the Best Natural Face Wash
The very first step in a good skincare routine is skin cleansing with a natural facial cleanser which is essential for healthy skin. If you don’t clean your skin regularly it becomes clogged with dirt and other pollutants that trigger breakouts and premature aging. It won’t be wrong to say that one of the best defenses against aging skin is clean, unclogged skin.
Picking one of our best natural face washes on the list above will help you in these efforts. Not only will you have clean, beautiful skin it will be healthier with the chemical-free face wash that does not contain unnecessary chemicals that are detrimental to your health.