Testing notes: “This cleanser makes my complexion feel really clean. It’s pleasant to use when my skin feels greasy after waking up in the morning, due to the micro beads that give just the right amount of a scrubbing sensation and the squeaky cleanliness after rinsing. Throughout the day, my skin felt smooth and bouncy. Over a week of testing, my complexion did look brighter, and my age spots weren’t as prominent. And the lines on my face didn’t look as deep. The cleanser can be a little drying, so have a hydrating moisturizer on hand after use,” says Glamour copy manager Charlotte Twine.
Best for Over 60: Exuviance Deep Clean AHA Cleanser
Original video from Taryn Brooke testing Exuviance Deep Clean AHA Cleanser
Mature skin often needs help sloughing away dull surface cells while protecting the barrier. Exuviance’s skin cleanser does both: glycolic acid gently exfoliates, while gluconolactone balances pH and smooths texture. You can expect your skin to feel fresh and look incredibly radiant.
Testing notes: “This cleanser has earned a coveted spot in my skin care routine. I love the gel-like consistency because it makes me feel like I am truly giving my skin a deep cleanse, especially after a long day of stress and reapplying sunscreen religiously. Though it contains glycolic acid, a pretty potent alpha-hydroxy acid, this one is gentle enough on my skin that I use it in my nighttime skin care routine, which includes retinol. I truly love how my skin feels afterward. And a huge bonus for me, at least, is that it minimizes the look of my pores,” says Glamour contributor Taryn Brooke.
Best for Dry Skin: True Botanicals Renew Nourishing Cleanser
Original video from Taryn Brooke testing True Botanicals Renew Nourishing Cleanser
This antioxidant-rich formula leaves dry skin hydrated and soft, thanks to a blend of botanical oils. We gave this cleanser extra points for being eco-friendly, which makes us feel better as we lather and rinse.
Testing notes: “With the colder months approaching, I start to switch my skin care out for products formulated with gentler ingredients, such as those found in this True Botanicals cleanser. I’ve always loved the brand and I’ve been using this cleanser almost every morning to soothe my skin after my nightly retinol use,” says Brooke.
Best Hydrating: Retrouvé Luminous Cleansing Elixir
Original video from Taryn Brooke testing Retrouvé Luminous Cleansing Elixir
This luxurious cleansing balm hydrates and nourishes the skin. It dissolves dirt without drying. And it’s humectant-rich, which means it helps to lock in the moisture that our aging skin so desperately craves.
Testing notes: “I like to use this hydrating cleanser during my morning skin care routine because it doesn’t fully remove heavier makeup and sunscreen, but I still want to make sure I am getting all the hydrating benefits for my skin. If I’ve used my prescription retinol the night before, sometimes my skin will feel a little extra sensitive in the morning, so I will use this one to help make it more supple. After lathering the cleanser, I love to leave it to soak into my skin for about a minute as a quick moisture mask in the morning, tissue it off, and continue with the rest of my skin care. I’m definitely going to be using it more often as it gets colder out,” says Brooke.
Best at Removing Makeup: Cetaphil Nourishing Oil to Foam Cleanser
Original video from Charlotte Twine testing Cetaphil Nourishing Oil to Foam Cleanser
This classic drugstore pick remains a derm go-to for its effectiveness and affordability.This cleanser is truly a dream for those with sensitive skin—it’s fragrance-free, hypoallergenic, and noncomedogenic. It starts out silky and then transforms into a foam, deeply cleansing whatever makeup, sunscreen, and other impurities our face endured over the course of our day. “This is an excellent dual-phase cleanser that effectively removes makeup and impurities without stripping the skin. It’s well formulated, gentle, and maintains hydration—ideal for all skin types,” says Dr. Ostad.
