"The Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser has been a longtime staple in my practice recommendations as the formulation is gentle enough for the most sensitive skin types, yet effective in removing impurities without irritating the skin," says Yoon-Soo Cindy Bae, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor at NYU Dermatology.
"One of my favorite acne fighting cleansers is the Differin Daily Deep Cleanser which is a micronized 5% benzoyl peroxide cleanser," says Dr. Melissa Kanchanapoomi Levin, board-certified NYC dermatologist and clinical instructor at NYU Langone and Mount Sinai Hospital. "Many drugstore benzoyl peroxide-based cleansers are drying and irritating to the skin, however, this cleanser has a dual-action micronized formula that penetrates the pores to absorb the excess oil while releasing a gentle moisturizing that doesn't clog pores or dry the skin."
"This cleanser uses naturally derived surfactants (oat and coconut) to cleanse skin without over-drying," says Dr. David Shafer, double board-certified NYC plastic surgeon. "Additionally, aloe and chamomile are very soothing and sage is both antibacterial and anti-inflammatory."
"Gentle on all skin types, this facial cleanser maintains pH balance (closest to water) and doesn't contain detergent (sulfate) that strips the natural protective oil barrier of the skin," says Anita Sun, trained medical esthetician and co-founder of Dermovia. "Apply the cleanser on damp skin and rub around (gently massage) in a circular motion all over the face for 30 seconds, let it sit on the skin for another 10 to 15 seconds, and then rub around again before rinsing off and use a towel to wipe clean."
"One of the best ways to get the most bang for your buck on a cleanser is to choose one with glycolic acid and I recommend the Mario Badescu Glycolic Foaming Cleanser to many of my patients," says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Rhonda Klein, MD, FAAD. "Glycolic acid is an alpha-hydroxy that penetrates skin cells to exfoliate, making way for new, fresh skin cells to surface. It is also a powerhouse multi-tasker that reduces both fine lines and acne, a common pair of issues for many adult women."
