We've Tried $300+ Skincare, but the Beauty We Love Is Budget-Friendly — Shop Our Favorite Face Washes from $9

“I have always had oily, acne-prone skin, and even though this cleanser targets normal to dry skin, I absolutely love it. It’s more of a cream cleanser than a gel one, and post-wash, my skin still feels clean but also moisturized — I buy it in bulk.” — Madison Yauger, Shopping Editor

“When my relatively issue-free skin freaked out earlier this year and turned red, flaky, and dry for no apparent reason, I dropped everything from my skincare routine and picked up this new-ish formula from the trusted drugstore brand (which is not owned by Michael Cera). It feels refreshing as it takes the day off because it doesn’t strip out moisture. Thankfully, my skin’s since recovered, and I’ve found a new face wash I want to buy again and again.” — Laura Gurfein, Shopping Director

“To thoroughly cleanse my sensitive, acne-prone skin, I keep repurchasing this $12 cleanser. I’ve tested more than 20 face washes this year alone, and I keep coming back to this one — It completely removes sunscreen and makeup without leaving my skin feeling tight or irritated.” — Cai Cramer, Shopping Writer

“I’ve devoted the past few months to repairing my skin barrier, so I simplified my routine and implemented a gentle facial cleanser. Vanicream removes the layers of oil, sunscreen, and makeup at the end of the day without leaving my skin dry and tight. This under-$10 cleanser has restored my skin’s moisture, leaving it feeling soft, supple, and squeaky clean.”  —  Kayla Kitts, Shopping Editor

“I have dry, mature, sensitive skin, and this face powder keeps dryness at bay and gives me a minor exfoliation without irritation. While the price tag is quite high, one bottle usually lasts me a whole year. Plus, since it is a powder, it is easy to travel with.”  —  Dwyer Frame, Senior Vice President

“Over the years, I’ve tried several face washes, but I always come back to this one by Cetaphil. I have pretty sensitive skin, and my face never feels itchy or dry after using it. The rich lather always leaves my skin feeling incredibly soft and refreshed, and my combination skin feels quite balanced.” —  Toni Sutton, Shopping Writer

“This is a tried-and-true cleanser that I’ve had on my makeup counter since high school. It’s super gentle with an impressive lather and leaves skin feeling very clean. I do need to apply moisturizer directly afterward to prevent my skin from feeling tight, but when I need to take off my face sunscreen, this one will always do the trick.” — Cai Cramer, Shopping Writer

“I can always rely on this heavy-duty cleanser to bring my hormonal breakouts to a screeching halt. It’s made for oily skin, so I use it during the summer when my face needs a little extra TLC. It leaves my face feeling super clean, though it can be drying at times, so I always pair it with a super hydrating moisturizer.” — Genevieve Cepeda, Shopping Writer

“My mom has been a devotee of this cleanser for years, and when I tried it for myself, it immediately became my go-to for times when my face needs something more gentle. It leaves my face feeling clean without ever leaving behind that squeaky-clean, stiff feeling.” — Genevieve Cepeda, Shopping Writer

“I can’t say enough good things about this face wash! After developing acne after moving to a hot, humid island, Osea’s soothing Ocean Cleanser cooled my skin right down. It’s gentle for sensitive skin and cleansing yet hydrating.” — Nicol Natale, Shopping Writer

“I never know exactly what to expect from celebrity beauty brands, but trust me when I say that Rhode is the real deal. Not only does their foaming daily cleanser leave my skin feeling soft, bouncy, and squeaky clean after use, but the formula smells good enough to eat. Mrs. Hailey Bieber definitely knew what she was doing with this one, and I’m already planning on repurchasing once I run out.” — Averi Baudler, Senior Shopping Writer

“I received the Sulwhasso Cleanser for free, and after hitting empty, I immediately purchased a new bottle. While it’s a little on the pricier side, it’s worth it for the hydrating and luminous glow results. It definitely makes my skin soft and a lot less dull — I know because I tried using another face wash for a week or so, and my skin didn’t look nearly as glowy.” —  Alex Neslon, Senior Shopping Writer