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Byrdie / Danie Drankwalter
Foam cleansers have gotten somewhat of a bad rap these days, shunned as over-drying, stripping products that can do more harm than good for your skin. But that’s not necessarily the case. “Not all foaming cleansers are drying, and many over-the-counter options help remove impurities while also containing hydrating ingredients,” points out Rina Allawh, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group.
Byrdie Reviewed & Approved
Our best overall pick is Dr. Barbara Sturm Cleanser, a soothing and hydrating foam that contains youth-boosting ingredients and removes makeup effectively. For a more affordable pick, consider CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser, which has skin-supporting ingredients like niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and ceramides and can be picked up in the drugstore.
Foams penetrate the pores and help remove oil, debris, and dirt better than gels or other formulas, says Allawh. For this reason, they’re often thought of as options for those with oily or acne-prone skin. But these days, some foams can work for all skin types, not only giving you that oh-so enjoyable sensation of lathering up while you cleanse but also effectively cleansing without stripping your complexion.
We conducted hours of research on the best foam cleansers, evaluating them on hydrating ingredients, lather, and how they make the skin feel. Our team then combined these results with our research of fan-favorites and dermatologist-recommended picks to create this list.
Ahead, find the best foam cleansers for all skin types.
Best Overall
Dr. Barbara Sturm Cleanser
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Sephora
Gentle, yet effective
A little goes a long way
Expensive
This sulfate-free formula is super gentle, and truly a choice for all skin types. It contains purslane (an antioxidant to reduce signs of aging), soothing aloe vera, and antioxidant vitamin E as well, all in a super luscious foam. And while it is pricey, one pump does take off even a full face of makeup, meaning one bottle lasts for quite a while.
Price at time of publish: $75
Active Ingredients: Tensides | Size: 5.07 fl. oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes
Best Overall, Runner-Up
Caudalie Instant Foaming Cleanser
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Sephora
Gentle, yet effective
Comes in 100% recycled bottle
Contains fragrance
Not clean or cruelty-free
A perennial favorite among Byrdie editors, this airy option is also sulfate-free. (It’s actually 97 percent naturally derived.) Hydrating glycerin is one of the main ingredients, as are soothing chamomile extract, purifying sage water, and antioxidant-rich grape water. Happy reviewers rave about how effective and gentle it is.
Price at time of publish: $30
Active Ingredients: Sodium cocoyl glutamate | Size: 5 fl. oz. | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No
Best Drugstore
Garnier SkinActive Micellar Foaming Cleanser
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Ulta
Very gentle
Affordable
Great for removing makeup
Reviewers note that it has an unpleasant smell
Oil-, alcohol-, and fragrance-free, this combines the benefits of micellar water (super gentle, great for removing makeup), with the sensorial benefits of a foaming wash. The gel texture quickly foams off and rinses completely cleanly. The very wallet-friendly price is just the cherry on top.
Price at time of publish: $9
Active Ingredients: Glycerin | Size: 13.52 fl. oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No
Best for Redness
EltaMD Foaming Facial Cleanser
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Amazon
Has anti-inflammatory properties
Big bottle
Contains fragrance
Not clean or cruelty-free
“This foaming facial cleanser contains fine bubbles that better penetrate skin pores,” says Allawh. “It also contains bromelain, an enzyme from pineapple, which has helpful anti-inflammatory properties, making this ideal for those with red, irritated skin or acne-prone skin,” she says. It’s pH balanced as well, though it does contain fragrance, FYI.
Price at time of publish: $31
Active Ingredients: Sodium cocoyl glycinate | Size: 7 fl. oz. | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No
Best for Sensitive Skin
CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser
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Walmart
Has many skin-soothing ingredients
Fragrance-free
Great for a variety of skin types
Comes in multiple sizes
Not clean or cruelty-free
While milky and creamy cleansers may be most often recommended for those with sensitive skin, Allawh says this is a good exception to the rule. Credit the use of hydrating, skin-supporting ingredients—niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and ceramides—which collectively provide moisture to dry or irritated skin, she points out. To that point, it’s great for all skin types (it’s non-comedogenic, too), and the affordable price and multiple sizes are nice benefits as well.
Price at time of publish: $16
Active Ingredients: Glycerin, ceramides | Size: 8 fl. oz., 12 fl. oz., 16 fl. oz. | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No
Best for Oily Skin
Aveeno Clear Complexion Foaming Cleanser
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Walgreens
Brightens skin and helps keep pores clear
Affordable
Not clean or cruelty-free
Pick up this option during your next drugstore visit. While foaming formulas are good for those with oily skin in general, this one is an especially good option, since it contains salicylic acid to help keep pores clear of clogging oil. The salicylic acid, along with soybean protein, also helps exfoliate dead skin cells that contribute to overall dullness, says Allawh of another one of her choices. It’s a great option for anyone who wants an overall brighter complexion, she adds.
Price at time of publish: $8
Active Ingredients: Salicylic acid | Size: 6 fl. oz. | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No
Best Multi-Tasker
La Roche-Posay Lipikar Wash AP+ Moisturizing Body & Face Wash
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Amazon
Has the National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance
Works on face and body
Dermatologist-tested
Large bottle
Not clean or cruelty-free
Need further proof that a foaming cleanser can be gentle? This one is so mild that it touts the National Eczema Association’s Seal of Acceptance. It’s fragrance-, soap-, and paraben-free, and Allawh lauds it for containing hydrating ingredients such as shea butter and thermal spring water to both help reduce inflammation and hydrate dry, irritated skin. Perhaps best of all, it works equally well on both face and body.
Price at time of publish: $16
Active Ingredients: Glycerin, shea butter, thermal spring water | Size: 13.52 fl. oz. | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No
Best for Acne-Prone Skin
Skinfood Egg White Pore Foam
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Amazon
Affordable
Foams very nicely
Contains fragrance
Not clean or cruelty-free
Sure, the name may conjure up meringue vibes, but hear us out. Egg whites (technical term: albumen) are loaded with good-for-your-skin protein, and in this formula, they also help to reduce pore-clogging sebum and combat bacteria, too. And no, don’t worry, they don’t smell like eggs.
Price at time of publish: $13
Active Ingredients: Albumen extract | Size: 5 fl. oz. | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No
Best for Combination Skin
Lancôme Crème Radiance Gentle Cleansing Creamy-Foam
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Ulta
Foaming cleansers can be a great option for combination skin types, offering the best of both worlds. This one in particular hits just the right balance, with reviewers noting how nice and clean it leaves their skin feeling, without ever veering into stripping territory. The floral scent is a nice addition, too.
Price at time of publish: $28
Active Ingredients: Glycerin | Size: 13.52 fl. oz. | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No
Best for Dry Skin
Korres Greek Yoghurt Foaming Cream Cleanser
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Sephora
Super hydrating
Contains fragrance
Think you can’t use a foaming cleanser if you have dry skin? Think again. This one is a cream-to-foam, soap-free formula that does indeed contain very moisturizing Greek yogurt. That yogurt is also a good choice of skin-nourishing pre- and probiotics. Plus, even though it is rather rich, it cleanses beautifully and rinses completely cleanly.
Price at time of publish: $28
Active Ingredients: Sodium cocoyl isethionate | Size: 5.07 fl. oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No
Best Clean Formula
iNNBEAUTY PROJECT Foam Around Clarifying Daily Cleanser
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Credo Beauty
Contains many active ingredients
Clean and cruelty-free
Pricey
Check out this pick if you’re looking for a clean option. The foam is super light and cloud-like, but still contains plenty of powerful actives, namely a combination of exfoliating alpha and beta hydroxy acids, antioxidant-rich green coffee bean extract, and multi-tasking niacinamide, which helps moisturize as well as even out skin tone. The point is, you get tons of benefits from each pump.
Price at time of publish: $20
Active Ingredients: AHAs, BHAs | Size: 5 fl. oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes
Best Scent
Kiehl’s Calendula Deep Clean Foaming Face Cleanser
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Sephora
Smells amazing
Comes in multiple sizes
Not for dry skin
The delightful, subtle calendula scent of this wash makes washing your face truly more akin to a spa experience. Not to mention that it comes entirely from the calendula extract rather than synthetic fragrance. And calendula doesn’t only smell good, it’s also very soothing for your skin, a double win. The gel foams nicely and doesn’t leave behind any residue, though this is best reserved for normal, oily, or combo skin rather than anyone who is very dry.
Price at time of publish: $38
Active Ingredients: Glycerin, calendula extract | Size: 2.5 fl. oz., 7.7 fl. oz., 16.9 fl oz. | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: Yes
Final Verdict
Our top choice, Dr. Barbara Sturm Cleanser, has nourishing aloe vera and plenty of antioxidants, and it effectively removes makeup. If you have acne-prone skin, consider Aveeno Clear Complexion Foaming Cleanser, a gentle foaming drugstore pick with salicylic acid.
Meet the Expert
- Rina Allawh, MD, FAAD, is a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, who provides medical dermatology, cosmetic dermatology, and skin cancer treatment.
- Marnie Nussbaum, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City.
- Joanna Vargas is a celebrity facialist and founder of Joanna Vargas Salons and Skin Care.
- Justine Kluk, MD, is a consultant dermatologist based in the UK.
What to Look for in a Gentle Foam Cleanser
Soap-free
It might sound a little counterintuitive to suggest cleansers that specifically don't have soap, since that's the main thing we know of as a cleanser. But soap can irritate sensitive skin, and is far from the gentlest way to remove makeup and oils from your face. If you suffer from sensitive skin, it may be beneficial to opt for soap-free foam cleansers.
Soothing ingredients
For those who need a gentle cleanser, soothing ingredients only increase the chances that the product will keep your skin happy. Ingredients such as aloe vera and ceramides can provide moisture and reduce irritation. Board-certified dermatologist Marnie Nussbaum, MD, tells Byrdie that "aloe vera is a great bonus to use in conjunction with your other calming products."
Amino acids
The benefits of amino acids in skincare are many: They soothe skin, help moisturize, and act as antioxidants, to name just a few. Additionally, they're gentle enough for daily usage. Justine Kluk, MD, notes that they "promote cellular repair, hydrate the skin, and provide antioxidant protection," and celebrity facialist Joanna Vargas says they "increase hydration, plump the skin, reduce inflammation, and build collagen."
How We Researched
To compile this list, our team of editors and contributors spent hours researching the best products on the market in this category, evaluating their key features—like ingredients, shade range, or design—in addition to reviews from customers and other trusted sources. We then used this research to assign a star rating from one to five (five being the best; one being the worst) to certain products on the list.
Why Trust Byrdie
Byrdie contributor Melanie Rud has over a decade of experience in the beauty industry, writing for some of the biggest magazines and websites. She recently discovered that there are great foam cleansers available that will work for her easily irritated skin; she uses many of the ones featured on this list as part of her daily routine.
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