Tired of using beauty products with an ingredients list you can't pronounce? Make the switch over to natural products that boast simpler formulas and naturally-occurring ingredients that you could say 10 times fast. Since washing your face is a non-negotiable part of each day, a natural face wash is a great place to start.
Here are our picks of the best natural face washes.
Best Overall
Tata Harper Regenerating Cleanser
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Courtesy of Tata Harper
Nice, citrusy smell
Gently exfoliates
Cleanses, clarifies, and tones
Pricey
Tata Harper dishes out some of the best natural beauty products we've used, and this cream cleanser is no exception. Ever the multitasker, it cleanses, clarifies, and tones the skin for flawless results.
The formula—made of 100% natural origin ingredients—rids skin of dirt and impurities while unclogging pores, softening the skin, and buffing away dead cells with a gentle exfoliating action. The smell, a fresh citrusy delight, is also to die for.
Price at time of publish: $88
Active Ingredients: Aloe Vera, Rice Extract, Rose Clay | Skin Type: All | Size: 1.7 oz., 4.1 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes
What Our Testers Say
"As I rinsed away the cleanser, my skin felt smooth to the touch—textureless almost." — Bianca Lambert, Product Tester
Best Budget
Pacifica Sea Foam Complete Face Wash
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Courtesy of Amazon
Smells great
Lightweight
Softens skin
Might not work for sensitive skin
Natural cleansers can get a bad reputation for not actually cleansing your skin, but this pick from Pacifica Beauty proves that myth wrong. It can wash away even the toughest makeup in one rinse, sans scrubbing or double-cleansing—and without any harsh sulfates that can strip the skin, leaving it parched.
The formula is infused with sea algae extract to normalize skin's moisture content and remineralize skin to enhance brightness, papaya extract to naturally soften and gently exfoliate, and coconut water to tone, balance, and cleanse.
Price at time of publish: $10
Active Ingredients: White Tea, Coconut Oil, Sea Algae, Coconut Water | Skin Type: All | Size: 5 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes
Best for Acne-Prone Skin
100% Pure Tea Tree & Willow Clarifying Cleanser
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Courtesy of Dermstore
Plumps, tones, and tightens skin
Combats acne-causing bacteria
Reduces inflammation
Pricey
Key Ingredients
Turmeric powder is made from the root of Curcuma zedoaria, a form of ginger native to Southeast Asia. Its active ingredient, curcumin, is what gives it that yellow-orange tinge; it's also what makes it such a potent anti-inflammatory. Turmeric is also found to lighten hyperpigmentation.
Botanicals are the driving force in this cleanser from 100% Pure, including rosemary, burdock, and neem to kill acne-causing bacteria. There's also turmeric, willow bark, and tea tree oil to soothe and reduce inflammation, and parsley, an antifungal and antibacterial that wards off bacteria that trigger acne.
Besides keeping breakouts under control, it moisturizes, plumps, tones, and tightens skin.
Price at time of publish: $34
Active Ingredients: Rosemary, Burdock, Neem, Willow Bark, Tea Tree Oil | Skin Type: All | Size: 3.4 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes
Best for Dry Skin
Nourish Organic Moisturizing Cream Face Cleanser
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Courtesy of Amazon
Detoxifies
Relieves redness due to dryness
Gently cleanses
Water-like consistency
If you have dry skin, you want to steer clear of harsh cleansers that can strip vital moisture. Instead, reach for one that is chockfull of hydrating ingredients, like this one which includes cucumber, watercress, coconut oil, and sunflower oil to hydrate and soothe skin. The only things that'll be whisked down the drain are dirt, makeup, and impurities.
Price at time of publish: $14
Active Ingredients: Aloe Vera, Cucumber, Watercress Extract | Skin Type: Dry, Sensitive | Size: 6 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes
Best for Sensitive Skin
S.W. Basics Cleanser
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Courtesy of Amazon
Tackles acne
Just three ingredients
Gentle enough for sensitive skin
A tad pricey
Not a lathering, foam cleanser
Key Ingredients
Glycerin is a naturally occurring compound in the body; in topical skincare, it is derived from plants. It functions to draw water to the skin and continue hydrating it, making it a great ingredient for extreme dryness.
It doesn't get any more basic than this cleanser (in the best kind of way). The ingredient list includes organic rosewater, organic vegetable glycerin, and organic tea tree oil—so natural, nourishing, and gentle.
Price at time of publish: $20
Active Ingredients: Rosewater, Vegetable Glycerin, Tea Tree Oil | Skin Type: Sensitive | Size: 4 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes
Best Brightening
Ursa Major Fantastic Face Wash
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Courtesy of Amazon
Moisturizing
Good for sensitive skin
Exfoliating
Pricey
Might be drying for some
Get your glow on with Ursa Major’s Fantastic Face Wash. Worthy of its name, the cleanser is made from 99.5% natural ingredients and uses natural AHA/BHA fruit acids to exfoliate, making dead skin cells and a dull complexion a thing of the past. Aloe brings the hydration, while spearmint and lime deliver a glow. Plus, the fragrance will give you a burst of energy in the morning.
Price at time of publish: $32
Active Ingredients: Aloe Vera, Glycerin, White Tea Extract | Skin Type: All | Size: 8 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes
Best Organic
Avalon Organics Intense Defense Cleansing Gel
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Courtesy of Amazon
Defends skin from UV rays and pollution
Combats acne
Adds a glow
Might not work for sensitive skin
Key Ingredients
Vitamin C is an essential nutrient required for the growth and repair of tissues in all parts of the body, including the skin, but we cannot produce it on our own. For the skin, it helps to boost collagen, lighten discoloration, and fight free radicals.
Natural and organic are not one and the same. An organic product means the ingredients are organically farmed, whereas natural products boast ingredients of natural origin. This cleanser, in particular, is certified organic and contains no GMO ingredients, parabens, synthetic colors, fragrances, sulfates, or phthalates.
What it does contain is a blend of organic botanicals and essential oils, a plant-based gem that cleanses and brightens the skin while protecting it against environmental damage. That's thanks in large part to the inclusion of antioxidants like vitamin C, white tea, and lemon bioflavonoids.
Price at time of publish: $60
Active Ingredients: White Tea, Vitamin C, Lemon Bioflavonoids | Skin Type: Normal | Size: 8.5 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes
Best Bar Soap
The Yellow Bird Peppermint & Tea Tree Soap Bar
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Courtesy of Amazon
Combats dryness and itchiness
Gentle for sensitive skin
Adds radiance
Scent possibly too much for some
This is not your grandmother's bar soap. It's a multi-tasking bar—good for face, body, and hands—formulated with many natural and organic ingredients, including peppermint, tea tree, and other essential oils to mask unwanted odors while soothing and clearing the skin.
It gives off a rich lather and an invigorating fragrance that'll have you seriously hooked.
Price at time of publish: $10
Active Ingredients: Palm Oil, Peppermint Essential Oil, Tea Tree Essential Oil | Skin Type: All | Size: 4.5 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes
What to Look For in Natural Face Washes
Formula
Consider the type of formula that you prefer and that is best for your skin type when choosing a natural face wash. For instance, if you have dry skin, you may prefer a creamier, thicker natural face wash, while those with oilier skin may do better with a gel cleanser or lotion.
Targeted Ingredients
Look for ingredients that work to address the specific skin concerns you have or are made for your skin type. For dry skin, you’ll want to ensure your natural face wash contains moisturizing ingredients, such as oils and butters. Those with oily skin should look for washes that kill acne-causing bacteria and prevent acne, such as willow bark, tea tree, and rosemary. If you have sensitive skin, a more minimal ingredient list may be best.
Scent
Washing your face should be an enjoyable part of your winding down routine at night or prep for the day ahead. Ensuring you like the scent of your face wash can help create a pleasurable routine. You may want to choose a face wash with an uplifting scent for the morning and a more subdued calming scent for bedtime.