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Bye, bye dirt
When it comes to cleansing your skin, sometimes getting that “squeaky clean” feeling is exactly what you want to avoid. Unfortunately, many traditional cleansers formulated with preservatives, stabilizers, and artificial fragrances might do more harm to your skin than actually help it.
Opting for a natural face wash could be beneficial in keeping your skin microbiome in check while effectively removing dirt, grime, and makeup in the process. So, what do we mean by “natural?” A natural face wash is one that uses mostly ingredients derived from natural sources, like plant extracts. It’s a product that doesn’t include a ton (or any) artificial, man-made ingredients commonly found in skincare products today.
Below, we’ve rounded up the very best natural face washes on the market that are safe for everyday use and pass our Byrdie Clean Beauty Pledge, too.
Best Overall: Tata Harper Regenerating Cleanser 125ML
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.
Like most Tata Harper skincare products, the price is nothing to ignore—this pick costs a hefty $88 per bottle. The reason for the high price tag includes multiple factors. For one, Tata Harper includes many active ingredients in her skincare line, which costs more money to produce. Additionally, the packaging feels high-end and luxe, and sourcing organic, natural ingredients for a skincare product can cost extra money, too.
Best Budget: Pacifica Sea Foam Complete Face Wash
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 extracts to naturally soften and gently exfoliate, and coconut water to tone, balance, and cleanse.
Although this face wash includes hydrating ingredients, some users found it to be a bit too drying for their skin. For those with sensitive or dry skin, consider opting for another cleanser on this list. This specific pick might be more suited for those with oily or combination skin types.
Best for Acne-Prone Skin: 100% Pure Tea Tree & Willow Clarifying Cleanser
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. Because this cleanser is non-foaming, it doesn’t do the best job of removing makeup on the skin. We recommend using cleansing oil or some sort of makeup remover to remove makeup before using this as a second cleanse.
Best for Dry Skin: Nourish Organic Moisturizing Cream Face Cleanser
If you have dry skin, you want to steer clear of harsh cleansers that can strip vital moisture. Instead, reach for one that is chock full 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.
If you prefer creamier or foamy cleansers, this pick is not for you—it has more of a water-like, runny consistency that some might not love. Additionally, the scent isn’t the most amazing fragrance ever, but it’s worth dealing with for a skincare product with natural, effective ingredients.
Best for Sensitive Skin: S.W. Basics Cleanser
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.
We love how ideal this pick is for sensitive skin—it gets the job done without stripping your skin and leaving it dry and damaged. It’s important to note that this isn’t a foaming cleanser. According to the instructions, you’re supposed to apply it with a cotton pad and then rinse the product off once you’ve thoroughly cleansed your skin
Best Brightening: Ursa Major Fantastic Face Wash
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.
This pick is a little bit on the pricier side for a cleanser at $32 per bottle. Some folks complain that this cleanser dries out their skin. Because of this, we recommend oilier skin types opt for this cleanser. Finally, the scent might be a bit off-putting for some, so be aware of that if you have an aversion to some fragrances.
Best Organic: Pai Light Work Rosehip Cleansing Oil
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 90% organic, 100% natural, and contains no GMO ingredients, parabens, synthetic colors, fragrances, sulfates, or phthalates.
What it does contain is a blend of multiple oils (think olive oil, rosehip oil, and sunflower oil) and works to remove makeup, grime, and debris from the skin after a long day. You can use this pick by itself or as a first step in your cleansing routine by following up with a cream or foaming cleanser afterward.
Best Bar Soap: The Yellow Bird Peppermint & Tea Tree Soap Bar
This is not your grandmother’s bar soap. It’s a multitasking 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. Some folks might find the scent a bit too strong, however. Additionally, others have complained that the bar soap doesn’t last as long as they hoped.
Best Powder: Humanrace Rice Powder Cleanser
Crafted by Pharrell Williams, Humanrace is a genderless skincare line dedicated to helping folks take care of their well-being. The Rice Powder Cleanser is, you guessed it, a powder formula that transforms into a creamy cleanser once you add water. It features ingredients like rice powder, kaolin clay, fruit alpha hydroxy acids, and snow mushroom extract to thoroughly cleanse the skin while leaving it hydrated and lightly exfoliated, too.
There is a lot to love about this product, but the packaging could be annoying for some. If you’re the type of person who needs to get every last drop of your product out, you might find the dispensing mechanism a nuisance. Because the powder comes out through a small hole, you might not be able to get all the powder out of the bottle effectively. However, it’s not a huge deal because you can unscrew the cap and dump the rest of the product into your palm before recycling the refillable packaging.
Best Makeup Remover: Farmacy Clean Bee Ultra Gentle Facial Cleanser
Formulated without parabens, mineral oil, phthalates, or any other potentially harmful ingredients, the Farmacy Clean Bee Ultra Gentle Facial Cleanser works to cleanse without stripping or causing an imbalance in your skin’s pH level. We love this lightly foaming cleanser because it removes makeup really well but doesn’t leave your skin feeling tight or dry after washing.
Although this product is geared toward those with sensitive skin, it unfortunately has a pretty strong scent that might be irritating to some. The fragrance is not made with synthetic ingredients, but if you do have sensitive skin or are normally sensitive to fragrance, you should always do a patch test on your wrist or neck before applying it to your face.
Best Gel: Klur Gentle Matter Daily Moisture Cleanser
There’s nothing quite like a cooling, soothing gel cleanser to calm inflamed, irritated skin. This pick from Klur is a non-foaming gel formula that washes away impurities and grime while leaving your skin feeling super soft and supple, too.
Although we love how gentle this formula is, it’s important to note that it’s not the best makeup remover. We recommend using an oil cleanser or a foaming cleanser to remove makeup before using this on your face.
Best Cream Cleanser: Mad Hippie Cream Cleanser
If you’ve got really dry, sensitive skin, the Mad Hippie Cream Cleanser is calling your name. This pick features so many hydrating ingredients like organic jojoba oil, macadamia oil, hyaluronic acid, shea butter, and more. It’s a dream to apply to your skin, as the thick texture melts into your face and adds that kick of moisture you won’t get from a gel or foaming cleanser.
With most cream cleansers, you probably won’t find many makeup-removing properties with this one. If you wear makeup often, we recommend using another product to remove makeup, then using this pick on top. Or, use this cream cleanser in the morning and an oil cleanser or foaming cleanser at night to remove makeup.
Final Verdict
Natural skin care has really progressed and gained traction in the last few years, and there are many natural face washes on the market to choose from. We chose the Tata Harper Regenerating Cleanser because the formula is made with 100% natural origin ingredients and does a great job of effectively removing impurities from the skin. Additionally, we also love the Pacifica Sea Foam Complete Face Wash because it is budget-friendly, easily available at drugstores, and cleanses without harsh sulfates.
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. Face washes for oily skin are typically formulated to kill acne-causing bacteria and prevent acne, and include ingredients like 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.
FAQ
Which face wash is 100 percent natural?
The Tata Harper Regenerating Cleanser is made from 100 percent natural origin ingredients. These include rice extract, aloe vera, and rose clay. This natural face wash is also fully biodegradable.
Which is the best natural face wash?
The best natural face wash in our opinion is the Tata Harper Regenerating Cleanser. It clarifies, tones, cleanses, and exfoliates to remove dirt and impurities, all with a beautiful citrusy scent. It is 100 percent natural and biodegradable.
What are the different types of face wash?
Different types of face wash include cream cleansers, gels, lotions, and bars. Other options include face wipes and micellar water. Each type has pros and cons, and which one you choose depends on your preferences and needs.
How do I choose a face wash?
Choose a face wash that is designed for your specific skin type. After figuring out your skin type, also consider your skin concerns, such as fine lines or dullness. It’s also a good idea to choose a face wash that appeals to your preferences for natural ingredients, price, animal cruelty prevention, and eco-friendliness.
