Women's Concepts Logo

The Best Gel Cleansers That Address Each and Every Skin Needs

Brand courtesy / @Boscia
We may include products - handpicked by our editors - we find useful for our readers. When you buy through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission — view our product review process and sources of information.

A cleanser is a double-edged sword. It can help with a variety of skin foes, from excess oil to breakouts and sensitivities, but it can also leave the complexion parched and susceptible to a bunch of issues. So by assessing which formula works best for you, you get the most out of the cleansing process while maintaining your skin balanced and healthy. In short, look for a cleanser that removes dirt, sweat, and grime without stripping (meaning it shouldn’t contain sulfates, fragrances, and alcohol), and choose a formula tailored to your skin.

Of all types of face washes, gel ones are the gentlest because they are water-based and usually pack mild and soothing ingredients. Gel cleansers have a clear, gel-like texture and work deep within the pores to dislodge dirt and bacteria, which is exactly what you want from your face wash. Although they usually address people with oily and breakout-prone complexions because they go deep and unclog pores without irritation, all skin types can use oneSo for sure, adding a cleansing gel to your skincare routine is one of the keys to achieving a smooth appearance.

All things considered, below are the best gel cleansers that all beauty enthusiasts rave about. There’s one for each and every of your skin needs.


1

Glow Recipe Blueberry Bounce Gentle Cleanser

This sulfate-free gel cleanser is ideal for kicking off your routine due to its gentle formula that lathers up nicely to wash away impurities and grime without stripping. Glow Recipe Blueberry Bounce Cleanser leans on sodium hyaluronate to hydrate, plant extracts to nourish, and glycolic and lactic acids to unglue and remove dead cell buildup, ensuring the perfect skincare base. Special boon: you can also use it as a clarifying mask; apply a generous layer on dry skin and let it act for five minutes before washing it off.

Glow Recipe Blueberry Bounce Gentle Cleanser

2

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Medicated Gel Facial Cleanser

The 2% salicylic acid and lipo-hydroxy acid (salicylic acid derivative) give this face wash pore-unclogging and exfoliating properties, making it the best gel cleanser for fighting acne. Once worked into the skin with water, the gel transforms into a rich foam that cleanses thoughtfully, dissolving oil and debris and keeping shine at bay. Most reviewers laud it for its sebum-balancing ability and rave about how the product makes blackheads and pimples clear over time. We give it extra credit for skipping fragrance, alcohol, and oil and being non-comedogenic.

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Medicated Gel Facial Cleanser

3

Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel

This incredibly lightweight gel cleanser leaves the skin squeaky clean without dehydrating it, the reason it has become a cult favorite among skincare enthusiasts. The soap-free formula creates a purifying lather thanks to naturally foaming Quillaja Saponaria, lifting away impurities, toxins, and pollutants while being extra gentle. We also like it because it’s free of fragrance and contains balm mint and lavender to soothe and relax the senses.

Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel

4

Aveeno Calm + Restore Nourishing Oat Cleanser

Perhaps your skin is sensitized because you overused your retinol or exfoliant product. Or maybe the cold weather wreaked havoc on the moisture barrier? Regardless, this dermatologist-recommended gel cleanser is the perfect ally for restoring healthy and strong skin. This is because it is laced with a generous amount of oat extract to calm skin and strengthen the epidermal barrier, plus it’s made sans alcohol and fragrance. As one reviewer says, “this product is absolutely perfect. It has stopped breakouts and keeps skin feeling hydrated without being oily.”

Aveeno Calm + Restore Nourishing Oat Cleanser

5

Boscia Purifying Cleansing Gel

This formula gently removes makeup, dissolves excess oil, and washes away impurities, never leaving it tight or uncomfortable. Boscia Purifying Cleansing Gel is free of sulfates and packs a juicy cocktail of nourishing botanical amino acids that don’t allow the skin to get overly dry, plus green tea and rosemary extracts to soothe. All work to leave the skin thoroughly cleansed without disrupting the moisture barrier, and the fact that it skips fragrances and alcohol is a huge bonus.

Boscia Purifying Cleansing Gel

6

Honest Beauty Gentle Gel Cleanser

Get your skin clean and refreshed with Honest Beauty Gentle Gel Cleanser which has rightfully earned cult status due to its gentle formula. It is effective at removing makeup and impurities and is made sans SLSs, synthetic fragrances, and parabens, so it doesn’t strip the skin of moisture. Instead, it adds a dose of hydration and soothes and calms the skin with a complex of botanical extracts including saponaria officinalis (natural lather agent), calendula, chamomile, and lavender.

Honest Beauty Gentle Gel Cleanser

7

CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser

If oily skin gets dehydrated, the sebaceous glands secrete even more sebum, so picking a face wash that doesn’t leave skin parched should be top of mind. CeraVe created the perfect gel cleanser for oily skin in a mild, non-comedogenic formula loaded with hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and cholesterol to prevent moisture loss. All whilst salicylic acid decongests pores and exfoliates dead cells on the surface. It has nearly 52,000 five-star reviews on Amazon attesting to its ability to cleanse, clarify and improve excessively oily skin.

CeraVe SA Cleanser

8

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Cleansing Gel

Hands down, this is the best cleansing gel for under $10. Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Cleansing Gel has a hydrating formula that washes away pollution and makeup instantly while adding moisture to the skin. When the gel is massaged with water into the skin, it becomes a silky lather that effectively lifts away grime and impurities without ever leaving the complexion to overdry.

Neutrogena Best Gel Cleanser

9

Drunk Elephant Jelly Cleanser

If your skin is easily reactive, you need a delicate formula with a non-stripping pH, like Drunk Elephant Jelly Cleanser. In addition to its pH-balanced formula, this gel face wash contains moisturizing amino acids, marula oil, and mild cleansing agents to remove stubborn makeup, sunscreen, and debris without disturbing the moisture barrier. Plus, it’s made without potential skin disruptors such as silicones, fragrances, and alcohol, which is why we consider it a top pick for everyone.

Drunk Elephant Jelly Cleanser

10

Cocokind AHA Jelly Cleanser

This is a terrific gel cleanser for reactive complexions in need of clean and minimalist formulas. Not only does this cleanser is formulated without stripping soap and fragrance, but glycerin, banana extract, and sodium hyaluronate serve up a hefty dose of nurturing ingredients, so you don’t have to worry about dehydration. What’s more, Cocokind Jelly Cleanser contains 4% naturally derived AHAs to help decongest pores and remove dead skin buildup, leaving skin soft and clear every time. Pretty compelling if you ask us.

Cocokind AHA Jelly Cleanser

The information provided in this article is intended for general guidance only and should not be considered as a substitute for professional medical advice. While our team has extensive experience in clinical research and every piece of information is thoroughly researched and based on clinical trial data, it’s important to remember that every individual’s skin is unique. We strongly recommend consulting a dermatologist for personalized diagnostic and treatment advice. Always perform a patch test before trying any new products and carefully read the instructions and ingredients to ensure they are suitable for your skin.

Who wrote this?
Picture of Ana Vasilescu
Ana Vasilescu
Ana Vasilescu is the founder of Women's Concepts and a certified skincare consultant. She has over five years of experience working in the beauty editorial industry and over a decade in clinical research. Find her on LinkedIn or Instagram.
Subscribe to our newsletter
Subscribe to our newsletter to get access to exclusive content, offers, and products.
Was this article helpful?
Awesome! Would you like to share it?
Facebook
Twitter
Reddit
Pinterest
That's too bad. Thank you for your feedback!
Women's Concepts Logo
Join Us
Search