10 Foam-Tastic Foam Cleanser Finds for Your Bubbly Bliss
Growing up, most of us aren't taught about skincare, what it means, and how to use it. Even so, we start to get curious as we enter our teenage and young adult years and question changes happening to our skin. "Why is my skin so oily? Why is it dry? Oh no, how do I stop it from continuing to break out?"
The first thing most of us do is re-trace our steps and wonder if our cleanser is the problem. From here, the research into skincare starts and we find ourselves officially enrolled on the journey of skincare 101 step 1 - cleanser. To help you out, in this post, we're diving deep into another famous cleanser option - foam cleanser.
The foam cleanser is a lather-filled face wash that wipes makeup and dirt off the skin's surface while also, going down into the pores and pulling out microscopic impurities and excessive sebum for a thoroughly-cleansed, fresh base.
If you have combination, oily and acne-prone skin, then this is a must-try for you. But for our dry, normal, and sensitive-skinned folks who enjoy the sudsy lather, we've got a few options for you as well!
Keep reading to find our top picks for foam cleansers no matter what your skin type or concern.
Our Picks
How Do You Use It?
1. Twice a day, splash some water onto your skin, pump out some product, sprinkle some water in, and lather up your skin.
2. Gentle massage the cleanser into the skin for 30 to 60 seconds as per your skin's need and preference.
3. Follow this up with a thorough rinse!
Top Picks
Overall Favorite For Normal to Oily Skin: CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser
Why We Are Passionate About It
If you've got normal, combination, or oily skin and are looking for a cleanser that is a standard industry favorite, the CeraVe Facial Cleanser is the way to go. It is a gentle gel-to-suds formula that provides a deep but not drying cleanse that removes oil, dirt, and/or makeup and leaves the skin fresh and ready for the day's work or the night's calm.
Powered by hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and niacinamide, this cleanser hydrates and protects the skin barrier while providing a nourishing, oil-free canvas. If you are new to the world of cleansers and want a starting point, give this dermatologist-loved brand and its product a try.
Ingredients & Make
Ingredients used include hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and niacinamide.
This cleanser is fragrance-free, paraben-free, non-comedogenic, non-drying, and non-irritating.
Best For Sensitive Skin & Anti-Inflammatory: EltaMD Foaming Facial Cleanser
Why We Are Passionate About It
Another favorite amongst dermatologists is the EltaMD Foaming Facial Cleanser. Great for redness and sensitive skin, this thick, foamy cleanser melts down oil, dirt, makeup, and other impurities with the help of enzymes and amino acids.
The ingredients aim to reintroduce pH balance into the skin and restore it to a natural smooth finish. Bonus, its gentle nature makes it ideal for all skin types. Bye bye inflammation. Hello smooth skin!
Ingredients & Make
Ingredients used include Bromelain and amino acids.
This cleanser is paraben-free, vegan, sensitivity-free, and oil-free.
Best For Dry Skin: Cetaphil Hydrating Foaming Cleanser
Why We Are Passionate About It
The lathering effects of the foam cleanser aren't limited just to the oily-skinned folks of the world and Cetaphil made sure of it by producing a hydrating and soothing cleanser that removes grime without the concern of stripping the skin.
With a hypoallergenic formula that is powered by prebiotic aloe vera, hydrating glycerin, and skin essential vitamins B5 (panthenol) and B3 (niacinamide), the skin's barrier remains protected and pH levels balanced. And since it's a Cetaphil product, it's made with sensitive skin in mind as well.
Ingredients & Make
Ingredients used include prebiotic aloe vera, glycerin, and vitamins B5 (panthenol) and B3 (niacinamide).
This cleanser is hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic, and free of fragrances and parabens.
Best For Extra Dry Skin & Baby-Friendly: La Roche Posay Lipikar Wash AP+ Moisturizing Body & Face Wash
Why We Are Passionate About It
If you struggle with unforgivingly dry skin, then the La Roche Posay Lipikar Wash AP+ Moisturizing Body & Face Wash is for you. With a soothing, hydrating, and antioxidizing formula of La Roche Posay's Prebiotic Thermal Water, Shea Butter, and Glycerin, this cleanser is the ultimate holy grail for a lathered experience that doesn't dry the skin in the least bit but soothes and restores the skin barrier. It's even been accepted by the National Eczema Association.
Ingredients & Make
Ingredients used include La Roche Posay's Prebiotic Thermal Water, Shea Butter, and Glycerin.
This cleanser is dermatologist-tested, sensitive skin-tested, paraben-free, fragrance-free, pediatrician-tested, soap-free, non-comedogenic, and allergy tested.
Best For Acne: CeraVe Acne Cream Cleanser
Why We Are Passionate About It
Pimples, whiteheads, and blackheads - all things we hate and can now control with CeraVe's Acne Cream Cleanser! With a cream-to-foam lather, this cleanser pulls out the grime from clogged pores and clears acne with the help of 4% Benzoyl Peroxide without disrupting the skin's moisture barrier courtesy of the ever-hydrating Hyaluronic Acid and oh-so-soothing Niacinamide duo.
As with most CeraVe products, the formula boasts three ceramides that work to maintain a strong skin barrier. All-in-all, this acne treatment face wash is perfect for clearing up skin and keeping it that way! No dryness or flaking!
Ingredients & Make
Ingredients used include 4% Benzoyl Peroxide, Hyaluronic Acid, Niacinamide, and Ceramides.
This cleanser is non-comedogenic and fragrance-free.
Best Plant-Based & Anti-Aging Antioxidizing Cleanser: Youth To The People Superfood Cleanser
Why We Are Passionate About It
If you're looking for a green juice cleanser for the face, look no more - Youth To The People's Superfood Cleanser is the one for you. With an award-winning formula of superfood antioxidants such as Kale, Spinach, and Green Tea, the skin receives an anti-inflammatory detox and deep cleanse that leaves its pH levels balanced and its pores clear.
This gel-to-foam lather is great for dry to oily skin that needs dullness removed and blemishes out of sight for chilled, soothed, and glowy skin. It's got a little bit of everything in the form of green juice in a glass bottle.
Fun Fact:
Kale: contains skin-nourishing phytonutrients and vitamins C and E
Spinach: a lightweight skin-soother with high natural moisture content and cooling properties
Green Tea: a natural anti-inflammatory oil with essential fatty acids
Ingredients & Make
Ingredients used include Kale, Spinach, Green Tea, Alfalfa, Vitamin C, and Vitamin E.
This cleanser is made with 100% vegan ingredients and is free of parabens, PEGS, Phthalates, Dimethicone, and animal testing. Bonus, the packaging is recyclable.
Best Soothing Rice Water-Based Cleanser: The Face Shop Rice Water Bright Light Face Cleansing Foam
Why We Are Passionate About It
Rice water-based skincare is all the rage right now and for good reason. For soft, bright, hydrated, clean skin that is pampered by vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and ceramides, check out The Face Shop Rice Water.
This cream-to-foam formula provides a mild, smooth, and soothing cleanse with its all-natural superstar ingredient, Rice Water. This cleanser also provides a great assist for anti-aging efforts and fits right into all double cleansing routines. It's a simple product that does the job without irritation!
Ingredients & Make
Ingredients used include Rice Bran, Rice Water, and Soap Wort.
This cleanser is free of paraben, mineral oil, talc, paraffin, tar colorant, animal-driven ingredients, and polyacrylamide.
Best Brightening, Vitamin-Powered, Antioxidizing Cleanser: Murad Vitamin Essential-C Cleanser
Why We Are Passionate About It
If there is one thing that we all love is bright, energized skin and Murad is packing a punch with its Essential-C Cleanser. Powered by vitamins A, C, and E and allantoin and panthenol, this gentle foam formula removes pollution and impurities while preventing skin damage and dryness. The result is nourished, soft, and moisturized skin.
It is the perfect non-drying, antioxidant cleanser for both your AM and PM skincare routine whether you have dry, normal, or oily skin. If brightened and vitamin-powered skin is your jam, then this cleanser is right up your alley.
Ingredients & Make
Ingredients used include Vitamins A, C, and E, Allantoin, and Panthenol.
This cleanser is cruelty-free.
Best Soap-Free, Super Mild Cleanser: Vanicream Gentle Cleanser
Why We Are Passionate About It
For the mildest cleanse that is soap-free, irritation-free and provides a lathered-up experience check out the Vanicream Gentle Cleanser. With a light formula that is specifically created to ensure the skin is softly cleansed without any resulting dryness, and awarded the Seal of Acceptance by the National Eczema Association, this is a must-try for delicate and sensitive skin.
Ingredients & Make
Ingredients used include purified water, glycerin, and coco-glucoside.
This cleanser is non-comedogenic and free of sulfates, dyes, fragrances, masking fragrances, lanolin, parabens, and formaldehyde releasers.
Best For Clogged Pores, Scars & Exfoliating: Mario Badescu Glycolic Foaming Cleanser
Why We Are Passionate About It
Dullness, clogged pores, hyperpigmentation - we don't like it and we want to exfoliate our way out of it. The Mario Badescu Glycolic Foaming Cleanser is the one to try.
This foaming exfoliant contains Glycolic Acid, an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA), and a humectant, that works by deep cleaning and breaking down makeup, oil, and impurities. It helps refine pores and retexture uneven skin.
This cleanser goes the extra mile by mixing in a soothing blend of Aloe Vera, and Chamomile, with the antioxidizing Sage extract to reintroduce rejuvenating benefits that help to re-balance the skin and leave it radiant. Fine lines, wrinkles, age spots, acne scars - this cleanser also works wonders to reduce it all.
Ingredients & Make
Ingredients used include Glycolic Acid, Sage Extract, Aloe Vera, and Chamomile.
This cleanser is Phthalate-free, gluten-free, cruelty-free, and comes in recyclable packaging.
Best Foaming Facial Cleanser - What We Recommend
For the love of deep cleansing and soft smooth unclogged pores, give the foam cleansers a shot. A lot of the cleansers perform the basic requirements, each has its extra features that allow for a personalized experience for the user.
Though primarily for acne-prone, oily, and combination skin, today there is something for drier skin that wants the same lathered cleansing experience.
For the standard favorite that can't go wrong give the CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser a try. Although, if you want to try something that's a unique and powerful detox, give the Youth To The People Superfood Cleanser a shot. So pick a cleanser that suits your skin's mood, and give it a try!
FAQS
Is foaming cleanser the same as face wash?
The foam cleanser goes by other names such as foaming cleanser and face wash. No matter which of the three names you see, you have arrived at the correct product!
Can I use foam cleanser everyday?
Yes. It is perfectly safe to use foam cleansers everyday. If it is too drying for the skin, try switching to using a more hydrating gentle foaming cleanser formula or use it once a day instead of both AM and PM.
How often should I wash my face with foaming cleanser?
Do this twice a day for the best results. If you ever feel like your skin is too dry or tight, reduce the frequency of use to once a day.
What are the benefits of foam cleansing?
The goals of the foam cleanser are to thoroughly clean the skin, remove excess oil, clear the skin, unclog pores, and leave it looking bright and feeling clean yet hydrated. Some formulas go the extra mile to remove dead skin cells.
Is foaming or hydrating cleanser better?
Foaming cleansers are great for combination, oily, and acne-prone skin types. Hydrating foaming cleansers or hydrating cleansers are great for dry to normal skin as it cleans more hydrating ingredients.
Should I wash my face in the morning?
It is recommended to wash the face twice a day, once in the morning and once at night. If you are on the dry side, then consider skipping mornings and cleaning the skin thoroughly once at night.
Does face wash expire?
Yes. Most face washes are good for at least a year, however, this will vary from product to product based on the active ingredients used.
How We Curated Our List
There are many options for the best foam cleanser on the market with ingredients from leaf extract to flower extract to salicylic acid to even citric acid. It can be overwhelming trying to figure out what product is best for you, especially if you're just starting your skincare journey or have super sensitive skin that doesn't allow you to test just any product.
We've taken the guesswork out of it for you and compiled a concise list of high-quality products that will fit both your budget and your needs. Whether you're looking for a luxury option or something more affordable, we've got you covered.
Thanks for reading!
Next Up: Foam Cleanser Breakdown: Lather up! Your Path to Clear Skin Starts Here
Sources:
Derms Always Prescribe This Specific Type of Cleanser for Oily, Acne-Prone Skin
The Best 12 Foam Cleansers of 2023 That Won’t Dry Out Your Skin
18 Best Foaming Facial Cleansers for Oh-So-Smooth Skin
The 19 Best Face Washes & Cleansers of 2023
How Often Should You Use a Cleansing Foam?
HOW TO WASH YOUR FACE: THE CLEANSER VS. FACE WASH GUIDE YOU DIDN’T YOU KNOW NEEDED
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