The Best Face Washes for Combination Skin – 2023 Reviews and Top Picks
In our commitment to help you start your beauty regimen right, we have gathered and reviewed 5 of the top facial washes designed for combination skin. They were then ranked based on their ingredients, their compatibility on the skin, and their affordability until we picked out what we feel is the best face wash for combination skin.
Doctor's Choice
Biore Combination Skin Balancing Cleanser, 6.77 Ounce
Other Products
Eau Thermale Avene XeraCalm A.D Lipid-Replenishing Cream
Other Products
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo
The TimeWise 3-In-1 Cleanser by Mary Kay is an all-in-one product. It cleanses, exfoliates and freshens to reveal youthful-looking skin and regain the balance lost in combination skin.
First Aid Beauty’s Face Cleanser is literally magic in a tube. It is dermatologist-recommended, gentle for all skin types, and packed with ingredients that fight free radicals.
Try the Gentle Foaming Cleanser with Cottonseed by Clarins for a gentle yet powerful cleanser. It perfectly cleanses while neutralizing the drying effects caused by hard water.
Biore’s Combination Skin Balancing Cleanser boasts of its Skin Purifying Technology that claims to address the needs of this specific skin type.
Alba Botanica’s Good and Clean Daily Detox Foaming Cleanser is something that uses 100% vegetarian ingredients. It offers overall detoxification while still being gentle on sensitive skin.
2017’s Reviews of the Best Face Washes for Combination Skin
Rankings | Brands | Main feature/s | Content | Editor’s Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
#1 | Mary Kay | TimeWise® cleansing beads and patented complex | 4.5 ounces | |
#2 | First Aid Beauty | Allantoin, Aloe Vera extract, FAB Antioxidant Booster, and Glycerin | 5 ounces | |
#3 | Clarins | Gypsophila | 4.4 ounces | |
#4 | Biore | Skin Purifying Technology | 6.77 ounces | |
#5 | Alba Botanica | 10 AHA-rich botanicals, Rice, Green Tea, and Fruit Acid Detox Fusion | 6 ounces |
What makes this the best face wash for combination skin is its 3-in-1 action. It also doubles as an anti-aging face wash, so with this in hand, you’re definitely getting more of what you pay for.
Oil and fragrance-free, this product works great on sensitive skin as well. Dermatologist-tested, it is hypoallergenic and has been clinically tested for allergy and skin irritancy.
If you love face washes that contain exfoliating beads, this one’s for you. Some find that these beads add to the experience, plus it offers light exfoliation to leave skin smooth and refreshed.
Most importantly, this product contains Sodium hyaluronate. Known for its moisturizing qualities, this ingredient is important because it deeply hydrates the skin.
A plus is it is a great makeup remover, and can even remove waterproof mascara. It can really help change your skin tone with daily use, a perfect solution for those who choose to go “bare.”
Unfortunately, we find this product too expensive. It can also be a hard item to find, so we suggest that you stock up on this so you the hassle of finding this product won’t bother you.
What We Like:
- Keeps oil at bay
- Great for sensitive skin
- A little goes a long way
What We Didn’t Like:
- Contains exfoliating beads (can be irritating)
- Is hard to find
- Expensive
Its Allantoin content makes this the best face wash for combination skin. Great for dry skin, this ingredient is used to moisturize and prevent minor skin irritations and itchy, scaly skin.
It also contains Aloe Vera extract, which is great for soothing dry skin.
This product boasts of its “FAB Antioxidant Booster.” This contains Feverfew, Licorice Root, and White Tea, and these ingredients help in fighting the damage caused by free radicals.
This facial cleanser comes with a whipped texture that turns into a rich cream once mixed with water. This sounds childish, but we think it makes the experience more fun and more exciting.
It is gentle enough for everyday use, and is suited even for those with sensitive skin. This cleanser is pH balanced, and helps in maintaining the skin’s natural acidity to keep it healthy.
Another trivia is that this facial wash has been featured in the media thrice. The first was in Real Simple and Marie Claire magazines in 2013, and then in Journal magazine in 2009.
What We Like:
- Can be used as a makeup remover
- Deeply moisturizing
- Does not leave skin feeling tight
What We Didn’t Like:
- Can clog pores
- Can cause breakouts
- Can dry out skin
The inclusion of gypsophila makes this the best face wash for combination skin. Nicknamed as “Baby’s Breath,” this root is known for its cleansing powers that can help in purifying the skin.
This face wash comes in a light mousse, and claims to be as effective as soap without all the harshness. Gentle for daily use, it works by preserving the natural moisture balance of the skin.
Packed with coconut extracts, this cleanser softens and nourishes the skin to boost its natural radiance. It clears out any impurities, blemishes, and can also be used as a makeup remover.
It also doesn’t contain any micro beads. This is a plus because it is less likely you’ll find it irritating, but also a minus because it doesn’t offer that much exfoliation.
A little of this product also goes a long way. It really leaves skin feeling clean after every wash, and can help in reducing breakouts and makes skin less oily without overdrying it.
This facial cleanser also lathers and rinses off easily. It does not leave a filmy residue behind, and even helps in neutralizing the drying effects caused by hard water.
What We Like:
- Cleans deep
- Does not leave skin feeling tight
- Great for mature skin
What We Didn’t Like:
- Not fragrance-free
- Can burn the eyes
What makes this the best face wash for combination skin is that it makes use of a Skin Purifying Technology. It promises an overall clean while maintaining the natural moisture of the skin.
Safe for daily use, this face wash cleanses deep down to purify the skin without clogging the pores. It is also oil-free, is hypoallergenic, and is tested and recommended by dermatologists.
This formula can be a little thick, and can come off a bit slimy. A little of this product also goes a long way, and considering how inexpensive it is, is totally worth your hard-earned money.
What’s great about this product is that it removes excess oil minus any tightness. It is also an effective makeup remover, but may not work well for waterproof mascara or eyeliner.
What we found intriguing about this wash is that it promises fast results. It claims to make “combination areas more balanced” in two weeks, so if that excites you, you have to try this out.
What We Like:
- Great at keeping oil at bay
- Deep cleanses without overdrying
- Highly moisturizing
What We Didn’t Like:
- Contains fragrance
- Contains parabens
- Contains Sodium Laureth Sulfate
Being made from 100% vegetarian ingredients makes this a really good face wash for combination skin. It is hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic, and is even recommended by dermatologists.
What make this wash interesting are its 10 AHA-rich botanical ingredients. Alpha hydroxy acids are great in treating dry skin, and knowing you have 10 of this around makes it really intriguing.
This is a must-have for those who love mild exfoliation. Enriched with a Fruit Acid Detox Fusion, it contains Rice and Green Tea that soothes while detoxifying and purifying the pores.
This facial wash is a break from the usual because it comes out in a creamy, almost lotion-like consistency. It makes the skin feel so soft after washing it off, as if you just applied moisturizer.
The best part about this cleanser is that it is crazy cheap. Plus, finding a product that has detoxifying properties is quite rare for a drugstore item, so this one’s a pretty good catch.
What We Like:
- Made from 100% vegetarian ingredients
- Great for mature skin
- Deeply moisturizes the skin
What We Didn’t Like:
- Can cause breakouts
- May not be for sensitive skin
- Can dry out skin
Reviews and Comparisons of the Best Face Washes for Combination Skin
Rankings | Best Overall | 2nd choice | 3rd choice | 4th choice |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Top-Rated Face Washes for Combination Skin 2017 |
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Brand | ||||
Consistency | Gel-like | Whipped texture to a rich cream | Mousse | Gel-like |
Fragrance-free | Yes | Yes | No | No |
Oil-free | Yes | No | No | Yes |
Get Started |
How to Choose the Right Face Wash
Cleansing your face is the first and most important step in skincare. No matter how great or expensive your makeup is, if you’re working with a dirty canvass, there really is no point.
Choosing a good face wash can make your face look healthier and younger, so how exactly do you do it? Here are a few simple tips you could follow:
- First is to determine your skin type. For us with combination skin, our face can be characterized by having an oily T-zone while dry or sensitive on the others.
- Next is to narrow down your choices. Now that you’re familiar with your skin type, you can now focus on it and cross out other face washes made for other skin types.
Face washes made for oily skin should work the same for combination skin, so choose an oil-free cleanser that washes away excess oil and has a low pH level.
Additionally, you may want to avoid facial washes that contain fragrances and other chemicals (such as phthalates) as they can irritate your skin.
- Third is to take down notes. Because there are a lot of products to choose from, keeping a “skin diary” can help you remember which are the ones that worked and which ones did not.
- The last tip is to do a survey. Ask your friends which products have worked for them —just remember that what could have worked for your dry skin friend would necessarily work for you.
Caring for Combination Skin
Caring for this skin type is difficult, but is not impossible. Below are some tips when working with professional products:
- Have some consistency when it comes to your skincare. It is key to get your skin accustomed to beauty products, which can lead to your combination skin looking vibrant and more radiant.
- Consider using separate products. What might work for the oily areas of your face might not work on the dry ones, and vice versa.
- Exfoliate regularly, and opt for foamy or gel-based cleansers to prevent dryness. Stay away from those containing irritants, and stick to those with “for sensitive skin” or “gentle” on the label.
- Don’t forget sunscreen. A good one usually has zinc oxide or titanium dioxide as its active ingredients.
Conclusion
Choosing a good face wash is crucial for having beautiful skin. Sure, you could hide blemishes with the proper makeup, but not everybody has time for that.
If you have combination skin, finding a facial wash can be tricky. It can be more of a trial and error, but there is surely one out there that would meet your needs.
We have chosen the TimeWise 3-in-1 Cleanser by Mary Kay as the best face wash for combination skin. It comes in gel form, and as the name implies, cleanses, exfoliates, and freshens in one go.
It also has anti-aging properties. Gentle to be used twice a day, it leaves skin balanced to bring out skin that’s more youthful-looking.
A downside to this product is that it comes with a high price tag. But we think its price can be overlooked, since you’ll definitely be getting your money’s worth.
We also have a detailed buying guide about Best Acne Face Washes & Cleansers and Best Face Washes for Dry Skin in case you want to check out
Recommendation by Doctor
Product Recommendation
| What does a “combination skin type” mean? Individuals with this type have oily T-zone and dry skin on the sides of the face. One can have both an oily skin (with active sebaceous glands) and a skin with lipid barrier defect, making it dry. As a matter of fact, the excess sebum produced by the sebaceous glands may also serve as an emollient that can make skin less dry. The ideal skin cleanser for combination skin are those that can remove dirt and oil without further damaging or stripping off the natural lipid barrier of the skin. Biore Combination Skin Balancing Cleanser has surfactants that makes it mix well with water to properly remove dirt and excess oil and ingredients like glycerin that maintains skin hydration. It is alcohol-free that can irritate and dry the skin. It is dermatologist-teste to be safe for combination skin type. |
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