18 New Cleansers to Immediately Level Up Your Skincare Game in 2022
Washing your face is the first—and thus, perhaps most important—step in your skincare routine. It sets the foundation for all the steps that come after it, whether you love a multi-step regimen or you jump right to moisturizer and call it a day (or night). Crucial as this step is, sometimes we need a new product to change things up; sometimes our skin goes through changes, sometimes it’s us that change—whatever the reason for the product breakup may be, we all go through it.
But don’t worry. I’m here for you in your time of skincare need. There are tons of new face cleansers that have recently launched, so I gathered them all in one place so you can find your new fave just in time for a fresh start in the New Year. From nourishing cleansing balms and oils to oil-free gel face washes, there’s a product for every single skin type and concern. Read on to see the latest in cleansers, courtesy of old-favorite brands and some up-and-comers alike.
Neutrogena has always been a go-to for those with breakouts, and its newest cleanser is for just that. Formulated for oily and acne-prone skin types, it helps clear skin and refine texture, too.
It may look fancy, but this cleanser isn’t messing around. It’s made with brightening longoza-seed extract from the Dior gardens (ooh la la) and purifying moringa and helps cleanse away effects from air pollution without stripping skin.
Another great one for acne-prone skin types, Clean & Clear’s new foam cleanser is oil-free and has aloe to soothe sensitive skin that might be prone to redness.
For those who need the gentlest of formulas, this milky cleanser is almost like applying an extra layer of moisturizer. Simply apply with clean fingers or a cotton round, massage into skin, and remove the excess with a tissue—no water or toweling off required.
Farmacy’s cleansing balm is already a best seller thanks to its nourishing formula. The Clearly Clean version has everything you know and love about the original but is free of fragrance, essential oils, dyes, PEGs.
No need for a separate makeup remover with this cleanser, which is designed to get rid of every speck of mascara, foundation, and eye makeup. And although the citrusy ingredients leave skin feeling extra clean, it also contains ceramides for added skincare benefits.
From Ellen Degeneres��s new skincare line comes this cream cleanser formulated with Kakadu plum (for vitamin C), green tea extract (for antioxidants), and chamomile (to soothe).
This cleanser from new Ayurvedic-inspired skincare line Plantkos contains ingredients like turmeric and probiotic ferment to balance the complexion as it gently exfoliates.
ICYMI: Beloved sunscreen brand Sun Bum launched skincare, including this gentle cleanser. And although there may not be any SPF to be found, the formula still feels like a vacation thanks to tropical (and skin-loving) ingredients like green coconut water and banana.
The clean brand’s beloved Dream Mask is now in cleansing-balm form and packed with superfood ingredients like goji and açaí berries, as well as moisturizing jojoba oil that makes it incredible for dry skin.
Cetaphil is the gold standard when it comes to non-irritating skincare, so its latest exfoliating cleanser is all but guaranteed to be gentle as can be.
It may be known for its self-tanner, but Bondi Sands is getting into skincare, including this gel cleanser made with calendula extract, chamomile, and aloe, which tolerable on most skin types.
A collab with author, designer, and CEO Nabela Noor, this cleanser’s star ingredient may be skincare-favorite turmeric, but it also features papaya extract to exfoliate and pomegranate enzyme to hydrate.
Made with just three ingredients—apricot oil, sweet almond oil, and olive oil—this cleansing oil can be used solo or as part of a double-cleansing routine to remove every bit of dirt and makeup, while leaving skin silky-soft.
This multitasking cleanser treats skin like it’s going through a workout (which it is, right?), infusing it with electrolytes for hydration and strengthening.
This clean cosmetics brand is getting into skincare as well, launching an EWG-verified line of four essential products, including—of course—a cleanser. The gel formula is made with aloe, broccoli-seed oil, and other plant-based ingredients and is safe for all skin types, including sensitive skin.
One use of this powder exfoliant and you’ll see why it's gained a cult following. Mix the rice powder–based formula with water and it turns a gorgeous color before it smooths skin without being too harsh. It also comes with a tiny spoon inspired by traditional spice spoons, which helps deliver just the right amount of product each time.
The truth is not all of us need cleansers with fancy ingredients and bells and whistles. This cleanser is designed for those people (and many others). More important than what’s inside is what isn’t—sulfates, parabens, dyes, and fragrances—and it’s gentle enough for all skin types.
Up next: 7 Things Beauty Editors Will Never Do to Their Skin in Winter (and 8 They Will)
Lindy Segal is a freelance writer, editor, and content strategist based in New York City. She's originally from Atlanta, but she's sorry to report she doesn't have an accent. However, she does still have her taste for carbohydrates, love of losing sports teams, and fear of driving during rush hour. She's been in editorial for over eight years as a social media manager and writer covering beauty, fashion, and lifestyle at Glamour and People. Most recently, she was the women's editor at Express. These days, in addition to Who What Wear, you can see her byline at places like Harper's Bazaar, Cosmopolitan, Ipsy, and WeWork. Both a skincare obsessive and a minimalist, she keeps her routine short, sweet, and effective—and she doesn't go a day without sunscreen. She's also deeply passionate about sustainability, and she strives to recommend products she truly believes are worth the investment. When she's not writing about the best and brightest beauty finds, she can usually be found hunting for vintage and secondhand treasures, attempting to find zen at a yoga class, bingeing Bon Appétit YouTube videos, or napping under her weighted blanket.
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