Best Face Cleansers and Face Exfoliates For Dry and Oily Skin
Natural and organic facial cleansers have been growing in popularity over the years. If you’ve been making the transition to a more natural lifestyle, that’s great news! If you’re only just beginning to “go green,” you may not be sure where to begin in search of the best face wash product. Even the best drugstore face moisturizers contain a lot of ingredients that are harmful to you and harmful to the planet. Chemicals like formaldehyde and sulfates can cause some nasty health complications.
What are you using to wash your face? If you’re ready to make the switch to natural, healthy and safe best face wash for acne or any type of skin, keep reading. Walking into any department store skin care department can make your head spin, but we are here to help. We tested different acne face washes and the best drugstore face wash. Tried hydrating gels, face scrubs, cetaphil facial cleansers and some of the best anti aging face cleansers on the market. Here are the best natural, organic and fair trade facial cleansers available. Below we award the Best facial cleanser for oily skin, the best facial cleanser for acne and the best facial cleanser for dry skin.
1. Love Goodly
Type of Facial Cleanser | Charcoal Aloe Face Cleanser
Eco Friendly Face Cleanser Benefits | Organic, Cruelty-Free, Vegan, Non-Toxic, Give Back
How To Use | Lather a solution on hands and massage over wet face. Rinse well.
Facial Cleanser Price | $25
When you’re looking for a deep clean that’s safe and gentle enough to use every day, this Love Goodly Facial Cleanser review will come in handy. The Little Barn Apothecary Charcoal and Aloe Face Cleanser uses the natural detoxifying properties of charcoal to deep clean your skin. Organic basil and refreshing cajeput assist in the deep cleanse f removing dead skin cells, then aloe gently hydrates your face.
There’s a lot to love about this charcoal face cleanser from Love Goodly. It’s organic and vegan face cleanser, and Love Goodly offers a cruelty-free product. Every purchase you make from the Love Goodly catalog helps support non-profits like Farm Sanctuary, Cure Cervical Cancer and Paw Works. We awarded this our best organic and natural face cleanser.
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2. 100% Pure
Type of Facial Cleanser | Vegan Green Tea Cloud Foam Cleansser
Eco Friendly Face Cleanser Benefits | Give back, Vegan, Cruelty-Free, Gluten Free, Made in USA
How To Use | Apply a small amount to hands and apply to damp skin. Gently rub in a circular motion; rinse.
Facial Cleanser Price | $30
How do you rid your face of dull, dead skin cells … naturally? With the 100% Pure Green Tea Cloud Foam Cleanser we’ve chosen for our 100% Pure review. We love and awarded it the Best foam cleanser, because it is cruelty-free and never tested on animals. It contains a host of ingredients to nourish your skin, including organic green tea, Aloe Juice, White Tea, Helichrysu Hydrosol and Calendula. The 100% Pure Green Tea Cloud Foam Cleanser also contains organic green tea. If you’re never experienced a 100% Pure product, you’re in for a treat! The result is a fresh look that’s noticeably brighter.
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3. Freedom
Type of Facial Cleanser | Organic Facial Wipes
Eco Friendly Face Cleanser Benefits | Certified Organic Cleansing Cloths, Cruelty-Free, Vegan, Give Back
How To Use | Use as desired to remove makeup, dirt and oils from face.
Facial Cleanser Price | $7
Next on our list of the top fair trade, eco-friendly facial cleansers is our Freedom review. The Gentle Glow Cleansing Cloths are so simple, but you won’t know how you lived without these organic cleansing cloths! These soft face cloths from Freedom contain all certified organic ingredients that gently wash away makeup and pore clogging residue as they hydrate your skin. Jojoba oil and aloe vera leave your skin smooth and soft, while plant-based hydroxy acids rid your skin of that unwanted makeup. These skin moisturizing cloths are fragrance free and found under facial cleansing cloths.
Freedom products are cruelty free and vegan. The company supports non-profits and organizations that help individuals and families battling cancer like Tyler Robinson Foundation, American Cancer Society, Nevada Childhood Cancer Foundation, and The Caring Place. When you shop with Freedom you are not only joining the fight towards a eco-friendly world but helping fight cancer.
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4. Maya Chia
Type of Facial Cleanser | Natural Cleansing Oil
Eco Friendly Face Cleanser Benefits | Organic Ingredients, Wildcrafted Ingredients, Give Back, All Natural, Made in the USA, Woman-Owned Business
How To Use | Apply a small amount to hands, apply to face and throat. Rinse and pat dry.
Facial Cleanser Price | $42
Maya Chia is a woman-owned business that was launched in 2014. Owner Susanne Norwitz offers a line of beauty products that are made in the USA under fair trade conditions. Each product contains chia, a plant that’s been used since ancient Mayan civilizations to promote healthy and well-nourished skin. For our Maya Chia review we’ve chosen to feature the Great Cleanse Nourishing Supercritical Cleansing Oil. This natural oil facial cleanser contains the most soothing ingredients available for your skin: lavender, sunflower, chamomile, jasmine and clary sage are just a few. Most ingredients are organic or wildcrafted, and the oil cleanser is free from phthalates, parabens and other toxins.
Use the Great Cleanse daily facial cleanser if you like. You’ll notice your makeup dissolved away by the natural botanicals, but you’ll also love that your purchase supports the global community. Maya Chia donates a portion of all proceeds to help the Maya people of Central and South America.
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5. OZNaturals
Type of Facial Cleanser | Vitamin C Facial Cleanser
Eco Friendly Face Cleanser Benefits | Natural Ingredients, Cruelty-Free, Paraben Free, Phthalate Free, Sulfate Free
How To Use | Apply daily to a soft, damp washcloth. Massage into skin, rinse.
Facial Cleanser Price |
Our OZNaturals review is next on the list of the top fair trade, natural facial cleanser. This cleanser is meant for all skin care types packed with vitamins and is completely safe for daily use. Containing vitamin C, vitamin E and rose hips, the Vitamin C Cleanser is one of the best face wash products and best antioxidant cleansers you can buy – and it’s 99.2% natural! As with all of OZNatural products, the Vitamin C Cleanser is free from phthalates, parabens and other dangerous substances. Women (and men) who have used this natural facial cleanser say they feel instantly refreshed, but without the “tight” feeling that drying soaps leave.
While you’re shopping for your Vitamin C Cleanser, be sure to check out the other products in the OZNaturals catalog. All are 100% cruelty-free and crafted under fair trade conditions. You’ll find moisturizers, toners, masks, sunscreens and more which contain sustainable, natural ingredients in recyclable packaging.
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6. Tree to Tub
Type of Facial Cleanser | Foaming Facial Cleanser
Eco Friendly Face Cleanser Benefits | Vegan, Cruelty-Free, Essential Oils, Sulfate Free, Paraben Free, Made in the USA face cleanser
How To Use | Use daily in the morning, or in the evening to remove makeup.
Facial Cleanser Price |
Tree to Tub is one of our favorite earth-friendly companies here on Citrus Sleep. The business features affordable, sustainable and cruelty-free facial cleansers that are priced accessibly to everyone. For this Tree to Tub review, we’ve chosen the Foaming Facial Cleanser. This daily cleanser is ideal if you’re looking for a natural nightly skincare routine. In the Foaming Facial Cleanser, you’ll find cruelty-free and vegan ingredients. Lavender scent combine with organic wild soapberries to provide a fresh face cleanser and clean feel whether you use it in the morning or before bed.
We love the sustainable, natural ingredients in Tree to Tub skin care beauty products, but there’s something else we can appreciate – the packaging. The recyclable packaging Tree to Tub uses is neutral and gorgeous, designed to fit subtly into your home.
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7. Merkaela
Type of Facial Cleanser | Natural Exfoliator
Eco Friendly Face Cleanser Benefits | Organic Ingredients, All Natural face cleanser, Give Back, Eco-Friendly, Green Company
How To Use | Gently apply several times each week with hands or soft cloth. Rinse.
Facial Cleanser Price | $9
If you’ve ever experienced exfoliation, you know why we love it so much. Just a few times a week, that one extra step leaves your skin (and your mind) feeling rejuvenated, refreshed and super clean. What if you could exfoliate your skin with the additional benefit of aromatherapy? You can, and it’s heavenly! Next on the list is our Merkaela review, and you’re going to love this product. The Awaken Body Exfoliator is designed for use both on your face and your other body parts. Use it several times each week for softer, smoother and brighter skin from head to toe.
What’s in the Merkaela Awaken Body Exfoliator? You’ll find cinnamon, turmeric, frankincense and lemongrass. These cleansing herbs help rejuvenate your skin cells as olive oil, vitamins E and agave moisturize. All of Merkaela’s products are responsibly crafted and ethically sourced, and your purchase aids non-profits which support water and infrastructure programs. We awarded this our best exfoliating face cleanser.
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8. Airelle Skincare
Type of Facial Cleanser | Dry Skin Cleanser
Eco Friendly Face Cleanser Benefits | Woman-Owned Business, Natural Ingredients, American Company
How To Use | Apply to skin daily to sensitive skin to treat acne. Rinse.
Facial Cleanser Price |
If you have dry or sensitive skin, finding skincare that isn’t outright painful can be a struggle. Finding gently skincare products that are natural seems nearly impossible! Our Airelle Skincare review is your solution. This gentle formula is designed for skin that’s dry or sensitive, and specially created to treat acne.
We love that the Exfoliating Facial Cleanser is safe for skin of all ages and one of the best face cleansers for sensitive skin and best facial cleanser for acne. For instance, if the special teenager in your life begins to suffer acne. You can feel good about gifting him this cleanser, knowing it’s safe and effective. Airelle Skincare is a woman-owned, American skin care brand. Each beauty product offered in the Airelle Skincare catalog is made in the USA under fair trade, equal opportunity conditions.
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9. Ora's Amazing Herbal
Type of Facial Cleanser | Antioxidant Powder Cleanser
Eco Friendly Face Cleanser Benefits | Paraben Free, Cruelty Free, Essential Oils, All Natural
How To Use | Make a thin paste of cleanser and water. Massage onto face in shower or over sink. Rinse thoroughly.
Facial Cleanser Price | $24
In the same way that you’ll love exfoliation if you’ve not tried it, you’re also going to love the feel of a facial mask. Whether you’re a first-timer or you apply a mask weekly, we’ve included this Ora’s Amazing Herbal review because we know it’s going to change your skincare routine forever! The Rejuvi-C Cleanser is a powder that mixes to make a lightweight mask for your face. The ingredients are simple: kaolin clay, arrowroot, rosehips, hibiscus and frankincense. That’s it! Together, these natural ingredients create a deep-cleansing mask with awesome antioxidant power. Even if you have naturally dry skin, this exfoliating mask is safe to use.
Ora’s Amazing Herbal is a family-owned, American business with a focus on natural products and sustainability. The powdered form of the Rejuvi-C Cleanser means no preservatives, a smaller package and tiny carbon footprint for shipping.
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10. Pharmaca
Type of Facial Cleanser | Natural Brightening Face Cleanser
Eco Friendly Face Cleanser Benefits | Vegan, Cruelty-Free, Organic Ingredients, Eco-Friendly, Give Back
How To Use | Apply a drop or two to wet skin. Massage and rinse.
Facial Cleanser Price | $9
There are many natural, sustainable and eco-friendly brands we love. However, it’s not every day you find each of those brands compiled into one catalog. That’s the reason we’ve included Pharmaca on our list; the website offers brands like trilogy, Nordic Naturals and more, all in one place. For this Pharmaca review, we’ve chosen another of our favorite brands: Acure. The Acure Brightening Cleansing Gel is a vegan blend of essential oils and natural ingredients formulated to leave your skin soft, smooth and, of course, bright! Acai extract, chamomile, rooibos and blackberry are just a few of the rejuvenating extracts you’ll find in the gel.
As with all Acure beauty products, your purchase helps to support very worth organizations. The company gives back to Turning Green, a student-led movement for a greener planet. Another partner is Unite for Her, a non-profit which supports education and research for breast cancer awareness and treatment.
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11. Forest Heal
Type of Facial Cleanser | Whipping Foam Cleanser
Eco Friendly Face Cleanser Benefits | Give Back, Cruelty Free, Vegan, FSC Verified, FDA Registered
How To Use | After removing makeup, apply 1-2 pumps to face. Rinse or wipe off.
Facial Cleanser Price |
After you remove your makeup, do you follow up with a moisturizer or with a sunscreen? We recommend adding just one more step: the Whipping Foam Cleanser from Forest Heal. This foaming facial cleanser is one of the best skin care products which offers a purifying combination of Andiroba Oil and other natural ingredients that helps to cleanse your pores deeply, removing makeup and oils other cleansers can’t reach. It’s one of the best face wash solutions and best aloe face cleansers. Just apply a spritz or two after your routine wash. As we researched for our Forest Heal review, we learned that the company is FSC Certified and Cruelty-Free Certified. That means that each product is tested to be free from known toxins that are harmful to you, your family and the planet. Organic to Green’s products are also vegan and cruelty free.
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12. OSEA
Type of Facial Cleanser | Organic Gel Cleanser
Eco Friendly Face Cleanser Benefits | Organic, Essential Oils, All Natural, Vegan, Non-Toxic, EWG Verified
How To Use | Use morning and evening as a facial cleanser. Apply to damp skin, rinse.
Facial Cleanser Price | $44
Next on the list of top green, fair trade skin cleansers is our OSEA review. As the name would suggest, OSEA products are largely made from organic seaweed! Each 100% natural product is certified by the Environmental Working Group to be non-toxic and free from harmful chemicals. Of course, every cleanser, moisturizer and toner is vegan and cruelty free and is one of the best skin care products available. The Ocean Cleanser from OSEA is safe for all skin types of skin conditions. Whether your face is naturally dry, oily or you have combination skin, this gel face cleanser will safely remove excess oil and dirt without clogging pores. The result is an organically balanced pH and healthy looking skin and one of the best drugstore facial cleansers.
Customers who have used Ocean facial Cleanser say acne and blemishes are cleared up within just a week or so of adding the wash to their routine. Essential oils of jasmine, lime, cypress and juniper lend a scent that’s refreshing and natural.
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13. Beauty by Earth
Type of Facial Cleanser | Daily Facial Cleanser
Eco Friendly Face Cleanser Benefits | Naturally Sourced, Phthalate Free, Paraben Free, Cruelty Free, Essential Oils
How To Use | Use twice daily, morning and night. Massage cleanser onto damp skin; rinse.
Facial Cleanser Price |
If you suffer from blackheads, acne or other blemishes, our Beauty by Earth review has you in mind. This gentle exfoliating cleanser was formulated from a blend of botanicals – including cucumber and chamomile – to open your pores and deep cleanse gently. Use Beauty by Earth Foaming Face Wash in the morning to prepare your face for your daily makeup routine. Then, use it again at night to rid your skin of that makeup as well as environmental toxins and dirt. You’ll love the cool, refreshing feeling cucumber offers, as well as the moisturizing properties of aloe!
Each product offered by Beauty by Earth is cruelty free and are never tested on animals. The company is going a step above and beyond to protect the planet, too. Each moisturizer and gentle cleanser is sold in recyclable glass packaging to reduce waste left in the planet’s waterways.
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14. Real Purity
Type of Facial Cleanser | Astringent Cleanser
Eco Friendly Face Cleanser Benefits | Green, Cruelty-Free, Give Back, Made in the USA
How To Use | Apply a dime sized amount to palms or washcloth and apply to face. Rinse with warm water.
Facial Cleanser Price |
If you have oily skin, it may seem that many products just make the problem worse. Drying agents cause your skin to produce even more oils, while cleansers for normal skin types don’t dry enough. It’s hard to find a balance. If this sounds like you, our Real Purity review is just what you need. The Cleansing Facial Gel for Normal to Oily Skin balances your skin’s pH, leaving you with fresh, clean skin that’s never oily. Witch hazel is one of the most well-known antidotes for oily or combination skin, and aloe ensures your face is never left with tightness or over drying.
Real Purity is based in Indiana, and each product offered by the company is made in the USA. Every product is cruelty free, and the company uses organic and natural products when possible. Every product purchase from Real Purity supports Breast Cancer Awareness.
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15. Safe & Chic
Type of Facial Cleanser | Bamboo Cleansing Cloths
Eco Friendly Face Cleanser Benefits | Sustainable, All Natural, Cruelty Free, Essential Oils, Biodegradable, Give Back
How To Use | Use to cleanse and refresh face as desired.
Facial Cleanser Price | $20
One manufacturer had an idea so simple, we couldn’t believe we didn’t think of it first. Their idea was to create an all-natural, sustainable and biodegradable facial cleansing cloth. Then, they infused the cloths with natural jojoba oil, sunflower seed oil and other nourishing ingredients. The result is one of the most eco-friendly facial cloths we’ve seen!
Our Safe & Chic review features the Kaia Naturals Juicy Bamboo Facial Cleaning Cloths. These cloths are a far cry from your ordinary wet wipe. They’re crafted from bamboo, one of the most sustainable materials on earth. Combined with natural ingredients, these facial wipes aren’t just safe for you (and your whole family) but are also compostable. Toss a package of these wipes in your gym bag and one at your desk at work. You can feel good about stocking up; your purchase from Safe & Chic supports research and education efforts by Breast Cancer Prevention Partners.
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Everything You Need To Know About Facial Cleansers For A Healthy You
We could list a dozen reasons why making the switch to natural, organic, eco-friendly and cruelty-free beauty skin care products and facial cleansers is a good choice. They’re safer for you and your family, better for the environment and many companies support worthwhile causes, too! On this list you will find some of the best face wash and best skin care products in the market that include vitamins for skin care. If you’re ready to transition to a natural, effective skincare routine, try one of these cleansers. No matter your skin type, you can have brighter, healthier looking skin… naturally.
Shana Thompson is a full time professional writer and editor. Shana has worked extensively in the fields of content marketing, on-page and off-page SEO (guest posts, backlink acquisition), and creative writing. As an experienced pro content writer, Shana has worked on several magazines, publishing companies and marketing agencies. Many recent projects have included everything from nutrition and health services, where a lot of research and citations were needed, to writing about health, sustainable, eco-friendly products.
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