Compare bases · 2026
Water-based cleansers (gel, foaming, cream) handle daily sweat and water-soluble grime. Oil cleansers / balms dissolve makeup, sunscreen, and sebum that water can't. Most skincare routines use both as a double-cleanse.
Base
Gel, foaming, cream. The daily morning cleanser and double-cleanse step 2.
Top pick
CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser, Daily Face Wash for Oily Skin, Hyaluronic Acid + Ceramides + Niacinamide, Fragrance Free, Non-Drying Oil Control Face Wash, 19 Fluid Ounces Cradle to Cradle Certified Cradle to Cradle Certified Cradle to Cradle Certified
Base
Oil / balm. Melts makeup and sunscreen; double-cleanse step 1.
Top pick
DHC Deep Cleansing Oil, Facial Cleansing Oil, Makeup Remover, Cleanses without Clogging Pores, Residue-Free, Fragrance and Colorant Free, All Skin Types, 6.7 fl. oz.
One pick per base. For the full top-5 inside any variant, use the cards above.
CeraVe
Across the verified-purchase reviewers we read, the CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser is the closest thing this category has to a default recommendation: it carries a 4.8 average across more than 100,000 retailer reviews, by far the largest review base in our candidate pool. Customers consistently describe it as a no-frills daily cleanser that removes oil and sunscreen without leaving skin feeling tight, and the fragrance-free, niacinamide-and-ceramide formula draws repeat-purchase loyalty.
Price
$13.48