Washing your face appears to be a simple task that entails grabbing a cleanser and going about it. Well, it is not that simple. First, it is recommended that you find a face wash that works best for your skin. The face wash you decide to use should include ingredients that ate beneficial to your skin to avoid harsh reactions. Using the wrong face wash can break the skin barrier resulting in inflammation or an ineffective job. So, the cardinal rule is finding a face wash that is specifically made for your skin. To have healthy skin, neither water nor your body soap will cut it. The best thing is you won’t have to spend a fortune to get the best face wash for your skin.

Here, we recommend the best cheap face washes under $20 that will leave your wallet intact but still do a great job of cleaning your face. Choose a face washing gel or lotion that avoids harsh ingredients while ensuring it effectively cleans the skin pores without robbing it of the much-needed water.

Features to Consider in Good Face Washes

As you look for a decent face wash, it is important to note that there is a distinction between face washes and face cleansers. Facial washes are stronger and rougher on the skin and offer a deep clean of the pores. On the other hand, face cleansers are gentler on the skin and normally come with nourishing ingredients and moisturizing. However, the difference is blurred since some face washes incorporate ingredients common in face cleansers and vice versa. So, to know which is which, you need to look at the ingredients. Below are some of the features you should look for in a face wash product.

Active ingredients

Look for the active ingredients such as benzoyl peroxide or salicylic on the product label. Also, look for other ingredients such as oils that moisturize the skin. Ensure the package indicates non-comedogenic, which means the product won’t clog your skin pores.

Thickness

Facial thickness is an important feature to consider since it determines if a product is good for you especially when your skin is prone to acne. Thicker facial washes can be irritating and are likely to clog your skin pores compared to thinner facial washes.

Fragrance

Not all face washes come with a fragrance, although some do. You should consider this feature if you often use cologne as part of your personal aesthetics. It is just a personal preference if you decide to purchase a scented face wash or not.

Amount

The quantity of face wash you get determines if a product is a good value for money. Some come in large quantities while others come in just several ounces. If you are working with a budget, you should take note of the amount of face wash in a package to ensure it meets your planned use per day.

Best Cheap Face Washes 2024 (Under $20)

1. Dr. Bronner’s – Pure-Castile Liquid Soap 18-in-1 Uses: Face

Design features
This face wash comes in a bottle that supports 32 Oz. of the product. The product has a peppermint scent that helps cool the skin, sharpen the mind and clear sinuses. This is a soap that can be used for 18 uses including washing your face washing. It is even safe for pets. The product is made organic oils that have been certified as fair trade ingredients. This face wash product from Dr. Bronner’s boasts of being formulated from over 90% organic ingredients. Of those, more than 70% are certified as fair trade which means the production of these ingredients meet ethical working standards as well as fair price practices.

Convenient features
The product is fully biodegradable and makes use of vegan ingredients that do not pose a threat to the environment. It does not include synthetic preservatives, foaming agents or detergents. This product has multiple uses. It can be used for laundry, hand-washing dishes, mopping, washing pets and all-purpose cleaning among other uses. What’s more, it uses recycled plastic bottles.

Verdict
This is a great face wash from Dr. Bronner’s that includes peppermint. The product is armed with tremendous therapeutic capabilities that revitalize the skin. If you are vegan, the product and its ingredients are not tested on animals so it is cruelty-free.

2. Cetaphil Gentle Face Wash for Sensitive Skin

Design features
The product comes in a pack of two containing 16 Oz of fluid. This face wash does not have an active ingredient. It is based on sulfates, water, and parabens. It has been proven to hydrate the skin. This is a mild, non-irritating creamy formula that soothes the skin as it alleviates makeup and dirt among other impurities. It is great for washing the face, hands, and body. The face wash is free from any foaming soap so, it won’t strip the skin of natural protective oils which helps maintain natural pH of the skin.

Convenient features
This is a gentle cleanser that rinses off nicely. It cleanses the skin of bacteria and dirt without causing any irritation. It rinses without leaving any pore-clogging residue. It is a well-known product that is time-tested for its delicacy. It is officially claimed to be friendly to baby skin. It is perpetually popular among people with dry skin because it can delicately keep your skin clean and even prevent acne breakouts. This face wash does not irritate delicate skin. It is non-comedogenic and fragrance-free. Since it does not contain any soap it has a soothing effect that leaves the skin feeling smooth, soft and healthy.

Verdict
This is an excellent face wash for sensitive skins and even babies. As it cleanses it soothes and softens the skin which helps the skin maintain the needed moisture.

3. Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Fighting Facial Cleanser

Design features
The product in a bottle with 9.1 oz. The bottle is equipped with a pump mechanism for getting the liquid out. The face wash from Neutrogena uses Salicylic (2%) as its active ingredient. Salicylic acid will leave your skin dry, so you need to apply a moisturizer after using this face wash. The Salicylic acid helps fight and prevent acne breakouts as it cleanses your face.

Convenient features
The unique formula of this product gently cleanses deep in the pores with conditioners. This face wash uses Micro Clear technology that helps boost the delivery of salicylic acid to clear up pimples, blackheads, and acne. Besides, the formulation of this oil-free product is non-comedogenic which means it won’t clog pores on your skin. It rinses clean without over irritating or drying the skin which helps unclog and even treat acne before it manifests. It leaves the skin clean without heavy residue and best of all it does not contain oil. In just one step, this powerful face wash from Neutrogena removes 93% of the surface oil on your skin.

Verdict
The Neutrogena face wash is appropriate for daily use as a way of taking care of your skin and preventing acne. However, if you have dry or sensitive skin, this product is not for you.

4. CeraVe Daily Face Wash for Oily Skin

Design features
This face wash product comes in a bottle with its contents weighing 16 Oz. The active ingredients in this product are Hyaluronic Acid that helps retain moisture and Niacinamide that calms the skin. This product has a unique formula that uses 3 essential ceramides (1, 3, 6-II) which cleanse and remove oil without interfering with the skincare barrier.

Convenient features
The face wash from CeraVe uses moisture-retaining ingredients. The product uses hyaluronic acid that helps retain the natural moisture of the skin and niacinamide which helps calm the skin. The foamy lather results in a gentle refresh. The product is fragrance-free. Also, it is non-irritating and non-drying. Thus, this is a refreshing gel that effectively eliminates excess dirt, makeup, and oil. The face wash contains essential ceramides that are important for healthy skin to restore and maintain its natural protective barrier. Ceramides form an important of the natural barrier of the skin.

Verdict
This CeraVe foaming face wash gently gets rid of dirt, dead skin and excess oil to reveal a fresh, clean face. The product has a non-irritating formula that helps maintain a healthy moisture balance, without stripping the skin as it eliminates oily areas. It leaves your face comfortable without any dryness or tightness.

5. Bioré Charcoal Daily Face Wash

Design features
This Biore face wash comes in a 6.77 Oz. (200 mL) bottle. The active agent in this product is Salicylic acid (1%). The product uses natural charcoal which known to draw out and trap impurities. It uses a Japanese skin purifying technology that cleans pores twice as fast in just one use without over-drying the skin. To have optimal results, use it daily.

Convenient features
This face wash product from Biore is great for oily skins as well as skins that are prone to acne. The charcoal acne clearing product is formulated using salicylic acid that treats acne and goes as far as helping defend against breakouts. The innovative face wash uses natural charcoal to decongest pores and treat acne. It clears your skin in only 2 days! By targeting your skin type, it keeps your complexion clean, blemish-free and clear for good. You only need to use a small amount of the product by pumping it into your hand and apply it on your face and rinse thoroughly.

Verdict
This face wash from Biore is an excellent blend of charcoal and salicylic acid that cleans all the oil from open pores leaving your face clean and moisturized. The mild tingling effect makes the skin feel rejuvenated. To give your skin the added boost, when you are done use non-oily moisturizer. It will leave your skin clean and fresh.

6. Ultra Hydrating Gentle Face Wash for Dry Skin by Tree to Tub

Design features
This product comes in 4 Oz. bottle. The active ingredient in this product is soapberry extract (88%). The signature ingredient creates a gentle and luxurious lather with a naturally balanced pH. It has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. As it cleanses dirt, excess oil and makeup, it ensures the protective barrier remains intact to prevent breakouts. It is equipped with organic aloe vera, acai, and chamomile which are rich antioxidants that leave your skin calm and smooth.

Convenient features
This naturally-scented, relaxing face wash has incredibly deep cleansing capabilities that moisturize dry skin. The relaxing lavender oil gives this product its natural scent. The product is free from any toxins that may affect sensitive skin. It is hypoallergenic and safe even to children. It comes with several raw soapberries that can also be used for face wash. It is among the best products that are organic, eco-friendly, dermatologist recommended and cruelty-free. It does not leave any oil residue or feelings of tightness.

Verdict
This face wash from Tree to Tub uses creamy, gentle cleansing foam and other organic botanicals such as shea butter, acai, and aloe vera. If you are looking for a moisturizing face wash that will remove traces of makeup and cleanse your face without stripping essential oils, then this organic product is a good choice.

7. Spectro Jel Cleanser for Blemish Prone Skin

Design features
The product comes in a 500ml (17 Oz.) bottle. This product does not have active ingredients. It is free of harsh and irritating chemicals such as dyes, parabens, lanolin, sodium, and sulfates.

Convenient features
This face wash can clear your skin of excess oil while ensuring it does not over-dry the skin. It can balance the pH levels of the skin which leaves it feeling smooth and soft. This face wash is dermatologists recommended. It has deep cleaning capabilities that remove impurities like bacteria, dirt, and oil while protecting the natural moisture barrier of the skin. The face wash can penetrate pores to remove impurities that cause acne. It penetrates your pores and lifts dirt that can result in pimples. It is mild and does not irritate your eyes or skin. This product is free of potentially irritating ingredients. Also, the product is soap-free. It washes off easily and is fragrance-free.

Verdict
This face wash can clean your skin of blemishes quickly unlike most other counterparts. Not only will it clean your skin of dirt, but it will also soften your skin while at it. So, this is a gentle non-irritating face wash specifically formulated for blemish-prone or acne-prone skins.

8. Amara Beauty Facial Cleanser

Design features
This organic face wash is free from sulfate. The product combines powerful protection with nourishing rosehip oil, tea tree oil, and aloe that refine skin texture. It uses powerful antioxidant that protects your skin. The product contains 15% Vitamin C and uses premium-quality ingredients.

Convenient features
This face wash from Amara Beauty tackles bacteria using natural wonders. It uses coconut oil, jojoba oil, and cocoa butter enrich this organic face wash. These nourishing ingredients are combined to make this a powerful product capable of refining your skin texture. To safeguard you from the early onset of the signs of aging, this face wash uses hyaluronic acid. This workhorse decreases wrinkles and fine lines and eliminates discoloration and sun spots. The product is made from organic and natural ingredients without harsh chemicals, dyes, fragrances, artificial colors, parabens or sulfates. It does not strip the skin or make it dry or feel tight.

Verdict
The organic face wash leaves your face smooth and bright, which gives you a more youthful complexion. This non-irritating formula is great for all skin types, especially for dry and sensitive skin.

9. Cetaphil PRO DermaControl Oil Removing Foam Wash

Design features
The active ingredient in this product is a zinc technology that decreases irritation. The product comes in an 8 Oz. bottle. The foaming formula in this product makes it remove excess oil and dirt which may aggravate acne without harming the skin barrier. It helps soothe irritated skin and decreases the shine on your skin leaving you with a good look all day long.

Convenient features
This product is specifically crafted for skin that is prone to acne. The product does not result in over-drying the skin. This face wash removes excess oil and dirt in just one step. The foaming cleanser uses Zinc technology that helps your skin feel and look less shiny and greasy. It is gentle enough to be used daily. This face wash also helps in maintaining a healthy pH balance of the skin. The product rinses clean without leaving any pore-clogging residue behind. The product contains various ingredients that work together leaving the skin feeling fresh and looking healthy without stripping or over-drying.

Verdict
This face wash contains no parabens or soap. It consists of mild, nonirritating formula which is gentle even on sensitive skins. The product is used for daily use. The foaming formula removes surface oils, makeup and impurities to ensure the skin feels and remains at its best.

10. JACK BLACK – Pure Clean Daily Facial Cleanser – 2-in-1

Design features
This face wash from Jack Black is a facial cleanser and a toner capable of removing deep-down dirt and oil leaving your skin smooth. It contains sulfate-free surfactants. It uses PureScience formula that does not include synthetic colorants, parabens, and fragrances. The product contains various natural ingredients which work seamlessly to remove dirt and excess surface oil, which leaves your skin hydrated, smooth and clean.

Convenient features
The product leaves your complexion hydrated, fresh and clean. Natural coconut and oat, as well as sulfate-free surfactants dissolve pore-clogging residue, oil, and dirt. It uses organic sage leaf that is known for offering anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. Another element in this face wash is chamomile extract which helps soothe, calm and helps decrease redness with its antiseptic properties. Also, it contains Rosemary extract that helps manage skin oiliness and fight bacteria on the surface. Witch Hazel in this face wash act as an anti-irritant and toner. The product is safe for sensitive skins since it is free of artificial colorants.

Verdict
This product works into a lather that helps gently and effectively get rid of debris and dirt without dryness or irritation. Using this face wash results in clean, smooth and clear skin. The product works as a cleanser and a toner which leaves your skin fresh and smooth.