When it comes to skincare, fragrance-free cleansers are the best choice for all skin types, especially sensitive, acne-prone, and dry skin. While scented products may add a luxurious touch, they often contain irritants that can disrupt the skin barrier. Instead, the focus should be on gentle, nourishing ingredients that cleanse without stripping moisture.
Below is an updated list of the best fragrance-free face cleansers, including gels, foams, oils, balms, and milks, carefully curated for different skin concerns.
Top 17 Fragrance-Free Cleansers for All Skin Types
Caudalie Vinopure Purifying Gel Cleanser
Caudalie Vinopure Purifying Gel Cleanser is a gentle yet effective face wash designed for oily, acne-prone, and combination skin. Infused with natural salicylic acid, organic grape water, and essential oils, this fragrance-free gel cleanser deeply cleanses, unclogs pores, and reduces excess oil without stripping the skin.
Product Claims: Fragrance-free, Paraben-free, Planet Aware, Sulphate-free
Price: $41.00
The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser
A lightweight, non-comedogenic face cleanser designed to effectively remove makeup, dirt, and excess oil while maintaining skin hydration. Infused with squalane and lipid-based esters, this fragrance-free, soap-free formula transforms from a balm to an oil for a thorough yet gentle cleanse, making it perfect for all skin types, including sensitive skin.
Product Claims: AHAs/Glycolic Acid, Anti-oxidants, Fragrance-free, Oil-free, Paraben-free, Sulphate-free, Vitamins
Price: $37.00
Tower 28 SOS Daily Balancing Gel Cleanser
This fragrance-free, pH-balancing cleanser is packed with hypochlorous acid (aka the secret sauce for calming redness, breakouts, and irritation). It gives your skin a deep clean without stripping or drying, making it perfect for sensitive, acne-prone, and easily stressed-out skin.
Product claims: Free from fragrance, Parabens, Silicones, Sulfates, Essential Oils, Foaming Agents.
Price: $33.00
CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser
This fragrance-free cleanser has a soothing, milk-like texture, making it a must-have for irritated or acne-prone skin in need of a gentle refresh. Packed with ceramides and hyaluronic acid, it deeply hydrates and strengthens the skin barrier, making it an excellent choice for very dry or dehydrated skin. Perfect for daily use, this cleanser provides a calming, nourishing cleanse without irritation.
Product claims: Free from fragrance, non comedogetic.
Price: $15.99
Tata Harper Purifying Gel Cleanser
Tata Harper Purifying Gel Cleanser is a luxurious, all-natural face wash designed to deeply cleanse and detoxify the skin from daily pollutants. Formulated with broccoli extract, fruit enzymes, and essential oils, this gel-to-foam cleanser removes impurities while maintaining the skin’s moisture balance. Ideal for combination, oily, and congested skin, it leaves your complexion refreshed, radiant, and impurity-free.
Product Claims: Anti-oxidants, Clean at Sephora, Fragrance-free, Paraben-free, Planet Aware, Sulphate-free, Vitamins.
Price: $134.00
Sunday Riley Ceramic Slip Cleanser
A fragrance-free, foaming face wash formulated to purify and balance the complexion. This gentle cleanser features a blend of four plant-based soaps that lift away dirt and impurities without stripping the skin. Enriched with French green clay, it draws out excess oil, pollution, and makeup from the pores, while rice oil esters help prevent dehydration.
Product Claims: Fragrance-free, sulfate-free, paraben-free, gluten-free, soy-free, phthalate-free, and vegan.
Price: $57.00
DMK Deep Pore Facial Cleanser
This fragrance-free gentle cleanser is ideal for normal, oily, and combination skin types, offering a deep cleanse without stripping essential moisture. Its powerful purifying properties help to clear a congested T-zone, remove excess oil, and rebalance the skin, making it perfect for those prone to breakouts or uneven texture. While highly effective, it may be too intense for sensitive skin types. For a refreshed, balanced complexion, this cleanser is a must-have in your routine.
Kora Organics By Miranda Kerr Turmeric Glow Foaming Cleanser
A certified organic, fragrance-free face wash designed to deeply cleanse, brighten, and purify the skin. Infused with turmeric, aloe vera, this gentle yet effective formula helps to remove dirt, oil, and impurities while maintaining hydration.
Product claims: Product Claims: AHAs/Glycolic Acid, Anti-oxidants, Fragrance-free, Mineral, Natural/Organic, Paraben-free, Planet Aware, Prebiotics and Probiotics, Silicone-free, Sulphate-free, Turmeric, Vitamins
Price: $62.00
MECCA MAX FOAM-O Gentle Gel Cleanser
A lightweight, gel-to-foam afforable facial cleanser designed to effectively remove dirt, makeup, and impurities without stripping the skin’s natural moisture. Formulated to suit all skin types, this gentle cleanser leaves the complexion feeling fresh, clean, and balanced.
Product claims: Free from SLS (sodium lauryl sulfate), fragrance (natural & synthetic), animal derived ingredients, synthetic dyes, essential oils, parabens.
Price: $18.00
Emma Lewisham Illuminating Oil Cleanser
Emma Lewisham Illuminating Oil Cleanser is a luxurious face cleanser powered by 23 high-performing actives to hydrate and brighten the skin. Infused with antioxidants, nutrients, and vitamins, this clean beauty essential easily dissolves makeup, impurities, and excess oil while nourishing the skin barrier —perfect for all skin types, including sensitive skin.
Product claims: Free from alcohol, parabens and sulfates. Pregnancy safe, non tested on animals, scientifically tested and proven.
Price: $79.00
Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cleanser
A gentle, pH-balanced, fragrance-free cleanser that effectively removes dirt and debris without over-drying or stripping the skin. Formulated with key ingredients like apricot and avocado oils, it helps maintain the skin’s natural balance, leaving it fresh and ready for the day.
Product claims: De-congesting and Fragrance-free.
Price: $49.00
Pai Light Work
Another light, milky, fragrance-free cleanser, Pai’s Light Work Cleansing Oil is a lovely cleanser for melting away SPF, makeup, and daily impurities. Enriched with organic rosehip oil, it nourishes and revitalises the complexion. Its lightweight, milky texture makes it ideal for daily use, especially after multiple applications of SPF and makeup throughout a busy day.
Product claims: Anti-oxidants, Fragrance-free, Paraben-free, Sulphate-free.
Price: $68.00
MediK8 Gentle Cleanse
This lightweight, mild cleanser is free from synthetic colours, parabens, alcohol, cruelty, and fragrance, making it a great choice for sensitive skin. It’s also 100% vegan. Infused with hydrating glycerin, this gentle formula helps maintain moisture levels, leaving your skin feeling soft, supple, and refreshed after every cleanse.
Product claims: Free from synthetic colours, parabens, alcohol,
Price: $44.00
Dr Barbara Sturm Enzyme Cleanser
The beloved Dr. Barbara Sturm Enzyme Cleanser is a foaming, fragrance-free formula that gently exfoliates and purifies the skin. Perfect for oily and combination skin types, this dual-action cleanser removes makeup, SPF, and impurities while refining skin texture. Ideal after a long day, it helps to renew, refresh, and balance the complexion without stripping moisture.
Product claims: Free from synthetic fragrances and parabens.
Price: $108.00
Tatcha The Matcha Cleanse
A luxurious soap-free gel cleanser that harnesses the antioxidant power of matcha and mugwort to decongest pores and balance oil production without stripping essential moisture. This gentle formula calms redness, supports the skin barrier, and primes the skin to minimize makeup slip-off and shininess. Ideal for daily use, it leaves the complexion refreshed and balanced.
Product claims: Free from fragrance, soap, mineral oil, synthetic fragrances, sulfate detergents, parabens, urea, DEA, TEA or phthalates.
Price: $65.00
QED Skincare Lite Protect No Rinse Cleanser
A unique no-rinse formula for effortless cleansing! This gentle, fragrance-free cleanser is packed with clean, skin-loving ingredients like hazelnut oil, a powerful antioxidant that nourishes the skin, rosemary oil, which helps protect against environmental damage, and green tea extract, a natural anti-inflammatory. Perfect for those seeking an effective yet minimal-effort cleansing routine, this formula leaves skin feeling refreshed, balanced, and hydrated—no rinsing required.
Price: $52.00
General Faqs
What is the best cleanser for very sensitive skin?
One of the best yet affordable cleanser for sensitive skin is CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser. The products has been Best of Beauty Award-winner and it’s highly recommended by many dermatologist.
What is the best cleanser for sensitive acne-prone skin?
DMK Deep Pore Facial Cleanser is a great option for sensitive acne prone skin as it is perfect for helping to clear a congested t-zone and rebalance the skin whilst providing hydration.
What ingredients should I avoid in a facial cleanser?
When choosing a facial cleanser, avoid fragrances, sulfates (SLS, SLES), and harsh alcohols, as they can cause irritation and dryness. Parabens and synthetic dyes may trigger sensitivity, while rough exfoliants like walnut shell powder can damage the skin. If you have very sensitive skin, be cautious with strong acids (AHAs, BHAs, retinoids), as they can be too harsh. Instead, look for gentle, fragrance-free cleansers with ceramides, glycerin, aloe vera, oat extract, or hyaluronic acid to cleanse while keeping your skin hydrated and healthy.
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Layla
March 25, 2023 6:30 pmThe Ordinary’s Squalene cleanser has been a game changer for my skin. I definitely recommend as well.