Water-based cleansers are a good choice for people with sensitive skin or those who want to avoid the harshness of soap. They're also easy to find and inexpensive, which is a plus if you're on a budget. Here is some great water-based facial cleanser for you.
$47.00
I began to experience dry and flaky patches around my cheeks, forehead, and nose presumably due to stress. I've used water based moisturizers and cream moisturizers but it seemed like nothing would stop the dryness BUT immediately after I tried this cleanser, I felt like my face was feeling plump, super soft, and it wasn't flaky anymore!! ...This is a great water-based cleanser. I use it in the morning and evening as a 2nd cleanse after an oil-based cleanser.
What it is: A gentle cleanser to remove makeup, excess oil, pollution, and grime that rinses away without residue, leaving skin clean and soft.
Skin Type: Normal, Dry, Combination, and Oily
Skincare Concerns: Redness
Formulation: Lightweight Gel
Highlighted Ingredients:
- Mild Surfactant Blend: A stack of mild cleansing agents, including coconut-based surfactants rich in fatty acids that work together to create a gentle lather that effectively dissolves even stubborn makeup, sunscreen, and oils while supporting a healthy-looking skin barrier.
- Glycerin: A skin-identical humectant that replenishes hydration levels normally lost during the cleansing process.
$53.00
I'm now sticking to mainly oil/cream based cleansers and alternating with exfoliants instead....Hands down the best cleanser I've ever used!...I had seen people rave about this product so I decided to try it on my hunt for the perfect water based cleanser. People always talk about how their skin loves a cleanser and I always wondered how you would know if a cleanser works because most cleansers I have tried more or less felt the same.
What it is: A non-drying, antioxidant-packed gel cleanser that gently yet effectively removes makeup, SPF, and excess oils, leaving skin hydrated and glowing.
Skin Type: Normal, Dry, Combination, and Oily
Skincare Concerns: Pores, Acne and Blemishes, and Oiliness
Highlighted Ingredients:
- Kale + Spinach: Rich in phytonutrients and vitamins C and E to leave skin visibly glowing.
- Glycerin, Vitamin B5 + E: Complex know to hydrate + soothe.
- Green Tea: Antioxidant-rich powerhouse that fights visible signs of aging.
$40.00
I use this as my morning cleanser, and as my 2nd water-based cleanser in the evening. ...Love this as my water based cleanser. It is gentle and effective and does leave my skin feeling soft.
What it is: A natural foaming daily cleanser packed with antioxidants to gently cleanse and soften skin—without soap or sulfates.
Skin Type: Normal and Dry
Skincare Concerns: Dryness, Redness, and Dullness
Formulation: Liquid
Highlighted Ingredients:
- Grape Water: Provides antioxidant-rich hydration and visibly boosts radiance.
- Sage Extract: Purifies and tones.
- Chamomile Extract: Calms, soothes, and reduces the appearance of redness.
Ingredient Callouts: This product is vegan.
What Else You Need to Know: Suitable for even the most sensitive skin, this iconic, airy, foaming formula cleanses without a stripping effect.
$23.00
Gentle Cleanser, No Match For IT Cosmetics CC+...This is one of the gentlest cleansers you can buy, hands-down. Unfortunately, it's so gentle that it barely budges face makeup! ...Best Facial Cleanser for Sensitive Skin...I have combination skin that gets very dry and feels really patchy with conventional facial cleansers. Fresh Soy Face Cleanser fixed it!!!
What it is: A universal, gentle-yet-effective face cleanser that instantly soothes, hydrates & removes everyday makeup for a healthy look over time.
Skin Type: Normal, Dry, Combination, and Oily
Skincare Concerns: Dryness, Dullness, and Uneven Texture
Formulation: Lightweight Gel
Highlighted Ingredients:
- Soy Proteins: to help improve skin elasticity.
- Cucumber Extract: to cool and calm.
- Aloe Vera: to immediately soothe and hydrate.
Ingredient Callouts: This product is vegan, gluten-free, cruelty-free, and comes in recyclable packaging.
ITEM: 2379337
Size: 3.38 oz/ 100 mL
$35.00
At first I felt like this was just okay but after continuous use it has become one of my favorite water based cleansers ever. I use this as a second cleanse and because it is so gentle I never feel like I'm stripping my skin. ...Gentle cleanser, fun texture...I've tried it on my eyes and I find it stings, though it says you can use it for removing eye-makeup (water-based). Other than that, I haven't seen any signs of irritation after a few weeks of use.
What it is: A multitasking face wash that gently melts away makeup, removes impurities, and hydrates for clean, balanced skin.
Skin Type: Normal, Dry, Combination, and Oily
Skincare Concerns: Pores, Dryness, and Redness
Formulation: Gel
Highlighted Ingredients:
- Rose Hydrosol: Hydrates skin.
- Tremella Mushroom: Hydrates and helps skin maintain moisture.
- Squalane: Helps remove makeup.
Ingredient Callouts: This product is vegan, cruelty-free, and gluten-free.
$51.50
It does not feel greasy going on at all, the water base is obvious and it's very light. I will say there are some mascaras it does not completely remove, but the residue comes off when I cleanse so it's ok.
What it is:
A lightweight, water-based makeup remover.
What it is formulated to do:
This unique, water-based, cream-gel formula removes all makeup, even longwearing and waterproof. It refreshes the senses with a crisp herbal citrus scent and rinses away easily, leaving skin feeling silky-soft with no greasy after-feel.
What else you need to know:
This product is dermatologist and ophthalmologist tested. It is suitable for contact lens wearers.
$25.00
I never write reviews but omg this is SO good I can only use micellar water because everything else irritates my eyes but micellar water is not enough when I’ve heavy night makeup. ...Great for water proof mascara...Small bottle, but works wonders and doesn't take that much. I have a water proof mascara and it takes it off without a lot of rubbing, love it, and no harsh smells.
What it is: A gentle, conditioning, cleansing oil and micellar water hybrid makeup remover that melts off and lifts away long-wearing and waterproof makeup without tugging skin.
Skin Type: Normal, Dry, Combination, and Oily
Formulation: Liquid
Highlighted Ingredients:
- Comfrey Root Extract: Soothes dry, stressed skin.
- Micellar Water: Attracts dirt, oil, and makeup like a magnet.
- Pro-Vitamin B5: A powerful, natural moisturizer.
Ingredient Callouts: This product is vegan, gluten-free, and cruelty-free.
$42.00
Soo hydrating and safe for my sensitive skin, very soothing on inflamed skin and is great for a base under all my skincare...Magical scent water...The scent smells like what clean magical water would be if it had a scent. I really am enjoying this product!
What it is: A first-step toner that refreshes and hydrates the skin, allowing it to better absorb the rest of your skincare—prep for the best.
Skin Type: Normal, Dry
Skincare Concerns: Dryness, Dullness
Highlighted Ingredients:
- Blue Hyaluronic Acid: Delivers effective, long-lasting hydration.
- Beta Glucan: Helps soothe skin.
Ingredient Callouts: Free of parabens, formaldehydes, formaldehyde-releasing agents, phthalates, mineral oil, retinyl palmitate, oxybenzone, coal tar, hydroquinone, sulfates SLS & SLES, triclocarban, triclosan, and contains less than one percent synthetic fragrance.