9 Best Natural Face Cleanser Brands: Organic and Non-Toxic Face Wash Options That Are Actually Clean
Discover the best non-toxic, organic, and natural face cleanser brands!
I’ve always had difficult skin: it breaks out easily and gets red and irritated fast.
Early on, a dermatologist told me how important it was to properly wash my face to clear out impurities and keep my pores from clogging.
That’s solid advice, as far as it goes.
What nobody told me is that the cleanser itself matters just as much as the habit.
And that a lot of face washes, including the one I was prescribed, are packed with ingredients that can irritate skin or cause health issues down the line.
In this article, I’m sharing nine non-toxic, organic, and natural face cleanser brands that don’t just claim to be clean; they prove it.
They’re upfront about their ingredients, and they skip the sulfates, synthetic fragrances, hormone disruptors, and preservatives you’re probably trying to avoid.
Most also come in a few different forms, scented and unscented, so you’ve got some options depending on what you like.
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Why switch to a natural, organic, and non-toxic face cleanser?
Yes, it’s great to wash our face, but it’s not enough.
We also need a product that fits our skin type and doesn’t contain irritants or harmful chemicals.
Most conventional face washes on the market are filled with harsh chemicals that aren’t doing us any favors; not on our face, and not on our health.
Many contain synthetic fragrances, sulfates, phthalates, parabens, and other problematic ingredients.
Some of those have been linked to irritation, allergies, endocrine disruption, reproductive problems, respiratory issues, and more.
SLES, which is very common in drugstore and mainstream brands, may also be contaminated with 1,4-dioxane, a substance known to cause cancer in lab animals.
And if you have sensitive, acne-prone, or reactive skin, those harsh ingredients can make things even worse.
They strip the skin barrier, throw off its natural balance, and can end up triggering more issues instead of solving them.
Even though face cleanser is a rinse-off product, the exposure is real, especially since most of us use it at least once a day, sometimes twice.
Another thing worth keeping in mind: we can’t just blindly trust companies that claim their products are natural and clean.
There’s a lot of greenwashing in this industry, so it’s worth actually checking the ingredient list yourself instead of taking the label’s word for it.
What to look for when shopping for an organic, natural, or non-toxic face wash?
The number one thing I recommend for people who want to buy a non-toxic face cleanser is to always check the ingredient list.
This is non-negotiable.
You want to stay away from brands that use the following ingredients:
- Synthetic fragrance / parfum
- Sulfates like SLS, SLES, and ALS
- Parabens
- Phthalates
- PEG compounds
- Isothiazolinone preservatives
- Phenoxyethanol
- Denatured alcohol
- Formaldehyde-releasing preservatives such as: DMDM hydantoin, imidazolidinyl urea, diazolidinyl urea, quaternium-15, and bronopol
Instead, buy from brands that use only non-toxic and natural ingredients.
For instance, many formulate their cleansers with:
- Gentle plant-based cleansing agents like coco-glucoside, decyl glucoside, sodium cocoyl glutamate, and sodium cocoyl isethionate
- Skin-supporting ingredients such as glycerin, hyaluronic acid, panthenol, and ceramides
- Soothing botanical extracts like aloe vera, chamomile, calendula, and green tea
- Non-comedogenic plant oils like jojoba oil, rosehip oil, and plant-derived squalane
- Essential oils (while they can add a natural scent, they may irritate sensitive or reactive skin, so fragrance-free options are often a better choice)
You may also want to choose organic face cleanser brands when possible, as their plant-based ingredients are grown without synthetic pesticides and they often follow more sustainable farming practices.
Here are a few third-party certifications you may want to look for as well:
- USDA Organic
- EWG-Verified
- MADE SAFE
- Cosmos/Ecocert
And of course, make sure to get a cleanser that matches your skin type; you don’t want to pick one for dry skin if you have oily, acne-prone skin, and vice versa.
Finally, when looking for skincare products, I always prefer buying from brands that are cruelty-free and do not test on animals.
If they have implemented eco-friendly practices, that’s a big plus too!
9 best non-toxic, organic and natural face cleanser brands that are actually clean
1. Toups & Co Organics
Type: Oil, Face Bar
Scented? Both Scented (With Essential Oils) and Unscented Options Available
Let’s start with my favorite organic face wash brand: Toups & Co Organics!
The company offers an all-natural cleansing oil and three different kinds of face bars addressing different skin concerns.
I personally have their Seabuckthorn Cleansing Oil, and I cannot recommend it enough.
Made with organic jojoba, olive, and seabuckthorn oils as well as a few organic essential oils, this cleanser penetrates deep into pores to dissolve buildup and impurities without stripping the skin.
It’s filled with vitamins A and C, antioxidants, minerals, and other nutrients that are essential for skin regeneration and healing.
Every time I use it, I truly feel like my skin is softer, more supple, and nourished.
I also like that the pump dispenses the perfect amount of product every time, so there’s no waste!
Toups & Co Organics also has an Activated Charcoal Face Bar that provides gentle exfoliation, a calming Lavender Tallow Bar made with soothing lavender and collagen-boosting grass-fed tallow, and a detoxifying French Green Clay Soap with anti-inflammatory properties designed for people with acne.
All these products are completely natural and formulated without synthetics, preservatives, or harmful ingredients.
They’re handmade in small batches and are safe for sensitive skin (even for babies!).
2. Ogee
Type: Cream, Oil, Soap, Exfoliating Cleanser
Scented? Yes (Without Synthetic Fragrance)
Clean beauty brand Ogee sells four different natural face wash options.
Its Silky Dream Cleansing Cream is perfect if you’re looking for a daily hydrating cleanser that dissolves impurities while soothing and replenishing the skin.
Formulated with bioactive peptides, it supports the skin barrier and improves hydration.
If you like the cream consistency but want something exfoliating, check out the Botanical Brilliance Exfoliating Cleanser.
This multitasking, organic product contains jojoba beads, seeds, and waxes that gently help eliminate dead skin cells and purify pores.
Ogee also has a cleansing soap, the Brush Cleanser, which effectively removes makeup and cosmetic buildup without harsh chemicals.
And its Liquid Gold Cleansing Oil, made with antioxidant-rich elderberry, gently dissolves impurities while restoring your skin’s hydration.
All four cleansers are made in the USA using sustainably sourced, organic, and naturally derived ingredients.
They’re cruelty-free and completely free of silicones, petroleum, and harmful substances.
3. OSEA
Type: Gel, Oil, Milk, Scrub
Scented? Both Scented (Naturally) and Unscented Options Available
OSEA’s vegan and cruelty-free cleansers are formulated with only skin-nourishing, naturally derived ingredients such as seaweed, plant oils, and botanical extracts.
The brand is committed to staying away from irritating ingredients and harmful chemicals such as synthetic fragrances, phthalates, parabens, and sulfates.
Whether you’re looking for a natural face wash for normal, sensitive, oily, blemish-prone, or mature skin, OSEA has something for everyone.
If you tend to have imperfections and breakouts regularly, make sure to pick the Ocean Cleansing Mudd: this clarifying product removes excess oil and impurities while refining the look of pores.
For normal to combination skin, choose the Ocean Cleanser, a seaweed-infused gel with lactic acid that cleanses gently and delivers mineral-rich hydration.
And if you want a fragrance-free option for your dry, sensitive skin, the Ocean Cleansing Milk should be your go-to.
OSEA also has a cleansing oil made to dissolve waterproof makeup, as well as a face scrub formulated with flower acids and oceanic exfoliants that reduce pores and smooth uneven skin.
4. Naked & Thriving
Type: Cream, Gel, Bars
Scented? Both Scented (Without Synthetic Fragrance) and Unscented Options Available
Naked & Thriving offers natural face cleanser bars as well as two liquid options that come in super cute pump bottles.
All the brand’s products are vegan, cruelty-free, and formulated with organic and plant-based ingredients (nothing toxic or synthetic here!).
Its Balance Gentle Hydrating Cleanser is a fragrance-free formula that only contains ingredients that are safe for sensitive skin.
Made with inulin, mineral-rich hot spring water, and upcycled betaine, it gently cleanses and soothes your skin while supporting hydration.
If you want a product with a nice scent, you’ll love the Refresh Gentle Enzyme Cleanser!
It is available in four lovely scent options: cucumber & rose, green tea, pineapple & guava, or the brand’s signature scent.
This cleanser removes excess oil, daily pollutants, and makeup without stripping your skin.
Plus, it provides gentle exfoliation and nourishes your skin.
Naked & Thriving also has three cleansing bars, each one designed with a specific goal in mind.
You’ll find one made to nourish and soothe sensitive skin, another that refines and purifies with activated bamboo charcoal and clay, and another designed to exfoliate and buff away dullness.
Did I mention that the company plants a tree for every bottle sold?
5. DIME
Type: Gel, Foam, Balm, Oil
Scented? Both Scented (Without Synthetic Fragrance) and Unscented Options Available
Looking for an EWG-verified, natural face cleanser? Check out DIME!
This vegan, cruelty-free beauty brand only uses clean ingredients that have been deemed safe by the Environmental Working Group.
It openly shares all the ingredients included in each formula, and none of them contain harmful chemicals such as parabens, phthalates, bisphenols, or sulfates.
Whether you want a foaming or gel cleanser, or prefer a balm or oil face wash, DIME has it all.
Its Gentle Jelly Cleanser, also available in a travel-size version, effectively removes dirt and makeup from your face while hydrating and soothing.
It’s packed with detoxifying, softening, and repairing ingredients, and helps protect the skin from environmental stressors.
If you want something that will exfoliate your skin at the same time, pick the Creamy Foam Cleanser.
It’s developed for all skin types, but is particularly great for oily and acne-prone skin as it contains salicylic acid and glycolic acid.
The Nourishing Cleansing Oil is another great option: it’s a 2-in-1 cleanser and makeup remover that promotes hydration and balances the skin barrier.
And if you want a natural cleanser that doubles as an overnight hydrating mask, definitely opt for the squalane-based Cleansing Balm.
6. Ursa Major
Type: Gel, Milk, Wipes
Scented? Yes (Naturally)
Ursa Major is a certified B Corporation that makes forest-infused skincare formulas using only clean ingredients.
Its two non-toxic face wash options are vegan and cruelty-free and feature lightweight textures and subtle (natural) aromas.
The Fantastic Face Wash deeply cleans your pores and gently exfoliates with plant AHAs.
It doesn’t strip away moisture or mess with your skin’s pH.
You’ll also love the sulfate-free, silky-soft foam and its refreshing scent of cedar, lime, and spearmint.
This product is best for people with normal, combination, or oily skin.
If you have dry or sensitive skin, choose Ursa Major’s gentler option: the Making Moves Milky Cleanser.
This soothing milk has a non-greasy, non-lathering formula that removes impurities while hydrating your skin.
It also contains plant-derived enzymes that provide mild exfoliating properties.
The brand also has super practical face wipes if you want something for on-the-go that’s effortless to use.
These 4-in-1 wipes help exfoliate, cleanse, hydrate, and soothe the skin in one simple step.
7. Marie Veronique
Type: Oil, Gel, Cream
Scented? Both Scented (Without Synthetic Fragrance) and Unscented Options Available
Clean beauty brand Marie Veronique has four different natural cleansing face wash products, all made with clean ingredients.
Each one contains microbiome-supportive ingredients, nourishing oils, and gentle surfactants that effectively cleanse and clarify your skin while preserving its lipid barrier.
The brand has two oil cleansers, which have very similar formulas except that the Pure + E.O. Free Oil Cleanser is fragrance-free and doesn’t contain any essential oils (great for sensitive skin).
Both contain superoxide dismutase (SOD), an enzyme that helps neutralize free radicals and protect cells from oxidative stress.
If you don’t like oil cleansers, Marie Veronique also has two others, which are naturally scented.
The Refining Cleanser is a cream exfoliating product formulated with lactic acid and phloretin actives and is designed to minimize pores and brighten your skin.
The Gentle Gel Cleanser, on the other hand, is a lightweight gel that is suitable for sensitive skin.
It’s made with non-irritating sugar surfactants that help cleanse and calm your skin while preventing moisture loss.
8. Osmia
Type: Bar, Cream
Scented? Yes (Naturally)
Osmia offers a few non-toxic, natural face cleanser soaps as well as a creamy option, all of which were doctor-formulated to support healthy skin and relieve sensitivity, dermatitis, acne, and eczema.
All the brand’s products are free of petrochemicals, synthetic fragrances and colors, sulfates, parabens, phthalates, and ethoxylated ingredients.
The Purely Gentle Mud Cleanser is a foaming cream cleanser formulated with glacial oceanic clay, organic aloe, chamomile, and honey, and is suitable for all skin types.
It nourishes your skin and leaves it clean and plump.
You’ll also love its lovely scent blending geranium, sandalwood, and three kinds of clay!
If you prefer a soap bar, the brand has one for every skin type.
Its brightening Pumpkin Facial Soap is ideal for people with dry, mature, sun-damaged, or dull skin, while the Rose Clay Facial Soap is more suitable for sensitive or redness-prone skin.
You can also use Osmia’s Black Clay Facial Soap on all skin types, but particularly if you have acne-prone, oily, or combination skin.
I like that all the brand’s cleansers remove makeup as well so you don’t need another product.
Plus, Osmia ships everything using sustainable packaging and plants a tree with every order!
9. True Botanicals
Type: Balm, Cream
Scented? Yes (Naturally)
True Botanicals’ three natural cleansing face wash options all effectively remove makeup and eliminate impurities without stripping moisture.
These products are microbiome-friendly and carry the MADE SAFE certification.
The Ginger Turmeric Cleansing Balm is a 3-in-1, pregnancy-safe product designed to cleanse while brightening and soothing skin.
The balm-to-milk formula contains turmeric, ginger root oil, and azelaic and lactic acids, and is completely free of synthetic fragrances, sulfates, or other harsh chemicals.
For a more creamy texture in a pump bottle, True Botanicals offers two non-toxic face cleansers, each one designed for a specific skin type.
The Clear Nourishing Cleanser helps balance breakout-prone and oily skin, while the Renew Nourishing Cleanser purifies both dry and normal skin.
Both are formulated with aloe vera for hydration, as well as green and white tea, which are rich in antioxidants that help soothe inflammation and protect the skin.
The Clear one also contains black willow bark extract for gentle exfoliation, and helichrysum, known for its anti-bacterial properties.
On the other hand, the green tea seed oil in the Renew cleanser hydrates, softens fine lines, and helps protect against aging.
Final thoughts on the best non-toxic, organic and natural face wash brands
I hope you’ve found this article about the best non-toxic face cleanser brands helpful and that you were able to find a product you enjoy using every day!
You don’t need to overhaul your entire skincare routine overnight to make it healthier.
Pick one natural cleanser from this list, and start from there.
These brands make sure to prioritize clean formulas that contain skin-loving ingredients.
No questionable hard-to-pronounce chemicals here!
We actually know what we’re putting on our face.
And if you’re ready to switch to other non-toxic skincare products, these articles might come in handy:
- 9 best non-toxic, organic & natural body wash brands for safe, clean skin
- 12 best organic, clean, non-toxic & natural face moisturizers for a glowing complexion
- 10 best non-toxic & natural sunscreen brands for healthy sun protection
- 9 best natural, organic, clean & non-toxic body lotion brands that truly nourish your skin
- 7 best organic, non-toxic & natural hand cream brands for dry hands
- 8 best organic, non-toxic & natural lip balm and chapstick brands for soft, hydrated lips
Which natural face wash have you decided to try?
Please leave a comment!
Don’t forget to share this post with your friends and family so they can easily find a non-toxic face wash they like too.
Looking for more non-toxic & sustainable brands? Check out the Ethical & Sustainable Brand Directory!
It features conscious brands in various categories, from home goods and furniture to fashion and clean beauty!
