Certifications
Free From
Highlights
Vegan
Cruelty-free
Fragrance-free
Gel
For Sensitive
Exfoliating
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Best Non-Toxic Face Washes
We vetted face washes against the Welpr Standard and here are our top picks.
Cofounder & Product Curator
Medical Reviewer, PhD
Here's what we look for:
- Simple formulas with fully natural or safe synthetic ingredients
- No parabens, PEGs, phthalates, harsh sulfates, BHA/BHT, artificial dyes, formaldehyde or formaldehyde-releasing ingredients, or undisclosed synthetic fragrance (unless certified safe)
- Minimal, non-irritating preservatives
- EU-compliant brands with third-party certifications when available
- Full transparency around sourcing, ingredients, and manufacturing practices
Best Non-Toxic Face Washes
On Welpr, terms like "non-toxic," "safer," "cleaner," "healthier," and "vetted" are editorial labels based on our own standard for product assessment. They are not guarantees, certifications, or medical claims. Learn more.
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The 80/20 guide to going non-toxic the easy way.
Certifications
Free From
Highlights
Vegan
Cruelty-free
Recycled materials
For All skin types
Exfoliating
Certifications
Free From
Highlights
Vegan
Cruelty-free
No synthetic fragrance
Recycled materials
Gel
For All skin types
Exfoliating
Certifications
Free From
Highlights
Vegan
Cruelty-free
Gel
For All skin types
Exfoliating
Certifications
Free From
Highlights
Vegan
Cruelty-free
Foam
For Oily
Exfoliating
Certifications
Free From
Highlights
Made in USA
Fragrance-free
Money-back guarantee
For All skin types
Exfoliating
Certifications
Free From
Highlights
Vegan
Cruelty-free
Made in EU
Fragrance-free
Recyclable packaging
Recycled materials
0.25 year warranty
Gel
For All skin types
Certifications
Free From
Highlights
Cruelty-free
Made in USA
Milk
For All skin types
Exfoliating
Certifications
Free From
Highlights
Vegan
Cruelty-free
Recyclable packaging
Refillable
Money-back guarantee
Foam
For All skin types
Exfoliating
Certifications
Free From
Highlights
Vegan
Cruelty-free
No synthetic fragrance
Money-back guarantee
Gel
For Combination
Exfoliating
Certifications
Free From
Highlights
Vegan
Cruelty-free
Made in EU
Fragrance-free
Gel
For Combination
Exfoliating
Certifications
Free From
Highlights
Vegan
Made in EU
Recyclable packaging
Recycled materials
Milk
For Dry
Certifications
Free From
Highlights
Vegan
Cruelty-free
Made in USA
Gel
For All skin types
Certifications
Free From
Highlights
Vegan
Cruelty-free
Made in USA
Gel
For All skin types
Exfoliating
How to Swap to Non-Toxic face washes:
Here's how to swap to non-toxic face washes:
What to know about face wash
Face wash is something most people use once or twice a day, directly on the face. Even though it's rinsed off, the skin on your face is thinner and more absorbent than most of your body, so what's in the formula still matters.
- Welpr focuses on the overall formulation: clean ingredients, no harsh preservatives or sulfates, and no unnecessary additives.
- Products used on the face daily deserve more attention than ones used occasionally or on less sensitive areas.
Check your current face wash
Use the Welpr Personal Care and Cosmetic Scanner to check the face wash you're using now. It reads ingredient labels and flags anything that doesn't meet Welpr's standards.
- Start with the face wash you use most often — if you rotate between a few, check your daily one first.
- Look for "fragrance" or "parfum" on the label — these are common in face washes and are one of the easiest red flags to spot on your own.
Use your current face wash more safely
If you're not ready to replace your face wash right away, small adjustments can reduce how much your skin absorbs. Since face wash is a rinse-off product, how you use it makes a real difference.
- Rinse thoroughly with plenty of water and don't leave the product sitting on your face longer than needed.
- Avoid using it around your eyes or lips where skin is thinnest, and skip any extra steps like letting it 'soak in' as a mask unless the formula is clean.
Choose a cleaner face wash
Look for face washes with simple, functional ingredient lists. Welpr prioritizes formulas that are fragrance-free, free from harsh sulfates and preservatives, and made without endocrine disruptors like parabens and phthalates.
- Choose unscented options first — if you prefer scented, make sure fragrance comes from essential oils or plant extracts, not synthetic "fragrance" or "parfum."
- Click the button above to shop Welpr Approved face wash.
Camille May
Cofounder & Product Curator
Camille May is the co-creator of Welpr and a guide for clean living. After selling her last company in the health food space, she went non-toxic while working to heal an autoimmune condition....
Olushola M. Awoyemi
Medical Reviewer, PhD
Olushola M. Awoyemi (aka Shola) is a board-certified toxicologist and a research scientist with a PhD in Environmental Toxicology. Shola's long-term ambition is to be recognized as a world-renowned expert in toxicology,...