If you asked me which skin-care products would be worth splurging on, I wouldn’t say face wash.
In fact, I might put cleansers at the bottom of the list—instead prioritizing items like retinol or high-tech devices. Simply put, most affordable cleansers will get the job done, and you don’t need to spend more than $10 to $15 on one to achieve clean skin.
But if you asked me to name my favorite face wash, I would tell you the truth: It’s $39, and it’s worth every penny.
My love affair with the Youth To The People Superfood Cleanser began in 2018. In the aisles of Sephora, I was drawn to its subtly captivating glass packaging and its title, which sounded more like a green juice than a face wash. I brought it home, and I was excited to see it stand tall and chic by my sink. And after using it just once, it became a mainstay in my routine. I’ve since tried dozens of facial cleansers, but the Superfood Cleanser is where my devotion lies.
You don’t need an expensive face wash, but this one outperformed all of the drugstore picks I tried. It lathers nicely, cleanses deeply, and leaves my skin supple.
Previously, I cycled through drugstore cleansers. I would reach for the Aveenos and Cetaphils of the world, and they’d be fine, but they often left my skin in one of two states: dry and tight or waxy and half-clean (with obvious makeup streaks left on my white face towel).
Turns out, I was missing out on an all-around fantastic cleansing experience, one that swept away pills of sunscreen and half-baked foundation but somehow left my skin more hydrated. It sounds dramatic, but I didn’t know washing my face could feel so good until I tried this cleanser.
The ingredients are reminiscent of a green juice you’d buy at an overpriced grocery store, though when you pump the cleanser out of the bottle, it has a gel-like texture. The “Superfood” title lives up to its name, with extracts from spinach, kale, and green tea, all of which contain antioxidants like vitamins C and E. But that’s not why I like it. The vitamins are nice, and some have hydrating or oil-balancing properties, but with a wash-off product, you’re not likely to reap most of the perks of vitamin C.
What I truly adore is the gentle yet powerful cleansing action. When I rub this cleanser onto my face, it creates rich, luxurious suds without stripping my skin. It’s also brimming with hydrating ingredients—such as glycerin, aloe vera, and panthenol—that protect my skin’s barrier during the cleanse.
After I wash my face with this cleanser, I know without a doubt that my skin is actually clean—and my crisp white towel is proof of that.
In the years since I picked up my first bottle, Youth To The People’s Superfood Cleanser has become a cult favorite. This cleanser took the internet by storm, from Sephora hauls on YouTube to one-off reviews on TikTok. Selfishly, I sometimes wish it were still under wraps so I’d never have to see the words “Out of Stock” again. Online, I’ve seen folks rave about it because it can function as a two-in-one: It removes makeup and sunscreen while also delivering a deep cleanse. Personally, I still like to use an oil cleanser or micellar water to remove my eye makeup, because I find it to be a more comfortable experience, but in a pinch this cleanser can replace makeup remover.
The Superfood Cleanser is also elegant. The light green product comes in a glass bottle that just feels expensive (as it should, because it is), and it has a screw-on cap as well as a separate plastic pump. If you want to take the full-size cleanser with you when you travel, save that little screw-on cap for future use.
Once you run out (which will take a few months because you need only a dime-size amount), you can opt for the larger refill pouch, which is made with 96% less packaging. This 16.9-fluid-ounce refill replaces two full-size bottles and saves you $10.
While I love this product, some might be put off by the fragrance in the formula. I’m not usually a fan of strong fragrance in skin-care products myself, but I find the smell of this cleanser quite relaxing. It smells fresh, like a green juice, and it doesn’t come off as sweet or artificial. Plus, you wash it off within a minute, so the smell doesn’t linger. If you’re sensitive to fragrance, test the cleanser on a small patch of your neck or face before going all in.
I’m not going to sit here and say you need to spend $39 on a face wash. But before this cleanser, I’d spend my 30 seconds at the sink ruminating about why these face cleansers made fans out of my friends but left me disappointed. It felt like a daily existential crisis. Why am I using a product I don’t even like?
Now, when I lather up this liquid gold, those 30 seconds are mine again. I’m thinking about what I’ll wear tomorrow, how delicious my peppermint chamomile tea is, or how I can’t wait to see what happens next in the book I’m about to dive into before bed. Sometimes, I let my mind go blank, reveling in the calming act of massaging my face.
Could I use a cheaper face wash that gets the job done and call it a day? Sure. But, to me, this little moment of bliss is worth the splurge.
This article was edited by Hannah Rimm and Maxine Builder.
