The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser, Facial Cleansing Balm and Hydrating Makeup Remover, 5.1 Fl Oz

Why it's worth it

A soap-free balm that softens on contact and takes makeup and sunscreen off with it. If your actives already leave your face feeling raw, swapping in a cleanser that doesn't strip is the quietest fix in this lineup.

Think about how your skin feels right after you wash it. If it's tight and squeaky, your cleanser is doing damage that your serums then have to repair. This one doesn't foam and doesn't contain soap. You warm it in your hands, massage it onto a dry face, and rinse. Skin comes away clean but still soft, which is the point of the whole thing.

It's the best partner for a routine full of acids and retinoids. The tube is fragrance-free, non-comedogenic and accepted by the National Eczema Association, per the listing, which is a meaningful signal if your skin flares easily. Plant-derived squalane does the heavy lifting on makeup and sunscreen. Owners with sensitive and acne-prone skin report that switching to it settled things down without adding another active step.

From our review of 8 skincare products from the ordinary

What we like

• +Think about how your skin feels right after you wash it
• +It's the best partner for a routine full of acids and retinoids
• +It's a good makeup remover for everyday wear — foundation, tinted sunscreen, most eye makeup

What to know

• –It can leave a faint film, particularly in hard water
• –The tube gets awkward near the end, and the balm melts in a hot bathroom, so it's not the tidiest thing to travel with