There are three things I consider when buying a cleanser: quality, personal suitability and affordability.

Quality: It refers not only to the repute of the company/product but also to the effects of each of its ingredients. You want to make sure that the company is a reliable one, because that’s the only way you can be certain all the information on their labels and advertisements are true and that any instances of inconsistency will be made known to the public in a timely fashion.

Personal suitability: Even if a product is really good, it does not necessarily suit your skin. You may be allergic to a particular ingredient or it just may not have the desired effects on your skin. For this you will just have to do a bit of your own research by comparing results with people of your skin type and maybe buy a trial pack or the package with least quantity.

Affordability: Although skin care experts always tell us to spare no expense when it comes to taking care of our skin, this isn’t always feasible. You cannot exactly spend half your monthly salary on a face wash!

My personal favorite, which fulfils all the above criteria, is Cetaphil cleansing lotion. The high-density alcohols hydrate your skin while washing away all the dirt and killing bacteria.
I am yet to hear anyone complain about it, and it suits all skin types.

The best skin cleaner depends on numerous aspects.

Products that are considered to be "high quality" to some people may not be "high quality" to others. The reason being that everyone's skin is different, and reacts differently to different materials. It is impossible to determine what is the best skin care cleaner to you in comparison to the ones that I have enjoyed.

We can pinpoint which skin care cleaners are better though. This is dependent on the type of skin you may have: oily, dry or mixed. If you aren't sure ask a dermatologist, and they should point you in the right direction. Ensure that you are purchasing a product that has specifically said that they are for "oily" "dry" or "mixed" skin type.

If you have acne or sensitive skin, this is another story altogether, and you will have to look for products that are best suited for removing acne or that have ingredients that will soothe sensitive skin.

Generally speaking, products with more refined ingredients are generally better for the skin. Keep in mind the ingredients that they have, and at times, you may want to have a skin care cleanser that also has a bunch of other nutrients and ingredients added in.

Pricing depends on the product. NOT ALL EXPENSIVE PRODUCTS WILL SUIT YOUR SKIN. Keep that in mind. There are some cheaper brands that will have better results.

The best cleansers are based on your skin type. If you do not know your skin type, I suggest a visit to a dermatologist. Otherwise, organic/natural cleansers are your safest bet. Whole Foods is a good place to start. Here are a few suggestions: Alba Organics, Dr. Bronner's castille soap, and Pangea. As mentioned, Cetaphil is a great drug store brand. It is safe enough for babies. Also, I am a huge fan of Dove products. Finally, Johnson's Baby Wash (yellow) is a great product that is gentle and hypo allergenic. It cuts through every layer of makeup - even mascara.

I like Ponds products and the inexpensive Oil of Olay line. Not their new stuff but their original line.