A cleanser is one of the cornerstones of an effective skincare regime and while it's not necessarily the most exciting or luxurious-feeling step, it's arguably as essential as brushing your teeth or washing your hair.
They begin and end your day by scrubbing away blemish-causing impurities and lingering makeup, leaving you with a fresh canvas to apply your best skincare products - from hyaluronic acid serums to reparative night creams. Like with most staple beauty buys though, the sheer amount of best cleanser formulas currently on the market can be dizzying.
There are foams, gels and everything in between, from budget-friendly drugstore and French pharmacy names as well as more premium brands. So, to help you select the best facial cleanser for your skin type, our team rounded up their top picks...
The 12 best cleansers to buy right now - for every budget
Why you can trust Woman & Home Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.
Whether you've got dry or combination skin, a cleanser is key for building the best skincare routine and our team has vetted offerings from the likes of La Roche-Posay, Fresh and Elemis.
RRP: £15 for 50ml | Type: gel/foaming | Standout ingredients: soy proteins, rosewater and cucumber extract | Fragranced: yes
Targets: dull skin, uneven texture
Fresh's Soy Face Cleanser deftly straddles that line between "thoroughly clarifying" and "perfectly soothing," which is actually a pretty difficult sweet spot to come by. It’s formulated with a pH that’s close to the skin’s natural levels, which means it’s as gentle as you can get without being specifically formulated for sensitive skin. Ingredient-wise it's packed with soy proteins that help with hydration and balance, plus rosewater - calms and tones skin.
Who should use it: those with dull or textured skin
Reasons to buy: Gentle formula that is close to skin's natural pH, vegan and paraben, gluten and cruelty-free
Reasons to avoid: Not formulated for very sensitive skin and scented
RRP: £8.30 for 50ml | Type: Balm to oil | Standout ingredients: Squalane and lipophilic esters | Fragranced: No
Targets: enlarged pores
If you’re still not on #TeamSqualane, we beg you to reconsider. This efficiently-formulated cleanser has hardworking anti-ager squalane from plant-derived sources (versus shark liver) as its star ingredient, which, in and of itself, does its part to moisturize, soften, and smoothen skin, while helping control excess oil. Our tester found that the rinse is silky and satisfying and leaves no stripped feeling despite being designed to clarify pores of impurities.
Who should use it: those with dry skin and enlarged pores
Reasons to buy: features ethically derived squalane, vegan and cruelty-free and unscented
Reasons to avoid: does not foam, so if that is your preferred cleanser type you may not like this
RRP: £30 for 30ml | Type: Foaming cream | Standout ingredients: Trademarked Miracle Broth and tourmaline | Fragranced: Yes
Targets: fine lines, wrinkles and enlarged pores
Let’s start with the obvious: This is a splurge… a big one but there are pros to investing. La Mer’s Miracle Broth - a proprietary blend of sea algae (kelp, to be exact), vitamins, wheat germ, alfalfa, citrus oil, eucalyptus, and other vitamins and minerals - is the fermented, anti-inflammatory, anti-ageing blend in all La Mer skincare and this cleanser is no exception.
Who should use it: Those with combination and oily skin type as it deep cleans pores and leaves skin brighter
Reasons to buy: Fermented ingredients, paraben, sulfate, formaldehyde, phthalate and gluten-free
Reasons to avoid: Scented and very pricey
RRP: £16 for 200ml | Type: Creamy | Standout ingredients: Glycerin, niacinamide and zinc | Fragranced: Yes
Targets: flare-ups and damaged skin barrier
Touted as one of the best La Roche-Posay products, this creamy cleanser feels so luxurious on the skin thanks to its creamy texture. Its hydrating and anti-friction formula offers a gentle cleanse to sensitive and damaged skin to leave it rebalanced, purified and silky smooth. After using it, our tester said it left her skin looking radiant and noticeably clearer, whilst also being super soft to the touch.
Who should use it: Those who are looking for a gentle, everyday cleanser
Reasons to buy: Value for money, enriched with skin-loving ingredients and offers a premium cleansing experience
Reasons to avoid: Should not be used on or around the eyes
RRP: £11 for 263ml | Type: Foaming cream | Standout ingredients: Hyaluronic acid and ceramides | Fragranced: No
Targets: The skin barrier
This ceramide-infused formula does its due diligence in making sure dry skin is properly clarified of impurities yet hydrated at the same time, while also ensuring that delicate facial skin barrier is preserved and even strengthened.
The non-comedogenic formula means it’s also ideal for those worried about flare-ups. Similar to Toleriane, though, we wouldn’t place it first in terms of makeup removal, but it’s certainly a no-brainer when it comes to this dry skin category.
Who should use it: Those looking for a reliable and reasonably priced cleanser
Reasons to buy: Feature hyaluronic acid and formulated for both dry and sensitive skin types
Reasons to avoid: Not the best at removing makeup
RRP: £14 for 236ml | Type: gel | Standout ingredients: Papaya extract and grapefruit extract | Fragranced: Yes
Targets: excess oil and texture
Mario Badescu’s best-selling Enzyme Cleansing Gel consists of fruit extracts to brighten and lightly exfoliate. This lightweight cleanser surprises with its integrity: the refreshing gel formula doesn’t compromise when it comes to results or effectiveness. Our tester said their skin was left feeling clean, toned and balanced.
That said, it is non-lathering and while it's formulated for all skin types, we'd tread a bit carefully if your skin is more on the sensitive side, as it is a cleanser with mild AHAs.
Who should use it: Those with oiler skin
Reasons to buy: Refreshing the skin, is reasonably priced and vegan
Reasons to avoid: Not formulated for very sensitive skin and contains milk AHAs
RRP: £22 for 150ml | Type: Gel-to-milk | Standout ingredients: Squalane, elderberry extract and prebiotic complex | Fragranced: No
Targets: dullness, dryness, rough texture and clogged pores
This unique jelly-to-oil-to-milk formula is such an efficient multitasker, as it not only cleanses the skin but effectively removes makeup. Water contact lends it a milky consistency, which means it does not foam, yet magically leaves the face feeling thoroughly cleansed. After rinsing, our tester said their skin seemed more radiant and balanced, without any tight areas or greasy spots you’d expect from an oil.
Who should use it: Those looking to combat dryness and clogged pores
Reasons to buy: Great at removing makeup, satisfying texture and uses ethical, plant-derived squalane.
Reasons to avoid: We found the formula spilt into the tube cap
RRP: £15 for 56ml | Type: Foaming gel | Standout ingredients: Kale, spinach and green tea | Fragranced: Yes
Targets: Oiliness, blemishes and dullness
Marketing itself as a "green juice for your face," we'd be hard-pressed to find anything we don’t like about it, as from initial application to final rinse, it does as promised: remove impurities in a thorough yet gentle way via its cold-pressed "superfood" antioxidants, while also deep-cleaning pores, removing makeup, and keeping your natural pH levels balanced. One drawback our tester found though was that their combination skin did feel a tad tight after the rinse; on other oilier occasions, it worked perfectly.
Who should use it: Combination or oily skin types might be best suited to this clarifying face wash.
Reasons to buy: Features straightforward, green ingredients
Reasons to avoid: Not the best pick for dry skin
RRP: £28 for 50g | Type: balm| Standout ingredients: Elderberry oil, starflower, lavender, chamomile and eucalyptus oil | Fragranced: Yes
Targets: Dryness, dullness and signs of ageing
Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm is the luxury balm we cheat on but come sheepishly crawling back to every time. Initially, it takes a cleansing oil approach to remove makeup, and you’ll surely see all traces of mascara and eyeshadow, even the best foundation, melt away with each rub. Emulsified with water, it becomes completely lightweight and liquid, to the point that a direct rinsing with water isn’t even its recommended removal method. The best way, they say, is to use a warm washcloth.
Who should use it: Those with dry skin or anyone wanting to target dullness and ageing
Reasons to buy: Excellent at removing makeup, collagen-supporting formula and spa-like experience
Reasons to avoid: Scented, oily and very pricey
RRP: £21 for 100ml | Type: Foaming gel | Standout ingredients: Grape ferment, lactic acid, niacinamide and calendula extract| Fragranced: No
Targets: Dullness, rough texture and enlarged pores
We would be remiss to not tout the luxe-looking yet accessible Glossier Cleanser Concentrate as pretty revolutionary. Admittedly, it borrows tech from established great skincare tenets (ferments, calming plant extracts, sulfate substitutes) but the genius lies in its curation. The innovative gel applies very unassumingly onto the skin—it transforms into a relatively low-key, "latte-like" froth once water hits, and rinses off so neatly. The lightbulb moment comes when you realize, post-cleanse, that where uneven texture, enlarged pores, and dullness used to be, now softness and radiance have taken over, without any telltale tightness expected of an acid-forward face wash.
Who should use it: Those looking to target enlarged pores and uneven texture
Reasons to buy: Brimming with antioxidants, gentle yet acid-forward; no sting and dermatologist-tested
Reasons to avoid: May not suit sensitive skin types
RRP: £18 for 150ml | Types: Foam | Standout ingredients: Grape water, chamomile and sage extract| Fragranced: No
Targets: Dryness and redness
Caudalie Vinoclean Instant Foaming Cleanser is a purely vegan formula that now boasts 97% natural origin ingredients. Sulfate and soap-free, it's a gentle, natural, and eco-conscious product that doesn’t compromise efficacy. Sage extract cleans and clarifies the skin of excess oil, while chamomile soothes and paves the way for green grape’s radiance-boosting properties.
Despite the reputation of foaming cleansers as a more drying formulation, that isn’t the case with this fan favourite, which gives a satisfyingly thorough yet respectful cleanse.
Who should use it: Those looking to target excess oil and redness
Reasons to buy: Vegan, Dermatologist and ophthalmologist-tested with a luxe, whipped-like foam texture
Reasons to avoid: Features astringent properties so might not be best for very sensitive skin
RRP: £7.99 for 400ml | Type: Micellar water | Standout ingredients: Glycerin | Fragrance: No
Targets: makeup residue and impurities
This gentle cleanser is a true skincare staple. It removes makeup, dirt, SPF and dead skin cells in one easy step - without the need to rinse - and is suitable for all skin types. Our team swears by the stuff for removing even the best mascaras and foundations.
Who should use it: anyone who wears makeup or wants to add an easy and effective, daily cleansing step
Reason to buy: Fragrance-free and dermatologically tested, the Micellar water cleanses away everything from dirt to makeup
Reasons to avoid: May be unnecessary if you already have a go-to cleanser.
How to choose the best cleansers for your skin type
We’ve all been cautioned against going to bed with makeup. How important is a fresh canvas before bed, exactly? Board-certified dermatologists and KitavaMD creators Dr. Paru Chaudhari and Dr. Justin Gordon offer a few tips on shopping for the best cleansers for your skin, plus giving some insight into how to wash your face for your skin type:
How to choose a cleanser for normal/balanced skin
As a general standard, balanced skin types can enjoy using a formula of their choosing, provided they adhere to the dermatologist-recommended twice-daily cleansing regimen: once in the morning and once in the evening, before bedtime. The gentler the better, and leave more robust face exfoliants or scrubs to once a week, at most.
How to choose a cleanser for dry skin
"Cleansing dry skin types requires patience and moderation," cautions Dr. Chaudhari. "As tempting as it is to scrub away dry, flaky skin, most of the time, over-cleansing and exfoliating will simply make skin worse.
"For those with dry skin, use a small, pea-sized amount of one of the best cleansing balms or creamy hydrating cleansers. It's best to dispense in your hand and lather prior to using on your face and try to limit the duration of contact time on the face to less than one minute. Additionally, make sure to use lukewarm water to rinse, as hot water can strip away natural oils and worsen dryness. Applying a facial moisturizer after gently patting your face dry can also be helpful."
How to choose a cleanser for oily skin
"If your skin runs oily, look for a cleanser that helps remove oil, but doesn't completely dry out your face," Dr. Chauhari advises, adding: "Gel cleansers and foaming cleansers tend to be best cleansers for acne. Not all people with oily skin struggle with acne; however many products that are designed for acne-prone skin are also appropriate for oily skin types."
Dr. Chauhari says to look, "for oil-absorbing ingredients such as fuller's earth, mild exfoliating acids such as the beta-hydroxy acid (BHA), salicylic acid, or alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) such as lactic acid or glycolic acid. Regardless of oil production, it is still best to avoid hot water as this can be irritating and drying.
"For those with oily skin, use approximately a dime or nickel-sized amount of gel cleanser or 1-2 pumps of foam cleanser. In either case, it's best to dispense to your hand and lather prior to using on the face. Lastly, if your skin runs very oily, consider adding in a gentle exfoliating product a few times a week. One example is an AHA/BHA exfoliating wipe. Keeping some around to use on-the-go, such as after a hard workout at the gym, can be beneficial."
How to choose a cleanser for combination skin
"Combination skin can lead to a lot of frustration," Dr. Gordon says, but reassures that the quest for balance is within reach.
"It is challenging to find the perfect cleanser that manages both dry and oily skin at the same time. It is best to use a mild gel or foam cleanser and vary the amount of time the cleanser remains on your face. Leave the cleanser on the oily parts of the face, such as the T-zone, a.k.a. the forehead, nose, and chin areas, for a longer duration of time compared to the dryer areas."
Dr. Gordon also adds that those struggling with excess oil in their T-zone should, " consider the additional use of an AHA or BHA cleanser directly to these areas, or alternatively, the targeted use of a gentle exfoliating wipe or scrub a few times a week."
How to choose a cleanser for sensitive skin
"Dry skin and sensitive skin share similarities," says Dr. Chaudhari, adding: "Over-cleansing and exfoliating can cause irritation and worsen redness in both sensitive and dry skin types. Look for a gentle cleanser that is free of harsh chemicals and irritants. It is best to avoid products with a million ingredients, including those with synthetic fragrances or those that can contain parabens, propylene glycol, or sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), to name a few.
"For those that run sensitive, consider cleansing a small test area first with a tiny amount for a few days in a row, prior to jumping in full-steam ahead. One approach is to apply 2-3 times a week for a few weeks, and then increase to daily or twice daily as your skin allows."
woman&home thanks Dr. Paru Chaudhari and Dr. Justin Gordon, both of KitavaMD, for their time and expertise.
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