A cleanser sets the tone for the rest of your skincare routine. To understand what to look for in a good cleanser, we spoke to Dr Sabika Karim, an aesthetic doctor and GP. It’s key to choose “a cleanser that effectively removes impurities without stripping away the skin's natural lipids or disrupting the skin barrier”, she explains, and recommends choosing one for your skin type.
If you have dry skin, you should “choose a cream, lotion or balm cleanser containing ingredients such as ceramides, glycerin, hyaluronic acid or squalane. These cleanse while helping to support hydration and the skin barrier,” advises Dr Karim. If you have combination skin, you should seek out “a gentle gel or low-foaming cleanser” to “effectively cleanse oilier areas without over-drying the cheeks”.
Sensitive skin should “choose a fragrance-free cream cleanser, cleansing milk or micellar water formulated. Ingredients such as ceramides, glycerin, panthenol and oat extract can help soothe irritation and support the skin barrier. Avoid products containing alcohol, strong fragrances or harsh exfoliating acids”. And if you have normal skin, look for “a gentle cream, lotion or gel cleanser that maintains hydration while effectively removing daily impurities”.
For ageing skin, “I generally recommend gentle cream or lotion cleansers that cleanse effectively without stripping the skin of its natural lipids,” says Dr Karim. She recommends looking for formulas containing ceramides, glycerin, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide and panthenol, which “help support hydration and the skin barrier”. Foaming cleansers aren't necessarily off limits, but she says some can be overly drying: “If you prefer a foaming formulation, choose one that's sulphate-free and specifically designed to be gentle.”
Armed with this knowledge, our testing experts put 17 cleansers through six weeks of testing across a mix of oily, combination and dry skin types. The 12 below are the ones we come back to again and again.
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The best facial cleansers for 2026 are:
- Best cleanser overall: Liz Earle cleanse and polish hot cloth cleanser
- Best budget cleanser: The Ordinary glucoside foaming cleanser
- Best cleanser for dry skin: Skin Rocks the cream cleanser
- Best cleanser for combination skin: The Inkey List oat cleansing balm
- Best cleanser for oily skin: Medik8 total moisture daily cleansing gel
- Best cleanser for mature skin: Tatcha the indigo cleansing balm
Read more: Best micellar waters, tried and tested
Liz Earle hot cloth cleanser
Rating: 5/5
Best: cleanser overall
Why we love it
- Removes make-up
- Suitable for sensitive skin
- Smoothing
Take note
- Scent may not be for everyone
Liz Earle hot cloth cleanser takes the top spot thanks to suiting all the different skin types of our testing team. It was found to be an effective yet gentle cleanser and removed makeup with ease.
The formula is designed for use with warm water and a cotton cloth – apply it to the skin before removing with a warm, damp cloth. A quick swipe removes makeup efficiently and gently exfoliates the skin. A little goes a long way, and the application process is a soothing experience.
Its key ingredients include cocoa butter and camomile, so the cleanser helps retain moisture and is suitable for sensitive skin. My easily irritated skin finds the cleanser calming, too. It contains eucalyptus essential oil and has a refreshing, invigorating scent that’s reminiscent of a spa experience. This fragrance is one of the reasons why I like the cleanser so much, but it may not suit everyone. After use, my skin looks and feels smooth, soft and a bit more toned.
- Helen Wilson-Beevers
Key specifications
Buy now £18, Boots.com
Kate Somerville goat milk moisturising cleanser
Rating: 5/5
Best: runner-up
Why we love it
- Leaves skin looking hydrated, healthy and noticeably glowy
- Incredibly comforting when skin feels dry or sensitised
Take note
- Expensive for daily use at £41 for 120ml
- Eye make-up removal (while possible) isn’t its strongest suit
The Kate Somerville goat milk moisturising cleanser is honestly my favourite cleanser of all time. The only reason it didn’t take the top spot (and is therefore our runner-up) is its price. At £41, it’s expensive for a cleanser, but there’s a reason this has been a cult buy for 20 years.
Price aside, the formula is quite something. The milky scent is incredible (like slightly sugary cereal milk) and using it feels like the ultimate self-care session to start and end your day. Even when my skin is dry, inflamed or feeling sensitive after using too many actives, the nourishing formula (a blend of goat milk, manuka honey, jojoba and avocado) leaves it feeling incredibly comforted.
It also visibly calms my skin, leaving it looking hydrated, healthy and glowy, without ever feeling too rich for my oily skin. For context, I’ve used it before numerous events, including as skin prep for a full face of makeup, and the staying power of my glam has never been affected.
- Lucy Smith
Key specifications
Buy now £32.8, Amazon.co.uk
The Ordinary glucoside foaming cleanser
Rating: 4/5
Best: budget cleanser
Why we love it
- Fragrance-free and just eight ingredients for sensitive skin types
- Relatively affordable
Take note
- Moisturiser is essential after use
The Ordinary’s glucoside foaming cleanser is a no-frills face wash that does what it says on the bottle, except for achieving the foamy lather its name suggests. In fact, the formula is fairly lacklustre on the bubbles front, turning slightly white as you rub it into the skin – but this isn’t exactly a deal breaker given its affordable price.
On my oily skin, it left a slight squeaky-clean feeling without any dryness, but I always follow it with a moisturiser and would particularly recommend doing so if you have dry skin.
I liked its minimalist formula with just eight ingredients and no essential oils or botanical extracts to complicate matters. It’s fragrance-free (as is tradition with The Ordinary), comes in a solid 150ml size and costs less than £15 – so it’s an easy pick for anyone after an uncomplicated daily cleanse.
- LS
Key specifications
Buy now £10.95, Amazon.co.uk
Skin Rocks cream cleanser
Rating: 5/5
Best: cleanser for dry skin
Why we love it
- Smoothing
- Gentle
- Hydrating
Take note
- A bit pricey
Skin Rocks cream cleanser is particularly brilliant for dry skin type. The consistency is similar to that of a moisturiser. It feels rich and gently conditioning on the skin and effectively removes make-up.
Ingredients include hydration-promoting amino acids alongside emollients such as squalane and jojoba seed oil to seal moisture into the skin. The skin barrier is supported, so there’s no tightness after washing your face with this cleanser – just a healthy-looking, fresh glow. The cleanser has a softening effect and my skin looks and feels lightly moisturised after use. It also helps soothe and smooth any dry or irritated patches of skin I have. As well as thoroughly cleansing my face, I find it creates an even base ready to apply further skincare on top of.
- HW-B
Key specifications
Buy now £35, Skinrocks.com
Q+A oat milk cream cleanser
Rating: 4/5
Best: budget cleanser for dry skin
Why we love it
- Affordable
- Calming
- Gentle scent
Take note
- May need to use alongside actives if you have acne-prone skin
If you’re looking for an inexpensive cleanser and have dry skin, I’d recommend Q+A’s oat milk cream cleanser. It has a thick consistency that leaves a hydrating layer on the skin and melts away makeup without causing irritation, so it’s also suitable for sensitive skin.
I have dry skin and find it deeply soothing, and my teenage daughter uses it regularly, too. When blemishes appear, I tend to switch to a more clarifying cleanser, so it may be best used alongside cleansers containing actives if you have acne-prone skin.
- HW-B
Key specifications
Buy now £8.5, Boots.com
Medik8 total moisture daily cleansing gel
Rating: 5/5
Best: cleanser for oily skin
Why we love it
- Leaves skin comfortable and non-tight after cleansing
- Surprisingly effective at removing stubborn eye make-up
Take note
- Limited evidence for efficacy of topical collagen (included in formula)
Medik8’s total moisture daily cleansing gel is a great pick if you have oily skin like me. Compared with others, it left my skin feeling comfortable and hydrated rather than squeaky-clean – my makeup looked no greasier than usual, nor did my pores appear more prominent. The brand even says it can maintain hydration until your next cleanse, and its clinical testing (albeit only on 66 participants) supports that claim. But I wouldn’t ditch your moisturiser – a cleanser can only do so much.
Despite its gel texture, I found it removed stubborn mascara quicker than milkier, balm-like formulas such as Oskia’s renaissance cleanser. At £29, it feels fairly priced, too. My only gripe? I didn’t find it particularly foamy despite the brand’s claim.
- LS
Key specifications
Buy now £29, Spacenk.com
The Inkey List oat cleansing balm
Rating: 4.5/5
Best: cleanser for combination skin
Why we love it
- Leaves skin feeling nourished and glowy
- Melts away make-up
- Tube is more hygienic than a pot
Take note
- More comes out the tube than needed for one application
The Inkey List consistently impresses with its affordable formulas that punch way above their price tag, and the oat cleansing balm is no exception. The tube makes application feel much more hygienic than scooping the balm out of a pot and also makes it easier to travel with.
It was slightly tricky to control how much product came out of the tube; often, more came out than I needed. However, the balm quickly emulsifies into a milky cleanser, and it removed all my makeup without too much harsh scrubbing. My skin was left with a subtle, radiant glow, without feeling completely stripped. The scent isn’t overpowering either, so if you’re sensitive to fragrance, it’s a good, affordable alternative to Elemis’s pro-collagen cleansing balm that I’ve also reviewed.
- Sabrina Sahota
Key specifications
Buy now £13.5, Boots.com
Elemis pro-collagen cleansing balm
Rating: 4.5/5
Best: cleansing balm
Why we love it
- Feels luxurious to use
- Leaves skin feel hydrated
- Easily shifts most make-up
Take note
- Pricey
- Very heavily scented
Elemis’s pro-collagen cleansing balm excels at makeup removal. It easily emulsified with warm water and effortlessly melted away my makeup, leaving my skin feeling hydrated with no signs of irritation or tightness. It removed most of my makeup on the first cleanse, but on days I wore waterproof mascara, I went in with a second cleanse to make sure everything was removed.
The blend of elderberry oil, starflower oil and optimega oils contributes to its indulgent, spa-like scent, which I found relaxing at the end of a long day. However, some may find it overpowering, so if you have skin that’s sensitive to fragrance, I’d consider the unscented version instead (£55, Spacenk.com). There’s no denying it’s pricey, and I’ve tried cheaper cleansers (see The Inkey List below) that match it for its makeup removal ability. However, if you want to treat yourself, I don’t think you’ll be disappointed – plus it’s often reduced in big sales events, so it’s worth holding out for a discount.
- SS
Key specifications
Buy now £55, Spacenk.com
Medik8 lipid-balance cleansing oil
Rating: 5/5
Best: cleansing oil
Why we love it
- Effortlessly dissolves make-up, SPF and daily grime
- Rinses cleanly without leaving an oily residue
Take note
- Slightly on the pricey side
For those looking for an oil cleanser, Medik8 lipid-balance cleansing oil is the formula I’d recommend. It’s a true hero for many reasons. Not only is the texture incredibly satisfying, but I found it melted away makeup, dirt, and sunscreen with minimal effort. But what really stood out was how balanced my skin felt after each use – it was neither greasy nor dry.
I love that it’s packed with essential lipids that nourish and restore the skin’s barrier, which means that over time, the skin will feel healthier and more resilient. Plus, unlike some oils that can leave a residue, this one rinses off cleanly, leaving the skin feeling refreshed and hydrated. It’s ideal for those who want a deep clean without stripping their skin.
- Lucy Partington
Key specifications
Buy now £35, Spacenk.com
Tatcha the indigo cleansing balm
Rating: 4.5/5
Best: cleanser for mature skin
Why we love it
- Luxurious
- Comforting
- Soothing
- Hydrating
Take note
- Bit pricey
As a 40-year-old beauty tester, I know what to look for when finding products for mature skin – and if you’re looking for a cleanser for your mature skin, I’d recommend the Tatcha indigo cleanser, thanks to how it helps to hold moisture in.
It has a balm consistency, so I warm it between my hands and massage it into my skin before wiping it off with a warm cloth. The formula does a great job of removing makeup, and it leaves a smooth, fresh finish. It’s not overtly thick or greasy and instead offers a light, silky finish. My skin feels really soft after use, and the compact pot is great for travelling, too.
- HW-B
Key specifications
Buy now £40, Sephora.co.uk
Beauty of Joseon green plum refreshing cleanser
Rating: 4.5/5
Best: K-beauty cleanser
Why we love it
- Leaves skin feeling clean but not tight
- Produces just the right amount of foam
Take note
- Not the most potent formula
Beauty of Joseon’s green plum refreshing cleanser has earned a permanent spot in my skincare routine as my go-to morning cleanser. The liquid gel produces a decent amount of foam when rubbed into my skin but, importantly, on my combination skin, doesn’t leave my skin feeling completely stripped. Instead, my skin feels clean, refreshed and ready for the rest of my skincare.
While my skin hasn’t experienced any miraculous transformations after more than a month of use, it’s left my skin feeling balanced and, as is often the case with hydration-focused K-beauty products, hasn’t disrupted my skin barrier. It won’t do much to shift makeup, but it’s a lovely option for a second cleanse.
- SS
Key specifications
Buy now £19, Boots.com
Dua by Augustinus Bader science balancing cream cleanser
Rating: 4/5
Best: for all skin types
Why we love it
- Harnesses AB’s TFC technology for £30 less
- Leaves skin clean, comfortable and ready for skincare
Take note
- A fairly unexciting scent, despite its luxe-ish positioning
- Nothing wow-worthy, but an effective cleanse regardless
If you like the idea of Augustinus Bader’s skincare but baulk at the price of its cream cleansing gel (Augustinusbader.com), Dua by AB is as close to an affordable alternative as you’re going to get. I tested both for this guide and honestly found the experience similar.
It uses TFC5, a patented evolution of Augustinus Bader’s TFC8 technology, designed as a less intensive approach that’s better suited to everyday skin maintenance. It combines peptides, moisture-enhancing proteins and antioxidants, alongside ingredients such as glycerin, panthenol (pro vitamin b5), and omega-rich tsubaki oil. For a cleanser that ultimately ends up down the drain, I’d argue this less potent approach is actually preferable.
The formula is also fragrance-free, making it suitable for sensitive skin, and its natural scent is inoffensive – think creamy rather than perfumed. I particularly like the fuss-free squeeze tube and a 10p-sized dollop was enough for both my face and neck. It left my skin feeling clean, neither dry nor especially moisturised and ready for the rest of my routine. For a cleanser, I actually think that’s no bad thing. Ultimately, you’re getting the AB name, luxe look and TFC technology without the usual price tag, and I had no complaints about how my skin looked or felt afterwards, including when I applied makeup.
- LS
Key specifications
Buy now £32, Selfridges.com
Your questions on cleansers answered
What is the best cleanser?
After more than a month of testing, Liz Earle’s cleanse and polish was found to be the best cleanser, impressing all three of our main testers and suiting their different skin types with its effective yet gentle cleansing and makeup-removing abilities. Meanwhile, Medik8’s total moisture daily cleansing gel was Lucy’s pick for oily skin, the Skin Rocks’ cream cleanser was Helen’s favourite for dry skin and The Inkey List’s oat cleansing balm was Sabrina’s top choice for combination skin. Ultimately, though, all of the cleansers here delivered consistently excellent results without leaving skin feeling stripped or uncomfortable.
What cleansers didn’t make the cut?
In our wider tests, a few cleansers fell short. While Sabrina found CeraVe’s SA smoothing cleanser to be reasonably priced, she reported that it left her skin feeling too tight and stripped to make the cut. She felt it could still be useful for acne-prone skin if used two or three times a week, but wouldn’t recommend it as an everyday cleanser. Likewise, Augustinus Bader’s £62 cream cleansing gel was pleasant to use, but Lucy found the experience of washing with it was too similar to the Dua by AB formula she was also testing, which costs almost half the price. Finally, both Helen and her teenage daughter concluded that Laneige’s £25 water bank blue hyaluronic cleansing foam was gentle, but felt a little too unremarkable to earn a place in our final edit.
How we tested cleansers
We put a total of 17 cleansers through their paces across three skin types, with oily, combination and dry skin all represented in our testing panel. We tested each formula for six weeks, assessing everything from how effectively it cleansed to how our skin looked and felt afterwards. We also called on a fourth tester, a beauty editor with a particular penchant for cleansing oils, to lend her expertise when it came to oil-based formulas. While a few products – including the CeraVe SA smoothing cleanser, Augustinus Bader cream cleansing gel and Laneige water bank blue hyaluronic cleansing foam – didn’t make our final cut, our top picks proved themselves worthy of a place in the final edit.
We assessed each cleanser against the following criteria:
To answer some of the most common questions about facial cleansers, we spoke to aesthetic doctor, GP and founder of Skin Medical, Dr Sabika Karim.
What is the healthiest thing to wash your face with?
Dr Karim says “the healthiest thing to wash your face with is a cleanser that's appropriate for your skin type”. She also dispels the idea that water alone is enough, explaining, “There's a common misconception that washing with just water is enough, but water alone won't effectively remove sunscreen, excess oil or many environmental pollutants.”
Her advice is to avoid equating a harsher cleanse with cleaner skin. “Harsher isn't better,” she stresses. “A gentle cleanser that supports the skin barrier while effectively removing daily impurities is far healthier than one that leaves your skin feeling tight, dry or irritated. Healthy skin starts with a healthy barrier, and your cleanser should protect that rather than disrupt it.”
Can face cleanser expire?
Yes, Dr Karim says a face cleanser can expire, so it’s important to check both the expiry date and the ‘Period After Opening’ (PAO) symbol on the packaging. “While many unopened cleansers remain stable for several years, once opened they're typically designed to be used within six to 12 months, depending on the formulation.”
She adds, “Over time, preservatives can become less effective and some active ingredients may lose potency. Using expired products can increase the risk of contamination, reduced performance and, in some cases, skin irritation.”
Are face cleanser and face wash the same?
Although the terms are often used interchangeably, Dr Karim says they’re “not always the same”. She explains, “A cleanser is generally formulated to remove makeup, sunscreen, excess oil and impurities while respecting the skin barrier. These are often available as creams, lotions, balms or oils.”
By contrast, she continues, “Face washes are more commonly gel or foaming formulations designed to provide a deeper cleanse, making them particularly suitable for oilier or acne-prone skin. Some contain active ingredients such as salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide.”
However, she cautions that overly strong face washes can be drying. “If they're too harsh or used too frequently,” she elaborates, “they can leave the skin feeling dry or tight, particularly in people with sensitive or mature skin.”
Why should you use a face cleanser?
Dr Karim says: “Everyone should cleanse their face, regardless of whether they wear makeup. Throughout the day, our skin accumulates sweat, excess oil, sunscreen, pollution, bacteria and microscopic particles from the environment. If these aren't removed, they can contribute to congestion, irritation and breakouts, while also compromising the skin barrier.”
The aim isn't to scrub away every trace of oil, either. Rather, she elucidates, “it’s to gently remove the day's build-up while preserving the skin's natural protective barrier. Healthy skin begins with good cleansing, but choosing the right cleanser for your skin type is just as important as cleansing itself.”
Her final advice? Not to choose a product simply because it’s popular online. “One of the biggest mistakes I see is people choosing a cleanser because it's trending on social media rather than because it's right for their skin. The best cleanser isn't the most expensive one; it's the one your skin actually needs.”
Why you can trust IndyBest reviews
As a senior shopping writer, Lucy Smith covers skincare day in, day out for IndyBest and she knows everything about the latest launches and ingredient innovations. For instance, she’s written a guide to peptides while also covering trending products such as the best LED masks and hypochlorous acid sprays. In her personal time, she double cleanses daily and has been doing so for more than 10 years, so she knows the drill when it comes to fantastic face washes.
Sabrina Sahota is IndyBest’s deputy editor and spends a large amount of her time testing beauty products for the team. Be it the Kiehl’s SPF or the Lush advent calendar, she knows her funky formulas from her hall-of-fame finds – even more so because she eyes over most of The Independent’s tried and tested skincare guides while editing.
Helen Wilson-Beevers has been writing for IndyBest for six years and is an expert on the topics of dry skin and anti-ageing, with her own 42-year-old skin prone to tightness and dehydration. She’s written about sunscreens for sensitive skin, skincare for teens and more, and has been using some of the cleansers featured for years – so she knows her stripping foam face washes from her brilliant balms.
Read more: Best eye creams for mature skin, tested by a beauty writer
