13 top face washes & cleansers, reviewed by editors
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Whether you're looking to do a whole skincare revamp or you're planning to upgrade your current cleanser, investing into one of the best face washes can make a world of a difference. Be it in form of an oil, gel, foam or micellar water, it's no secret that every effective skincare skincare routine starts with a quality cleansing product. Before using your toner, face serum and moisturiser, it's crucial that you focus on removing makeup, washing away face sunscreen and any build-up with a gentle yet purifying formula.
In your hunt for the best face wash, it's important to keep in mind that not every face wash will work for your exact skin type and meet your skin's needs. In other words, it can take some trial and error to get it right. Some cleansers are made to be more moisturising, meanwhile others are intended to be used as more of a deep cleanse. Pro tip? Pick a cleanser that does the job without stripping your skin of all the essential moisture, which could actually result in an excessive production of sebum. Here's everything else you need to know.
SKIP TO: What to look for when buying a face wash | Micellar waters | Foaming cleansers | Cleansing oils | Gel cleansers | Cleansing lotions | How we test facial cleansers and why you can trust us.
Best face wash 2024 at a glance:
- Best for all skin types: CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser
- Best for acne-prone skin: Medik8 Surface Radiance Cleanse
- Best for double cleansing: DuoCleanse, £32, Sculpted by Aimee
- Best for oily skin: Tatcha The Matcha Cleanse
- Best for dry skin: Kate Somerville Goat Milk Moisturising Cleanser
What to look for when buying a facial cleanser:
Besides the type the cleanser, you'll also need to consider its active ingredients. And similar to when choosing other skincare products, you also need to consider any skin concerns you might have such as eczema and rosacea.
If your skin is on the drier side, you'd probably benefit from some extra hyaluronic acid or ceramides. If you're susceptible to breakouts and have acne-prone skin, keep an eye out for salicylic acid and lactic acid. For a deep clean, a charcoal or clay cleanser can help to draw out and mop up excess sebum, and for brightening, vitamin C will help keep skin feeling good as new.
Now we’ve got the ingredients nailed, let's get to the FAQs. How do you figure out which type of cleanser will be best? Is it true that cleansing foams dry out skin? Does the micellar water you use as a makeup remover count as a cleanser? And is a cleansing balm too heavy for oily skin types? We've put together a guide below to help you work out the best cleanser for you and we've included a full edit of all the best options to boot. To fit any budget, preference or skin type.
Which cleanser is the best?
Micellar water is formed from little micelles (spheres of mild surfactants combined with purified water), which attract all the makeup, excess oil and daily grime on the surface of your skin – like a magnet – leaving it clean and refreshed. It can work on all skin types, even sensitive, as it's gentle but mighty. They're perfect if you prefer to remove your makeup with cotton pads (reusable, of course), and they work as a great first step in a double cleansing routine since they're perfect for removing makeup before you go in with a deeper, second cleanse.
Foams have long been denounced as a skin-sapper and advised against for dry skin types. Foaming products require foaming agents, all of which can be higher in alkaline than the skin (which tends to be between 4.5 to 5.5 on the pH scale). Most foams are approximately 6, making them too harsh and stripping for some.
That said, many consider foams unbeatable for the clean feeling they leave behind vs oilier or balmier alternatives. The good news is new formulas such as oat, chamomile, coconut, or plant-derived foams are kinder to our skin's pH. If you usually find foams dry you out, check the ingredient list and opt for one that's free from sodium lauryl sulphates. They're particularly well suited to oily and combination skin. And for the cleansing power of foam, with the comfort of oil, we're obsessed with Cerave's Hydrating Foaming Oil Cleanser, which is a perfect hybrid of both. It cleanses without stripping the skin barrier of goodness without leaving an oily film behind. Instead, it just leaves your skin cells deeply nourished.
Oils and cleansing balms are ultra nourishing and second to none at melting away stubborn makeup like waterproof mascara. That said, they're known to leave behind an oily film on the skin that some enjoy (it offers some added moisture), but others can't tolerate. Oilier skin types, in particular, may have opted to avoid oils, not wishing to add any excess greasiness to their skin. Scientifically speaking, though, oil dissolves oil. When dirt and sebum are trapped in our pores, a cleanser that contains something like seed oil can soften and loosen the clogging in order for it to be removed with ease, meaning it works well on all skin types. However, if you don't like the feeling it leaves behind, use it as your first cleanse and follow with a cleansing foam or gel.
Gel cleansers feel thicker and less drying than foam, but lighter and less greasy than oil, so they offer a good compromise for all skin types. They're one of the most popular forms of cleansing, they give a deep clean (when used with a hot cloth) and are a great carrier for extra ingredients like enzymes, vitamin E, aloe vera, glycolic acid, salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid, providing extra exfoliating and hydrating benefits to plump your skin and boost your natural collagen production.
Lotions or creamy cleansers are another popular choice. They tend to be nice and gentle, have a silky consistency and provide moisturising benefits. They're a particularly good option for dry or sensitive skin (though they can work on all skin types). They're perfect for an everyday cleanse and can be used with either cotton pads or a hot cloth depending on which you choose. Brands such as Elemis and La Roche-Posay are regular go-tos for this – the famous Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm is a good example of this. For really tough, stubborn makeup or heavy sunscreen, you might need the muscle of an oil or micellar water first.
How we test face washes & why you can trust us:
Over the years, the GLAMOUR team has collectively reviewed hundreds of cleansers, having tested them for a minimum period of 4-6 weeks. We've made sure to conduct our testing with different skin types and skin conditions in mind, while assessing the following:
- Efficacy – How well did the cleanser perform?
- Ingredients list – Did the ingredients call for any alarm for any specific skin types?
- Value for money – Can the price tag be justified?
- Any reactions – Did using the cleanser result in breakouts/irritation/dehydrated skin?
Looking for something a little more specific? Check out our guides to the best cleansing balms, best oil cleanser, best moisturisers and the best face toners. We’ve also got the best face SPF, the best facial serums for every skin type, face masks and everything you need to know about niacinamide. For more beauty content from Glamour UK Commerce Writer Denise Primbet, follow her on Twitter @deniseprimbet and Instagram @deniseprimbet.