Need a cleanser top up? These are the ones our beauty team rate (2025)

What is it? An exfoliating face wash to brighten and smooth texture

What makes it special? The best cleansers for brightening don't always rely on vitamin C. Exhibit A: Medik8's Surface Radiance Cleanse is packed with salicylic acid, mandelic, and lactic acid (dw, that's a lot less intense than it sounds) to slough away dead cells and improve the skin's overall appearance.

So if yours is feeling a little rough – bumps, pores and dry zones are all common concerns – this skin smoother is here to tackle all kinds of texture.

Which skin type? Congested skin that needs a little brightening.

What is it? A skin-softening and nourishing butter that swipes away makeup and grime.

What makes it special? Drunk Elephant's Slaai Makeup Melting Butter is a true multi-tasker. The main attraction is the nourishing cleansing balm: it's brimming with fruit oils and extracts to gently melt away makeup while feeding the skin with moisture.

It also comes with a Bamboo Booster – a small tube of gritty bamboo spheres that can be added to the balm to gently exfoliate dry skin. Stick to it and baby-soft, radiant skin will be yours.

Which skin type? This balm is packed with nourishing oils – we mean it – so we'd highly suggest this formula for those with dry AF skin.

Key Specifications

What is it? A non-drying gel cleanser

What makes it special? Blemish-prone skin types will love this cleansing formula. It contains salicylic acid to effectively cleanse the skin, removes make up and unclogs pores. Not only does it reduce excess oil, but it helps minimise the appearance of pores too.

Which skin type? Oily skin, this is the decongesting formula for you.

What is it? This isn't any old gel. It's a gel that transforms into a hydrating, milky oil. Yum.

What makes it special? If you're a fan of Skin Rocks' Cream Cleanser, feast your eyes on this bby. It combines three textures of cleanser into one; it starts as a silky gel before transforming into an oil and then into a milky consistency.

Gently massage into the skin and it easily lifts makeup and grime while keeping hydration a tip-top prio.

Which skin type? All skin types can get involved here. And there's a fragrance-free version for those with sensitive skin.

What is it? A balm-to-oil cleanser.

What makes it special? Some cleansers leave your face feeling dry and tight — well, step aside. This cleanser is enriched with squalane, the new super hydrator that's knocked hyaluronic acid off the top spot.

Rub between your palms and watch it transform from a balmy texture to an emulsifying oil, massage into dry skin, then rinse.

Which skin type? Add this to your cart if you've got dry skin and you'll never look back.

What is it? A lathering, cream cleanser

What makes it special? A classic for a reason, this stunning formula is enriched with cocoa butter, chamomile and eucalyptus – and trust us when we say, it smells divine.

It effectively cleanses, purifies and moisturises skin, leaving the complexion plump and supple.

Which skin type? All skin types will enjoy this dreamy cream cleanser.

What is it? A gentle cream cleanser

What makes it special? Garnier's Brightening Vitamin C Cream Cleanser does all the duties of a brilliant face wash, but it will also brighten the skin to give a lit-from-within look.

The milky lather gently removes makeup and grime, while vitamin C leaves your skin looking radiant and fresh. It's a great morning wash to perk up your complexion for the day ahead.

Which skin type? This cleanser is best suited to anyone who is looking to brighten or reduce pigmentation.

What is it? A thick, oil cleanser

What makes it special? Oil-based cleansers can be a divisive topic. Some love the feeling of a rich oil to melt makeup off, while others simply cringe at the thought. If you're the former, know that Naturium's Camellia Creamy Cleansing Oil does a stellar job at breaking down makeup and thoroughly cleansing the skin.

Due to its gel-to-oil formula, it does require warm water, a microfibre cloth and a little bit of scrubbin' to get the product off, but that's something we're more than happy to do if it means soft and hydrated skin.

Which skin type? Dry, dehydrated and Sahara-like skin? This one's for you.

What is it? An airy foam cleanser

What makes it special? Ilia's Cleanse Soft Foaming Cleanser uses a gentler kind of cleansing agent, compared to other foam cleansers, so that it still effectively removes makeup without stripping the skin of its natural oils.

As you massage it into the skin, the fluffy foam gently sweeps away impurities but, most importantly, the skin feels conditioned and hydrated after use.

Which skin type? Sensitive souls will love this delicate cleanser.

What is it? A low-foaming, oil-absorbing cleanser that removes makeup.

What makes it special? Sorry folks, but removing your pores is not possible – nor would it be practical, as they're in charge of healthy oil regulation. However, if yours are a little enthusiastic about oil production, and you'd like to reduce their appearance, then take a look here.

Nivea's Derma Skin Clear Wash Gel is formulated to remove excess sebum caused by enlarged pores, but will maintain a hydrated skin barrier too (cause, yes, oily skin still needs hydration).

Which skin type? Enlarged pores? This one's for you.

What is it? A foaming cleanser

What makes it special? A lot of foam cleansers can strip the skin and will leave it looking and feeling fried. Not this one, though. The cream-to-foam formula gently gets rid of excess dirt and oil, without disrupting the skin's natural barrier. Plus, it's amazingly calming, and reduces redness and inflammation, too.

Which skin type? Oily, blemish prone skins, meet your new go-to.

What is it? A creamy, hydrating cleanser

What makes it special? This creamy cleanser envelopes your skin in a comforting, hydrating lather. It's hardworking enough to remove makeup and grime from the day, but doesn't leave your skin feeling stripped or dry. We also love that it feels slightly exfoliating so it also helps skin to feel smooth, plump and squeaky clean.

Which skin type? All are welcome!

What is it? A non-foaming, creamy cleanser

What makes it special? Here’s a cleanser you can trust if you suffer from eczema; the nourishing cream is loaded with shea butter, oat extract and peptides to effectively cleanse your skin, without severely pissing off dry and irritated zones.

The combo of skin-kind ingredients helps to restore the integrity of your skin barrier (helping to prevent flare-ups in the long run) and brings solace to areas of redness and flakiness. Super hydrating and super good.

Which skin type? Hit this up if you’re eczema prone or have seriously dry skin.

What is it? A slightly exfoliating balm cleanser

What makes it special? This gentle but hardworking balm feels indulgent to use, and also delivers some serious anti-irritation and redness magic with soothing oat extracts. Massage it into skin and remove with a cloth, but it can also be left on for ten minutes as a calming mask.

Which skin type? Sensitive-skinned people – this is The One.

What is it? A skin-kind micellar water cleanser

What makes it special? As soon as the word 'sensitivity' is thrown into the topic of skincare, La Roche-Posay springs to mind. This French pharmacy brand is the crème de la crème for effective, kind-to-skin formulas – and much can be said for this micellar cleanser.

Soak a cotton round in the gentle solution and use it to wipe away makeup and oil. It doesn't feel drying but instead leaves your skin soft and hydrated. Plus, it's a great alternative if you're in a rush, or don't have a running tap near by.

Which skin type? Sensitive and reactive complexions.

What is it? A gentle face wash with zero nasties

What makes it special? We get it, this looks like something your GP would hand you, but all aesthetic judgements aside it's actually a fantastic cleanser for clarifying, hydrating and protecting your skin's barrier. The pared-back, fragrance-free formula is soothing on sensitive complexions, and it sits at a very reasonable price tag too. Happy days.

Which skin type? Everyone, but especially so if you've got dry and sensitive skin

How should you incorporate a cleanser into your skincare routine?

Well, many experts recommend a double cleanse at night to remove any buildup of makeup, sweat and dirt.“Several types of skin stressors contribute to premature ageing by increasing inflammation,” Abi explains. “So to avoid skin damage, carry out a deep cleanse in the morning and evening to help reduce pore-blocking dirt and pollution particles," she adds. Cleansing will also prime your skin ready for your skincare routine ahead, be it your favourite serum, hyaluronic acid, or moisturiser.

What are the golden rules of cleansing?

When it comes to cleansing, there are a few wise words of advice to follow to ensure a thorough and happy scrub.

Check your temp: While it's tempting to stand under the shower and wash your face, it's likely the water is too hot which can strip your skin of its natural oils. Cold water won't effectively break down makeup and oils, so the perfect middle ground is lukewarm water. It helps your cleanser work even harder, while keeping skin hydrated.

Don’t be abrasive: Flannels are fine, but you know what’s even better than a flannel? Microfibre cloths. They are way more gentle on the skin (especially if your flannel's on the crusty side) and you can get your hands on a two-pack for just a fiver.

Double up: Double cleansing isn’t just a con to get you to spend more money on products: you don’t even need two separate cleansers, just use the same one twice. It’s the only way to remove all your make-up, SPF (because you are wearing it every day, aren’t you?) and all the other stuff like sweat, sebum and general grime.

Don’t ignore your lashes: Not only do you risk eye infections by letting your mascara linger, but you also risk brittle lashes as mascara dries them out. So if pink-eye doesn’t scare you, maybe stubby lashes will.