Best Face Cleansers UK: Your Complete Cleansing Guide

If there's one step that can make or break your entire skincare routine, it's cleansing. Get it wrong and you're stripping your skin, leaving residue behind, or creating the perfect conditions for breakouts and irritation. Get it right and everything that follows, your serum, moisturiser, SPF, works so much better.

I've been testing cleansers for years, trying everything from budget balms to luxury foams, to figure out which formulas actually do what they promise. After working through dozens of products, I've landed on a solid lineup that covers every skin type, preference, and budget. Here's everything I know.

Why Your Cleanser Matters More Than You Think

Most people spend a fortune on serums and moisturisers but grab whatever cleanser is cheapest. I get it. It rinses off, so how important can it really be?

Very. Your cleanser is the foundation of your whole routine. A harsh cleanser strips your skin barrier, sending oil production into overdrive and leaving skin tight, flaky, and reactive. A gentle but ineffective cleanser leaves behind makeup, SPF, and pollution that then sits on your skin all night, clogging pores and preventing your skincare from absorbing properly.

The right cleanser removes everything it needs to remove without disrupting your skin barrier. That balance is harder to achieve than it sounds, which is why so many cleansers fall short.

My Cleansing Testing Method

I test every cleanser for a minimum of three weeks. I look at how well it removes makeup and SPF, how my skin feels immediately after (tight and stripped is a fail), how my skin looks the following morning, and whether it causes any breakouts or irritation over time.

I also test double cleansing compatibility, because the first and second cleanse need different things from a product. And I check how each formula works across different skin states, freshly cleansed, oily at the end of the day, and after wearing heavy makeup.

My skin is combination, so I'm particularly sensitive to anything that dries out my cheeks or sends my T zone into an oily spiral.

Understanding Double Cleansing

Double cleansing changed my skin. The idea is simple: use an oil based or balm cleanser first to dissolve makeup, SPF, and sebum, then follow with a water based cleanser to actually clean the skin beneath.

Why does it work? Oil dissolves oil. Your SPF and foundation are largely oil based, so they need an oil based product to break them down properly. A foaming or gel cleanser alone just pushes everything around without truly removing it. The second cleanse then removes any remaining traces and genuinely cleans the skin.

This doesn't mean everyone needs to double cleanse every day. On light makeup days or if you're not wearing SPF, a single thorough cleanse is absolutely fine. But on heavy makeup days or after wearing SPF all day, double cleansing is genuinely transformative.

Best Oil Based First Cleanse

For the first step of your double cleanse, you need something that melts away makeup and SPF without leaving a greasy film behind.

Beauty of Joseon Radiance Cleansing Balm is my favourite first cleanse for almost every skin type. It starts as a solid balm that melts on contact with skin, turning into a silky oil that dissolves even stubborn waterproof mascara without tugging. When you add water it emulsifies into a milky rinse that leaves no greasiness behind. The rice bran and grain ferment ingredients actually brighten skin over time too. I've gone through four jars of this and I'm not stopping anytime soon.

Curél Makeup Cleansing Oil is the one I recommend for sensitive and reactive skin. This Japanese formula is fragrance free, incredibly gentle, and phenomenal at removing makeup without causing any irritation. I tested this during a period when my skin was at its most reactive and it caused zero problems whilst still removing a full face of makeup completely. The ceramide infused formula actually helps support the skin barrier rather than disrupting it.

Best Second Cleanse for Normal to Combination Skin

After your oil cleanser has done the heavy lifting, you want a water based cleanser that genuinely cleans without over stripping.

Laneige Water Bank Gel Cleanser is my go to second cleanse. The gel texture lathers gently, rinses off completely, and leaves skin feeling clean but not tight. This is the clean feeling without the squeaky stripped sensation that signals barrier damage. The water based formula is lightweight enough to use morning and evening and the hyaluronic acid keeps hydration levels stable throughout cleansing. After three weeks of testing I noticed my skin was genuinely more balanced throughout the day.

Best Second Cleanse for Oily or Acne Prone Skin

If you're dealing with congestion, enlarged pores, or breakouts, you need a cleanser that addresses those concerns without making things worse.

The Inkey List Salicylic Acid Cleanser is a game changer for oily and acne prone skin. Salicylic acid is oil soluble, which means it penetrates into pores to dissolve the congestion that causes blackheads and breakouts. Used as a second cleanse two to three times a week, this has genuinely reduced my T zone congestion over time. The key is not to overuse it, every day will dry your skin out and potentially worsen things, but as part of a considered routine it delivers real results.

Best Cleansing Balm for Dry or Sensitive Skin

Dry and sensitive skin needs cleansers that nourish whilst they clean. Anything stripping will trigger flaking, redness, and irritation.

The Inkey List Oat Cleansing Balm is one of the most comforting cleansers I've ever used. The oat based formula is incredibly soothing and leaves skin feeling genuinely soft and cared for rather than just clean. This is the cleanser I reach for when my skin is feeling sensitive, dry, or irritated. It removes makeup thoroughly, rinses away cleanly, and my skin always feels better after using it rather than worse. At this price point it's extraordinary value.

Best Luxury Cleanser

Sometimes you want your cleansing step to feel indulgent. These deliver genuinely luxurious experiences alongside excellent results.

Omorovicza Cleansing Foam is Hungarian mineral skincare at its finest. The pump dispenses a rich, dense foam that cleanses thoroughly whilst delivering mineral rich Hungarian moor mud to the skin. My skin looks brighter and more refined after every use. This isn't budget skincare but the results justify the price, particularly if you're dealing with dullness or want your cleansing step to deliver actual skincare benefits beyond just removing makeup.

Best Cleanser for All Skin Types

Some cleansers are genuinely universal and work beautifully across different skin types and concerns.

Kate Somerville Goat Milk Cleanser is the cleanser I recommend most often when people ask me where to start. Goat milk is naturally rich in lactic acid and fatty acids that gently exfoliate and nourish simultaneously. The texture is creamy but lightweight, it removes makeup effectively, and it leaves skin visibly smoother over time. I've recommended this to friends with oily skin, dry skin, and sensitive skin and all of them have loved it. That versatility is rare in skincare.

The Cleanser Wardrobe Builder

Building a small, smart cleanser wardrobe means having the right options for different days, without buying everything.  

Tick 2–3 of your main needs below (e.g. makeup removal, daily balance, acne control, soothing dry/sensitive days), then hit 'Build My Wardrobe' to see my tailored recommendations from the guide, including rotation tips and why they work together. Affordable and effective core setup!

Morning vs Evening Cleansing: What Actually Works

There's genuine debate about whether you need to cleanse in the morning. Here's my honest take.

In the evening, cleansing is absolutely essential. You're removing SPF, makeup, pollution, and the day's sebum build up. Skipping this is one of the fastest routes to congested, dull skin. Always cleanse in the evening and always properly.

In the morning, it depends on your skin type. If you have oily or combination skin, a gentle cleanse in the morning removes overnight sebum and creates a clean base for your morning routine. If you have dry or sensitive skin, your skin produces so little oil overnight that cleansing in the morning can be over stripping. A simple splash of lukewarm water followed by your toner or essence is often enough.

I cleanse morning and evening with my combination skin, but I use a gentler, lighter product in the morning and save the more thorough double cleanse for evenings.

Water Temperature and Why It Matters

This sounds minor but it genuinely affects your skin. Hot water strips your skin barrier and can cause redness and broken capillaries over time. Cold water doesn't fully dissolve cleansing products and leaves residue behind. Lukewarm water is the answer. Warm enough to dissolve your cleanser properly, cool enough not to cause irritation.

I switched to lukewarm water after years of hot showers and the improvement in my skin's redness and texture was noticeable within a week. It's one of those tiny changes that makes a real difference.

How Long Should You Cleanse For?

Most people spend about ten seconds cleansing their face, which is nowhere near enough. A proper cleanse should take sixty seconds minimum. This gives the active ingredients time to work, ensures you're covering every area including your hairline, jaw, and around your nose, and allows you to actually feel whether your skin is clean or still has residue.

I set a timer when I first started paying attention to this and was genuinely surprised how long sixty seconds feels. Work the product across your entire face using gentle circular motions, paying attention to areas where makeup and SPF tend to sit: along the nose, around the eyes, and across the forehead.

Common Cleansing Mistakes and How to Fix Them

Over cleansing is the most common mistake I see. More isn't better with cleansing. Cleansing too frequently or with products that are too harsh strips your skin barrier and triggers reactive, oily, or sensitised skin. If your skin feels tight after cleansing, your cleanser is too strong. Switch to something gentler.

Incomplete removal is the second most common issue. This usually means either not cleansing for long enough, using too little product, or relying on a water based cleanser alone to remove oil based products like SPF and foundation. Double cleansing solves this completely.

Using face wipes as a substitute for cleansing is something I see constantly and it really does cause problems. Face wipes are fine in an emergency but they drag makeup across the skin rather than dissolving it, they leave behind residue, and most contain preservatives that irritate skin with prolonged use. They don't replace a proper cleanse.

Cleanser Textures Explained

Balm cleansers are solid and melt into an oil on contact with skin. They're brilliant for dry skin and as first cleanse options. The Beauty of Joseon and Inkey List Oat Balm both fall into this category.

Oil cleansers are liquid oils that dissolve makeup and SPF. They feel more immediately fluid than balms but work on the same principle. The Curél is my favourite oil cleanser, particularly for sensitive skin.

Gel cleansers have a clear or translucent gel texture and typically lather lightly. They're good for oily and combination skin as a second cleanse. The Laneige Water Bank sits here.

Cream cleansers are thicker and more nourishing, better suited to dry skin as they clean without stripping. The Kate Somerville Goat Milk formula has a light cream texture.

Foam cleansers can range from thick pump foams to lathering bars. The Omorovicza is a rich pump foam that delivers luxury alongside results.

Budget vs Luxury: Do You Get What You Pay For?

With cleansers more than any other skincare category, budget options genuinely compete with luxury. The Inkey List products are outstanding value and perform as well as products costing three times the price. The Laneige gel cleanser is mid range and worth every penny.

Where luxury wins is in the experience and in additional skincare benefits. The Omorovicza doesn't just cleanse, it actively improves your skin with each use thanks to those Hungarian mineral ingredients. The Kate Somerville formula gradually exfoliates and smooths. You're paying for results beyond cleansing.

If you're building your routine from scratch, start with the budget and mid range options and invest your money in actives like serums instead. If you want your cleansing step to feel genuinely luxurious and deliver more than basic cleansing, the Omorovicza is worth the splurge.

My Daily Cleansing Routine

Morning: I use the Laneige Water Bank Gel Cleanser for a quick, gentle single cleanse. It removes overnight moisture products and any residue without stripping my skin before I apply serums and SPF.

Evening on heavy makeup days: I double cleanse, starting with the Beauty of Joseon Radiance Cleansing Balm to melt away SPF and foundation, followed by the Laneige gel cleanser to ensure everything is removed.

Evening on sensitive skin days: I swap the balm for The Inkey List Oat Cleansing Balm, which is gentler and more soothing when my skin needs calming rather than deep cleansing.

When I want to treat congestion: I use The Inkey List Salicylic Acid Cleanser as my second cleanse two or three evenings a week, which keeps my T zone clear without over drying.

Building Your Cleanser Wardrobe

You don't need one cleanser. You need the right cleanser for the right situation. Having two or three on rotation means you can respond to what your skin needs on any given day rather than forcing one product to do everything.

A good basic setup: one oil based first cleanser for evenings, one gentle water based second cleanser for daily use, and one treatment cleanser like the salicylic formula for targeted congestion work two to three times a week.

You don't need to spend a fortune. The Inkey List options are exceptional value and would form a brilliant, affordable cleanser wardrobe alongside the Laneige gel.

The Bottom Line on Face Cleansers

Cleansing is the most underrated step in skincare. Get it right and everything else in your routine works better. Your serums absorb properly, your moisturiser sits smoothly, your SPF applies evenly. Skip it or do it carelessly and none of that matters.

Start with understanding your skin type and your main concern. Double cleansing is worth trying if you're not already doing it. And please stop using face wipes as your main cleansing method, your skin will thank you within a week.

The products I've recommended have all been personally tested over weeks, not just a single use. They're the cleansers that genuinely made a difference to my skin and to the skin of people I've recommended them to. That's the only standard I work to.

Don't forget to check each review for my working discount codes to save on your favourites with great deals at Sephora and discounts at Lookfantastic.

Kisses, Nicola xxx

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