The very best cleansers for every skin type

Clear skin starts with the perfect cleanser đź’¦

the best cleansers

by Georgia Scott |
Updated on

When it comes to thinking about building up a solid skincare routine, it's important to start with the best cleanser perfectly suited to your skin type. We understand that shopping for the best cleanser for you can seem like a mind field - but don't stress, we're here to break down all the very best cleansers available for you to build a solid skincare routine and get your skin looking its absolute best.

What makes a cleanser so important? A cleanser is the foundation to any skincare routine. Once you've found your perfect cleanser, you'll be able to easily build up a reliable and foolproof routine that suits your skin type, and that treats your skin concerns. Whether you're looking for the perfect cleanser to remove make-up, to wake your skin up in the morning or to give your skin an instant boost of hydration - we have one ideally suited to you.

Closer's best cleansers at a glance:

Best balm cleanser: Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm - View offer on LookFantastic

Best vitamin C cleanser: Ole Henriksen Truth Juice Daily Cleanser - View offer on Ole Henriksen

Best morning cleanser: Revolution Skincare X Sali Hughes Clean Sheet Morning Cleanser - View offer on LookFantastic

Shopping for a cleanser ultimately depends on your skin type. Once you know your personal skin type, shopping for the perfect skincare will be like second nature. For example, you might be looking for the best cleanser for sensitive skin to nourish and soothe your sensitive skin concerns and maintain cleansed and exfoliated skin ready for make-up application.

If you typically struggle with oiliness, the best cleanser for oily skin will help you combat any shine or build-up of congestion and help the skin feel more balanced. Cleansers come in a range of textures and ingredients to suit your daily routine, whether you love to double cleanse with an oil cleanser or you're craving a hydrating cleanser as we come into the colder months. Looking to find your perfect cleanser? We have searched the internet for the best cleansers out there, keep scrolling to shop:

SHOP: The best cleanser for your skin type

Best balm cleanser

If you haven't tried this viral cleansing balm, now's your chance. This nourishing, oily cleanser recreates a luxury spa-like facial to your everyday skincare routine. The gentle balm texture breaks down any unwanted make-up. Once emulsified with water, the balm transforms into a milk to leave the skin feeling squeaky clean and super hydrated. This dreamy product doubles up as a nourishing leave-on mask whenever your skin is in need of some extra moisture.

Customer review: "Spa in a tub. This is my absolute holy grail first cleanse and I truly will never not repurchase this, it just goes on the skin like butter, melts away so effortlessly and smells divine. Personally well worth the price point just for the absolute satisfaction of using it! Works well to remove all traces of SPF and never leaves my skin feeling stripped of moisture (which is common for my very dry skin). 10000/10, always!"

Pros

  • Multiuse product
  • Can be used by all skin types

Cons

  • For best results, use a cloth to remove

Best vitamin C cleanser

Ole Henriksen Truth Juice Daily CleanserOle Henriksen

When it comes to wanting brighter and firmer-looking skin, we're all ears. The Truth Juice Daily Cleanser from Ole Henriksen is perfect for waking your skin up in the mornings or whenever you want to look more refreshed. The blend of orange water and PHAs gently exfoliate and leave a naturally brighter appearance ready for the rest of your skincare routine.

Our review: "I absolutely swear by this cleanser and often find myself reaching for it every morning. Not only does it leave my skin looking brighter and more awake but I feel super refreshed and my skin always looks glowing after use. The light texture gently turns into a milky lather once mixed with water and doesn't ever leave my skin feeling dry."

Pros

  • Refreshing orange scent
  • Lightly exfoliates

Cons

  • Not ideal for removing make-up

Best morning cleanser

Revolution Skincare X Sali Hughes Clean Sheet Morning Cleanser Revolution Skincare

Beauty Journalist Sali Hughes partnered with Revolution Skincare to create the ultimate essential skincare line to provide everyone with a core routine perfect for every day. The Clean Sheet Morning Cleanser is full of skin-loving ingredients such as vitamins A, C and E to brighten and firm, hyaluronic acid and glycerin to hydrate and pineapple extract to gently exfoliate. This must-have cleanser can be used by all skin types and is even suitable for sensitive skin.

Customer review: "I love this cleanser, it’s my new go to in the morning, it’s not heavy or oily, it’s lovely and light and just does a really good job, with skin feeling clean, & hydrated, with absolutely no right feeling at all would definitely recommend."

Pros

  • Affordable price-point
  • Hydrating formula

Cons

  • Can't see when product has ran out

Best hydrating cleanser

CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser With Hyaluronic Acid CeraVe

For those who seem to find themselves on an endless hunt for a cleanser that suits a sensitive skin type that is also super hydrating - the search is finally over. CeraVe knows a thing or two about caring for sensitive skin, and the Hydrating Cleanser with Hyaluronic Acid is perfect for those whose skin is in desperate need of some moisture.

Customer review: "I have bought so many bottles of this, no matter how many cleansers I try I always go back to this. It is the perfect cleanser for cleaning my skin without it feeling stripped. I used to suffer from bad hormonal acne and I feel like this made a massive impact in helping control this."

Pros

  • Super hydrating formula
  • Great value

Cons

  • Not suitable for an oilier skin type

Best niacinamide cleanser

Naturium Niacinamide Cleansing GeleeNaturium

Naturium knows a thing or two about keeping its skincare products simple and easy. Based on certain must-have ingredients, the brand tailors its products to treat different skin concerns based on the perfect ingredients they need. Niacinamide is one of those all-rounder ingredients that works to treat all skin types. Derived from vitamin B3, niacinamide helps to combat a range of skin concerns like dark spots, texture, blemishes and sensitivity.

Customer review: "I bought this cleanser a week ago and can already see improvements in my skin. I have combination oily skin and I feel it washes off all the dirt and excess oils without stripping my skin. The last cleanser I used was making my skin feel tight and dry. After I washed this cleanser off it makes my skin feels hydrated and soft. I like how I can wash my face with it dry or wet, depending on where I am, and it’s very easy to wash off and doesn’t leave a residue on my face."

Pros

  • Skin feels refreshed and hydrated
  • Products also works well to remove make-up

Cons

  • Bulky packaging

Best cleanser for dry skin

Weleda Skin Food Nourishing Cleansing BalmWeleda

If we didn't love Weleda's Skin Food franchise enough, the Nourishing Cleansing Balm is definitely one to have on your radar. As we start thinking about those cold winter months we can trust that the super hydrating and comforting formula will not only remove any trace of make-up but leave the skin feeling comforted and looking radiant.

Customer review: "So so nice and gentle. Removed all my make up easily and effectively. Feels nourishing and smells divine. Would be happy to re-purchase this for sure."

Pros

  • Blend of oils leaves skin super plump
  • Multiuse product

Cons

  • Might not be suitable to those sensitive to scents

Best cleanser for blemishes

When it comes to tackling blemishes, a salicylic acid cleanser will be your best friend. Designed to treat, calm and exfoliate, salicylic acid is the ingredient to look for when shopping for skincare. The Oskia Violet Water Clearing Cleanser uses a combination of ingredients like salicylic acid, pro-vitamin B5, lactic acid and colloidal silver to deeply cleanse and treat active blemishes and congestion. It's important to mention that this blend of ingredients is also super antibacterial and will help to maintain clearer-looking skin as you continue use.

Customer review: "An amazing cleanser! Was having a bit of a mini breakout and this literally stopped it in its tracks. Non stripping and deep cleansing, I also paired this along side with the new tonic which is also amazing. Great for this stubborn blackheads!"

Pros

  • Calms and reduces blemishes
  • Gentle formula

Cons

  • Not ideal for removing make-up

Best Hot Cloth cleanser

Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth CleanserLiz Earle

Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish has become one of the most well-known hot cloth cleansers in the beauty world. If you love to use a creamy cleanser to remove your make-up paired with a hot cloth - this is one to try. The natural blend of ingredients, such as cocoa butter and eucalyptus, gently breaks down make-up and impurities but softens the skin at the same time. Liz Earle's Hot Cloth lightly exfoliates the skin as it removes make-up to leave the skin feeling smooth and soft.

Customer review: "Soft feeling on skin, Cleans all makeup off without any effort. Love the cleanser."

Pros

  • Ideal for removing make-up
  • Great for all skin types

Cons

  • Product works best with a cloth or flannel

Best micellar cleanser for sensitive skin

Bioderma Sensibio Cleansing Micellar WaterBioderma

Looking for a quick cleansing fix? A micellar water will be your best friend. The gentle, lightweight water lifts and removes make-up in seconds. Whether you're looking for a make-up remover to use on the go or when you fancy a lipstick change, this backstage secret is ideal for you. Bioderma Cleansing Micellar Water keeps the skin feeling moisturised without feeling dry and can be used by those with even sensitive skin.

Customer review: "I've used a few different micellar waters but this has to be my favourite. works great on sensitive acne prone skin and doesn’t dry me out."

Pros

  • Removes make-up without water
  • Great for sensitive skin

Cons

  • Large bottle not ideal for travel

Best foaming cleanser

Cetaphil Gentle Foaming CleanserCetaphil

Looking for the best foaming cleanser? The Gentle Foaming Cleanser from Cetaphil is one to try. Designed to make the skin feel super clean without feeling dry or dehydrated. Typically, a foaming cleanser works for a more oilier skin type whereas this one can be used for those with combination or dry skin to help combat any signs of dehydration or congestion to gently cleanse and maintain clear skin.

Customer review: "I brought this for my 12 year old daughter. She uses it morning and evening and said its very gentle on her skin. She uses it alongside the exfoliator once a week and the moisturiser daily. She likes it all so far."

Pros

  • Good for sensitive skin
  • Fragrance-free

Cons

  • Some reviews say nozzle can be temperamental

What should I look for in a face cleanser?

Your everyday cleansing routine should be personal to you and your daily life - whether you love to wear glam make-up or love an au naturale look, an oil cleanser will help to break down any make-up or impurities. If you're looking for a hard-working cleanser to help treat blemish-prone skin - a foaming cleanser is a good one to consider. It's important to look at the type of cleanser and the ingredients included when shopping for the best cleanser to perfectly suit your skin type.

What skincare ingredients should I look for in the best cleanser?

We know that ingredients in skincare can seem confusing but we want to keep it simple. Searching for a hydrating cleanser? To name a few, we suggest to keep your eyes peeled for cleansers with hyaluronic acid to attract more water and retain moisture in the skin. Salicylic acid cleansers are great for those looking to combat blemishes and oiliness whereas squalane cleansers are good for those struggling with redness.

Georgia Scott is a beauty and fashion product writer writing for heat specialising in all things lifestyle and trending. Before starting at Bauer, Georgia completed her degree in Journalism at University and worked as a retail beauty advisor and make-up artist.

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