Sound like a minefield? It isn’t, don’t worry. The good news is you don’t have to spend the earth to find a great cleanser that will gently cleanse away impurities while hydrating, refining and nourishing the skin. Below is a round-up of fifteen of our favourites, all under £20, with some under a fiver.
Inkey List
Salycylic Acid Cleanser, £10.99
GREAT FOR: Acne-prone skin
The star ingredient, salycylic acid, is key for controlling sebum production, reducing pore size, blackheads and breakouts. Buy it here.
Liz Earle
Cleanse and Polish, £17
GREAT FOR: A really deep clean
A cult classic, accompanied by an exfoliating muslin cloth for a super effective cleanse that smells amazing, too. Buy it here.
La Roche Posay
Toleriane Dermo Cleanser, £18.50
GREAT FOR: Sensitive skins
A soothing milky formula for even the most delicate of skins that won’t strip or irritate. Buy it here.
Cerave
SA Smoothing Cleanser, £12
GREAT FOR: Teens
Exfoliating and smoothing yet with three essential ceramides to ensure the skin’s natural barrier is protected. Buy it here.
Kiehl’s
Ultra Facial Cleanser, £13.60
GREAT FOR: Gentle everyday cleansing
Brilliant, no-frills formula that effectively cleanses away the day with a pH-balancing formula to keep skin happy. Buy it here.
Glossier
Milky Jelly Cleanser, £15
GREAT FOR: The whole face (even sensitive eyes)
With five skin conditioners and a gentle cleansing agent used in contact lens solution, this skin-softening cleanser is kind yet tough enough to use, even on waterproof eye make-up. Buy it here.
Caudalie
Vinoclean Cleansing Almond Milk, £16
GREAT FOR: Removing make-up
With hydrating organic grape water and fragranced mandarin blossom, watermelon and fresh mint, this spa-worthy scent that blitzes through make-up while soothing and softening skin. Buy it here.
Superdrug
Vitamin E Hot Cloth Cleanser, £4.99
GREAT FOR: Excellent value
A brilliant dupe for high-end ‘hot cloth’ alternatives, this Vitamin E rich formula is a great budget buy, especially for dry skins. Buy it here.
Pure at M&S
Ultimate Cleanse Rose Cleansing Balm, £12
GREAT FOR: A nourishing cleanse
Another great high-street alternative to much pricier ‘balm’ cleansers, it is filled with botanical oils and butters and melts into skin for a deeply nourishing clean. Buy it here.
The Ordinary
Squalane Cleanser, £5.50
GREAT FOR: A moisturising clean
Squalane is known for its moisturising properties. This balm-to-oil cleanser from The Ordinary doesn’t disappoint; as it emulsifies it effectively removes all traces of make-up, leaving smooth, hydrated skin behind. Buy it here.
Face Halo
Makeup Remover Pad, £7
GREAT FOR: A product-free cleanse
These genius pads require no product, just warm water to effectively remove all traces of make-up and exfoliate the face, too. Buy it here.
Typology
7-Ingredient Cleasning Oil, £14.90
GREAT FOR: A fragrance-free formula
If sensitivity is an issue, this stripped back formula offers effective make-up removal with zero irritation. Buy it here.
Eco Warrier
Moisturising and Cleansing Exfoliating Bar, £4.50
GREAT FOR: Eco-conscious skincare
An ‘all-in-one’ bar that’s perfect for travelling as the natural oatmeal gently exfoliates and soothes as the citrus scents uplift, making it a great morning cleanse option. Buy it here.
Drunk Elephant
E-Rase Milki Micellar Water, £12
GREAT FOR: Effective, yet gentle cleansing
Rich in anti-oxidants, fatty acids and ceramides, this milky formula will soothe and nourish as it whisks away the very last traces of make-up. Buy it here.
L’Oreal
Age Perfect Smoothing Anti Fatigue Vitamin C Cleansing Milk, £4.99
GREAT FOR: 55+ Skins
A fortifying formula to energise, smooth and brighten. It has been designed specifically for post-menopausal skin with essential nutrients including magnesium and Vitamin C. Buy it here.
By Lydia Mansi
February 2022
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