Brilliant cleansers for every skin type
Take the day off with our guide to the best refreshing face washes on the market
All products are chosen independently by our editors. Luxury London may earn commission on items purchased.
When it comes to skincare routines there is perhaps no stage quite so crucial as cleansing. You can use all the cutting-edge moisturisers and specialised serums in the world but, if you haven’t properly prepared your skin to receive them, you’re never going to see the full benefits. But choosing the best cleansers for your specific needs is easier said than done.
While all good cleansers should remove make up and excess oils, those with dry skin will need a cleanser optimised for hydration, while those prone to blemishes or adult acne will want to steer well clear of oil-based formulas. Here’s our essential guide to choosing the best cleanser for your skin type.
Best cleansing oil: Institut Esthederm Osmoclean Miscellar cleansing oil
The term cleansing oil may seem like an oxymoron to many – oil, is after all, usually deemed the culprit of breakouts and blemishes. Institut Esthederm’s blend of rapeseed, jojoba, meadowfoam and sunflower seed oils, however, is enriched with amino acids to effectively remove makeup and impurities leaving skin radiant and hydrated without a hint of grease.
Best brightening cleanser: 111Skin Vitamin C Brightening Cleanser
One of the best cleansers comes from Harley Street-based brand 111Skin, whose powerful but kind-to-skin formula is enriched with vitamin C to refresh, rehydrate and restore a radiant complexion. The brightening cleanser also works to stimulate collagen production and reduce the appearance of dark spots and discolouration, leaving skin youthful, smooth and glowing in one fell swoop.
Best anti-aging cleanser: Sarah Chapman Skinesis Ultimate Cleanse
If your prime concern when it comes to skincare is fighting fine lines, pigmentation and other signs of aging, don’t overlook the importance of your cleanser. Sarah Chapman’s Ultimate Cleanse offers a balm-like texture formulated with anti-inflammatory baobab and borage oils, as well as collagen-boosting Dermaxyl and Q10, to simultaneously clarify and rejuvenate skin.
Best hydrating cleanser: Kat Burki Vitamin C Nourishing Cleansing Balm
Just like repeatedly washing your hands, repeated cleansing can leave skin dry, especially if you’re a little lax when it comes to the moisturising stage of your skincare routine. Happily, American skin health expert Kat Burki has infused her signature cleansing balm with camu camu berry, mango butter, coconut oil, avocado and cranberry seed oils to leave skin nourished and dewy. Better yet, she’s also popped a healthy dose of vitamin C in there to plump and brighten as well.
Best makeup remover: Drunk Elephant Slaai Make-Up Melting Butter
For most, the main function of a good cleanser is to remove every trace of makeup. Well, we’re pleased to say the Make-up Melting Butter from cult skincare brand Drunk Elephant does exactly what it says on the tin. Transforming from a balm to a smooth milk when applied with water, it promises to make even stubborn mascaras and oil-based products disappear, while antioxidant fruit extracts and mongongo, baobab and marula oils help soothe and calm the skin.
Best vegan cleanser: Aesop In Two Minds Facial Cleanser
Aesop takes its commitment to being entirely vegan and cruelty-free seriously – but that doesn’t mean it’s willing to let standards slip when it comes to the effectiveness of its products. It spent three years formulating its In Two Minds collection, which is designed specifically for the complexities of combination skin, and the results speak for themselves. This facial cleanser contains salicylic acid and witch hazel to unclog pores, sage leaf to soothe and hydrate and rosemary and lavender to revive and energise.
Best cleanser for breakouts: Medik8 Blemish Control Pads
Adult acne is, unfortunately, much more common than we would like to believe. But you needn’t resort to the luminous Clearasil concoctions your teen self relied on thanks to a host of much chicer (and more effective) options. Take, for example, Medik8’s Blemish Control Pads. Designed to cater to both oily and combination skins, they contain 2% salicylic acid to exfoliate, clean pores, remove dead skin cells and reduce excess sebum to tackle the classic causes of spots, as well as allatoin and glycerin to prevent dryness. Offered as a handy stack of 60 pads, they can also be used on the back, neck, upper arms or wherever else breakouts may appear.
Best cleanser for sensitive skin: Grown Alchemist Gentle Gel Facial Cleanser
If you suffer from skin conditions, such as rosacea or eczema, or are susceptible to reactions to ingredients commonly found in cleansers, investing in a formula specifically designed for sensitive skin could be a game-changer. Grown Alchemist grounds all of its products in the science of cellular renewal and nutrient metabolism. Its delicate gel cleanser contains chamomile, bergamot, willow bark and cold-pressed rose petals to soothe skin without stripping it of its natural oils while effectively removing dirt and reducing pore size.
