Cosmedic Online

Download our mobile app today Free delivery when you spend over £30 Join our Skinclusive club for additional offers and benefits Free samples when you spend over £100

Cleansers

What is a cleanser?

Washing the skin with water alone is not sufficient as many of the environmental toxins and cosmetics found on the skin are not water soluble and require products to remove them. Cleansers are designed to remove dirt, grime, pollutants, makeup, sunscreens and excess oils from the face, helping to keep your pores clear and preventing skin conditions such as acne. Where they differ from soap, is that cleansers do not strip away the protective oils that may leave your skin in a dehydrated, compromised state. Basically, cleansers are designed to clean like a soap whilst hydrating and moisturising and allowing the skin to retain its natural pH balance.

Is there a difference between cleansers and facial washes?

Cleansers are generally more hydrating than face washes, however their functions are similar. A face wash is more likely to deeply cleanse to a pore level. Facial washes are the preferred choice of those who wish to have a more mattified look and those with oily/combination skin types.

Our guide to finding a cleanser for your skin type

Foaming Gel Cleanser

Best for combination skin types, lightweight and foaming action, pleasant to use and easily removed from the skin. Foaming cleansers help remove oils, make-up and dirt whilst helping to maintain the skin’s moisture levels.

Micellar Water

Micellar water is a purified water, containing moisturisers, such as glycerine, and surfactants. They are good for make-up removal using cotton pads and do not need to be washed off the skin.

Cream Cleanser

Suitable for dry or sensitive skin, they are thicker with a silky texture and can have a moisturising effect without removing essential oils. If waterproof make-up is worn, a double cleanse may be required.

Oil Based Cleanser

Suitable for all skin types, but particularly oily and combination skin, oil-based cleansers are best for removing heavy make-up and can be used as part of a double cleanse prior to a water based cleanser.

Top Tips

Our Recommendations

No products were found for this query.

SkinCeuticals Gentle Cleanser is a milky cleanser that removes impurities without stripping the skin and ideal for dry, dehyrdated and sensitive skin types.

NeoStrata Mandelic Clarifying Cleanser contains mandelic, polyhydroxy and salicylic acid to provide cleansing and exfoliation to help remove dead skin cells and revive dull skin.

SkinCeuticals Simply Clean has a mild foaming action making it pleasant to use on the skin as well as providing a more complete cleansing. Ideal for oily skin types and large pores.

Suitable for acne-prone, oily and normal skin, Obagi Clenziderm Foaming Cleanser is a lightweight cleanser containg 2% salicylic acid to help deeply cleanser pores and remove impurities.

View all of our cleansers

SkinCeuticals Soothing Cleanser Foam 150ml

Original price was: £45.00.Current price is: £33.00.

Jan Marini Bioglycolic Oily Skin Cleansing Gel

Original price was: £43.00.Current price is: £35.99.

NeoStrata Enlighten Ultra Brightening Cleanser

Original price was: £37.99.Current price is: £25.50.
Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page

iS Clinical Cleansing Complex

£20.50£41.50

SkinCeuticals Simply Clean Gel 195ml

Original price was: £45.00.Current price is: £34.79.

Clinisept+ Procedure Aftercare 100ml

Original price was: £19.99.Current price is: £15.00.

NeoStrata Skin Active Exfoliating Wash

Original price was: £36.00.Current price is: £28.19.

SkinCeuticals Blemish + Age Cleanser Gel 240ml

Original price was: £50.00.Current price is: £34.79.
Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page

iS Clinical Active Serum

£79.99£131.95

Jane Iredale Botanical Brush Cleaner

Original price was: £21.00.Current price is: £17.00.

Price By Filter

Product categories +

Showing 1–10 of 30 results

Read our articles about cleansers

Acne

Blackheads, Pimples and Ingrown Hairs

Blackheads, Pimples and Ingrown Hairs What are blackheads? Good skincare tailored to your requirements and resisting the temptation to pick, is the key to dealing with blackheads, whiteheads and pimples! Charlotte Loveland, Cosmedic Blackheads are clogged pores that fill with dead skin cells and excess oil known as sebum, which

Read More »
Cleansers

All things cleansing!

All things cleansing! Different skin types need different cleansers, if you’re not sure, speak to one of our skincare experts. Charlotte Loveland, Cosmedic Since there are so many types of cleansers on the market, it can often be difficult to find what it is that you’re looking for. First things

Read More »
Shopping Cart