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Cleansers are not the most exciting of beauty purchases, but a good one – and they are worth investing in - will sweep away make-up in no time (and let's face it, cleansing isn't the most exciting part of a beauty routine, so the faster the better in my book).
They keep pores unclogged and clean to help prevent breakouts. Some have added skincare treats like vitamins, omega oils and anti-oxidants. We've tried and tested dozens - from This Works' quick and easy option for cleansing on the go to Dermalogica Ultracalming Cleanser to soothe easily irritated skin, there should be something for every skin type.
Click on the gallery to see the IndyBest buys
Show all 12 12 best cleansers Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser This one’s a cult classic, multi award-winning facial in a bottle. It gives a two-pronged attack on the day's grime; cleanse first and then massage and exfoliate off using the muslin cloth, to reveal radiant, squeaky-clean skin.
£14.75 for 100ml, lizearle.com
12 best cleansers Dermalogica Ultracalming Cleanser Skin prone to breakouts and redness will love the soothing, calming blend of liquorice, mallow, green tea, oat, raspberry, sage and red clover in this cooling, non-foaming cleanser. It’s perfect for hypersensitive skin that doesn't like water as you can remove make-up with a cotton wool ball soaked in cleanser, and there's no need to rinse. A little goes a long way so it lasts ages.
£26.90 for 250ml, dermalogica.co.uk
12 best cleansers Nivea Daily Essentials Sensitive Cleansing Milk Paraben, colour and perfume free, this gentle creamy cleanser also helps to prevent redness thanks to anti-inflammatory liquorice, while grape seed oil combats tightness and dryness in ultra-sensitive complexions.
£4.07 for 200ml, nivea.co.uk
12 best cleansers This Works In Transit No Traces I love the ease of a cleansing wipe, but so many of them don't actually remove eye make-up completely. These rosewater-infused pads are perfect for travel and also for sensitive skin, and they swipe away all traces of make-up effortlessly. Antibacterial water mint also balances and refreshes combination skin.
£17 for 60 pads, thisworks.com
12 best cleansers Oskia Renaissance Cleansing Gel Illuminating Vitamin Facial Cleanser The crème de la crème of cleansers, this ticks so many beauty boxes. You massage onto dry skin then add a little water to emulsify and remove with a damp muslin cloth. It's not one for the eyes though, so you will need a separate eye make-up remover. Combination, dull or dry skin, blemished oily or scarred will be transformed with this vitamin and Omega 6-packed skin-boosting treat.
£32.50 for 100ml, oskiaskincare.com
12 best cleansers Garnier Express 2 in 1 Eye Make-up Remover Fragile eyelashes will love this ultra-moisturising cleanser that removes even the most stubborn waterproof mascara, without rubbing the eyes.
£2.33 for 125ml, boots.com
12 best cleansers Philosophy Purity 3 in 1 Cleanser for Face and Eyes This is your one stop shop cleanser when time isn't on your side. It cleanses, tones and lightly hydrates in one easy step. 12 essential oils including rosewood and sandalwood calm and soothe sensitive skin. It also cleans deep pores.
£18.00 for 240ml, debenhams.com
12 best cleansers Jurlique Rose Moisture Plus Moisturising Cleanser This one’s a high-performance cleanser combining a skin-protecting anti-oxidant complex of turmeric, green tea and grape seed extracts with hydrating rosehip oil for ultra-dehydrated skin. This multi-tasking cleanser also uses pumice and willow bark extract to finely polish and smooth skin for super-glowy results.
£18 for 100ml, jurlique.co.uk
12 best cleansers Aromatherapy Associates Hydrating Renewing Rose Cleanser Damask rose boosts radiance, jojoba softens, moisturises and protects, while geranium balances the skin's natural oils. And the combination of these three beautiful scents makes this a real luxury to use.
£25 for 200ml, aromatherapyassociates.com
12 best cleansers RMK Cleansing Oil A beautiful fresh, light oil that blends pore-unclogging orange oil, softening carrot oil and nourishing almond oil, to leave skin super-clean and intensely hydrated. I love the feel of my skin after using this – so soft and smooth and a real treat for summer-parched skin.
£29 for 175ml, selfridges.com
12 best cleansers Laura Mercier Flawless Skin Dual-Action Eye Makeup Remover Even long-lasting and waterproof make-up doesn't stand a chance against this ultra-effective, oil-free make-up dissolving cleanser for eyes. A simple swipe and your smokey eye has had it!
£18.50, selfridges.com
12 best cleansers Formula Advanced Pro-Tolerance Anti-Redness Soothing Cleansing Lotion In clinical trials, this gentle cleanser reduced the reactive behaviour of easily-irritated skin in just four weeks of use. I used it for just over two weeks and it definitely soothed patches on my complexion that are prone to flaring up. A great buy for sensitive skin.
£9.50 for 150ml, marksandspencer.com
Verdict
For a simple, inexpensive creamy cleanser that is kind to skin, you won't find better than Nivea's Daily Essentials Cleansing Milk. But for a luxury cleansing facial treat, Liz Earle's Cleanse & Polish is the undisputed cleansing champion.
Buy now
1. Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser, £14.75 for 100ml
2. Dermalogica Ultracalming Cleanser, £26.90 for 250ml
3. Nivea Daily Essentials Sensitive Cleansing Milk, £4.07 for 200ml
4. This Works In Transit No Traces, £17 for 60 pads
5. Oskia Renaissance Cleansing Gel Illuminating Vitamin Facial Cleanser, £32.50 for 100ml
6. Garnier Express 2 in 1 Eye Make-up Remover, £2.33 for 125ml
7. Philosophy Purity 3 in 1 Cleanser for Face and Eyes, £18.00 for 240ml
8. Jurlique Rose Moisture Plus Moisturising Cleanser, £18 for 100ml
9. Aromatherapy Associates Hydrating Renewing Rose Cleanser, £25 for 200ml
10. RMK Cleansing Oil, £29 for 175ml
11. Laura Mercier Flawless Skin Dual-Action Eye Makeup Remover, £18.50
12. Formula Advanced Pro-Tolerance Anti-Redness Soothing Cleansing Lotion, £9.50 for 150ml
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