8 best face cleansers for dry, combination and oily skin

When Trinny London waded into the world of skincare with the launch of a gel and balm cleanser in February 2022, we had high expectations. And thankfully the gel cleanser delivers.

The gel option is nothing short of superb. First up is the packaging, a sunny yellow twist up design with a refillable canister which is super slick and a colourful addition to a bathroom shelf. The gel itself is packed with lactic and malic acid, two gentle exfoliants which are neither too harsh or abrasive to be used everyday. When applied to damp skin and massaged in, it’s softening, soothing and helps maintain balance in our tester’s typically oily T-zone. Not to mention it smells amazing too. Using this is our favourite part of our skincare routine.

The Ordinary is well loved for its affordable exfoliating acids, retinols and serums, but for us, the standout product in its range is the squalane cleanser. It’s a balm-gel hybrid that’s the perfect first and second cleanser all-in-one. Like the perfect white t-shirt, it’s simple and fuss-free, but always effective. It’s rich in squalane which is a moisturising agent that reduces water loss, hydrates and strengthens the skin barrier. While we love the thrifty 50ml tube for travelling and keeping costs low in your routine, we strongly recommend spending a bit more on the 150ml size (£13.90, Johnlewis.com) so it’ll last longer.

This is our tester’s go-to cleanser when rosacea flares up. Triggered by alcohol and stress, when our skin feels warm to touch, bumpy in texture with blotchy red cheeks, this milky cream cleanser offers instant relief. It’s fragrance-free and is particularly effective on sensitive and reactive skin types. We love bringing this on holiday to hot and cold climates as it keeps dryness and redness at bay. We massaged onto damp skin and washed off with lukewarm water, and our skin felt immediately softer and calmer.

This buttery soft cleansing balm is the fastest way to remove all types of make-up, from stubborn waterproof mascara and matte red lipstick, to full coverage foundation and glitter eyeshadow. It instantly melts down to dissolve make-up and SPF, doesn’t leave any greasy residue, nor strip the skin, but delivers a refreshed, squeaky clean complexion. It’s best to remove balms with a lukewarm flannel to ensure no product is left behind, but if you dread removing your make-up, this beautiful balm is a godsend. While certainly luxurious, it’s worth every penny.

Japanese American skincare brand Tatcha finally landed on this side of the Atlantic in June 2022, and we can firmly say it’s well worth the wait. If you try anything from the range, make it this luxurious cleansing oil. It comes in a chic, but very sturdy cream pump bottle, travels well without any spillages and is gentle but quick to melt down makeup. It doesn’t irritate our tester’s acne-prone, oil skin and a little goes a long way – this will last you ages. Two pumps is enough to remove a full face of product, it’s lightweight and doesn’t leave skin feeling sticky. It’s a big tick from us.

Whether you’ve long struggled with dryness, are experiencing irritation from over-exfoliating or are temporarily finding flakiness post-professional treatments, this Aveeno cleanser is a soothing relief. It’s creamy, soft and calming, and can be applied onto damp skin and massaged in. The formula is rich in oat and feverfew, which work together to calm sensitivity, it helps retain moisture and leaves skin feeling soft and hydrated. It’s a lovely option first thing in the evening when your skin needs a little TLC.

If you like a foaming cleanser without the often harsh stripping nature, this gel cleanser for sensitive skin is worth your time. It’s a lightweight gel formula that emulsifies upon contact with water, and helps maintain regular oil production, all without leaving the skin feeling parched or tight. Like many oily skin types, our reviewer is prone to breakouts, particularly hormonal spots on the chin area, and this fast became a trusty cleanser for keeping skin calm and clean during flare-ups.

Micellar water is made up of tiny suspended surfactant molecules which attract make-up, oil and impurities – and is a speedy solution for removing make-up without needing running water. Perfect for a first cleanse or when you need to correct a make-up mistake, simply soak a cotton wool pad and run all over the skin to remove a full face of makeup. CeraVe is famous for its budget-friendly, effective products and this is another favourite to add to the list. It doesn’t leave skin feeling dry or irritated, you don’t need to tug on skin to disrupt stubborn mascara and the generously sized bottle will last you months.