19 best cleansers to stash in your bathroom cabinets for beautifully fresh skin

Trying to figure out which of the many best cleansers is right for you can be quite a challenge, mostly because of the sheer number of options available. Seriously – there’s foams, oils, lotions, balms and micellar waters – and all of them work slightly differently when it comes to removing makeup and grime. Plus, what works for one person might not work for you and your skincare routine. In other words, it can take some trial and error to get it right.

But besides the type of cleanser, you’ll also need to consider their active ingredients. Just like with any other skincare product, you’ll want to pick your cleanser based on your skin type. For example, if your skin is on the drier side, you’d probably benefit from some extra hyaluronic acid or ceramides. If you’re susceptible to breakouts and have acne-prone skin, keep an eye out for salicylic acid. For a deep clean, a charcoal or clay cleanser can help to draw out and mop up excess sebum, and for brightening, vitamin C will help keep skin feeling good as new.

Best cleansers at a glance – our top picks:

1. Best hydrating cleanser: Drunk Elephant Beste No. 9 Jelly Cleanser, £14, Cult Beauty
2. Best affordable cleanser: The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser 150ml, £5.50, Boots
3. Best cleanser for sensitive skin: Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser, £19.99, Boots
4. Best gentle cleanser: Glossier Milky Jelly Cleanser, £9, Glossier

Drunk Elephant Beste No. 9 Jelly Cleanser

The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser

Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser Wash

Glossier Milky Jelly Cleanser

Now we’ve got the ingredients nailed, let’s get to the FAQs. How do you figure out which type of cleanser will be best? Is it true that cleansing foams dry out skin? Does the micellar water you use as a makeup remover count as a cleanser? And is a cleansing balm too heavy for oily skin types?

We’ve put together a guide below to help you work out the best cleanser for you and we’ve included a full edit of all the best options to boot. Below, you’ll find our personal favourites, cult classics and some new launches to fit any budgets, preference or skin type. So scroll down and say hello to fresher skin.

Micellar water

Micellar water is formed from little micelles (spheres of mild surfactants combined with purified water), which attract all the makeup, excess oil and daily grime on the surface of your skin – like a magnet – leaving it clean and refreshed. It can work on all skin types, even sensitive, as it’s gentle but mighty. They’re perfect if you prefer to remove your makeup with cotton pads (reusable, of course), and they work as a great first step in a double cleansing routine since they’re perfect for removing makeup before you go in with a deep clean.

Foaming cleansers

Foams have long been denounced as a skin-sapper and advised against for dry skin types. Foaming products require foaming agents, all of which can be higher in alkaline than the skin (which tends to be between 4.5 to 5.5 on the pH scale). Most foams are approximately 6, making them too harsh and stripping for some.