From foams and gels to lotions and micellar waters, there is an array of facial cleansers to choose from – all of which help to remove makeup and impurities. So how do you choose the best face wash for you? Read on to discover the key characteristics of each cleanser and how they benefit different skin types.
The different types of facial cleansers
Foaming cleanser: The best face wash for oily skin
Developed to deeply cleanse and purify the skin, a foaming cleanser creates a foamy lather to help remove oil, makeup and impurities.
While they can be too harsh for dry and sensitive skin, foaming cleansers are particularly beneficial for oily, combination and blemish-prone skin.
Gel cleanser: The best face wash for dry skin
Thicker than a foam but lighter than an oil, gel cleansers are ideal for all skin types. They not only provide a deep clean but are often infused with nourishing ingredients to provide additional exfoliating and hydrating benefits.
Though suitable for all skin types, gel cleansers are particularly kind to dry and sensitive skin.
Cleansing lotion: The best face wash for sensitive skin
Boasting a lightweight, creamy consistency, cleansing lotions are often formulated with moisturizing ingredients to help purify the skin without stripping away essential moisture. They’re suitable for all skin types but benefit dry and sensitive skin the most.
Cleansing exfoliator: The best anti-aging face wash
More potent than a cleanser but gentle enough for daily use, a cleansing exfoliator blends AHAs or gentle exfoliating particles with nourishing and cleansing ingredients to help wash away dirt and impurities, while also supporting skin cell renewal.
Perfect for dull or aging skin where the natural renewal process has slowed, cleansing exfoliators help to brighten and revive the complexion.
Micellar water: The best makeup removing cleanser
Micellar water is infused with micelles (oil–based surfactants) to capture makeup, impurities and pollutants, and help draw them away from the skin’s surface, leaving the complexion feeling clean and refreshed.
Suitable for all skin types, micellar water can be used as the first step of a double cleansing routine, or to remove makeup with a cotton pad.
How to cleanse skin
Skin should be cleansed twice a day. First in the morning to remove both the impurities that have settled onto the skin overnight and the product residue from your evening routine, then at night to wash away the dirt, pollution and makeup from the day.
To cleanse, massage your chosen face wash onto the skin for at least 30 seconds, covering the face, hairline, neck, below the ears, and décolletage. Thoroughly rinse with warm water and pat the skin dry. Follow with a serum and face or night cream.
The best face washes
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Buy now with No 7 No7 Restore & Renew Cleansing Lotion
Buy now with free deliveryAn anti-aging cleanser that minimizes the appearance of pores.
No7 Restore & Renew Cleansing Lotion is supercharged with antioxidants and natural AHAs to help nourish the skin while dissolving makeup, impurities and pollutants. It uses a gentle exfoliating action to minimize the appearance of pores and leave skin feeling revived and energized, without stripping away essential moisture.
Massage onto wet skin as the first step of your morning and evening skincare routine, then rinse away to reveal a radiant, healthy-looking complexion. For best results, follow with No7 Restore & Renew serum and face cream or night cream.
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Buy now with No 7 No7 Lift & Luminate Dual Action Cleansing Exfoliator
Buy now with free deliveryAn anti-aging face wash that gently exfoliates and cleanses the skin.
Formulated with gentle exfoliating particles and a complex of Vitamins C, E and B5, this No7 exfoliating cleanser helps to support surface skin’s natural renewal process while removing impurities and excess oil. Skin tone and texture appear visibly improved, lending skin a brighter and more radiant glow.
Morning and night, massage onto a wet face, then rinse to leave skin feeling cleansed and renewed. For best results, follow with the No7 Lift & Luminate serum and face cream or night cream.
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Buy now with No 7 No7 Protect & Perfect Intense Advanced Cleansing Water
Buy now with free deliveryAn anti-aging AHA cleanser that leaves skin feeling softer, smoother and more supple.
This lightweight yet hydrating No7 cleansing water uses a blend of fruit extracts supercharged with antioxidants and natural AHAs to wash away all makeup, oil, and pollutants, while helping to nourish and exfoliate.
For best results, follow with No7 Protect & Perfect serum and face cream or night cream.
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Buy now with No 7 No7 Radiance+ Daily Energizing Exfoliating Cleanser
Buy now with free deliveryA Vitamin C face wash that helps to brighten the skin.
Blending brightening Vitamin C with natural apricot seed and fruit extracts, this No7 exfoliating cleanser helps to remove dead cells and daily impurities to visibly improve skin’s tone and texture, while reducing the appearance of pores.
Morning or night, gently massage onto a damp face and neck. Then, rinse with warm water to reveal firmer, smoother and more radiant-looking skin.
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Buy now with No 7 No7 Radiant Results Micellar Cleansing Water
Buy now with free deliveryA micellar cleanser that helps to remove waterproof makeup.
Formulated with micelles and No7’s Tri-Vit Complex with red ginseng, this No7 micellar water draws makeup, impurities and pollutants away from the skin to gently cleanse the face, lips and eyes in one easy step.
Apply onto a cotton pad, then sweep over the skin in an upwards motion.
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Buy now with No 7 No7 Radiant Results Nourishing Melting Gel Cleanser
Buy now with free deliveryA gel face wash that leaves skin feeling nourished and cleansed.
Leave skin feeling revitalized and hydrated with this No7 gel cleanser. Formulated with No7’s Tri-Vit Complex and grapeseed oil, it transforms first into a cleansing oil and then a milk to dissolve makeup, impurities and pollutants, while helping skin to retain moisture.
Massage onto dry skin, then rinse to reveal a clean, soothed, and soft-looking complexion.
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Buy now with No 7 No7 Radiant Results Purifying Foaming Cleanser
Buy now with free deliveryA foaming cleanser suitable for all skin types.
With a refreshing foamy formula, the No7 Radiant Results Purifying Foaming Cleanser helps to deeply cleanse and purify the skin by dissolving makeup, impurities, pollutants, and excess oil. Expect skin to look clear and refreshed, and pores to appear tightened.
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Buy now with No 7 No7 Radiant Results Purifying Clay Cleanser
Buy now with free deliveryA clay cleanser that helps to mattify the skin.
Combining 10% Kaolin clay with No7’s Tri-Vit Complex, this No7 clay cleanser boasts a soft, creamy formula that helps to gently remove makeup, impurities, pollutants, and excess oil. It’s ideal for oily and blemish-prone skin, leaving skin feeling deeply cleansed and looking mattified.
Shop all No7 facial cleansers on our website.
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