Best face washes June 2026
Finding the right face wash can be a challenge, with options ranging from balms to micellar waters. This guide helps you compare the top-rated facial cleansers on the market. We'll break down the pros, cons, and key features of each to help you find the perfect match for your skin type and needs.
Last updated: 23 June 2026
Face Wash: Top 5
1
Clinique Facial Soap Mild With Dish 150g
from £21.701 store
from £21.70
1 store
2
Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm 100g
from £15.5110 stores
from £15.51
10 stores
3
CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser 473ml
from £11.9510 stores
from £11.95
10 stores
4
Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser 200ml
from £20.265 stores
from £20.26
5 stores
5
Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water Sensitive Skin 700ml
from £3.997 stores
from £3.99
7 stores
A classic from Clinique, this facial soap is formulated for mild cleansing. It's suitable for a broad spectrum of skin types from dry to oily and can be used by both men and women. The included dish makes for convenient storage at the sink.
Pros
Suitable for a wide range of skin types
Comes with a convenient storage dish
Unisex formula for men and women
Classic and simple bar format
Cons
Bar format may be less preferred
No specific makeup removal claims listed
The Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm is a premium cleanser with a rich, balsam texture. It's designed to melt away makeup and impurities while providing moisture, making it particularly good for dry and mature skin types. It is also free from parabens and fragrances, and is cruelty-free.
Pros
Effectively removes makeup
Moisturising, great for dry/mature skin
Cruelty, paraben, and fragrance-free
Luxurious balsam texture
Cons
Smaller quantity (100g)
Not ideal for oily skin types
Premium price point
CeraVe's Hydrating Cleanser is a dermatologist-developed face wash known for its gentle, non-stripping formula. It's suitable for a vast range of skin types, including sensitive skin, and comes in a generous 473ml size. The formula is designed to cleanse and hydrate without disrupting the skin's natural barrier.
Pros
Very large quantity (473ml)
For all skin types, including sensitive
Moisturising and removes makeup
Paraben-free formula
Cons
Basic, non-luxurious formulation
May not remove heavy waterproof makeup
The Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish is a well-known two-in-one cleanser. You apply the rich cream and then use the included pure cotton cloth, rinsed in warm water, to gently exfoliate and wipe away the cleanser and makeup. It is particularly suited for normal to mature skin types.
Pros
Two-step cleanse and polish system
Includes cloth for gentle exfoliation
Good for normal, dry, and mature skin
Generous 200ml size
Cons
Requires an extra step with the cloth
Not specified for oily or sensitive skin
Garnier's Micellar Cleansing Water is a very gentle, no-rinse cleanser that's perfect for sensitive skin. It uses micelles to lift away makeup, dirt, and oil without harsh rubbing. This massive 700ml bottle is vegan, cruelty-free, and paraben-free, offering great value.
Pros
Extremely large quantity (700ml)
Excellent for removing makeup
Suitable for all skin types, including sensitive
Vegan, cruelty-free, and paraben-free
Cons
Requires cotton pads for application
Not a traditional wash-off cleanser
Compare specifications
| Skin type | Normal, Combination, Dry, Oily | Normal, Dry, Mature | Normal, Dry, Oily, All, Sensitive | Normal, Dry, All, Mature | Normal, Combination, Dry, Oily, All, Sensitive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suitable for | Women, Men | Women, Men | Women, Men | Women, Men | Women, Men |
| Consistency/Type | Cream | Balsam | Cream | — | Micellar Water |
| Claims | — | Cruelty free, Paraben free, Fragrance free | Paraben free | — | Vegan, Cruelty free, Paraben free |
| Quantity | 150 ml/g | 100 ml/g | 473 ml/g | 200 ml/g | 700 ml/g |
| Features | — | Moisturising, Make up removal | Moisturising, Make up removal | — | Micellar, Make up removal |
How we built the list
The ranking is updated monthly and is based on data we collect from our own platform. Products that rank highly are popular with our users while also maintaining high quality according to editorial expert reviews. Specifically, we take into account how many users follow a product through price alerts or lists, how it is rated by experts and users, as well as how much traffic it generates to stores and how well it is represented in stores. No products are paid placements — the ranking is governed solely by data.
