I'm An Esthetician—Contrary To Popular Opinion, These Underrated Cleansers Work Well for All Skin Types

As far as skincare products go, there are few more satisfying to use than a foaming cleanser. As an esthetician, it's one of my favourite products to use on clients—there's something so satisfying about a rich, thick lather and knowing that all makeup, sweat, oil, and impurities are being sloughed away to reveal a clean, balanced complexion. Skin feels like it's had a proper refresh and is prepped and ready for the rest of your skincare routine.

Granted, not all foaming cleansers are created equally and there's a reason why, in the past, foaming cleansers have had something of a bad reputation. Many dated formulas were a little too cleansing for their own good—leading to skin that felt tight, stripped and squeaky clean after use. Fortunately, newer foaming cleansers are formulated to prevent these unpleasant side effects. Besides the obvious (removing makeup and cleaning skin), the best foaming cleansers go one step further, helping to soften, sootheand hydrate, some even reducing redness and tackling dry patches, depending on what your skin concerns are.

From affordable drugstore cleansers to luxury picks, scroll down for our edit of the best foaming cleansers.

The best foaming cleansers:

1. Tatcha The Rice Wash

Best overall

Best for: Normal to dry skin.

This creamy, pH-balanced cleanser is infused with rice powder to gently exfoliate and hydrate skin during the cleansing process. It's enjoyable to use—and certainly feels as luxurious as the price tag denotes. Once removed, skin is left feeling soft, plump, clean, and certainly not stripped.

Pros

• Gentle exfoliation with rice powder.
• Leaves skin soft and hydrated.
• Pleasant, subtle fragrance.

Cons

• Premium price point.
• May not be suitable for very oily skin.

2. Medik8 Clarifying Foam

Best for oily skin

Best for: Oily and acne-prone skin.

A lightweight, foaming cleanser formulated with salicylic and lactic acids to deeply cleanse pores and target breakouts is exactly what oily skin needs. This formula is also effective for congested and acne-prone skin, but it can be drying for dry and sensitive types.

Pros

• Contains salicylic acid to target acne.
• Light foaming action cleanses without over-drying.

Cons

• May be too drying for sensitive or dry skin types.
• Some users report a tingling sensation upon application.

3. Curél Foaming Facial Wash

Best for dry skin

Curél

Foaming Facial Wash

Best for: Sensitive and dry skin.

This Japanese drugstore staple offers a gentle foam cleansing solution for sensitive skin. It's fragrance-free and incredibly hydrating, so cleanses without irritation or tightness.

Pros

• Fragrance-free and gentle on sensitive skin.
• Maintains skin's natural moisture barrier.
• Light foam cleanses without stripping.

Cons

• May not effectively remove heavy makeup.

4. Augustinus Bader The Foaming Cleanser

Best luxury cleanser

Augustinus Bader

The Foaming Cleanser

Best for: Normal to dry and mature skin.

When you want a luxury skincare product, look no further than Augustinus Bader. A rich cream-to-foam cleanser with the brand’s signature TFC8® complex (a blend of amino acids, vitamins, and peptides), the formula nourishes while gently purifying, leaving skin refreshed and smooth.

Pros

• Hydrating formula with TFC8® technology.
• Leaves skin feeling plump and clean.
• Suitable for mature skin.

Cons

• High price point.
• May not remove heavy makeup effectively.

5. The Ordinary Glucoside Foaming Cleanser

Best affordable cleanser

The Ordinary

Glucoside Foaming Cleanser

Best for: Oily, combination, and sensitive skin.

The Ordinary have three cleansers, one for dry skin, one for balanced skin, and this one for oilier complexions. With that said, it actually works well for all skin types (including sensitive skin) because it's formulated to respect the skin barrier. Skin is left feeling clean and without tightness.

Pros

• Gentle, non-stripping formula.
• Suitable for sensitive and oily skin.
• Affordable price point.

Cons

• May leave skin feeling tight for dry skin types.
• Thin consistency can be messy to dispense.

6. Skinceuticals Soothing Cleanser

Best for sensitive skin

Skinceuticals

Soothing Cleanser

Best for: Sensitive, dry, and post-procedure skin.

This foam cleanser is formulated with botanical extracts, designed to soothe, calm, and repair post-procedure or reactive skin. It effectively cleanses while soothing redness and irritation, so is also ideal for sensitive and dry skin.

Pros

• Calms and soothes.
• Gentle foaming action cleanses without irritation.

7. Ilia Beauty The Cleanse Soft Foaming Cleanser

Best for redness-prone skin

Ilia Beauty

The Cleanse Soft Foaming Cleanser + Makeup Remover

Best for: Normal to sensitive skin.

This gentle foam face wash contains skin-calming ingredients like aloe and allantoin, so cleanses the skin without stripping—and also reduces redness and inflammation. It feels incredibly delicate and soothing on skin, and doesn't leave a hint of residue behind.

Pros

• Gentle, non-stripping formula.
• Contains soothing ingredients like aloe vera.
• Suitable for daily use.

Cons

• May not remove heavy makeup effectively.

8. Cerave Foaming Cleanser

Best for congested skin

Best for: Normal to oily and acne-prone skin.

If you do like skin to feel deeply cleansed, then this gel-to-foam cleanser will probably tick all of your boxes. It's certainly not for delicate or sensitive skin types or for those with compromised skin barriers, but if you're dealing with stubborn congestion, oiliness, and enlarged pores, it's a great option.

Pros

• Non-comedogenic and fragrance-free.
• Affordable and widely available.

Cons

• May be too drying for very dry skin types.
• Some users report a tight feeling after use.

9. Caudalie Vinoclean Gentle Foam Cleanser

Best for combination skin

Caudalie

Vinoclean Gentle Foam Cleanser

Best for: Normal to combination skin.

Lightweight and airy, this silky foam makes for a luxurious cleansing experience, without the excessive price tag. It has a clean, calming fragrance thanks organic grape water and chamomile which also ensure it gently cleanses and soothes.

Pros

• Gentle, soap-free formula.
• Contains grape water and chamomile for soothing effects.
• Light, pleasant fragrance.

Cons

• May not be suitable for very sensitive skin due to fragrance.
• Not ideal for removing heavy makeup.

10. Paula's Choice Resist Foaming Cleanser

Best for mature skin

Paula's Choice

Resist Foaming Cleanser

Best for: Normal to oily and ageing skin.

Formulated with hyaluronic acid, ceramides and aloe to flood skin with moisture and strengthen the skin barrier, this silky foaming cleanser is perfect for mature skin. Just one use ensures thorough removal of even the most stubborn makeup and impurities.

Pros

• Antioxidant-rich formula supports aging skin.
• Removes impurities without stripping.
• Suitable for daily use.

Cons

• May not be hydrating enough for very dry skin.
• Some users report a slight tingling sensation.

11. La Roche-Posay Toleriane Purifying Foaming Cleansing Gel

Best for makeup removal

La Roche Posay

Toleriane Purifying Foaming Cleansing Gel

Best for: Normal to oily skin.

This gentle, fragrance-free foaming cleanser is formulated with ceramide-3, niacinamide, and La Roche-Posay's thermal spring water. It's designed to effectively remove impurities and excess oil without disrupting the skin's natural barrier so works well for skin that needs a deep cleanse, but also experiences sensitivity. The gel texture lathers into a soft foam, leaving skin feeling clean and refreshed.

Pros

• Formulated to minimise the risk of irritation
• Non-comedogenic, so won't clog pores
• A small amount goes a long way

Cons

• Can be drying for some users

12. Rhode Pineapple Refresh

Best for acne-prone skin

Best for: All skin types, including sensitive and acne-prone skin.

Once water is added to this gentle cleansing formula it lathers from a cream to a foam texture. It's ideal for those who like to spend time massaging their face during the cleansing process and leaves skin feeling refreshed but comfortable—exactly what acne-prone complexions need.

Pros

• Gentle balm-to-lather formula.
• Contains hydrating polyglutamic acid and soothing green tea extract.
• Suitable for sensitive and acne-prone skin.

Cons

• Contains pineapple extract, which may not be suitable for those with allergies.
• May not remove waterproof makeup without a double cleanse.

What are foaming cleansers?

Many foaming face washes are dispensed as a foam formula, while others might be a gel or cream consistency initially, which then lathers up into a foamy substance with the addition of water. These cleansers typically contain surfactants, molecules that help to lift away both oil- and water-based residue such as sweat, sebum, makeup, and SPF. In addition, they may contain other effective pore-unclogging ingredients, like salicylic acid, glycolic acid, and niacinamide.

Who are foaming cleansers best for?

Foaming cleansers can be beneficial for most skin types, but it's important to choose the right one. Gel-to-foam formulas are best for oily and acne-prone skin, as they can help remove excess sebum and oil with a deep cleansing action. For dry and sensitive skin, a cleanser that is already a foam consistency is ideal as they tend to be very gentle and soothing.

How to use a foaming cleanser

Foaming cleansers should be applied to dry skin—when you add water massage it in, the surfactants reduce the surface tension of the water, allowing air to be trapped and creating bubbles. These bubbles are then surrounded by the surfactant solution, forming the foam, which helps to lift away dirt, oil, and impurities from the skin's surface. Because they're so light in texture, foaming cleansers usually rinse off easily, leaving the skin feeling clean, fresh, and free from lingering residue.

Foaming cleansers are best used as a second cleanse, following a cleansing balm or oil cleanser.

How I tested

To ensure you're able to find the best foaming cleanser for you—there are a lot to choose from—I've tested a wide range of options on my own skin and on my clients' skin, to ensure an equally wide range of skin types, concerns, and goals are taken into consideration.

Why Trust Us

At Who What Wear UK, we know that beauty isn’t one-size-fits-all. Our editors have tested thousands of products, including skincare, makeup, hair and nails, over the years and work closely with trusted experts—dermatologists, make-up artists and leading industry insiders—to ensure every guide is well-researched, inclusive and relevant to you.

We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they’re affordable favourites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how and what we’d truly recommend to a friend.