BBy Bikram Nath·Researched from UK Amazon listings·Updated 2026-10-16·6 products compared
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This guide contains Amazon affiliate links, and we may earn a commission — at no extra cost to you — but it never changes our rankings.
What are the best luxury face cleansers to buy in the UK?
Our top pick for Luxury Face Cleansers in the UK is the Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser, 100ml.
The Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser suits buyers who want a hot cloth cleanser for all skin types, including sensitive, with named botanicals and Leaping Bunny certification on the listing; the cloth is sold separately.
The Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser is our top pick among luxury face cleansers: its listing states all skin types, including sensitive, names Cocoa Butter, Rosemary, Chamomile and Eucalyptus Essential Oil, and says it is cruelty free and certified under the Leaping Bunny programme. For one product that cleanses, exfoliates and doubles as a mask, the ESPA Optimal Skin Pro-Cleanser lists a 3-in-1 enzyme formula that helps cleanse away makeup, SPF and pollution particles; for very dry or sensitive skin, the Clarins Soothing Foaming Cleanser lists Organic Shea Butter.
This guide compares six face cleansers from Liz Earle, ESPA, ELEMIS, Medik8, Clarins and Kiehl's on what each listing states: size, format, skin type, key ingredients, what it removes and any exfoliation. Stated sizes run from 100ml on the Liz Earle to 200ml on the ESPA.
Buying guide
What should you look for in Luxury Face Cleansers?
1Skin type: the Liz Earle listing states all skin types, including sensitive; the Medik8 and Kiehl's titles state all skin types; the Clarins is for very dry or sensitive skin. The ESPA and ELEMIS listings state no skin type.
2Makeup removal: the ESPA says it helps cleanse away makeup, SPF and pollution particles, the ELEMIS that it removes daily grime, makeup and impurities, and the Clarins that it gently dissolves makeup and impurities. The Liz Earle, Medik8 and Kiehl's listings describe removing impurities, dirt or debris and do not mention makeup in the features we read.
3Exfoliation: the Medik8 lists AHA/BHA and salicylic acid and describes rapid surface exfoliation; the ESPA works as a gentle exfoliator with pumpkin enzymes and jojoba spheres; the Liz Earle listing says that, used with a pure cotton cloth (sold separately), it lifts away dulling dead skin; the Kiehl's title says it gently exfoliates. The ELEMIS names a trio of acids without saying which, and the Clarins listing does not mention exfoliation.
4Format: a hot cloth cleanser (Liz Earle), a 3-in-1 enzyme cleanser, exfoliator and mask (ESPA), a gel that builds to a lather (ELEMIS), a cleansing gel (Medik8), a rinse-off foaming cleanser (Clarins) and a lightweight foaming wash (Kiehl's).
5Certification: the Liz Earle listing says it is cruelty free and certified under the Leaping Bunny programme. The ESPA, ELEMIS, Medik8, Clarins and Kiehl's listings name no certification in the features we read.
Our process
How do we choose our picks?
We don’t lab-test products ourselves. Instead we synthesise current Amazon UK listings and published specs into clear, honest recommendations. We earn a commission if you buy through our links, but that never changes which products we rank.
Current UK availability
We check each pick against live Amazon UK catalogue data rather than last year’s model lists. Stock moves fast, so a listing can sell out after we publish.
Published specs
We compare manufacturer specifications so each pick is right for a real budget and use-case.
UK-specific fit
We factor in UK voltage and plug/fitting standards — details that generic global lists miss.
Minerals magnesium, zinc and copper; a trio of acids
AHA/BHA, salicylic acid, mangosteen
Organic Shea Butter
Apricot Kernel Oil, Squalane
Removes
Daily impurities
Makeup and impurities; helps cleanse away SPF and pollution particles (per listing)
Daily grime, makeup and impurities
Impurities (per listing)
Makeup and impurities
Dirt and debris; dissolves excess oil
Skin Type
All skin types, including sensitive
—
—
All skin types (per title)
Very dry or sensitive skin
All skin types (per title)
Exfoliation
With the cotton cloth, lifts away dulling dead skin (per listing)
Pumpkin enzymes and jojoba spheres
—
Rapid surface exfoliation (per listing)
—
Gently exfoliates (per title)
The rankings
The best Luxury Face Cleansers, ranked
1
Liz Earle
Top Pick
Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser, 100ml
The Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser suits buyers who want a hot cloth cleanser for all skin types, including sensitive, with named botanicals and Leaping Bunny certification on the listing; the cloth is sold separately.
Size
100ml
Format
Hot cloth cleanser, used with a pure cotton cloth (sold separately)
The ESPA Optimal Skin Pro-Cleanser suits buyers who want one product to cleanse, exfoliate and use as a mask, in a 200ml size, with moringa seed extract, pumpkin enzymes and jojoba spheres named on the listing.
Size
200ml
Format
3-in-1 enzyme formula: daily cleanser, gentle exfoliator and refreshing mask
Key Ingredients
Moringa seed extract, pumpkin enzymes, jojoba spheres; Omega & Vitamin Complex with Vitamin F, Echium Oil and Vitamin E
Removes
Makeup and impurities; helps cleanse away SPF and pollution particles (per listing)
Exfoliation
Pumpkin enzymes and jojoba spheres
User Trial
2-week independent user trial with 120 panelists: 95% agreed skin felt soft, 94% agreed skin felt clean (per listing)
What we like
+Works as a daily cleanser, gentle exfoliator and refreshing mask, per the listing
+Says it helps cleanse away makeup, SPF and pollution particles
+Names moringa seed extract, pumpkin enzymes, jojoba spheres, Vitamin F, Echium Oil and Vitamin E
+Cites a 2-week independent user trial with 120 panelists
Worth noting
–The listing states no skin type
–The listing gives no directions for using it as a cleanser, exfoliator or mask
£40.80£48.00−15%Amazon.co.uk price as of 17 Oct, 13:00 (London time). Details
The ELEMIS Pro-Collagen Energising Marine Cleanser suits buyers who want a lathering gel cleanser that, per its listing, removes makeup and helps reduce excess oil, with magnesium, zinc and copper named in the formula.
Size
150ml
Format
Energising gel cleanser that builds to a soft, rich lather
Key Ingredients
Minerals magnesium, zinc and copper; a trio of acids
Removes
Daily grime, makeup and impurities
What we like
+Says it removes daily grime, makeup and impurities
+Names the minerals magnesium, zinc and copper and a trio of acids
+The listing says it lifts away makeup without stripping the skin of essential moisture
+ELEMIS says its deep cleansing action helps reduce excess oil and minimises the look of pores
Worth noting
–The listing states no skin type
–The trio of acids is not named on the listing
–The listing gives no directions for use
£42.56£53.00−20%Amazon.co.uk price as of 17 Oct, 13:00 (London time). Details
The Medik8 Surface Radiance Cleanse suits buyers who want an exfoliating AHA/BHA gel cleanser for morning and evening use, with salicylic acid and mangosteen named and all skin types stated on the listing.
Size
150ml
Format
Resurfacing AHA/BHA cleansing gel
Skin Type
All skin types (per title)
Key Ingredients
AHA/BHA, salicylic acid, mangosteen
Removes
Impurities (per listing)
Exfoliation
Rapid surface exfoliation (per listing)
What we like
+AHA/BHA and salicylic acid named in the title
+States all skin types
+Directions for every morning and evening: massage into a moistened face and neck, then splash with water
+Medik8 describes rapid surface exfoliation with effective impurity removal
Worth noting
–The listing does not mention makeup removal in the features we read
–The listing does not give AHA/BHA or salicylic acid percentages
£25.00Amazon.co.uk price as of 17 Oct, 13:00 (London time). Details
The Clarins Soothing Foaming Cleanser suits very dry or sensitive skin, per its listing, which names Organic Shea Butter and says it gently dissolves makeup and impurities; its directions say to avoid the eye area.
Size
125ml
Format
Rinse-off foaming facial cleanser
Skin Type
Very dry or sensitive skin
Key Ingredients
Organic Shea Butter
Removes
Makeup and impurities
What we like
+For very dry or sensitive skin, per the listing
+Says it gently dissolves makeup and impurities
+Formulated with Organic Shea Butter, per the listing
+Step-by-step directions, including cool water in the morning and warm water in the evening
Worth noting
–Organic Shea Butter is the one ingredient the listing names
–The directions say to avoid the eye area
£21.75£28.00−22%Amazon.co.uk price as of 17 Oct, 13:00 (London time). Details
The Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cleanser suits buyers who want a pH-balanced foaming wash for all skin types, with Apricot Kernel Oil and Squalane named on the listing; makeup removal is not mentioned.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of 17 Oct, 13:00 (London time) and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Editor's Note
None of these six listings prints a full ingredient list or ingredient percentages, so the key ingredients here are the ones each brand chooses to name. Three of the six (ESPA, ELEMIS and Clarins) say they remove makeup, and the ESPA cites user-trial figures from a 2-week trial with 120 panelists. The ESPA and ELEMIS listings state no skin type.
Our Take
As a default, the Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser: all skin types including sensitive, named botanicals and Leaping Bunny certification, per its listing, though the cloth is sold separately. For one product that cleanses, exfoliates and works as a mask, the ESPA Optimal Skin Pro-Cleanser; for very dry or sensitive skin, the Clarins Soothing Foaming Cleanser with Organic Shea Butter.
Questions & answers
Frequently asked questions
Which luxury face cleansers remove makeup?
The ESPA Optimal Skin Pro-Cleanser says it helps cleanse away makeup, SPF and pollution particles; the ELEMIS Pro-Collagen Energising Marine Cleanser says it removes daily grime, makeup and impurities; the Clarins Soothing Foaming Cleanser says it gently dissolves makeup and impurities. The Liz Earle, Medik8 and Kiehl's listings do not mention makeup in the features we read.
Which face cleanser suits sensitive skin?
The Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish listing states all skin types, including sensitive, and the Clarins Soothing Foaming Cleanser is for very dry or sensitive skin. The Medik8 and Kiehl's titles state all skin types; the ESPA and ELEMIS listings state no skin type.
Do I need a cloth for Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish?
The listing says Cleanse & Polish lifts away dulling dead skin together with a pure cotton cloth, and that the cloth is sold separately from this 100ml cleanser.
Which of these cleansers exfoliate?
The Medik8 Surface Radiance Cleanse lists AHA/BHA and salicylic acid and describes rapid surface exfoliation; the ESPA Optimal Skin Pro-Cleanser works as a gentle exfoliator with pumpkin enzymes and jojoba spheres; the Kiehl's title says it gently exfoliates; the Liz Earle listing describes gentle exfoliation with a pure cotton cloth, sold separately. The Clarins listing does not mention exfoliation.
Can a face cleanser double as a face mask?
The ESPA Optimal Skin Pro-Cleanser says so: its enzyme formula works as a daily cleanser, gentle exfoliator and refreshing mask. None of the other five listings mentions use as a mask.
What is in the ELEMIS Pro-Collagen Energising Marine Cleanser?
The listing names the minerals magnesium, zinc and copper and a trio of acids, without naming the acids, in a gel cleanser that builds to a soft, rich lather. ELEMIS says its deep cleansing action helps reduce excess oil and minimises the look of pores.
Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. UKPicks earns a small commission from qualifying purchases made via links on this page. This does not affect our editorial recommendations or the price you pay.
