Whether you’re washing the day away or the makeup from a night out, there’s nothing quite like having a great foaming cleanser in your skincare arsenal. Unlike other cleansers, a foam cleanser lathers into a rich froth which lifts dirt, oil and makeup from the skin. Here’s five of the best foaming cleansers to add to your skincare routine.
2024’s best foaming cleanser
- The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser, from $18.30 at The Ordinary
- CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser, from $18 at Priceline
- La Roche-Posay Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel, from $31.95 at La Roche-Posay
The best foaming cleanser 2024
01
CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser
from $18 at Priceline
Best for: a no-nonsense foaming cleanser
Cleansers don’t need to have all the excessive bells and whistles that other skincare products do. The CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser is great for lifting dirt, oil, makeup and other impurities from the skin. Featuring ceramides, niacinamide and hyaluronic acid, this formula doesn’t just cleanse, it protects and perfects, too.
Key features:
- Contains ceramides to help restore the skin’s barrier
- Includes niacinamide to soothe the skin
- Non-comedogenic and fragrance-free
- Suitable for sensitive skin.
02
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel
from $31.95 at La Roche-Posay
Best for: acne-prone skin
If you have acne-prone skin, then you know first hand how precarious skincare can be. The La Roche-Posay Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel is formulated to be kind on sensitive acne-prone skin as well as to protect it from further breakouts. The formula features the active ingredient, Phylobioma, which works to restore balance to the skin’s microbiomes and helps to prevent irritation and breakouts.
Key features:
- Contains zinc pidolate to help remove excess oil
- Soap-free formula that respects the skin’s natural pH
- Non-comedogenic and paraben-free
- Leaves skin feeling fresh and clean without over-drying
03
All About Clean™ Rinse-Off Foaming Cleanser
from $60 at Clinique
Best for: Combination and oily skin
Like acne-prone skin, having oily skin means that your skin has a myriad of problems that can make finding the right skincare products a hassle. However, the All About Clean™ Rinse-Off Foaming Cleanser from Clinique is a great foaming cleanser choice if you suffer from excessive oiliness. The rich, creamy foam thoroughly cleanses the skin whilst also helping to unclog pores and control shine from sebum production.
Key features:
- Gently cleanses without stripping the skin
- Oil-free and non-drying formula
- Leaves skin soft and smooth after use
- Ophthalmologist-tested and safe for sensitive eyes
04
Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Oil-Free Cleanser
from $48 at Kiehl’s
Best for: a great non-drying formula
Some harsher foaming cleansers can leave the skin dry and strip away too many natural oils in the cleansing process. The Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Oil-Free Cleanser is infused with desert plant and lemon fruit extracts to leave the skin fresh and hydrated after every wash.
Key features:
- Non-drying formula that maintains the skin’s moisture balance
- Fragrance-free and non-comedogenic
- Lathers into a rich foam for a deep clean
- Contains imperata cylindrica root extract and lemon fruit extract for hydration
05
The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser
from $18.30 at The Ordinary
Best for: a great, affordable foaming cleanser for all skin types
Good skincare doesn’t have to cost lots of money. The The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser comes in at just $18 and is an all-round great cleanser no matter whether you have very dry or very oily skin. Squalane is the skincare hero you may never have heard of before. Mimicking the natural oils found in the skin, Squalene provides deep hydration without being heavy or greasy on the skin. Because of this, it also doesn’t clog the pores which makes it a great ingredient for all different skin types.
Key features:
- Contains squalane, which hydrates while cleansing
- Soap-free and suitable for all skin types
- Leaves skin feeling smooth and moisturized
