What is the best foaming facial cleanser?

The common foaming facial cleanser has come a long way since its arrival on the scene in the 1980s. Back then, the dispensers would issue handfuls of bubbles into the palm of your hand. While this led you into a sense that the foamier your cleanser was, the cleaner your face was getting, it was actually down to some not so pleasant ingredients in the product, like sodium laureth sulphate – now a well-known no-no as far as sticking it on you and your family’s skin is concerned (although that doesn’t stop it from still being put in a lot of cheaper products).

Alcohol and fragrance were also big features in the old style foaming facial cleansers, but these stripped skin of essential oils, and irritated your complexion, so make sure your products don’t contain any of these.

Nowadays, a good cleanser will rely on sophisticated and natural ingredients and plant extracts to remove dirt from the skin. You don’t need industrial strength strippers to do this – just a gentle foaming action, maybe a muslin, and a light exfoliation once a week.

Our pick of the foaming facial cleanser products on the market at the moment are designed to leave skin smooth, peachy soft, and feeling a lot better than it did a few minutes before. Just remember to invest in an equally good moisturiser to keep your freshly cleansed complexion hydrated.

Thalgo Eveil a la Mer Foaming Micellar Cleansing Lotion – Thalgo Foaming Micellar Cleansing Lotion is a cleansing mousse that effectively cleanses the skin with a micellar surfactant complex. Micelles have a lipophilic core which traps organic dirt particles and excess oil. Their hydrophilic surface rids the skin of impurities and dust.

Babor Energizing Lime Mandarin Invigorating Body Foam – Babor Energizing Lime Mandarin Invigorating Body Foam is a silky, foaming moisturizer that revitalizes and protects the skin while awakening the mind with an aromatic citrus scent. Formulated with panthenol, natural moisturizing factors, and pear stem cells, Babor Energizing Lime Mandarin Invigorating Body Foam preserves skin’s moisture, leaving it smooth and supple.

Payot Nettoyant Moussant Douceur – Gentle Foaming Make-up Removal Cream – Cleansing Cream for Normal skin prone to dryness. As soft as a cleansing milk and as effective as soap, this rich cream removes make-up, pollutants and other impurities that block pores, without altering the natural moisture of the skin.