Milk cleansers are one of the most gentle ways to clean your skin. They aren't made from actual milk. Instead, the name refers to the natural emulsion of fats (oils or lipids) and water, which gives it a cloudy, milky texture.
Unlike most facial washes, milk cleansers melt away impurities, without stripping the skin of essential natural oils. They don't contain foaming agents or additives either, which is ideal for those with sensitive skin. In this article, we share the 10 best milk cleansers in the UK available from Boots, Amazon and more to get you started on your skincare journey!
Quick List - Top Milk Cleansers
La Roche-Posay
Hypoallergenic Cleanser That’s Suitable for Ultra Sensitive and Allergy Prone Skin
Neutrogena
Milk Cleanser With Hyaluronic Acid for All Skin Types
Avene
Soap Free, No Rinse Cleanser for Removing Makeup, Dirt and Oil
Garnier
Highly Effective Affordable Cleanser With Calming Rose Water
A recommendation service that carefully researches each product and consults with experts across many disciplines. We are constantly creating new content to provide the best shopping experience from choosing ‘cosmetics’ to ‘food and drink’, ‘home appliances’ to ‘kids and baby’ products, reaching users all across the United Kingdom.
Table of Contents
Although all milk cleansers can eliminate impurities and help to give your pores a deep clean, some contain additional hydrating and soothing ingredients that you may want to look out for.
We recommend a milk cleanser with moisturising ingredients such as;
These all work to draw moisture into the skin, helping it to maintain optimum levels of hydration. It's important to keep skin moisturised, as this is essential for rebuilding the skin barrier.
You should also seek out anti-inflammatory ingredients, such as;
These help to calm flare-ups, comfort the skin and prevent redness. Some of these are also anti-microbial, eliminating acne-causing bacteria so that the skin has a chance to heal, whilst many contain anti-oxidants that protect the skin from UV damage and other environmental stressors.
Interested in luxury skincare? Browse the 20 best Aesop products to help achieve your beauty goals!
If you wear makeup daily, it is crucial that your milk cleanser is capable of removing all traces of it at the end of the day. First of all, you don't want to wake up with remnants of stubborn mascara around your eyes but, more importantly, going to bed with makeup left on your skin can cause damage and breakouts.
Make sure you pick a cleanser that requires minimal scrubbing or tugging, as it's important to be gentle on your skin - even when removing heavy or dark makeup .Since not all milk cleansers have the same efficacy when it comes to removing makeup, we've included our recommendations in the spec table underneath each product.
If you're struggling to remove waterproof mascara or eyeliner, check out the 10 best eye makeup removers here!
Certain milk cleansers have a no-rinse formula. All you have to do is dispense the product onto a cotton pad and swipe it across the skin to melt away makeup, dirt, or other impurities. These can be a convenient solution for cleansing on the go, particularly if you travel frequently or go to the gym after work.
No-rinse cleansers can also be handy for use after long days or nights out, when you just don't feel like going through your whole skincare routine. A no-rinse milk cleanser is definitely better than reaching for makeup wipes as it cleanses and moisturises the face at the same time!
Discover our favourite reusable cotton pads that are kind to your skin AND the environment!
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | La Roche-Posay Toleriane Dermo-Cleanser|200 ml | ![]() | Hypoallergenic Cleanser That’s Suitable for Ultra Sensitive and Allergy Prone Skin | |
2 | Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gelée Milk Cleanser|200 ml | ![]() | Milk Cleanser With Hyaluronic Acid for All Skin Types | |
3 | Avene Gentle Milk Cleanser & Make-Up Remover|200 ml | ![]() | Soap Free, No Rinse Cleanser for Removing Makeup, Dirt and Oil | |
4 | Garnier Natural Rose Water Cleansing Milk|200 ml | ![]() | Highly Effective Affordable Cleanser With Calming Rose Water | |
5 | Aesop Gentle Facial Cleansing Milk|100 ml | ![]() | Effortlessly Remove Makeup With a Vegan Formulation Full of Soothing Botanicals | |
6 | ESPA Hydrating Cleansing Milk|200 ml | ![]() | Rich and Creamy Cleanser That Breaks Down Makeup and Grime | |
7 | Nivea Sensitive Face Cleansing Milk|200 ml | ![]() | Drugstore Cleansing Milk Capable of Removing Stubborn Makeup and Mascara | |
8 | Clarins RE-MOVE Micellar Cleansing Milk|200 ml | ![]() | Micellar-Powered Cleansing Milk for a Radiant Complexion | |
9 | Lancôme Galatée Confort Milk Face Cleanser|200 ml | ![]() | A Luxuriously Rich Mousse for a Silky Soft Complexion | |
10 | Glossier Milky Jelly Cleanser |177 ml | ![]() | Ultra Gentle Purifier With Four Different Types of Skin Conditioners That Smells Lovely |
One of the mildest formulations on our list, this wipe-off milk cleanser from sensitive skincare experts La Roche-Posay is ideal for those who have very sensitive, allergy prone skin. It's even approved by the British Allergy Foundation!
Glycerin, which is naturally found within the skin, is coupled with the brand's proprietary thermal spring water to instantly comfort and cleanse inflamed skin while preserving essential surface oils. Designed to be hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic, using this cleanser daily can help the skin to heal and repair.
The Gelée Milk Cleanser by Neutrogena combines the light texture of a gel with the effectiveness of a milk-based make-up remover, all in one unique cleanser. It eliminates all traces of makeup and debris, without leaving behind any oily residue.
Using Neutrogena's innovative cleansing technology, bolstered by hyaluronic acid, the formula doesn't compromise the skin barrier. Instead, it balances, boosts and locks in hydration.
Avene's gentle milk cleanser purifies the skin with mild cleansing agents. The formula is supported by the brand's unique thermal spring water, which is known for calming the skin. A great choice for Irritated or inflamed skin, you will feel comforted with smooth and supple results.
Using a no-rinse formula, simply wipe across the skin using a cotton pad to melt away dirt and impurities. A top choice for taking with you on the go, you can also use it as a wash-off cleanser should you prefer.
With such great reviews on both Amazon and Boots, we simply can't get over how affordable this cleansing milk is! While the low price alone may be enough to justify an almost 5 star rating, we also love how incredibly effective it is at cleansing, hydrating and soothing the skin.
Packed with plenty of soothing botanicals, this product is designed to calm the skin. In particular, rose water is known for its anti-inflammatory properties - plus, it smells amazing too!
Although it's one of the most gentle formulas on our list, this milk cleanser from Aesop is great for those who wear makeup daily. It glides onto the skin to effortlessly dissolve makeup and dirt, without tugging or scrubbing.
If you are prone to irritation, this formula contains many soothing ingredients, like grape seed extract and sandalwood. These botanicals also promote moisture retention, skin repair and help to delay visible signs of ageing.
The ingredients used in this hydrating cleanser not only sounds scrumptious, but are amazing for the skin too! With a rich, creamy consistency, the sweet almond and soya bean emulsion breaks down all the dirt and grime collected under the skin throughout the day.
This allows the pores to breathe, giving your skin a chance to heal and repair. Marshmallow and chamomile are also added to calm irritation, leaving the skin nourished and hydrated.
The formulation is enriched with dexpanthenol and grape seed oil to ensure that no essential moisture is loss, reinforcing your skin's natural defences. Fortifying the skin barrier is vital for sensitive skin types, as this is the first step in helping it to repair.
If you want something that will give you a well-hydrated and glowing complexion when you wake up in the morning,this micellar cleansing milk is what you need! A great choice for avoiding "panda eyes" from stubborn eye makeup the day before, the tiny micellar particles travel deep into the pores, attaching themselves to any dirt or makeup before lifting it away.
Designed to be super comforting, moringa extract is added to the formula to help remove pollutants and other toxins. This leaves the face feeling nice and clean, just like a fresh canvas!
If you're looking for an indulgent cleanser and really want to spoil yourself, look no further than this mousse-like formula from Lancôme! While the price tag may be a little hefty, it's enriched with skin-loving goodies that will provide a pleasant cleansing experience.
Simply massage it into the skin to whisk away any sludge or makeup, then rinse it off. The non-drying formulation contains honey, milk proteins and almond extract to nurture the skin, delivering hydration for a velvety soft finish without any uncomfortable residue.
Glossier's Milky Jelly Cleanser is one of the brand's most talked-about products by beauty experts and influencers alike, and for good reason! Suitable for all skin types, this facial wash effectively cleanses away built up dirt and oils, as well as removing makeup.
The formula is especially gentle, using poloxamer, which is a cleansing agent typically found in contact lens solutions. Soothing and nourishing, it won't irritate even the most sensitive skin and can help calm hormonal acne flare ups. Our only gripe is that the price is quite steep compared to the other cleansers on our list.
Written and Researched by Audrey Tan
No. 1: La Roche-Posay|Toleriane Dermo-Cleanser|200 ml
No. 2: Neutrogena|Hydro Boost Gelée Milk Cleanser|200 ml
No. 3: Avene|Gentle Milk Cleanser & Make-Up Remover|200 ml
No. 4: Garnier|Natural Rose Water Cleansing Milk|200 ml
No. 5: Aesop|Gentle Facial Cleansing Milk|100 ml
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
Automotive
Baby Products
Beauty
Books
Business, Industry & Science
Computers & Accessories
DIY, Garden & Tools
Electronics & Photo
Fashion
Grocery
Health & Personal Care
Home & Kitchen
Large Appliances
Musical Instruments & DJ
PC & Video Games
Pet Supplies
Sports & Outdoors
Stationery & Office Products
Toys & Games