The Best Face Tanners For a Natural Glow
- Skin
- Best Foam Face Cleansers
The 12 Best Foam Face Cleansers of 2026
By Carly Cochrane
-
4 years ago | Updated
There’s no denying that foam cleansers inject fun and happiness into your skincare routine. The feeling of the creamy, cloud-like texture cocooning your skin and washing away the day is hard to beat.
Whilst we stan the suds, they often get a bad rap. The foaming agents used to create the bubbly, sudsy-type lathers are known to strip natural oils and leave skin feeling tight, making them a no-go zone for those prone to dryness and irritation.
Here at Cosmetify though, we don’t like to take no for an answer. In fact, we want nothing more than for all skin types to be able to indulge in the deep cleaning benefits that foaming face washes have to offer. So, we’ve put in the graft, done the research and created a line-up of the best foam cleansers for every skin type. Keep scrolling to find your perfect match.
What Is The Best Foaming Cleanser Overall?
CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser
£11.47 £14.50 (21% off)There’s a reason why this cleanser boasts rave reviews. Not only is it the best for removing dirt, makeup and excess oil but it’s expertly formulated to cleanse skin without disrupting your natural barrier. A blend of three essential ceramides, hyaluronic acid andniacinamide ensure that skin feels soothed and hydrated throughout the day.
Suitable for all skin types, from normal to oily, plus sporting an affordable price tag, it’s a no brainer that this foam cleanser takes our top spot.
What is the best foaming cleanser for dry skin?
Clarins Hydrating Gentle Foaming Cleanser
£11.75 £28.00 (59% off)It's time to debunk the myth that foam cleansers aren’t for dry skin types! Clarins utilise aloe vera for its smoothing, soothing and strengthening properties so that you can enjoy a gentle and nourishing cleanse.
The cream wash turns into a cushiony foam when mixed with water to effortlessly melt away makeup, dirt and impurities.
What Is The Best foaming cleanser for oily skin?
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel Cleanser
£18.38 £24.50 (25% off)La Roche-Posay’s Effaclar range is the go-to destination if you’re looking to effectively combat oily skin. The Effaclar Cleansing Purifying Gel is a foaming facial wash that helps to eliminate excess sebum and dissolve impurities without over-drying the skin. The result? A clean and fresh complexion that’s balanced and free from blemishes.
Which foaming cleanser is the best for sensitive skin?
ELEMIS Superfood CICA Calm Cleansing Foam
£21.52 £29.00 (26% off)Meet the foaming cleanser that fights back against dryness and irritation. This formula is supercharged with feel-good ingredients such as fermented agave, kefir and fermented green tea seed oil for a soothing and calming cleanse. The light and airy foam refreshes and rejuvenates skin, leaving you with a clean and calm complexion.
What Is The best foaming cleanser for combination skin?
Institut Esthederm Pure Cleansing Foam
£34.30Helping you wash away long-wearing makeup and sunscreen in an instant is the Pure Cleansing Foam from Institut Esthederm. This mousse formula quickly, gently and efficiently removes dirt, oils and impurities from pores, whilst cellular water ensures that your complexion stays fresh and hydrated for hours, making it a great option for those that suffer with dry cheeks and an oily T-zone.
What is the best foaming cleanser for acne-prone skin?
Dermaceutic Foamer 15
£43.00Wave bye-bye to blemishes and breakouts as Dermaceutic come through with the ultimate foam cleanser for acne-prone skin. The Foamer 15 can be used AM and PM to clear pimples, unclog pores, balance oily skin and prevent future breakouts. The whipped, foaming texture helps you get down and dirty, whilst the formula itself is medicated with AHAs for blemish control.
What is the top anti-ageing foam cleanser?
Shiseido Clarifying Cleansing Foam
£25.45 £43.00 (41% off)A cult classic that delivers a deep yet refined cleanse. This silky foam removes impurities while helping skin appear smoother, brighter and more polished over time—ideal for mature or dull complexions.
What is the top foam cleanser for stressed skin?
Medik8 Micellar Mousse
£29.51Calling all city-dwellers, this one’s for you! This velvety-mousse is enriched with purifying olive oil-infused micelles and anti-pollution moringa seed extract so that you can wash away the gunk, dirt and pollutants that build-up on skin throughout the day. The non-drying formula leaves skin nourished, refreshed and ready to go again.
What is the best foam cleanser for brightening skin?
Dermalogica Clear Start FlashFoliant Clearing Brightening Foam
£15.70 £19.00 (18% off)Look forward to revealing your most radiant complexion yet as Dermalogica provide a delicate foaming and exfoliating cleanser. This two-in-one formula works overtime to remove traces of makeup, wash away impurities and slough off dead and dulling skin cells. With AHAs, BHAS, tangerine peel extract and grape extract headlining the ingredients list, you can rest assured that your skin will look and feel brighter and healthier.
What is the best natural and organic foam cleanser?
Weleda Gentle Cleansing Foam
£13.80 £17.25 (20% off)Natural plant extracts make up this foam formula so that you can carry away toxins and impurities without upsetting the natural balance of your skin or stripping away moisture. Organic witch hazel gives your skin the pick-me-up it craves, whilst essential oils provide an uplifting fragrance for an all-round positive cleansing experience.
What is the top luxury foam cleanser?
Clé de Peau Beauté Clarifying Cleansing Foam N
£45.00 £59.50 (25% off)A feather-light foam that purifies while enhancing skin clarity and luminosity. Enhanced with the brand's exclusive Skin-Empowering Illuminator and advanced ResiliLock Technology, the Clarifying Cleansing Foam nourishes and strengthens the skin’s resilience. Designed to leave skin feeling exceptionally soft and refined, it fits seamlessly into a high-end routine.
What is the best budget foam cleanser?
The Ordinary Glucoside Foaming Cleanser
£10.26 £11.10 (8% off)Daily dirt, impurities and makeup don't stand a chance against this cleanser, especially when used as the first step of a double cleansing routine. The gel-to-foam formula is enriched with plant-derived actives to clear your complexion and leave it supple and glowing, without the stripping feeling or dryness of harsher cleansers.
FAQs
Are foaming cleansers bad for your skin?
No—foaming cleansers aren’t inherently bad. Older formulas could be stripping, but modern foams use gentler surfactants and barrier-supporting ingredients like ceramides and hyaluronic acid.
Can you use a foaming cleanser if you have dry or sensitive skin?
Yes, if you choose a gentle formula. Cream-to-foam or mousse cleansers with aloe, cica, glycerin or probiotics are usually well tolerated. Avoid high alcohol or strong exfoliating acids.
How often should you use a foaming face wash?
Once or twice daily works for most people. If skin feels tight, use it only in the evening and opt for a gentler cleanse in the morning.
Are foaming cleansers good for removing makeup and sunscreen?
They remove light makeup and everyday SPF well, but heavier or water-resistant products may need an oil or balm first. Foams work best as step two in a double cleanse.
What’s the difference between a gel cleanser and a foaming cleanser?
Gel cleansers feel lighter and are often favoured by oily or breakout-prone skin, while foams lather for a deeper-clean feel. Both can work well—the formulation matters more than the texture.
With this epic round-up at your disposal, you’ll never have foaming face wash FOMO again. Instead, you can indulge in the bubbles, lather and spa-like experience that we love so much, without having to worry about compromising your complexion.
Elevate your skincare routine further by checking out The Best Face Exfoliators for Every Skin Type.
Written by Carly Cochrane
As the Senior Content Editor for Cosmetify, Carly is the go-to for all the latest (and greatest) beauty tips, tricks and trends. With over six years of experience in the industry, she knows all the ins-and-outs when it comes to health, beauty and wellbeing.
