The British-made £30 cleanser that’s better than others I’ve tested

When it comes to cleansers, few are as iconic as the award winning Cleanse and Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser by Liz Earle. However, the British beauty brand has just unveiled a new cleansing balm ideal for evening skincare regimes – and it’s set to rival the likes of Elemis, Clinique and more.

The heritage skincare brand has broadened its bestselling Glow collection with a sumptuous cleansing balm that dissolves makeup, SPF and daily dirt while leaving skin supple and radiant. The Cleanse and Glow Brightening Cleansing Balm can be paired with the brand’s vitamin C-infused range for the ultimate luminosity-enhancing regime.

The velvety formula is scientifically proven to brighten the appearance of skin while cleansing, making it a perfect initial step in any glow-focused routine. The balm is enriched with vitamin C-rich acerola cherry – the star ingredients throughout Liz Earle’s Glow range – alongside gently exfoliating prickly pear and sea buckthorn.

Combined, they work to eliminate makeup, excess oil and impurities while helping skin appear brighter and smoother over time. Suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin, it’s pH-balanced and formulated to cleanse thoroughly without compromising the skin barrier, reports the Mirror.

Having tested countless cleansing balms over the years, Elemis’ Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm remains a tough act to follow. Its cream-to-oil-to-milk texture, combined with a blend of essential oils, delivers a genuinely spa-like experience, while its anti-ageing ingredients make it even more desirable. However, at £52 for 100g, it’s worth seeking out a more budget-friendly alternative.

At £30 for 100g – a cool £22 less than Elemis – Liz Earle’s newest formula comes remarkably close, and outperforms many others I’ve put to the test. The texture is wonderfully rich and buttery straight from the jar, melting almost immediately into a luxurious oil as you work it into dry skin.

It effortlessly removes foundation, SPF and waterproof mascara without any vigorous scrubbing, and crucially, doesn’t irritate my sensitive eyes as I’ve experienced with other formulas. Unlike certain cleansing balms that require a cloth for removal, this product rinses off effortlessly with water alone, though I do occasionally prefer to use a muslin or cotton round.

After several applications throughout the course of a week, I also found my skin looked fresher and healthier. I also loved the invigorating citrus fragrance, lending it a sense of indulgence and spa-like quality.

My only suggestion for improvement would be to make the pot slightly wider, or include a tool to help scoop out the product. It’s considerably narrower than Elemis‘ container and, as someone with long manicured nails, it can prove rather fiddly to dispense the desired amount of cleanser without it getting beneath my nails.

For those seeking something different, the Skin Rocks Cleansing Balm Fragrance Free, £58, is another outstanding option. From skincare expert Caroline Hirons’ brand, the lipid-rich formula offers exceptional skin barrier support to help enhance skin firmness, elasticity and hydration.

While the Liz Earle cleansing balm performs exceptionally well on its own, it’s crafted as part of Liz Earle’s Glow collection, with the brand noting that 94% of users agreed their skin looked brighter and more radiant after seven days when following the complete routine. For those wishing to establish a comprehensive brightening skincare regime, the Cleanse and Glow Transforming Gel Cleanser, £28, is ideal as a second cleanse or for morning use, leaving skin feeling refreshed and luminous.

Meanwhile, the Smooth and Glow Exfoliating Tonic offers gentle resurfacing to buff away dead skin cells for smoother, more radiant-looking skin without causing irritation. And for anyone on the hunt for a new summer moisturiser, the Revitalise and Glow Illuminating Gel Moisturiser is perfectly suited to warm, sunny days, providing lightweight hydration with an immediate glow.

What’s more, for a limited period Liz Earle is running a 3 for 2 offer across a selection of products, making it the perfect opportunity to put together a tailored skincare routine. The new Cleanse and Glow Brightening Cleansing Balm comes highly recommended as an essential addition.