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14 Of The Best Cleansing Milks That Treat Sensitive Skin With Extra Care
Gentle yet efficacious.
When you've got dry or sensitive skin (or a combination of both - fun!), there's nothing worse than taking your make-up off at the end of the day to find your face red, irritated or totally parched.
Enter, milk cleansers. These silky formulas give your skin a good ol' cleanse whilst hydrating and softening, with formulas that seamlessly lift off grime, make-up and SPF without leaving it feeling completely stripped of all moisture (or worse, with a filmy residue).
'Milk cleansers are a gentle and effective way to cleanse our skin,' says Sarah Carr, facialist and lifestyle ambassador at Liz Earle. 'Generally, they are free from harsh ingredients and don’t foam. The emollient ingredients work by dissolving and breaking down surface dirt and grime. They're hardworking, you can do a quick facial massage with them, and you can use a cloth or flannel to remove them meaning you get a gentle exfoliation too.'
According to aesthetician and founder of Skin Matters London, Joanne Evans, while anyone can use a cleansing milk, those with thirsty or reactive skin will especially appreciate their non-stripping nature.
'I like using milks with a cleansing oil. Use the oil first to loosen daily grime and make-up, then the milk as a double cleanse in the evening,' says Evans. She's also a fan of using milks post work-out, primarily if the water in your area is harder as 'it can be a lightweight barrier against hard water' to leave skin softer. For those who find oil or balm cleansers too greasy for oily complexions, try using a milk on dry skin to dislodge make-up before going in with a gel texture for a thorough cleanse.
From Glossier's genius bi-phase Milky Oil, to Milk Makeup's satisfyingly rich vegan lotion, these cleansing milks will treat fragile skin with silk gloves.
Shop the best milk cleansers
The latest launch by Origins sees a dual-phase cleanser formula that goes onto dry skin as an oil to shift stubborn make-up before transforming into a milk texture once activated with warm water. It's made with squalane, glycerin and almond oils to effectively remove every trace of grime without disturbing the moisture barrier. Shake the bottle before use.
This gentle formula effortlessly sweeps away SPF, make-up and daily grime without clogging the pores in combination and oily skin types so your complexion stays clean and oh-so-fresh.
Okay, yes, washing your face can feel like a chore sometimes. Which is why a luxurious cleanser like Dior's gently-scented cleansing milk is a welcome treat in our routines. Simply massage in the creamy texture, inhale the delicious fragrance, and remove with a soft flannel or reusable cotton pad. Dreamy.
Is there anything that sounds more delicious than 'cream skin'? This hybrid cleanser combines the make-up removing prowess of an oil formula with the moisturising properties of a cleansing milk to effectively remove all impurities and leave skin feeling extra velvety.
Embryolisse Gentle Waterproof Make-up Remover Milk
If you find that most make-up removers tend to sting delicate eye areas or leave your skin with a greasy film, this one by Embryolisse will not dissappoint. It's fragrance-free and has hydrating ingredients such as shea butter, coconut derivatives and glycerin to coddle fragile complexions. It works a charm on waterproof mascaras too.
This ultra-creamy texture name-checks hydrating heavy hitters such as squalane and jojoba oil while soothing ingredients such as oat and probiotics keep skin calm and in balance.
Formulated with the brand's signature thermal spring water, this French pharmacy buy is a classic for gentle cleansing. Use it twice to thoroughly remove make-up without irritating the complexion or once for a morning cleanse.
Formulated with Jeju cherry blossom, soothing bamboo grass, liquorice-root extract and meadowfoam seed oil, this ultra-nourishing milk-to-oil formula effortlessly breaks down make-up without requiring elbow grease.
Not only does this almond milk cleanser have a skin-softening, creamy texture, it also uses sweet almond oil to break down dirt and grime and smells like marzipan. Despite all the hydrating ingredients, it manages to keep skin feeling fresh, not greasy, making it an excellent option for those with oilier skin types.
We're often sceptical of make-up brands that venture into skincare but this rich cleanser exceeds expectations (and is exactly what you need to get that Milk Lip+Cheek Stick off your face). It's a dream for drier complexions as it's brimming with squalane, shea butter, and jojoba oil.
Kate Somerville's Goat Milk Cleanser has become a cult beauty product in its own right. Sought after for its redness-reducing properties, keep this one in your arsenal if you're prone to flare-ups.
A soothing blend of chamomile, St. John's wort and sage helps to dissolve daily grime without stressing your skin out. Added skin-friendly vitamin E and rosehip oil transform your first cleanse into a luxury situation that your face will love.
Milky Oil is the ultimate waterproof make-up remover. Combining the gentle face washing properties of micellar water, and the power of make-up removing cleansing oils, this melts away everything from 24 hour liquid lipsticks to the three coats of mascara you applied last night.
Developed especially for those who suffer from redness and extreme dryness or irritation, REN's cleansing milk is completely free from allergens, parabens, sulphates, mineral oils, petrolatum, silicones or synthetic colours or fragrances. In short, it's a safe bet for sensitive skin types.
Medina Azaldin is the beauty editor of ELLE and Harper's Bazaar UK, working across print and digital features. She has more than seven years journalism experience and has previously written for Red and Good Hoousekeeping. When she's not demystifying the latest skincare ingredient, sniffing out the next big perfume trend or uncovering the science behind wellness practices, you'll most likely find her in Hatchards Piccadilly or watching a crime series with her cats. Oh, and she's a competitive cheerleader, too.
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