iS Clinical Cleansing Complex Review
The Verdict
A genuinely multi-tasking gel cleanser — cleanser, toner and make-up remover in one step, with a skin-matching pH of 5.6 that suits most skin types, sensitive included. It can also double as a 10–15 minute treatment masque. Worth reading the ingredients note first if you're avoiding retinyl palmitate, and always check with our team before use if you're pregnant or breastfeeding.
iS Clinical Cleansing Complex | Gel Cleanser | 60ml/180ml
£25.00
iS Clinical Cleansing Complex is a 3-in-1 gel cleanser, toner and make-up remover with a skin-matching pH of 5.6. Botanical willow bark and sugarcane extracts provide gentle daily exfoliation, while centella asiatica and chamomile calm the skin. Suited to all skin types, it can also be left on the skin for 10–15 minutes as an occasional treatment masque.
What is iS Clinical Cleansing Complex?
It's a clear, lightweight gel formulated to do three jobs in one step: cleanse, tone and remove make-up. According to the product listing, it's built around a pH of 5.6, which mirrors the skin's own natural pH rather than the more alkaline 9–10 range typical of traditional foaming soap-based cleansers. It sits in the cleanse step of iS Clinical's routine, alongside Cream Cleanser, Warming Honey Cleanser and Cleansing Complex Polish, and is sold in 60ml and 180ml sizes. The listing also states the formula is 95–98% botanical in origin and paraben-free.
Key ingredients
The formula is built on an "innovative balance of bionutrients, antioxidants, and mild resurfacing ingredients," according to the product listing, rather than a single headline active. The ones named on the listing are:
- Salix Alba (Willow) Bark Extract — a natural source of salicylic acid, used here for mild, daily exfoliation.
- Saccharum Officinarum (Sugar Cane) Extract — a natural source of glycolic acid, working alongside the willow bark for gentle resurfacing.
- Centella Asiatica — a calming botanical extract, commonly used to help soothe reactive or compromised skin.
- Chamomile Flower Extract — another calming botanical, included alongside the centella asiatica.
- Green Tea Leaf Extract — an antioxidant extract, included as part of the formula's broader antioxidant support.
Because the acid sources here are diluted, rinse-off extracts rather than a leave-on treatment percentage, this is a genuinely different category of exfoliation to a leave-on AHA/BHA serum — it's the reason iS Clinical positions Cleansing Complex as suitable for all skin types, sensitive and blemish-prone included, rather than reserving it for oilier or more resilient skin only.
Quick facts
| Format | Clear gel cleanser, toner and make-up remover in one |
|---|---|
| Sizes | 60ml and 180ml |
| pH | 5.6 |
| Tagged skin types | All skin types, including sensitive, blemish-prone, dry, oily, combination and mature skin |
| Key actives | Willow bark extract, sugarcane extract, centella asiatica, chamomile flower extract, green tea leaf extract |
| Contains retinyl palmitate | Yes — see the ingredient note below |
| Botanical content | 95–98%, according to the product listing |
| Paraben-free | Yes, according to the product listing |
| Dual use | Can be left on skin for 10–15 minutes as an occasional treatment masque |
| When to use | Morning and evening, as the first step of a cleanse-treat-protect routine |
How it feels on skin
The texture is a clear, lightweight gel that turns into a gentle lather once it meets water — not the dense foam of a stripping soap-based cleanser, but enough lather to feel like it's doing something. According to the listing, a pea-sized amount is enough to cleanse the whole face and neck, which also makes a 60ml bottle last longer than its size suggests. Rinsed off, skin is described as feeling clean and balanced rather than tight or stripped — a useful marker for anyone who's been caught out before by a cleanser that leaves skin squeaky.
Who it's for
- Anyone wanting a single daily cleanser suitable for all skin types, rather than a range split by skin concern
- Sensitive or blemish-prone skin that still wants gentle exfoliation from the willow bark and sugarcane extracts, rather than a purely non-active wash
- Combination, oily or congested skin looking for a lightweight gel rather than a cream cleanser
- Anyone who wants a cleanser that can also double as an occasional treatment masque, without buying a separate product
Who should skip it
- Anyone specifically avoiding retinyl palmitate — see the note below before adding this to a routine that already includes a retinoid
- Very dry or compromised skin that wants a genuinely non-foaming, wipe-off option — iS Clinical's own Cream Cleanser is built for that instead
- Anyone who specifically wants a weekly treatment-style cleanse rather than a daily step — the Warming Honey Cleanser is positioned that way
Using it as a 10–15 minute masque
Alongside its everyday use as a rinse-off cleanser, Cleansing Complex can also be left on the skin for 10–15 minutes as an occasional treatment masque, rather than rinsed straight off. This is a genuinely useful bit of flexibility if you want an occasional deeper cleanse without buying a dedicated masque product, though we'd suggest patch-testing this use if your skin is on the more reactive end, since leaving any resurfacing extract on the skin for longer changes how it behaves compared with a quick rinse-off cleanse.
A note on Retinyl Palmitate
Cleansing Complex contains retinyl palmitate, a vitamin A derivative, as part of its formulation. We're flagging this because it's relevant if you're already using a retinoid elsewhere in your routine, or if you're avoiding vitamin A derivatives for any reason — you can read more in our retinyl palmitate glossary entry. As with any vitamin A ingredient, this is also the reason we don't repeat any pregnancy-safe claim for this product — see the section below.
How it compares to the rest of the iS Clinical cleanser range
Cleansing Complex is the range's most straightforward daily option, but it isn't the only cleanser iS Clinical sells. Here's how the four compare:
| Product | Best for |
|---|---|
| Cleansing Complex | A daily gel cleanser for all skin types that can double as a 10–15 minute treatment masque — this product |
| Cream Cleanser | A non-foaming, wipe-off cream for dry, sensitive or post-procedure skin |
| Warming Honey Cleanser | A weekly treatment cleanser built on real honey — not suitable for bee-product allergies |
| Cleansing Complex Polish | The exfoliating sibling to this product, with added salicylic acid and biodegradable polishing particles |
If sensitivity is your main concern rather than oil or congestion, it's also worth reading our roundup of the best cleansers for sensitive skin, which looks beyond the iS Clinical range at how this product stacks up against other brands Skintique stocks.
Where it sits on price
Cleansing Complex sits within iS Clinical's standard cleanser price band, in both the 60ml and 180ml sizes. iS Clinical isn't on Skintique's MAP-restricted brand list, but prices do move, so check the product page directly for the current figure rather than relying on a number here.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
If you're pregnant or breastfeeding, please contact our team for advice before use.
FAQs
Is iS Clinical Cleansing Complex suitable for sensitive skin?
Yes — it's tagged by iS Clinical for all skin types, including sensitive and blemish-prone skin, and is formulated with a skin-matching pH of 5.6. As with any new product, patch-test first if your skin reacts easily.
Can I use iS Clinical Cleansing Complex as a masque?
Yes — alongside its everyday use as a rinse-off cleanser, it can be left on the skin for 10–15 minutes as an occasional treatment masque, according to the product listing.
Does iS Clinical Cleansing Complex contain retinyl palmitate?
Yes. This is worth knowing if you already use a retinoid elsewhere in your routine, or if you're avoiding vitamin A derivatives for any reason — see our ingredient note above.
What's the difference between Cleansing Complex and Cleansing Complex Polish?
Cleansing Complex is the everyday gel cleanser; Cleansing Complex Polish is its exfoliating sibling, with added salicylic acid and biodegradable polishing particles for a more physical exfoliation step. See our full Cleansing Complex Polish review.
Is iS Clinical Cleansing Complex safe to use during pregnancy?
If you're pregnant or breastfeeding, please contact our team for advice before use.
How much iS Clinical Cleansing Complex should I use?
According to the product listing, a pea-sized amount is enough to cleanse the entire face and neck.