iS Clinical Warming Honey Cleanser Review

iS Clinical Warming Honey Cleanser is a treatment cleanser built on 40% sustainably-sourced raw honey, Royal Jelly, Propolis and papaya enzymes (papain), designed as an occasional 1–2 times weekly deep-clean rather than a daily wash. Because honey, Royal Jelly and Propolis are all bee-derived ingredients, this product is not suitable for anyone with a bee or bee-product allergy.

Bee-product allergy: please read this first

This formula is built around raw honey, Royal Jelly and Propolis — all products of the honeybee. If you have a known allergy to honey, bee venom, Royal Jelly, Propolis or any other bee-derived ingredient, do not use this cleanser. If you're unsure whether a previous reaction counts as a bee-product allergy, please contact our team or your GP for advice before use, and always patch test on a small area first if you're trying it for the first time.

What's in it

The formula centres on 40% raw honey, prized for its antimicrobial and humectant properties, alongside Royal Jelly and Propolis — two further bee-derived ingredients also valued for their antimicrobial and nutrient-rich profile. Papain, an enzyme derived from papaya, provides gentle enzymatic exfoliation by helping to loosen dead surface skin cells, working alongside Japanese Green Tea Extract for antioxidant support. The base is built with 45% Glycerin, a humectant that helps improve the appearance of hydration and supports the skin barrier while the rest of the formula gets to work.

Who it's aimed at

iS Clinical positions this as suitable for all skin types, but particularly combination, oily, congested and blemish-prone skin looking for extra help with pore-clogging build-up and occasional congestion. It's formulated as a treatment step rather than a twice-daily wash, so it suits anyone who already has a daily cleanser in their routine and wants an occasional deeper clean layered on top, rather than someone looking for a single everyday cleanser.

How it feels going on

Expect a thick, honey-like texture that glides on and produces a warming sensation on application, building gradually as you massage it into damp skin — this is the formula's signature sensory effect, not a sign of irritation, though anyone with reactive skin should still patch test first given the warming response. Rinsed off, skin is left feeling deeply cleansed, soft and hydrated rather than tight, which the brand attributes to the honey and glycerin content offsetting any stripping effect from the cleansing action.

How to use it

As a treatment cleanser, Warming Honey Cleanser is designed for occasional use — around 1–2 times a week — rather than as a daily replacement for your usual cleanser. Apply to damp skin, massage gently to let the warming sensation build, then rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water. It layers naturally into an existing iS Clinical routine as an added weekly step rather than a swap for your everyday cleanse.

Where it sits against Cleansing Complex and Cleansing Complex Polish

Cleansing Complex is iS Clinical's everyday 3-in-1 gel cleanser, toner and make-up remover — the product this one is designed to sit alongside rather than replace, since Warming Honey Cleanser isn't built for twice-daily use. Cleansing Complex Polish is the range's other exfoliating option, combining salicylic acid with biodegradable polishing particles for a more physical exfoliation than the enzymatic route taken here. If you want a daily gel cleanser with light exfoliation built in, Cleansing Complex is the better everyday fit; if you're after an occasional, more indulgent treatment step, Warming Honey Cleanser is the one to add on top.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

If you're pregnant or breastfeeding, please contact our team for advice before use.