Medik8 Gentle Cleanse™ Review: Ultra-Gentle Foaming Cleanser
The Verdict
Gentle Cleanse™ does one job and does it without fuss: it lifts light makeup, SPF and the day's grime, and rinses away without the tight, squeaky feeling sulphate-based foams tend to leave behind. Rosemary leaf oil and glycerin give it a light antioxidant and hydrating edge over a purely functional wash, and the sulphate-free, soap-free, pH-balanced formulation makes it a sensible everyday choice for very sensitive, dry or normal skin. It won't touch heavier make-up or SPF on its own and it isn't an exfoliating step, so pair it accordingly — and if you're pregnant, breastfeeding or unsure how it fits your wider routine, our team is happy to talk it through.
Medik8 Gentle Cleanse™ | Ultra-Gentle Cleanser | 150ml
£25.00
Medik8 Gentle Cleanse™ is a sulphate-free, soap-free foaming cleanser formulated with rosemary leaf oil and glycerin to wash away light makeup, sunscreen and daily impurities without disturbing the skin's moisture balance. It's designed as a daily, twice-daily cleanser for very sensitive, dry and normal skin.
Quick facts
| Detail | What it is |
|---|---|
| Product type | Ultra-gentle foaming cleanser |
| Format | 150ml, sulphate-free and soap-free foam-to-cleanse formula |
| Key ingredients | Rosemary Leaf Oil, Glycerin |
| Suits | Very sensitive, dry and normal skin; also listed for combination and oily skin wanting a milder daily wash |
| When to use | Morning and/or evening, as a single cleanse or the second step after an oil-based first cleanse |
| Price band | Entry-level for the Medik8 cleanser range — see the product page for current pricing and pack sizes |
What's actually in the formula
Rosemary Leaf Oil is the formula's antioxidant ingredient, included to help defend the skin surface against everyday environmental stress rather than to actively treat anything — a sensible addition to a rinse-off product, since even a brief antioxidant contribution during cleansing is a bonus rather than the main event. It also gives the foam its light, natural scent rather than relying on a separate fragrance.
Glycerin is the workhorse humectant here, drawing moisture to the skin's surface to offset the drying effect that foaming cleansers can otherwise have. Pairing a humectant with sulphate-free, soap-free surfactants is what lets Gentle Cleanse™ foam without the “squeaky clean” tightness that traditional soap-based or sulphate-heavy foams are known for — the formula is built to clean thoroughly while leaving the barrier intact.
Because it's rinsed off within a minute or two, contact time with both ingredients is short compared with a leave-on moisturiser or serum. That's the trade-off with any cleanser: it can support the skin during the wash, but the meaningful hydration and antioxidant work in a routine should still come from what's applied and left on afterwards.
Texture and how it feels
The formula whips into a light, airy foam when massaged into damp skin and rinses away completely, without residue or film. It's pH-balanced and free from sulphates and soap, which is Medik8's way of describing a cleanser designed to wash without pushing skin into the alkaline range that tends to leave it feeling tight. Expect a soft, comfortable finish rather than a foaming cleanser that leaves skin feeling stripped — this is built for comfort first.
Who it's formulated for
- Very sensitive, reactive or easily irritated skin looking for a foaming cleanser that doesn't feel harsh
- Dry or normal skin wanting a daily wash that doesn't add to dehydration
- Anyone moving away from sulphate-heavy or soap-based cleansers
- Combination or oily skin that still wants a gentle option for morning or second cleanses
If you're wearing heavy, long-wear or waterproof make-up and SPF, this is better used as the second step after an oil- or balm-based first cleanse rather than expected to lift everything on its own — it's formulated for light daily impurities, not a full double-cleanse workload by itself.
How to use
Massage a small amount into damp skin morning and/or evening, working into a foam, then rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water. On days you're removing sunscreen or heavier make-up, use it as the second cleanse after an oil-based first step such as Medik8 Lipid-Balance Cleansing Oil. If your skin can tolerate more active exfoliation on alternate days, a cleanser like Medik8 Surface Radiance Cleanse can sit alongside it in a wider routine — our team can help you sequence the two if you're not sure how they fit together, just get in touch.
Frequently asked questions
Is this gentle enough for very reactive or compromised skin?
It's formulated as a sulphate-free, soap-free, pH-balanced cleanser aimed specifically at very sensitive skin, which makes it a reasonable starting point for reactive or easily irritated complexions. Everyone's skin is different, though, so if your skin is currently compromised, inflamed or you have a diagnosed condition, it's worth checking with a GP or dermatologist and patch testing before making it part of your daily routine.
Will it remove my sunscreen and make-up properly?
It's designed to lift light make-up, SPF and daily impurities on its own. For heavier, long-wear or waterproof formulas, use it as the second cleanse after an oil- or balm-based first step so you're not relying on one gentle wash to do all the work in a single pass.
Can I use Medik8 Gentle Cleanse™ if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
If you're pregnant or breastfeeding, please contact our team for advice before use.
The Skintique Academy view
Gentle Cleanse™ does one job and does it without fuss: it lifts light makeup, SPF and the day's grime, and rinses away without the tight, squeaky feeling sulphate-based foams tend to leave behind. Rosemary leaf oil and glycerin give it a light antioxidant and hydrating edge over a purely functional wash, and the sulphate-free, soap-free, pH-balanced formulation makes it a sensible everyday choice for very sensitive, dry or normal skin. It won't touch heavier make-up or SPF on its own and it isn't an exfoliating step, so pair it accordingly — and if you're pregnant, breastfeeding or unsure how it fits your wider routine, our team is here to help, just get in touch.