Speed Review: Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser

I love using a balm cleanser to thoroughly remove my makeup at the end of the day and I've recently been reaching for the award-winning Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish.

As the "hero" product in the Liz Earle line-up, Cleanse & Polish is available in a range of different sizes and formats- choose from an introductory set which includes a washbag and oversized muslin cloth, value sets or trial sized miniature tubes which are also travel friendly, to name just a few options. I chose the 100ml version which is presented in a sleek and functional pump dispenser with the only downside being that the packaging isn't transparent so it's difficult to know how much product is remaining. In future, I'd probably be more inclined to opt for the 200ml tube which is better value for money and furthermore, could be cut open to avoid wastage.

Compared to the oil based balm cleansers which I'm accustomed to, Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish has a thick, rich cream texture, despite being inspired by the cult Eve Lom Cleanser, which has an oil base. It contains beeswax and cocoa butter (it is free from mineral oil) and I was initially worried that it would be too heavy and prove unsuitable for my acne prone skin, however, I was pleased that I didn't experience any problems. It also contains glycerin which is a wonder-ingredient for those with dehydrated skin. Having said that, those with very sensitive skin may find the inclusion of eucalyptus and rosemary pure essential oils irritating.

It's the inclusion of eucalyptus oil which gives Cleanse & Polish its scent and for this reason, I think it would be particularly enjoyable to use when suffering from a winter cold.

As with a balm cleanser, Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish should be massaged over a dry face and neck. I found that the cream formula didn't lend itself to facial massage quite as well as my usual cleansing oils and balms. The cream sank into my skin and I felt as though my dehydrated winter skin was drinking up the product. Having said this, a little goes a long way.
The next step is to remove the cleanser with a hot muslin cloth, providing a gentle manual exfoliation and giving the product the "Polish" part of its name. I decided to use a flannel (washcloth) as I find that they hold the heat of water better and what's more, they're cheaper to buy in bulk. It was quick and easy to remove the cleanser although I found that it wasn't as effective on stubborn eye makeup as my oil based cleansers. On occasions when I'd worn heavy or long-wearing eye makeup, I needed to follow up with a separate eye makeup remover.

My skin was left feeling nourished and hydrated following use, with a glowing appearance. It didn't feel tight or as if it had been stripped.

I was particularly impressed to note the affordable price tag, with a basic 100ml pump bottle available at a very wallet friendly £13.25, making it a good budget option compared with other hot cloth cleansers.

Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish is ideal for this time of year thanks to the hydrating benefits and I'd highly recommend it to anyone looking to boost their winter skincare regime.