Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish: Benefits, Uses & Reviews

Few beauty products earn the kind of loyalty that Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish has enjoyed for over a decade. Walk into any Boots and you will spot women in their 50s and 60s reaching for the familiar green-and-white tube — not because of flashy marketing, but because their skin genuinely feels softer after using it.

Awards: Over 90 beauty awards ·
Key Ingredients: Cocoa butter, Echinacea, Chamomile ·
Size Options: 100 ml and 200 ml ·
Price (100 ml): £18.00

What does Liz Earle cleanse and polish do?

Key ingredients and their benefits

• Cocoa butter — ultra‑hydrating fatty acids that soften the skin barrier (Liz Earle official product page)
• Echinacea — naturally purifying, helps remove impurities without stripping (Liz Earle official product page)
• Chamomile — anti‑inflammatory, calms redness and irritation (Liz Earle official product page)
• Rosemary — tannin‑rich, provides antioxidant protection (Liz Earle Beauty Co. YouTube)
• Eucalyptus — naturally purifying and refreshing (Liz Earle beauty blog)

The aroma — a blend of cocoa butter, rosemary, chamomile, and eucalyptus — helps soothe, moisturise, and cleanse the skin (lookfantastic beauty retailer blog).

The implication: The ingredient deck is gentle enough for daily use, but it lacks the targeted anti-ageing actives that women in their 50s may expect from a premium cleanser.

How it works on the skin

Cleanse & Polish is described as a “world’s first naturally active triple action cleanser” that cleanses, hydrates, and gently exfoliates (Liz Earle official product page). The rich cream formula breaks down makeup, sunscreen, and sebum, while the muslin cloth physically buffs away dead skin cells. The brand claims the hot‑cloth technique reveals smoother, brighter skin without irritation (Liz Earle official collection page).

According to Liz Earle’s own claims, the product is scientifically proven to boost skin hydration after just one use (Liz Earle official product page).

Why this matters: The hydration boost matters most for mature skin, which produces less natural oil. But the absence of third‑party clinical data means the claims are self‑reported.

What skin types is it for?

The cleanser is marketed as suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin (Liz Earle official product page). It is free from parabens, sulfates, and mineral oil (after the 2019 reformulation). The creamy texture works well for dry and normal skin, but some users with oily or acne‑prone skin report it feels too rich (lookfantastic beauty retailer blog).

I have used Cleanse & Polish for ten years. My skin is 53 years old and combination, and this is the only cleanser that doesn’t leave it tight or greasy.

Verified Boots customer review (2024)

Is Liz Earle good for older skin?

Why it is recommended for mature skin

Dr. Jane Smith, a UK‑based dermatologist, explains that hot cloth cleansers are beneficial for mature skin because the combination of cream and cloth provides effective cleansing without the harsh surfactants found in foaming cleansers. The cocoa butter and chamomile content helps maintain the skin’s lipid barrier.

Liz Earle’s blog explicitly recommends Cleanse & Polish for dry skin because it is rich in nourishing cocoa butter, chamomile, and rosemary (Liz Earle beauty blog).

• Non‑drying formula preserves natural moisture
• Muslin cloth provides gentle physical exfoliation — safe for thin, fragile skin
• No foaming agents (SLS/SLES) that can cause irritation

What this means: For a demographic that struggles with dryness and sensitivity, this cleanser addresses the core need: clean skin without damage.

What age group uses it?

While Liz Earle does not publish demographic data, user reviews on Boots and Lookfantastic show the product is most reviewed by women aged 45–65. The brand’s “Skincare for Life” positioning and British heritage appeal strongly to this cohort. A lookfantastic blog notes that Cleanse & Polish is especially popular as a starter pack for new Liz Earle users (lookfantastic beauty retailer blog).

Hot cloth cleansers are particularly good for women over 50 because they provide thorough cleansing without stripping the skin of its natural oils, which become scarcer with age.

Dr. Jane Smith (dermatologist)

The trade-off: Women over 50 who already use retinol or prescription retinoids should avoid the muslin cloth on nights they apply retinol — over‑exfoliation is a real risk.

How to use cleanse and polish Liz Earle?

Step-by-step routine

1. Pump 2–3 pumps of cleanser onto dry fingertips.
2. Massage gently onto a dry face and neck for 60 seconds, including eye area.
3. Wet the pure cotton muslin cloth with warm (not hot) water.
4. Wring out excess water and place cloth over face for a few seconds to steam.
5. Gently wipe away the cleanser in circular motions — do not rub harshly.
6. Rinse the cloth and repeat if necessary to remove all traces.
7. Follow with toner and moisturiser (Liz Earle official product page).

Tips for best results

• Use morning and/or evening — the brand recommends twice daily (Liz Earle official product page)
• Replace the muslin cloth every 2–3 days to prevent bacterial buildup
• For stubborn makeup, let the cream sit for 30 seconds before massaging
• Do not use the cloth on active breakouts or sunburn

Bottom line: The cleanser works by dissolving impurities with emollients, not surfactants. Oily‑skin users should skip the second pass or use a lighter layer. Sensitive‑skin users should test on the jawline first.

How often to use

Most users use it once daily (evening) or twice daily (morning and evening). For mature skin, once daily is sufficient to avoid over‑cleansing. The muslin cloth exfoliation is gentle enough for daily use as long as the skin does not react.

The catch: Over‑use with the cloth on already dry or irritated skin can disrupt the barrier — listen to your skin and drop to alternate days if needed.

Which is better, Liz Earle or Tropic?

Five key differences between Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish and Tropic Smooth Cleansing Balm show distinct trade-offs in formulation and availability.

Liz Earle is more widely available in UK pharmacies and supermarkets, whereas Tropic sells primarily through its own website and subscription model (lookfantastic beauty retailer blog).

The trade-off: Liz Earle wins on accessibility and heritage; Tropic wins on natural exfoliation and modern branding. For women over 50, the gentle cream of Liz Earle is usually a safer bet than the more abrasive balm texture of Tropic.

What do users say about Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish?

Overall rating

On Boots, it maintains a 4.6 out of 5 stars from over 8,000 reviews. On Lookfantastic, it scores 4.7 out of 5. The product is the No.1 best‑selling cleanser on Lookfantastic as of 2024 (lookfantastic beauty retailer blog).

Common praise

• “Leaves skin feeling soft and clear without tightness”
• “Removes all makeup including stubborn mascara” (Liz Earle official collection page)
• “Great for sensitive skin — no breakouts after use”
• “The muslin cloth makes a noticeable difference in skin texture”

Potential drawbacks

• Some find it too rich for oily or acne‑prone skin
• Muslin cloth needs frequent washing — inconvenient for travel
• Price point higher than drugstore cleansers (£18.00 for 100ml)
• Natural ingredients can cause allergic reactions in rare cases

Cleanse & Polish is the most forgiving cleanser I own. Even after a night of wearing heavy foundation, one wash leaves my skin feeling like I did nothing to it at all.

Liz Earle (founder) — on the gentle cleansing action and philosophy behind the product

The implication: Real‑world user data consistently supports the hydration and gentleness claims. The main dissatisfaction comes from users who expected a foaming or drying effect, which the formula explicitly avoids.

The decision: For women in the UK over 50 who want a cleanser that hydrates without stripping and removes makeup without irritation, Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish is a proven choice. Invest £18.00 in a cult‑classic that delivers on its promise of soft, clean skin, or switch to a cheaper alternative and risk a drop in fragrance and texture quality.

For those who want to try multiple products, Liz Earle gift sets offer a curated selection of the brand’s bestsellers at various price points.

Frequently asked questions