So Liz Earle reformulated their cult Cleanse & Polish. Again. And the internet is having a meltdown. I get it — the old one was basically a security blanket in a tube. But here’s the thing nobody’s saying: the new one actually works better if you have oily zones. The old formula left a film that my T-zone hated by lunchtime. This one? My pores are actually breathing.
🔍 **What You’re Actually Getting**
£22 for 200ml. The claim: “A deeper clean without stripping.” I rolled my eyes. But they swapped out the old coconut-derived cleanser base for something that actually rinses clean. Three things that matter:
1. **Texture Shift** — It’s thinner. Not runny, but less like cold butter. Spreads faster.
2. **Scent Change** — The eucalyptus is dialed back. Now it smells more like a spa than a cough drop.
3. **Rinse Factor** — No more “did I get it all off?” panic. One pass with the muslin cloth and done.
⚠️ **What’s Actually Inside**
They cut the PEGs and added a prebiotic. Smart move. It’s gentler on the barrier while still breaking down sunscreen. But the real star is the new emollient blend — it doesn’t just melt makeup, it stays suspended so you don’t have to scrub.
– **Chamomile**: Calms redness. Not reactive.
– **Eucalyptus**: Opens pores. Still there, just quieter.
– **Cocoa Butter**: Moisture that doesn’t clog. Shocking.
– **Prebiotic**: Feeds your good bacteria. This is the upgrade.
✅ **Week 1 vs. Week 3**
First use: I missed the old texture. It felt… watery? But after two weeks, my skin stopped feeling tight after cleansing. The real surprise? My chin texture (those tiny bumps) flattened out. I wasn’t expecting that. The muslin cloth still does the heavy lifting — don’t ditch it.
💡 **One Thing** — Wet the cloth with *cooler* water than you think. Hot water strips the new formula’s moisture barrier benefits. Lukewarm is the sweet spot.
❌ **The Verdict (No Fluff)**
My skin looks clearer. Not brighter — that’s a different product. But less congested, more even. The old formula made my combination skin feel “clean” for an hour then greasy by noon. This one actually balanced it out.
✅ **Buy if** — You have combination or oily skin and hated the old film.
⏭️ **Skip if** — You’re dry as a desert and need that heavy emollient feel.
💰 **Worth it?** — Yes. But buy the travel size first. £10 to test before committing.
💬 **Final Call**
It’s not the same cleanser. That’s the point. The new formula is better for modern skin — less fuss, more function. I’m converted.
⭐ **7.8/10** — Better clean, less nostalgia
🛍️ **Where to Buy** — Direct from Liz Earle or Look Fantastic. Get the muslin cloth set — the cloth is half the magic.