Facetheory Vitamin C Cream Cleanser Review: Is It Worth Buying?

If you're a regular reader of my blog, you'll know that I'm a little bit obsessed with Facetheory skincare. I've featured the cruelty free brand on a number of different blog posts however I've not yet written individual Facetheory reviews for the products that I love. Strange really as there's so many different hero products for me. And the majority of the Facetheory products I use, have been part of my skincare routine for years! I'm starting this mini series (if I can keep it up) with what's possibly my all time favourite skincare product. Say hello to the Facetheory Vitamin C cream cleanser.

Who Are Facetheory?

Facetheory believe in achieving the best skin possible by doing the least amount of harm. An ethos I am fully here for! They stand for beauty that doesn’t cost the Earth with formulas that deliver real and impressive results. Facetheory believe in their products so much that they even offer a 365 day money back guarantee… Something I actually haven’t seen from another beauty brand before (forgive me if I'm wrong).

_{[Post updated July 2026]}

Sustainability

Sustainability has always been at the forefront of Facetheory’s mind. They’re eradicating single use plastics, with the majority of their products now being in glass jars or aluminium tubes. Their packaging is also fully biodegradable & they try to use as little of it as possible.

Cruelty Free Beauty

Facetheory is a proud Leaping Bunny approved brand. Their products are also fully vegan too!

Nature Meets Science

Nature meets science when it comes to Facetheory. Lots of their formulas take a dual approach with their ingredients, carefully combining botanicals such as green tea and chamomile with high performing ingredients such as retinal and vitamin c.

Affordability

Facetheory believe in affordable beauty which doesn’t have to cause harm to people’s purse strings the same way it doesn’t with animals or the planet. They’re on a mission to make the very best, clean skincare range possible, whilst delivering at a price point that’s affordable.

Facetheory Reviews: Vitamin C Cream Cleanser

What Does The Vitamin C Cleanser Do?

This cream cleanser is formulated to remove pore blocking debris whilst being kinder to the skin than soap. It removes makeup and surface oils while actively fighting tired skin. Vitamin C brightens, hydrates and evens the skin tone. It leaves your face feeling refreshed and hydrated without that tight feeling you usually get with soap.

Facetheory Vitamin C Cream Cleanser Ingredients

One of the things I like most about the Facetheory Cream Cleanser is that it doesn't rely on harsh cleansing agents to leave your skin feeling clean. Instead, it's packed with nourishing ingredients that cleanse while helping to support the skin barrier, making it a great choice if your skin leans towards the dry or dehydrated side. The standout ingredient is a stabilised form of Vitamin C, which is less likely to cause irritation than pure ascorbic acid while still helping to brighten dull-looking skin. Combined with moisturising plant oils and humectants, the formula leaves my skin feeling soft and comfortable rather than tight after cleansing.

Key ingredients at a glance:

• 2% Stabilised Vitamin C – A gentler, more stable form of vitamin C that helps brighten the complexion, support a more even skin tone and provide antioxidant protection.
• Sweet Almond Oil – Rich in fatty acids, this helps dissolve makeup and sunscreen while conditioning the skin, making the cleanser feel nourishing rather than stripping.
• Avocado Oil – Packed with vitamins and antioxidants to help soften dry skin and leave it feeling supple after cleansing.
• Glycerin – A brilliant humectant that attracts moisture into the skin, helping to prevent that uncomfortable tight feeling some cleansers can leave behind.
• Apricot Kernel Oil – An emollient oil that contributes to the cleanser's creamy texture while helping to nourish and smooth the skin.
• Lactic Acid – Present towards the end of the ingredient list, it gently supports skin hydration and smoothness rather than acting as a strong exfoliant.

Who Is The Cleanser Suitable For?

The Facetheory Vitamin C cream cleanser is suitable for most skin types, including those with sensitive skin. It's three active ingredients are Vitamin C (obviously), sweet almond and avocado oil.

I think this cleanser is particularly well suited to normal, dry and dehydrated skin, as its rich, creamy texture leaves your skin feeling nourished rather than tight after cleansing. If you're looking for a brightening cleanser to help revive a dull complexion, it's a lovely option for both your morning and evening skincare routine. While it does remove everyday makeup and impurities well, those who regularly wear heavy or waterproof makeup may prefer to use it as a second cleanse after an oil or cleansing balm.

Because it's a soap-free, non-foaming cream cleanser, it's also a good choice if you find traditional foaming cleansers leave your skin feeling stripped or dry. Instead, it helps maintain moisture while leaving your skin feeling clean, soft and refreshed, making it an excellent everyday vitamin C cleanser for anyone wanting a gentler approach to cleansing.

My Facetheory Vitamin C Cleanser Review

I've been buying this Facetheory cleanser on repeat now for the last couple of years and whilst the packaging has changed, my opinion hasn't.

I was never a fan of cream cleansers before using this one. I'd always opt for a balm type texture, but this made me do a complete 180. The texture is light, creamy and a dream to apply. It's like you can feel the nourishment as soon as the product touches the skin. After cleansing, the skin feels just as nourished. My face feels plump, hydrated and most importantly for me, bright and awake! Without a doubt this has been the best vitamin C cleanser for me for years.

I use the Vitamin C cream cleanser as my first cleanse before going in with the deeply nourishing jojoba cleansing oil. Although I massively prefer the cream cleanser, these two together are a killer combination for my skin. My dry, dull skin just drinks these two up.

Comparing The Facetheory Vitamin C Cream Cleanser To Other High Street Cleansers

Facetheory vs Liz Earle

I’ve used both the Facetheory Vitamin C Cream Cleanser and Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish, and while they’re both cream cleansers aimed at dry or dehydrated skin, they give a slightly different cleansing experience.

Liz Earle feels more like a traditional hot-cloth cleanse. It’s thicker, more herbal in scent, and leaves the skin feeling very soft and nourished. I particularly enjoy it when my skin is feeling dry in winter.

Facetheory, on the other hand, feels lighter and a little more modern. The vitamin C gives it a brighter, fresher feel and I find it easier to use as an everyday morning cleanser. It removes light makeup well, but I still prefer a dedicated first cleanse if I’m wearing heavy foundation or waterproof mascara.

If I had to choose, Liz Earle wins for a luxurious evening cleanse, while Facetheory is the one I reach for more often day-to-day because it feels gentler and less heavy on my skin.

Facetheory vs CeraVe

CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser is usually my recommendation for anyone who wants the most basic, fragrance-free option possible. It’s incredibly gentle and works well for sensitive or reactive skin.

The Facetheory Vitamin C Cleanser feels more like a treatment cleanser. It has a richer texture and contains ingredients aimed at brightening dull skin, whereas CeraVe is primarily focused on maintaining the skin barrier.

When my skin is irritated or over-exfoliated, I tend to choose CeraVe. When my skin looks tired, dull or a little lacklustre, I reach for Facetheory. The difference isn’t dramatic overnight, but over time Facetheory gives my complexion a brighter, healthier look.

Facetheory vs Emma Hardie

This is probably the comparison I get asked about most because both products have that nourishing, spa-like feel.

Emma Hardie Moringa Cleansing Balm is definitely the more luxurious of the two. It melts into an oil, removes heavy makeup effortlessly, and feels like a proper skincare treat. The scent and texture make it feel very high-end.

Facetheory is much lighter and easier to use if you don’t want a full balm-to-oil cleanse every evening. I find it quicker to massage in and rinse away, and it doesn’t leave as much residue on my skin.

For a full makeup-removing evening routine, Emma Hardie is hard to beat. For an everyday cleanse that still feels nourishing without the higher price tag, Facetheory offers excellent value.

Facetheory vs The Body Shop

The Body Shop Camomile Cleansing Butter is one of the best affordable makeup removers I’ve used. It melts down quickly and removes stubborn eye makeup with very little effort.

Facetheory performs differently because it’s a cream cleanser rather than a cleansing butter. I wouldn’t rely on it alone for a full face of long-wear makeup, but I do find it leaves my skin feeling cleaner and fresher after a second cleanse.

In my routine, the two products actually complement each other rather than compete. I often use The Body Shop Camomile Butter as my first cleanse and then follow with Facetheory as my second cleanse for a brighter, softer finish.

If you’re choosing just one product, The Body Shop is better for heavy makeup removal, while Facetheory is better if your priority is a gentle, brightening cleanse for everyday use.