Exploring Facial Cleansing Mousse: What You Need to Know

Facial cleansing mousse has become a favourite for one simple reason: it cleans thoroughly without leaving skin tight. If you're thinking of switching to one, here's what it is, who it suits and how to get the best from it.

What is a facial cleansing mousse?

A cleansing mousse is a lightweight cleanser that comes out of a pump bottle as a ready-made foam. It removes dirt, oil, sunscreen and makeup, then rinses away cleanly.

Because the pump whips air into the liquid for you, the foam is soft and even from the first press. There's no need to rub it into a lather on your face, which means less friction on your skin.

What does "micellar" mean? Micelles are tiny clusters of cleansing molecules. One end of each molecule is drawn to oil and the other to water, so micelles trap makeup and grime and lift them away when you rinse.

The benefits of a cleansing mousse

• Gentle on skin: The airy foam lifts away impurities with very little rubbing, which makes mousse a good choice for sensitive skin.
• Thorough clean: It clears excess oil, dirt and makeup from the skin's surface and around the pores, helping prevent the build-up that leads to breakouts.
• Non-drying: A well-formulated mousse rinses off without residue and without stripping the skin's natural oils, so your face feels clean but comfortable.
• Quick and easy: Two or three pumps cover your whole face, so it suits busy mornings and tired evenings alike.
• Extra skin benefits: Many mousses add soothing or hydrating ingredients, so your cleanse does more than just clean.

Is a cleansing mousse right for your skin?

A gentle mousse suits most people. Here's how to make it work for your skin type.

Skin type	How mousse fits	Tip
Oily or combination	A great match: it clears oil without the tight feel that can follow harsher cleansers	Use morning and evening, then follow with a light, alcohol-free toner
Normal	Keeps skin clean and balanced with minimal effort	Morning and evening, followed by your usual routine
Sensitive	Low friction and mild cleansing agents make it a comfortable choice	Rinse with lukewarm, not hot, water and pat dry gently
Dry	Works well if the formula is gentle and you moisturise straight after	In very dry winter months, you may only need it in the evening

How to use a cleansing mousse

1. Wet your face with lukewarm water.
2. Pump 2 to 3 times into the palm of your clean hand.
3. Massage gently over your whole face for about 30 seconds, using small circular movements and avoiding the eyes.
4. Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water and pat your skin dry with a clean towel.
5. Follow with toner, then serum and moisturiser, plus sunscreen in the morning.

Wearing heavy or waterproof makeup? Cleanse twice in the evening. The first round breaks down makeup and sunscreen, and the second leaves skin properly clean.

The key ingredients to look for

The best cleansing mousses pair mild cleansing agents with soothing ingredients, so skin comes out clean but comfortable. That's the idea behind our HD Gentle Cleansing Mousse.

HD Gentle Cleansing Mousse Micellar Foam (155ml)

A soft, lightweight micellar foam that removes everyday makeup, sunscreen and impurities without leaving skin stripped or tight. Use it morning and evening as the first step in your routine.

• Sodium lauroyl sarcosinate and sodium methyl cocoyl taurate: Mild cleansing agents made from amino acids and coconut-derived fatty acids. They lift away oil and makeup without the harsh feel of stronger cleansers.
• Aloe vera and allantoin: Soothe and condition the skin while you cleanse.
• Calendula and sea mayweed (tripleurospermum maritimum) extracts: Botanical extracts that help skin look and feel calm.
• Nonapeptide-1: A peptide included as part of the formula's skin-conditioning blend.

Contains fragrance, so if your skin reacts to fragrance, test a little on your inner arm first.

Frequently asked questions

Is a cleansing mousse better than a gel or cream cleanser?

Not better, just different. Mousse is light and low-friction, gels suit oilier skin that likes a fresh feel, and creams suit very dry skin. For a brightening cleanse, our HD Vitamin C Daily Facial Cleanser adds vitamin C and centella.

Can a cleansing mousse remove makeup?

Yes, it removes everyday makeup and sunscreen. For heavy or waterproof makeup, cleanse twice, and use a dedicated eye makeup remover for waterproof mascara.

How many pumps should I use?

Two to three pumps cover your whole face. Using more won't clean any better; it just wastes product.

Can I use it morning and night?

Yes. A gentle mousse is mild enough for twice-daily use.

Is micellar foam the same as micellar water?

Both use micelles to trap dirt and oil. Micellar water is wiped on with a cotton pad, while micellar foam is massaged in and rinsed off, so nothing is left on your skin.

Why does my skin feel tight after cleansing?

Usually the cleanser is too harsh, the water too hot, or you're cleansing too often. Switch to a gentle cleanser and lukewarm water, then apply a hydrating toner such as our HD Skin Activating Treatment Essence while your skin is still slightly damp.

Is the HD Gentle Cleansing Mousse suitable for sensitive skin?

It uses mild cleansing agents with soothing aloe, allantoin and calendula, which suits many sensitive skins. It does contain fragrance, so if your skin reacts to fragrance, test it on your inner arm first.

Do I still need to exfoliate?

Cleansing removes surface dirt but not the build-up of dead skin cells. Once or twice a week, a mask such as our HD Deep Cleansing Magic Mud Mask, with glycolic acid, gives a deeper clean.

What makes Fly Up's cleansing mousse different?

Many foaming cleansers get their "squeaky clean" feel from harsh detergents that leave skin tight. The HD Gentle Cleansing Mousse is built the other way round.

• If your skin feels tight after washing: It cleanses with mild amino-acid and coconut-derived agents instead of harsh sulphates such as SLS, and adds aloe and allantoin to keep skin comfortable.
• If your skin is easily irritated: The ready-made foam means less rubbing, and calendula and sea mayweed extracts help skin feel calm. It does contain fragrance, so patch test first if that's a trigger for you.
• If you wear makeup every day: Its micellar foam lifts makeup and sunscreen in one step. Fly Up started out making makeup for HD film and television, so it knows what a long day of makeup leaves behind.
• If you're short on time: Two or three pumps of ready-made foam cleanse your whole face in under a minute, morning and evening.