cleanser

noun

cleans·​er ˈklen-zər 

: a person or thing that cleanses something

especially : a preparation (such as a scouring powder or a skin cream) used for cleaning

Synonyms of cleanser

• soap

Examples of cleanser in a Sentence

Sprinkle some cleanser on the floor and let it sit for a while before you start scrubbing.

Recent Examples on the Web

Best cleanser under $35 This affordable cleanser removes makeup, sunscreen and daily grime without stripping your skin. — Casey Delbasso, ABC News, 31 July 2026

For this story, Jessie reached out to top dermatologists to find out their go-to drugstore skincare finds, including must-try cleansers, moisturizers, and sunscreens. — Jessie Quinn, StyleCaster, 31 July 2026

Woolf, who desired a palate cleanser after finishing her experimental novel The Waves, focused her energies on the life story of the poet Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s cocker spaniel. — Rachel Vorona Cote, The Atlantic, 30 July 2026

According to hundreds of shoppers, SkinMedica’s is said cleanser. — Tamim Alnuweiri, InStyle, 29 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

cleanser

noun

cleans·​er ˈklen-zər 

: a substance (as a scouring powder or cold cream) used for cleaning

Medical Definition

cleanser

noun

cleans·​er ˈklen-zər 

: a preparation including a cleaning agent for cleansing the skin, the teeth, or glass surfaces