I’ve been quietly trying out Merit’s new cleanser for six weeks—here’s what I’d like you to know.

      About three months ago, I received an email titled: Experience Merit's Latest Skincare Innovation. A few weeks later, I found myself on the treatment bed of my favorite facialist (Katharine Mackenzie Paterson, if you're curious), being introduced to the Merit Great Skin Double Cleanse. While I consider myself Merit's biggest fan due to the brand's straightforward approach to beauty (if you aren't familiar with the Merit Flush Balm or Merit Retrospect perfume, you should be), the release of a cleanser from Merit wasn't something I anticipated for 2025. However, given my skin's awful tendency to break out from using the wrong cleanser types more than I care to admit (I'm always testing products for my job, after all), trying a new cleanser from a brand I already trust seemed worthwhile. And I must say, I've been thoroughly impressed. Yet, like everything Merit does, this formula stands out from the rest, so let me share my thoughts on it.

      **Merit Great Skin Double Cleanse**

      **Pros**

      - Effectively removes makeup, SPF, oil, and dirt from the skin

      - Feels luxurious when used

      - Free from irritating fragrances

      - Efficient formula that saves time on double cleansing

      - Contains impressive ingredients, including PHAs

      - Looks great on display

      **Cons**

      - Can sting the eyes slightly if used carelessly (which I experienced)

      - I would still recommend double cleansing on heavy makeup days

      **The Formula**

      Let’s start with the formula and the promises of the Merit Great Skin Double Cleanse. Although the brand has primarily focused on easy-to-use, foolproof makeup products, in recent years, Merit has ventured into skincare. The Great Skin Double Cleanse is the third addition to this line, following the Great Skin Priming Moisturizer and the Great Skin Instant Glow Serum. The formulas align with the brand’s ethos: low-maintenance, easy to use, and yielding glowing results. What makes Double Cleanse unique is its ability to eliminate the necessity of that crucial double cleanse at the end of the day—where the first cleanse removes makeup and SPF, and the second is deeply cleansing.

      How does it achieve this? The bi-phase foaming cleanser might seem oil-based, but it isn't. Instead, it combines gentle oat-derived surfactants to tackle makeup and grime, along with plant-derived humectants to restore moisture. In my view, the star of this formula is PHA (polyhydroxy acid), recognized for its gentle yet effective exfoliation properties, enhancing glow while minimizing the risk of breakouts, without significantly disturbing the skin's natural moisture barrier. As someone seeking a straightforward cleanser that can clear my breakout-prone skin of pore-clogging impurities without stripping away moisture, my expectations were high.

      **The Application**

      Foaming cleansers often receive negative feedback, but I assure you that there's no need to worry—whether a cleanser is drying or harmful to your skin depends on much more than its foaming texture. I apply the cleanser to dry skin and massage it for 30 seconds before adding water and wiping it off with a cloth. It feels luxurious and genuinely feels like it dissolves makeup. I should mention that I've been testing this product for six weeks, trying it out in various scenarios, from no-makeup days to full faces. In just one use, it removes all traces of makeup, SPF, and grime.

      It’s recommended to use 3-4 pumps per application, and the instructions indicate it can be used morning and night. However, I feel that this requires a significant amount of product, considering the bottle isn’t large. For makeup-free days, I’ve found that 1-2 pumps suffice, while a 4-pump application is really needed only for heavy makeup. As I massage the foam in, it thickens slightly as it goes to work. Unlike the cleansing creams I typically use in the morning, I can feel the active cleansing properties of this formula—my skin certainly doesn't feel overly moist right after. However, different from my usual evening gel cleansers, it doesn’t strip my skin of hydration. After wiping my face with the cloth, my skin simply feels like, well, my normal skin—just clean.

      One note: while the brand mentions that it can be used to remove eye makeup, I wouldn’t recommend it. Initially, I had no issues, but on my third day of testing, I used a stubborn mascara and really focused the foam on my eyes—which did cause some stinging. So, I'd still advise using a cleansing balm or eye makeup remover for that area first.

      **My Verdict**

      While no cleanser is likely to completely transform your life, I would argue that this one has come pretty close for me. This is my second bottle, and my skin hasn’t had a single cleansing-related breakout in the six weeks I’ve been using it. My skin looks bright and glowing,