Self-heating cosmetic cleansing gel comprising surfactants and comprising a) more than 50% by weight of water-miscible hydroxyl compounds selected from glycols, glycol ethers and polyols having in each case 2-6 C atoms, polyalkylene glycols having average molecular weights of up to 1000 g/mol and mixtures thereof, these hydroxyl compounds being liquid at 25°C, with the proviso that the substances selected evolve heat when dissolved in water, and b) at least 6% by weight of high molecular mass PEG or a mixture of two or more PEGs having different molar masses.