Facial Cleansers: Reviews

Updated May 2009

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Best inexpensive facial cleanser

*Est. $12 for 16 oz. Compare Prices

Water-soluble Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser is recommended in reviews more frequently than any other basic facial cleanser, and consumers like it because it's gentle, nondrying and washes off easily. Given its mildness,… the Gentle Skin formula isn't the best choice for removing makeup. However, Cetaphil's Daily Facial Cleanser (*est. $12 for 16 oz.), which works well for normal to oily skin, is strong enough to remove makeup without scrubbing. Users note that the bottles of these two cleansers are nearly identical, making selecting the correct one a bit difficult.

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Expert & User Review Sources:

Beautypedia.com: Begoun says that Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser is extremely gentle and that it is especially good for sensitive skin or for those ...

Allure: Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser is listed in Allure's hall of fame because it has won beauty awards for nine years. Experts at ...

InStyle: Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser is named the best cleanser for dry skin by editors of InStyle magazine. They say that the cleanser ...

About.com: About.com's beauty guide, Julyne Derrick, recommends facial cleansers for several skin types, from "cheap to steep." Cetaphil ...

MakeupAlley.com: Several consumers at MakeupAlley.com say that Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser clears their skin of redness, irritation and even ...

TotalBeauty.com: Editors and users at TotalBeauty.com say that Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser is a gentle cleanser that doesn't irritate the skin. ...

Drugstore.com: Consumers posting to Drugstore.com give Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser an average rating of four out of five stars. A few say that ...

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Best exfoliating cleanser

Olay Definity Pore Redefining Scrub

*Est. $10 for 5 oz. Compare Prices

If you want to gently remove dull, dry skin while cleansing, most say Olay Definity Pore Redefining Scrub is nonirritating and soap-free. Tiny microbeads help remove dead skin cells. Although not as gentle as Cetaphil,… users say that it does an effective job of cleaning without leaving the skin overly dry. Plastic microbeads help scrub off dead skin cells; it contains salicylic acid to help clear the pores, but some experts say that it doesn't stay in contact with skin long enough to make much of a difference. Users say that although the scrub is a gentle exfoliant, it may still be too harsh for everyday use.

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Expert & User Review Sources:

Beautypedia.com: Begoun gives Olay Definity Pore Redefining Scrub her highest rating, but she says that it has more "cleansing ability than ...

Cosmopolitan: Editors of Cosmopolitan magazine say that Olay Definity Pore Redefining Scrub is beneficial to blotchy skin and "improves skin's ...

Brides: Editors of Brides magazine say that Olay Definity Pore Redefining Scrub does a good job of cleansing and removing makeup.

TotalBeauty.com: More that 100 members of TotalBeauty.com give Olay Definity Pore Redefining Scrub an above- average rating, saying that although ...

MakeupAlley.com: Olay Definity Pore Redefining Scrub gets above-average reviews at MakeupAlley.com. Reviewers say that the gentle cleanser cleans ...

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Buy from
Amazon

for $17.18

High-end facial cleanser

Philosophy Purity Made Simple One-Step Facial Cleanser

*Est. $20 for 8 oz. Compare Prices

Experts generally say that more expensive department-store brands aren't more or less effective than cheaper drugstore cleansers. Philosophy Purity Made Simple One-Step Facial Cleanser is as well-liked as Cetaphil by… users for its gentle yet effective cleansing abilities, and it's less expensive than a lot of other high-profile cleansers. Philosophy says that the cleanser removes makeup, cleanses and tones all in one step, but experts say that any good cleanser should do the same. Most users say that Purity Made Simple is gentle, but it does contain fragrance and plant oils that can be irritating to sensitive skin.

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Expert & User Review Sources:

Beautypedia.com: Paula Begoun gives Philosophy Purity Made Simple One-Step Facial Cleanser a low rating because of its inclusion of irritating ...

MakeupAlley.com: More than 1,300 consumers at MakeupAlley.com give above-average ratings to Philosophy Purity Made Simple One-Step Facial ...

TotalBeauty.com: Hundreds of members review Philosophy Purity Made Simple One-Step Facial Cleanser at TotalBeauty.com, giving it a high rating. ...

Drugstore.com: Philosophy Purity Made Simple One-Step Facial Cleanser is one of the highest-rated cleansers at Drugstore.com. Users say that ...

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Cleansing cloths

Olay Daily Facials

*Est. $6 for a 30-pack Compare Prices

Professional reviews and consumers have long favored Olay products. Daily Facials are certainly convenient, removing makeup and cleaning the face with one swipe of a disposable towelette. Numerous varieties are available… for different skin types and conditions. Convenience is the selling feature here, because other options are less expensive and just as effective.

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Expert & User Review Sources:

Beautypedia.com: Paula Begoun gives high ratings to most of Olay's Daily Facials products. The highest rating, however, goes to Olay Daily Facials ...

ConsumerReports.org: Consumer Reports tests nine facial cleansers, including Olay Daily Facials, on a group of 25 men and women. The majority of the ...

MakeupAlley.com: Reviews are posted for several varieties of Olay Daily Facials cleansing cloths at MakeupAlley.com, and all receive decent ...

Drugstore.com: The majority of consumers who post about Olay Daily Facials cleansing cloths are pleased with the product. Reviewers say that the ...

Cosmo Girl: Editors of Cosmo Girl magazine, along with readers and celebrities, choose Olay Daily Facials as the best facial cleansing cloths.

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AmericaRx.c- om Health Shop

for $6.43

Amazon Marketplace

for $6.59

Skin-care for acne-prone skin

Biore Blemish Fighting Ice Cleanser

*Est. $8 for 6.7 oz. Compare Prices

Although reviews say a gentle, water-soluble cleanser like Cetaphil is just as good or better for acne-prone skin as specially formulated cleansers, Biore Blemish Fighting Ice Cleanser is highly rated by those with acne… problems. Proponents say it helps clear up blemishes and helps to control oil. The active ingredient is salicylic acid, although some experts say that it is not effective in a cleanser because it is in contact with the skin for only a short period of time. Biore Blemish Fighting Ice Cleanser also contains lavender for its soothing and calming qualities.

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Expert & User Review Sources:

Beautypedia.com: Paula Begoun gives Biore Blemish Fighting Ice Cleanser a poor rating because of its inclusion of menthol, a skin irritant. Begoun ...

Allure: Editors of Allure magazine say that Biore Blemish Fighting Ice Cleanser is the best facial cleanser for oily/acne-prone skin ...

Real Simple: After testing more than 30 facial cleansers for Real Simple magazine, a panel of judges chooses Biore Blemish Fighting Ice ...

MakeupAlley.com: More than 130 consumers at MakeupAlley.com give Biore Blemish Fighting Ice Cleanser a rating of 3.5 out of five. Though several ...

TotalBeauty.com: More that 50 members review Biore Blemish Fighting Ice Cleanser at TotalBeauty.com, giving it an above-average rating. Several ...

Drugstore.com: Consumer opinion at Drugstore.com from about 50 users varies for Biore Blemish Fighting Ice Cleanser, but the majority say it ...

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AmericaRx.c- om Health Shop

for $7.45

Amazon Marketplace

for $3.99

St. Ives Elements Protective Cleanser *Est. $7 for 4oz.

4 picks by top review sites.

Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash *Est. $7 for 6 oz.

3 picks by top review sites.

Basis Cleaner Clean Face Wash *Est. $5 for 6 oz.

2 picks by top review sites.

Olay Definity Illuminating Cream Cleanser *Est. $9 for 5 oz.

2 picks by top review sites.

Alpha Hydrox Foaming Face Wash *Est. $7.50 for 6 oz.

2 picks by top review sites.

Purpose Gentle Cleansing Wash *Est. $6 for 6oz.

2 picks by top review sites.

Clinique Liquid Facial Soap *Est. $16.50 for 6.7 oz.

2 picks including: Allure, MakeupAlley.com…

Good Skin Soft Skin Creamy Cleanser *Est. $12.50 for 6.7 oz.

2 picks by top review sites.

Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Cleanser *Est. $16 for 8 oz.

2 picks by top review sites.

Clinique Take the Day Off Cleansing Balm *Est. $30 for 3.8 oz.

2 picks by top review sites.


	St. Ives Elements Protective Cleanser, 4-Ounce Pump Bottles (Pack of 3) from Amazon.com New: $23.97 $5.69 In Stock. Average Customer Review:


	Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash, 9.1-Ounce Pump Bottles (Pack of 3) from Amazon.com New: $24.02 $16.36 In Stock. Average Customer Review:


	basis cleaner clean face wash 6 fl oz (177 ml) from Amazon.com New: $5.35 $4.60 In Stock. Average Customer Review:


	Alpha Hydrox Foaming Face Wash --- 6 Oz SKU 8201568 from Amazon.com New: $7.49 In Stock. Average Customer Review:


	Purpose Gentle Cleansing Wash, 6-Ounce Pump Bottles (Pack of 4) from Amazon.com New: $23.96 $20.00 In Stock. Average Customer Review:


	Clinique Liquid Facial Soap Oily Skin Formular 6.7oz / 200ml from Amazon.com New: $23.85 In Stock. Average Customer Review:


	Clinique By Clinique - Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm--/3.8oz from Amazon.com New: $64.00 $28.60 In Stock. Average Customer Review:

Facial Cleansers: Reviews

Best inexpensive facial cleanser

Best exfoliating cleanser

High-end facial cleanser

Cleansing cloths

Skin-care for acne-prone skin

Facial Cleansers by Price Range