Facial Cleansers: Reviews

Updated October 2011

Flawless skin begins with clean palette. Facial cleansers are your first step and, unfortunately, like many beauty products there are numerous choices. Luckily, you don’t have to spend a lot of time choosing or spend a lot of money to find a face wash. The picks below have won the accolades of hundreds of users and are a good place to begin your search for the best product that helps you achieve that flawless glow. Only your skin type and local water will determine how will they work for you.

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Best inexpensive facial cleanser

Purpose Gentle Cleansing Wash

*Est. $6 for 6 oz. Compare Prices

Water-soluble Purpose Gentle Cleansing Wash is recommended in reviews for all skin types. Consumers like it because it's gentle, non-drying and washes off easily. It also does a good job of removing makeup and doesn't… expandleave the skin feeling tight and dry. Experts say the soap-free formula lathers up nicely, leaving skin feeling clean without stripping it of natural oils. If you can't find Purpose in your store, its bare-bones formula is identical to Clean & Clear's Foaming Facial Cleanser (*Est. $4.75 for 8 oz.). collapse

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Expert & User Review Sources:

Beautypedia.com: Paula Begoun gives Purpose Gentle Cleansing Wash her highest rating, saying that it's suitable for all skin types except very dry.

InStyle: Editors of InStyle magazine recommend Purpose Gentle Cleansing Wash for those with sensitive and/ normal skin.

About.com: Julyne Derrick, beauty guide for About.com, says that Purpose Gentle Cleansing Wash is her daily cleanser of choice because it removes dirt, makeup and oil but doesn't dry out the skin.

MakeupAlley.com: More than 800 reviewers at MakeupAlley.com give Purpose Gentle Cleansing Wash a high overall rating.

Drugstore.com: Several reviewers at Drugstore.com say that they have used Purpose Gentle Cleansing Wash for years because it does an excellent job of cleaning skin and removing makeup without causing any irritation.

TotalBeauty.com: Reviewers at TotalBeauty.com give high marks to Purpose Gentle Cleansing Wash.

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for $4.67

Best facial cleanser for sensitive skin

Olay Foaming Face Wash, Sensitive Skin

*Est. $5 for 7 oz. Compare Prices

Although the sensitive version of Olay Foaming Face Wash isn't reviewed as often as Purpose, experts say it is especially ideal for consumers with sensitive skin since it is fragrance-free and doesn't contain any other… expandirritating ingredients. The formula is also oil-free, soap-free and uses gentle cleansing detergents. The cleanser contains glycerin, a humectant that draws moisture to the skin and prevents dryness. Reviewers say it does an excellent job of cleansing skin without leaving it tight and dry, but some say eye makeup may require a separate makeup remover. collapse

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Expert & User Review Sources:

Beautipedia.com: Paula Begoun gives Olay Foaming Face Wash her highest rating because it is gentle and fragrance-free, making it suitable for sensitive skin or those battling rosacea.

About.com: About.com's beauty guide, Julyne Derrick, calls Olay Foaming Face Wash the best cleanser for sensitive skin.

MakeupAlley.com: Olay Foaming Face Wash, Sensitive Skin is among the top-rated facial cleansers at MakeupAlley.com, garnering more than 300 reviews with a high overall rating.

TotalBeauty.com: User reviews at TotalBeauty.com are similar to those found at other consumer websites.

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for $4.10

Cleansing cloths

Pond's Original All Day Clean Towelettes

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

Users say Pond's Original All Day Clean Towelettes are a convenient way to remove makeup and clean the face. They come in a resealable package that travels well, allowing for good hygiene when you're on the go. Reviewers… expandsay they're gentle enough for all skin types and don't require rinsing. They can leave a bit of a residue on the skin, however. Convenience is the big selling feature here, because other options are less expensive and just as effective. collapse

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Expert & User Review Sources:

Beautypedia.com: Paula Begoun says that Pond's Original Cleansing Towelettes are great for minor cleansing and refreshing while away from home.

Allure: Allure.com editors name their personal favorite cleansing cloths.

Drugstore.com: Reviewers at Drugstore.com give Pond's All Day Clean Towelettes a high 4.5 overall rating.

TotalBeauty.com: Reviewers at TotalBeauty.com say that Pond's Cleansing Towelettes are convenient for late nights and while traveling.

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for $8.99

Skin care for acne-prone skin

pHisoderm Anti-Blemish Gel Facial Wash

*Est. $5 for 6 oz. Compare Prices

pHisoderm Anti-Blemish Gel Facial Wash is highly rated by those with acne problems, some of who say they have used the cleanser for years. Proponents say it helps clear up blemishes without causing irritation – a common… expandroblem with many acne cleansers. Its active ingredient is salicylic acid, although some experts say it is not effective in a cleanser because it is in contact with the skin for only a short period of time. Users say pHisoderm also does an excellent job of cleansing skin and removing makeup. collapse

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Expert & User Review Sources:

Drugstore.com: pHisoderm Anti-Blemish Gel Facial Wash gets high ratings at Drugstore.com, where more than 80 users say it's easy to use and effectively clears blemishes within days.

MakeupAlley.com: Users at MakeupAlley.com say pHisoderm Anti-Blemish Gel Facial Wash has a light gel consistency.

Beautypedia.com: Paula Begoun gives pHisoderm Anti-Blemish Gel Facial Wash a poor rating due to its inclusion of sodium C14-16 olefin sulfonate, a cleansing agent she says is too drying and irritating for all skin types.

Amazon.com: Reviewers at Amazon.com give pHisoderm Anti-Blemish Gel Facial Wash nearly perfect ratings, saying that the gentle cleanser clears up acne.

TotalBeauty.com: Users at TotalBeauty.com say pHisoderm Anti-Blemish Gel Facial Wash cleans skin thoroughly, removing all makeup in the process.

FoxyVoxy.com: FoxyVoxy.com, a beauty blog aimed at women in academia, praises pHisoderm Anti-Blemish Gel Facial Wash for being affordable but effective at removing all dirt and makeup.

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for $3.96