Facial Cleaners: Expert and User Reviews

Our AssessmentIn this excellent database, skin-care expert Paula Begoun reviews a multitude of products from more than 200 makeup and skin-care lines. Begoun, who includes medical journals, cosmetic industry reports and the Food and Drug Administration among her research sources, provides comprehensive information on the common ingredients found in cleansers and other skin products. In her reviews, she discusses effectiveness, possible risks (e.g., skin irritation) and value. She lists dozens of picks for every skin type. In fact, Begoun has reviewed nearly all of the products covered by other reviewers, making her website a great cross-reference. Given its scope, the site may be overkill for someone who simply wants to learn about skin cleansers; in general, though, it's an excellent resource for regular users of cosmetic products. Several of Begoun's reviews can also be found on her alternate website (CosmeticsCop.com) and in her book, "Don't Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me."

Our AssessmentIn this dated report, ConsumerReports.org editors test nine facial cleansers on a group of 25 men and women. Foaming cleansers, disposable pads and one cold cream are tested for cleaning ability, ease of application and convenience. The majority of the cleansers are perceived as being either excellent or very good at cleaning. Only two of them rate poorly. Editors suggest that consumers purchase cleansers designed for their particular skin type and that they consider fragrances and textures that are appealing to them. Several of the cleansers reviewed here, however, have been discontinued.

Our AssessmentInStyle magazine editors list top beauty picks based on the favorites of industry experts. The winning cleansers are categorized by skin type and a brief description is given for each. Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser is chosen for normal skin types, while Neutrogena Oil-Free Face Wash is suggested for acne-prone skin. Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser and Aveda Green Science Perfecting Cleanser also make the list. Winners from the 2010 awards can be viewed in the online slideshow and include products from CeraVe, Purpose, Dr. Brandt and Neutrogena.

Our AssessmentMore than 100 facial cleansers are tested by the editors of Real Simple magazine. Eight winners are chosen in several categories, including sensitive, dry and oily skin types. Natural, no-rinse and exfoliating cleansers also make the list. Aveeno Positively Radiant Makeup Removing Cleanser (which has since been discontinued) is chosen as the Best All-Around, while L'Oreal Paris Go 360 Clean makes the list as Most Innovative. Other winning cleansers include products from Lather, Origins, Vichy, Skin Effects by Dr. Jeffrey Dover, Carol's Daughter and Noxzema. The judging criteria are unclear as is the number of testers used, and the cleansers that fail to make the cut aren't identified.

Our AssessmentEditors of TruthInAging.com, a beauty website that reviews products based on efficacy and ingredients, evaluate beauty products based on their ingredient lists. Products deemed safe are then tested to determine efficacy, ease of use and possible side effects. Only those that are safe and live up to their claims are recommended. This article by an anonymous reviewer lists five facial cleansers, all of which use natural or organic ingredients.

Our AssessmentFour facial cleansers are listed as Real Simple magazine readers' favorites. Cleansers from Vichy, Phisoderm, Cetaphil and Olay are chosen for each of the dry, oily, sensitive and mature skin categories. It's not clear how many readers were involved in testing or how many products were tested.

Our AssessmentFor their annual beauty awards, TotalBeauty.com editors test new-to-market beauty products and list the best as Rising Star Editors' Picks. Readers also weigh in with their favorites to choose the Readers' Choice winners. Two facial cleansers make the list: Philosophy Purity Made Simple One-Step Facial Cleanser and Amala Soothing Cream Cleanser. Testing methods and judging criteria are not clear, however.

Our AssessmentEditors and users review more than 1,000 facial cleansers at TotalBeauty.com and give them ratings of one to 10 stars. Top user-rated cleansers include Philosophy Purity Made Simple One-Step Facial Cleanser, Clinique Liquid Facial Soap, Olay Foaming Face Wash and Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser.

Our AssessmentAbout.com's beauty guide, Julyne Derrick, offers facial cleanser recommendations for every skin type. Ten cleansers are included, each with a short paragraph describing its benefits, but with no ratings or comparisons to other cleansers and no mention of any testing. Cetaphil, Purpose, Pond's, Boscia, Olay, Neutrogena, Clinique, BeeCeuticals, Philosophy and Dr. Hauschka cleansers make the list. (Note: ConsumerSearch is owned by About.com, but the two don't share an editorial affiliation.)

Our AssessmentAmazon.com lists more than 6,000 facial cleansers for sale, but most only receive a handful of reviews, if any. Cleansers from Neutrogena, Cetaphil, Philosophy, Olay, Dermalogica and Desert Essence rate the highest.

Our AssessmentFoxyVoxy.com, a beauty blog geared toward women in academia, reviews pHisoderm Anti-Blemish Gel Facial Wash. Blogger "Voxy" says the cleanser compares favorably to her favorite cleanser from Dermalogica, one that cost three times as much. She says pHisoderm removes all traces of dirt and makeup and leaves her skin soft and smooth.