While it’s true that what works for one person may not work for another, quality facial cleansers all have traits in common. Here are the best facial cleansers you probably don’t have:
Considerations to Make When Shopping for Facial Cleansers
Major advances have been made in the world of skincare over the last few decades. If it’s been a while since you’ve shopped around for facial cleansers, you’re sure to be surprised by today’s offerings. Some things to keep in mind when looking for top-quality facial cleansers include:
- Natural, Gentle Ingredients – Always check the label. Familiarize yourself with harsh, irritating ingredients and avoid them at all costs. These include parabens, sodium lauryl sulfate and sodium laureth sulfate, which are both often called simply SLS.
- Irritant Free – It should go without saying, but the ideal facial cleanser is absent of all irritants. Unfortunately, many products still contain ingredients like menthol and alcohol which make the skin tingle and feel refreshed while also drying it out.
- Suitable for Your Skin Type – The best facial cleansers are designed to accommodate certain skin types. Some are best suited for dry skin; others are ideal for oily skin. Still others work well for combination skin. Some even work well across all skin types, which is especially nice.
- Affordable – Finally, spending more on facial cleansers is no guarantee of quality. In fact, much of the time, simpler is better – and simpler often equates to cheaper. Don’t be fooled by slick advertising campaigns; you don’t need to spend a small fortune on facial cleansers, and you will see why below.
Based on the criteria outlined above, as well as various other factors, the following four products top the list of today’s best facial cleansers. As you’ll see, it’s unlikely to see these on the shelves of your local drugstore. However, you’re sure to find that these products more than deliver in terms of effectiveness, ease of use, and affordability.
Neutrogena Naturals Fresh Cleansing and Makeup Remover
All too often, face washing is a two-step process, as makeup must be removed first. This product handily does away with this issue, working just as effectively to remove makeup as it does to cleanse the skin.
First, consider the price. At just $14 for a 6-ounce bottle, this product manages to almost exclusively contain all-natural ingredients. The only exception is the fragrance, which contains artificial ingredients. Fortunately, the gentle apple scent is not too overpowering and shouldn’t bother most people.
As the name implies, Neutrogena Naturals Fresh Cleansing and Makeup Remover is safe, natural and suitable for everyday use. It contains no parabens, sulfates, phthalates, dyes, or other harsh ingredients. Its soapy-yet-creamy consistency is reminiscent of a thick, soothing lotion. When applied to and massaged gently into damp skin, it delivers incredible cleaning power that leaves skin feeling fresh and new. The only caveat? Compared with some similar cleansers, this product may leave behind a bit of makeup if care isn’t taken.
Although this product is suitable for all skin types, those with sensitive skin may find that it dries out their skin a bit too much. Otherwise, this natural facial cleanser is a solid choice for anyone who wants healthy, glowing skin.
Philosophy Purity Made Simple
At a cost of around $30 for a 16-ounce bottle, this facial cleanser treads the line between reasonable and excessive. If used twice per day, it will set you back by around $5 per day, which sounds daunting but is well worth it because it actually works.
Indeed, this gentle cleanser is safe and effective for all skin types, and many people swear by it and are very loyal to it. Its creamy, milky consistency is almost like lotion, so it is easy to apply and feels great. Unlike the Neutrogena cleanser that is highlighted above, this product is made entirely out of natural ingredients. It features mild, natural fragrance oils that lend it a subtly plant-like scent that you’re sure to love.
This product is designed to be massaged gently into damp skin for 30 to 60 seconds. From there, just rinse and pat the skin dry. Please note that the only real drawback of this product is that although it’s effective for all skin types, it may exacerbate the issue if you are prone to dry skin.
DHC Deep Cleansing Oil
By now, most people are aware of facial cleansing oils, which started hitting their stride a few years ago. Counterintuitive though it may seem, applying the right kinds of oil to the skin doesn’t just cleanse it thoroughly but it hydrates and nourishes it at the same time.
The primary ingredient of this innovative cleanser is olive oil. When massaged gently into dry skin, the oil and other natural ingredients gently sweep impurities out of the pores. At a cost of around $28 for a 6.7-ounce bottle, this product works out to around $4 per ounce.
Although it’s a bit pricier than other top facial cleansers, DHC Deep Cleansing Oil is in a league of its own. It’s especially popular for soothing and nourishing dry winter skin.
Yes To Cucumbers Gentle Milk Cleanser
Rounding out our list is Yes To Cucumbers, which works best on normal to dry skin. Suitable and effective for sensitive skin, it is 98-percent natural. You won’t find any parabens, chemical sulfates or other harsh irritants.
Loaded with soy proteins that deliver unbeatable moisturizing capabilities, Yes To Cucumbers was the winner of the Allure Best of Beauty in 2012. Like other products on this list, it acts to gently remove makeup and cleanse the skin. It rinses clean easily, revealing fresh, clean skin.
The only drawback of this cleanser – and it’s something that won’t bother most people – is its subtle artificial fragrance. In fact, the fragrance is the only ingredient here that isn’t completely natural. However, the scent is quite mild, and most people hardly even notice it.
At just $6 for a 7-ounce bottle, Yes To Cucumbers costs less than $1 per ounce, making it delightfully affordable and well worth trying.
Wrapping Up
As you can see, you don’t have to pay a lot more to use facial cleansers that are gentle, effective and free of harsh chemicals and other artificial ingredients. Chances are that one or more of the products highlighted above will fulfill all your facial cleansing requirements. Switch from whatever you’re currently using to one of the cleansers on this list, and you are sure to be shocked by what a difference today’s top facial cleansers can make.
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