I am not poor, but I am on a budget. After years of buying facial cleansing products from Lancome, Clinique, Origins, and Estee Lauder, I’ve decided they just aren’t worth it. After all, face wash doesn’t stay on your face more than thirty seconds. I’d rather spend my money on more expensive moisturizers and foundations. My face wash just needs to…well…remove make up and clean my face. It shouldn’t leave my skin oily or dry it out. It should rinse clean. I prefer beauty products to be fragrance-free, as well. There is no reason for fragrance to be added, and it leads to problems for sensitive skin. I also like products that are easy to use. For me, that means I prefer face washes that are either in a bottle with a convenience pump or a cleansing cloth.
Based on my personal criteria, here are my favorite budget face washes (with approximate prices).
1. Foaming Face Wash for Sensitive Skin by Olay ($4.49 for 6.8 ounces). This is a creamier, pearly face wash that has a rich, foamy lather. My skin isn’t necessarily sensitive, but I like the way this doesn’t dry out my skin. I prefer this in the winter when my skin is dry. I currently have a bottle of this in my shower that I use every morning. I have to admit that I either have to rinse and repeat or use a washcloth to make sure it removes all of my make up.
2. Foaming Facial Cleanser for Sensitive Skin by Clean and Clear ($5.49 for 8 ounces). This cleanser is clear and a little more drying than Olay’s version. I wouldn’t recommend it if you are something who has very dry skin. However, it would be a great product for someone who struggles with oiliness. This cleanser does a better job at removing make up than Olay’s Foaming Face Wash for Sensitive Skin.
3. Fresh Foaming Cleanser by Neutrogena ($7.29 for 6.7 ounces). One of my favorite features of this cleanser is how it rinses clean. Again, I would recommend it for someone who has skin that is on the oily rather than dry side. I use it in the summer, and usually switch to something creamier (like the Olay Foaming Face Wash for Sensitive Skin).
4. Daily Facials Skin Soothing Cleansing Cloths for Sensitive Skin ($6.49 for 30 cloths). This product differs from those discussed above because they are disposable cloths rather than a liquid or a cream. I enjoy this particularly for traveling. It’s easy to throw a few in a suitcase and not mess with packing a liquid-particularly with the current airline regulations. I feel that the cloths do get my skin really clean and do a great job removing every trace of makeup n(better than the liquid cleanser, in my experience). Although you are scrubbing your face with the cloth, the texture is gentle enough so that skin isn’t irritated.
