OT: Recommendations for Drug Store Facial Cleansers

[jenmcadams]

For the last few years the only time my face has required much cleansing aside from showers is when I'm pregnant or off the pill. On top of that, living in CO with the dry climate seemed to help keep my oily skin somewhat in tact. Well, I'm now pregnant again and living in southwest FL and my oily complexion is back with a vengeance. Anyone have any drug store (i.e. not department store) brands of facial cleansers/astringents that they like for oily skin. In the past I've used Clinique products and didn't love them and even though I'm sure I could get something better in a department store, I'd rather not spend a ton of money.

Thanks in advance for any help you can provide!

[icunurse]

Cetaphil......recommended by dermatologists (even by our ped for DS). The liquid form is so gentle, you don't even necessarily need to rinse with water. I have used it in the past and loved it.
Traci
~Connor's Mom~

[aguinn]

DH and I use liquid Basis, and it seems very mild. I have sensitive skin, and Basis has been great in the 5+ years I've been using it.

I also recently started using Mary Kay TimeWise 3-in-1 Cleanser for Combo/Oily skin (http://www.marykay.com/Shopping/SkinCare/869200Cleansers.asp) and I really like it! It leaves my skin soft and removes the oily feeling from my skin for most of the day.

hth,
;)amy
proud momma to DS

http://lilypie.com/baby2/030729/1/5/1/-5/.png[/img][/url]

http://www.gynosaur.com/assets/ribbons/ribbon_gold_12m.gif Weaned @ 13 months

[MelissaTC]

I second the Cetaphil. I have also used their facial mosturizer and it is awesome. I have oily skin and I am very acne prone due to PCOS. This is one of the few products I have tried that does not make me breakout and actually clears me up!

[August Mom]

Congratulations on your pregnancy!

I don't have oily skin, so I'm not sure whether it's compatible with your skin type, but I have used the St. Ives Apricot Facial Scrub in the past and thought it did a good job exfoliating.

[kelly ann]

Cetaphil is always a good choice. Also, I have seen some great reviews in magazines for Oil of Olay products. I am not sure what line, but may be the regenerist(sp?) line?

[JMS]

I love Cetaphil.. I always tell my facialist that it's the one product that I will never give up.. and you can get the big econo-sized containers at Costco.

[aa2mama]

For drug store cleansers, I like Cetaphil, Purpose & Johnson's Head-to-Toe Baby wash but don't have a favorite.

Something that I really love is Thayers Alcohol-free Rose Petal Witch Hazel Toner. It has a fairly strong scent, which I happen to like, but they also have one with aloe vera. Whole Foods has 11.5 oz bottles for around $8.

[jenmcadams]

Thanks everyone! Appreciate the feedback...you guys are great!

[lukkykatt]

I also love Cetaphil. In the summer, I use the one for Normal/Oily skin - that might be better for you if your skin is oily.

Congrats on your pregnancy!

[Sarah1]

Well, I'm a Cetaphil fan too, used it for a good 2+ years, but noticed my complexion just looked kind of ruddy. I started using a Neutrogena "Anti-Blemish, Anti-Wrinkle" cleanser w/salicylic acid (which is safe to use while pregnant, btw) and it's really made my skin clearer, smoother, and over all simply more "glowing". I definitely recommend it!

[Mommy_Again]

I am in the small minority of people who can't use Cetaphil. And I wanted to so badly, because everyone raves about it, but it made my face break out like a high schooler. It was awful. I use Proactiv, which I love, but I also used Dial because I didn't feel like Proactiv cleansed well enough (love the toner and lotion). Of course, I KNOW Dial is bad for me in the long run, so I am trying to find something more gentle. I am currently using Aveeno foaming cleanser which is doing a pretty good job (but not as good as my Dial!!)

Also, my facialist told me the Apricot Scrub (which I also love) is actually really bad for our skin- it causes pigmentation problems. I had this confirmed by a few other people.

[icunurse]

I second the Proactiv. The first thing I have found to clear up my skin (even better than a dermatologist). Wish it had been around when I wa sin high school! But I don't think you can use it during pregnancy.
Traci
~Connor's Mom~
http://lilypie.com/baby1/050204/1/0/1/-6/.png (http://lilypie.com)

[new_mommy25]

I have oily skin and also live in a tropical environment so I can help. I am a huge fan of Neutragena. I use the fresh foaming cleaner (super gentle and also works as a makeup remover) and the Blackhead clearing astringent. In the morning I use their SPF15 daily oil-free moisturizer. I don't use any moisturizer at night. So far this has been working well for me.

I used Cetaphil for awhile but it made me break out and also doesn't remove makeup well.

[jd11365]

My mom is a well-respected aesthetician in NYC, well, Great Neck. She's been quoted in Self, Glamour and other magazines. She's always said, if you can't afford the more expensive products, Neutrogena is the best drug store purchase for skin care. For the record though, she would say to go have a medical grade facial (not a shi shi foo foo salon one) first. The products my mom mainly uses in her practice are Sothys, MD Formulations and Glycare. She does microdermabrasion which is the best type of facial...though very pricey. Clinique/Lancome...all that is very heavy and will actually clog your pores more than do good. Try the Neutrogena...it's cheap and easy!

Good luck and congrats on your pregnancy!

Jamie
Mommy to Kayla
May '03

[jenmcadams]

Thanks!

[MartiesMom2B]

A problem with the apricot scrub is that the pits that are used are not ground enough and can cause tiny scrapes and irritates the skin. It's better to find a scrub with man made exfoliants.

-Sonia

[houseof3boys]

Another cetaphil user. I use the one for dry skin and DH uses the one for oily skin. I have tried some of the neutrogena ones and thought they were good too though!

[tiapam]

Another vote for Cetaphil! Sometimes I combine it with a little baking soda for better cleansing and exfoliation. I also use hydrogen peroxide for a toner. I also found a mask I really like from Mario Badescu. It is the Orange Tonic Mask. I have weird skin - it's oily *and* dry and I do break out sometimes. This mask seems to be gentle enough on the dry parts, but still tough on the oily parts. I originally ordered the MB Drying Lotion, which the magazines are always recommending. It didn't do much for me, plus it's not very attractive to wear it overnight. The great thing about MB is they send samples when you order and will even send specific samples if you request them. The website is: www.mariobadescu.com

[phirey]

I LOVE LOVE LOVE Basis facial cleanser. Not the bar, the liquid in the tube. DH and I both use it and will not buy anything else (in fact DH is more of a stickler about it than I am). Our area Targets stopped carrying it a while back but I can get a decent size tube for $5 at Ulta 3...