February 8
I’m often asked if environmentally friendly beauty products can be affordable, and my answer is always a resounding, unequivocal “yes!” Considering the general outcry over Bets’ recent Cetaphil post, now like a good time to share a few of my favorite healthy facial cleansers. Consider this the start to a very irregular series! –Meghan
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Best for Busy Girls
Neutrogena Naturals Fresh Cleansing + Makeup Remover ($6.50): The greenest cleanser in the drugstore arena, this creamy gel lacks a lot of the nasty stuff, including fragrance, chemical sulfates, parabens, petrochemicals, dyes and phthalates. (I also like that the bottle is made of 50% post-consumer recycled content, something that, in my opinion, should be an industry standard.) I also removes even the most stubborn day-old eyeliner.
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Best for Oily + Breakout Prone Skin
Yes to Tomatoes Clear Skin Daily Clarifying Cleanser ($10): My endorsement for the Yes to Blueberries towelettes has already been documented , but I am also a big believe in the brand’s tomato-powered gel, especially in the summer months. Void of petroleum, sodium laurel sulfate and icky parabens, this stuff has a nice astringent bite to it, yet doesn’t suck skin dry. The fresh scent is another bonus.
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Best for Ladies who Love a Squeaky Clean Complexion
Desert Essence Thoroughly Clean Face Wash ($10): When I polled my friends, two expressed long-time fangirl status for this affordable co-op buy. The sharp tea-tree scent can be a deal breaker—you either like it or you don’t—but loyalists claim this amber-colored liquid cleanses thoroughly and rinses clean. Like all Desert Essence products, this wash does not contain parabens, glycols, phthalates, petroleum compounds, sodium laurel sulfate.
What’s your favorite cheap + healthy facial cleanser? Tell us!
Filed Under: anti-acne cleanser, Desert Essence Thoroughly Clean Face Wash, Neutrogena Naturals Fresh Cleansing + Makeup Remover, oily skin, organic cleanser, organic face wash, Yes to Blueberries towelettes, Yes to Tomatoes Clear Skin Daily Clarifying Cleanser
Honey is my favorite! I’ve also been trying out the oil cleansing method (castor + jojoba oils) and I really like it.
[...] ‘em are priced under $10 and available at your local drugstore, Target or food co-op. Please check it out if you’re so inclined. I hope you all have beautiful [...]
I’m actually digging the Burt’s Bees Sensitive Cleanser with cotton extract. Super creamy!
Next in the anti-Cetaphil series, I’d love some recommendations on a good, natural HEAVY moisturizer. I live at 7000 feet in a very dry climate, and Cetaphil cream is the only thing that keeps my skin from literally flaking off. (Yes, my diet is good–vegetarian with plenty of fruits/veggies/healthy fats. Also I use a humidifier in my bedroom. It’s just too dry for skin here!) Thanks Bets!!!
Hi Shannon!
I wish my shea cream were still around because it would be perfect in that climate! I would go with a rich balm, which is also going to provide a protective barrier. One Love Organics Skin Savior is the BOMB. http://www.beautybets.com/2011/09/im-back-and-i-have-a-new-obsession/
love this post! thanks for the suggestions! wondering if you could do a similar post on something that could replace the cetaphil moisturizer…or a good drug store moisturizer (for body)!
Yes! great idea Abby! stay tuned . . .
I used to use Neutrogena exclusively for my face, so it’s great to see them taking a step in the right direction with their more natural line. I happen to like tea tree so I’ll take a look at Desert Essence’s cleanser!
Has anyone tried the Simple line http://www.simpleskincare.com/? The line is available at Target, and I’ve been using the cleansing gel and the toner. So far I love both products.
I had to ditch the Neutrogena naturals, both cleanser & scrub, because of their smell. not really a green or clean scent, and it lingered for hours on my skin. sad, because I really wanted to like these products for the reasons you listed. the smell was the big deal breaker for me.
[...] posting a round-up of our favorite affordable Earth-friendly cleansers, many of you asked us to share our top picks for natural moisturizers. Here they are, just in time [...]
I definitely want to try yes to tomatoes – my skin is super oily! Thank you for the suggestion