You know how important it is to remove your makeup before climbing between the sheets each night, but unfortunately it’s harder than you’d imagine to find a facial cleanser that not only removes dirt but also your face paint from the day. Sure, you can buy separate makeup remover, but most of us have enough bottles and jars cluttering our sinks and vanities as it is.
Determined to find cleansers that, well, clean, we gathered 20 different products for a test. First we applied liquid foundation, eyeliner, eye shadow and mascara to our faces. After washing, we blotted our faces dry using a clean white paper towel to check for any residual makeup left on our skin. The following left the towel spotless and our faces clean and refreshed.
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 Dickinson’s Original Witch Hazel Foaming Facial Wash ($6.99, drugstores)Used as an astringent for centuries, witch hazel is a flowering shrub that is high in tannins and known to tighten skin, and its powers come through in this cleanser. | |
 Aveeno Clear Complexion Foaming Cleanser ($7.49, drugstores)Long a favorite of beauty experts and everyday women, this gentle, lotion-like wash contains a soy complex that helps even out skin tone and salicylic acid to fight breakouts. Photo: CVS Stores | |
 Sebamed Liquid Face and Body Wash ($12.99, drugstores)We were wary of using the same product on our body and face, but this moisture-fortified formula cleanses without drying or irritating skin or eyes. | |
 Willa Naturals Start Fresh Foaming Face Wash ($11, willaskincare.com)Moisturizing glycerin pairs up with antioxidant green tea leaf extract in this paraben-free cleanser to leave skin feeling like you never had makeup on. | |
 Oro Gold 24K Vitamin C Facial Cleanser ($138, orogoldcosmetics.com)Although not all experts agree, gold has been touted to reduce wrinkles. We need to test this one longer to determine if it makes skin look smoother, but the metal definitely gives your face a glow. |
The Body Shop Seaweed Deep Cleansing Facial Wash ($6.50,
