Real Women Respond: How Do You Keep Your Face Clean?

Im a little bit all over the place when it comes to soaps and facial cleansers. My all time favorite face soap is Burts Bees Orange Essence Facial Cleanser, which leaves my skin tingly and glowing and is one of the few cleansers Ive ever been able to distinguish from all the rest. But I get distracted by pretty things—the dirty hippie oatmeal soap my friend makes, goats milk and lavender soap from the farmers market, bar soaps from Dr. Bronners (whom I swear by to keep my house clean), shea butter soap from Dr. Woods, or even, occasionally, fancy pricey soaps which promise things like increased luminosity and faster cell turnover. I also really like Thayers witch hazel astringents and toners.

To see how my skin-cleansing habits compared with those of my peers, I took to Facebook and Twitter (and so did the Blisstree social media team). Heres what other women had to say.

How do you keep your face clean?

Usually just warm water and a washcloth. no soap. Once a week I use rhassoul clay with warm water mixed in to make a paste. I rub that on my skin and let it dry and then remove it with a warm damp cloth. —Meg Paska, Brooklyn-based beekeeper, gardener and chicken overlord

I alternate depending on the season and what condition my face is in. My mother is a soapmaker and created a unique recipe with shea butter, tea tree oil and oatmeal that I use year round, but I also use Neutrogenas grapefruit line once a day to exfoliate. If my skin is particularly dry (or sunburned like it was this weekend), I use Purity by Philosophy. —Adrienne Royer, Tennessee-based blogger and aspiring Southern Belle

St Ives Apricot Cleanser when I take a shower and thats it—although, they changed their recipe last time and I dont like it as much (texture and consistency-wise; also I seem to break out a little more), so Ill probably look around for a replacement next time I buy it, probably store brand or something.–Linda O., Ohio-based librarian, actress and mother

I only use cleanser when Ive been wearing makeup: Philosophys foaming cleanser.—Megan McArdle, D.C.-based business and economics editor for The Atlantic

St. Ives Apricot Scrub, Yes to Tomatoes facial wipes, and once a week a Biore strip across my noes.—Melissa S., Illinois-based retail merchandiser and mother

I use mostly drugstore products with an occasional Sephora splurge—almost never buy the same thing twice. Im a sucker for the new product impulse purchase. I buy all sorts of face products: cleanser, scrub, masks, toners, moisturizers, treatments, makeup remover (liquid and wipes).—Pamela S., New York-based PhD student

I ran out of what I usually use, so I grabbed some LOreal exfoliating cleaner. It works really well, leaving my skin super smooth and clear of breakouts. However, I know it is full of artificial colors, aromas, and preservatives. Generally, I use Aveda Purifying Gel Cleanser. It smells amazing and lasts forever.—Morgan McNaught, Chicago-based actress

If Im wearing makeup, I use Sephora foam makeup remover, occasionally followed up with witch hazel. Otherwise I use Lush Ultra Bland daily, and once a week or so Ill exfoliate with Lush Ocean Salt scrub. Its important that I use stuff thats not a bunch of chemicals, paraban free, and not tested on animals, and a big plus if the company takes strides to be environmentally conscious and treat their workers well.—Rita H, Brooklyn-based

Olay Daily Facial cloths in the a.m., Cetaphil at night. Makeup remover wipe before the Cetaphil if applicable.—Lynn S., Chicago-based MBA student

Ive used St. Ives Apricot Scurb once or twice a week since high school. For my daily scrub down I use Dove cool cucumber in the shower.—Stephanie T., Brooklyn

Eucerin Redness Relief Soothing Cleanser, mostly. I use a lot of face washes, but thats the one I like. I also use the anti-bacterial Cetaphil.—Karin J., D.C.-based web producer

I love the St Ives Apricot Scrub, too! And my Clarisonic brush cleaner thingy, whatever its really called.—Catherine Andrews, D.C.-based digital media manager and blogger

Proactiv sometimes. Clearasil Morning Burst most of the time. And shampoo lather if I forgot to bring facewash into the shower with me.—Andrea B., Ohio

Ive been using Origins products for skincare. No parabens, natural extracts and they do a ton of scientific research on the products. Same company as Aveda too.—Cat M., North Carolina

Ive always been someone who has an overstock of beauty products, particularly facial washes, creams, astringents and masks. But my skin is really sensitive, so Ive been trying to stick with a more consistent regimen: For now, thats Cetaphil for oily skin at night, and some type of scrub in the morning. I was using Tata Harpers scrub, which I am in love with (so much that Im willing to pay way too much money for it), but I lost it on a recent trip and am now using Pangea Organics. I really try to stick with all-natural and organic products; I dont like putting mysterious chemicals and fragrances on my skin.—Blisstree editor Briana Rognlin

I only use Cetaphil for my face and it looks better than ever (even when I used to spend gobs of money on department store cleansers, scrubs, toners and moisturizers).—Blisstree writer Deborah Dunham

Blisstree Facebook and Twitter responses:

Clinique and Burts Bees no animal testing involved!—Roxana R.

Clean & Clear products.—Emily M.

Thoroughly Clean face wash by Desert Essence—its vegan and made with awapuhi and it makes my skin so soft and clean feeling.—Kristina C., Los Angeles

Derma E products work for me and arent over priced.—Kay L., Ohio

Rocky Mountain Soap Company LOVE.—Pamela F., Bermuda

Nothing. I dont use anything on my face and Ive been told that I have beautiful looking skin. It must be hereditary.—

I use my own homemade soap!—

Cetaphil.—

I use Philosophy Purity Made Simple.—

Photo: Ombee Soap Parlor

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