4.3
16 reviews
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Desert Essence
Desert Essence Thoroughly Clean Face Wash

Read 16 Reviews

Stops excess oil, but may burn skin

4

My face produces more oil than normal especially during the summer for some reason so I sought out for a product that would alleviate this problem. A pharmacist recommended that I try Desert Essence Thoroughly Clean Face Wash. I wet my face first and pumped a pea size amount onto my middle finger. I proceeded to gently massage the liquid over my face for about 30 seconds. For those 30 seconds it felt like I had hundreds of tiny cuts all over my face. Once time was up I immediately rinsed off the cleanser with cold water. It took several minutes for my face to cool down and when it finally did my skin was painfully dry. I couldn't make any facial expressions without my face flaking and stinging. I was able to combat the dryness by applying a moisturizer. I was able to go the entire day without using oil blotting wipes because there wasn't any excess oil, but I noticed that I had a tiny burn mark on my right temple. I used this cleanser once again before bed and the next morning I woke up with a tiny burn mark on my nose. Both burn marks scabbed and went away after 4 days. I decided to stop using Desert Essence Thoroughly Clean Face Wash because the threat of constant burn marks are more harmful than excess oil.

Westchester, IL

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Beware if you have sensitive skin!

4

I was disappointed to find that Desert Essence Thoroughly Clean Face Wash was so harsh on my skin. I really liked the fact that this face wash is made out of many natural ingredients, because I'm health conscious and also have sensitive skin that can't tolerate many skin care products. When I first used this face wash, it left my skin feeling very clean and refreshed, giving my skin a silky feeling. However, after just a few days, that all changed: it started stripping my skin of moisture and irritating it. I really believe this product is just not for sensitive skin, regardless of what the packaging on the back may say. If you have oily skin, this might work for you. If you have dry skin, sensitive skin, and maybe even aging skin, I wouldn't recommend this product. Unfortunately, it's just too potent of a product. I really wish Desert Essence would make a sensitive skin version of this face wash, because I think it has potential in a milder, more soothing formula. Ease of Application Squirts out thin liquid quickly, so you have to be careful.

USA

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great for oily acne prone skin

5

been using this for 7 years I wish I knew about this in my high school years.. It really gives you a thoroughly clean wash.It dries my acne without drying my skin and it shrinks my pores. i love this product I even use it all over my body, Its my staple face wash Ease of Application I find its best to rinse off with cool water almost like it zaps your pores shut

USA

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Favorite face wash!

5

I had tried the dessert essence facebar soap, but it never really did anything for me. I have bad acne that I'm taking medication for but my dermatologist recommended I try something specially formulated for my face to wash with that encompasses my vegan values. I saw this at whole foods and decided to give it a try. It had the ingredients that my dermatologist recommend I get in a face wash! I've been using this for about a month and it's so great! It doesn't dry out my face so I don't have to use a moisturizer afterward and my complexion has greatly improved and others have noticed too! It's really watery so some people recommend using it in a foam pump. I use this twice a day and wash with cold water as recommended and it certainly has helped the redness swell down in my face. I'm going to have to get this in bulk. Smells very fresh and clean too. Like really good actually. My friend used it once and I kept smelling it on him as we were hanging out in my room and I mentioned how good he smelled haha. I was trying to figure out what it was, and then I realized it was this facewash. As a side note, I also use mostly dessert essence products. I also use their tea tree shampoo and conditioner and heat protectant.

USA

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Will NEVER use another face wash!

5

I love this face wash... if I could get away with leaving just a 5 word review, I would end it there. I have dealt with acne since a young teenager and tried everything I could to get rid of it. I even was on Proactiv for a few years and although it worked wonderfully and cleared up my skin, I dealt with drier skin, occasional skin inflamation, and bleached out wash clothes (from the peroxide). I started becoming more conscious of the various amounts of chemicals in beauty products and how they are absorbed into the body and began looking for other skin care alternatives. I began reading up on more natural skin regimes and read about the effects of tea tree oil on acne. Several people on a site said they had switched to tea tree oil products from Proactiv. I thought I would give it a try, came across Desert Essence's tea tree oil-based products and I haven't looked back! I have a bottle of this face wash in the shower, on the sink, and on the tub. I also have a huge bottle for refills that I keep under the sink. I use it all the time and will only stop using it when Desert Essence stops making it (which I hope will never happen)!

Las Vegas, NV

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A very natural way to cleanse

3

Good product, all natural, and always a good value at Trader Joe's. Cons: tea tree oil is strong so I highly recommend using care when trying to remove eye makeup. This product is best used for daily facial cleansing, with less emphasis on eye makeup removal. Do follow with a light moisturizer as this formula can be slightly drying.

Livermore, CA

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Desert Essence thoroughly clean face wash

5

At last I found the cleanser that is natural, simple, very reasonably priced and effective! Love, love, love it! I buy mine online (iherb), and it's cheaper there than in our local farmers market store. I have a pump bottle which got me started and now I always buy a refill (32 oz) - it's so much cheaper this way. Yes, it's very thin but this is what the pump bottle is for - to make the whole process easier for us and it does a great job. I find the smell rather pleasant but I really don't mind the smell of the tea tree oil either. It may feel a little greasy at first but it does cleanse your skin thouroughly and gently at the same time without harmful synthetic chemicals. It burns your eyes pretty bad so be careful and keep them closed while using it. This cleanser is the proof that you don't have to pay much to get a quality face care product.

Phoenix, AZ

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Fantastic!

5

This is by far the best face wash I have ever used. My skin in very acne prone, and I've used probably every face wash available in stores without really noticeable results. One day I was looking through organic face washes online and came across this product. With all the rave reviews it received I had to try it, and I've never looked back! My face is more clear now than it ever has been my entire life! The only complaint I can see having for this product is the smell. It is a very strong smelling product (my boyfriend absolutely hates it). When I first started using it I could hardly stand the smell myself (I had to hold my breath to use it lol) but now that I'm used to it I can hardly smell it at all. It also can be a bit drying. I use [Kiss My Face Peaches & Cream w/AHA ][1] after every use and it balances my skin out very well. If you have any sort of acne problem or are just looking for a great natural face wash, this is highly recommended! [1]: http://www.viewpoints.com/Kiss-My-Face-Peaches-Cream-w-AHA-Moisturizer-reviews

Sewickley, PA

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Desert Essence Face Wash

3

This face wash gives you value for the money. It's affordable and lasts quite awhile. I was drawn to Desert Essence due to its natural ingredients. My only qualms with this product is that it's not very moisturizing for my skin type (sensitive, combination skin). In addition, it does have a strong smell that's almost medicinal, but it wasn't too noticeable after continuous use. Perhaps, this product would be great for people with normal skin types.

Los Angeles, CA

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Clears and Heals Skin within a few days!

5

I love this cleanser and changed over because I want to get away from harsh cleansers that are not good for your skin over a long period of time.  My initial experience was that the cleanser is extremely watery, but don't let that stop you from using it.  I kept using it and my current break outs cleared up within two days of using it.  In stating this, because it does not scrub the skin, it is a good idea to also use a facial scrub at least a couple times a week with it.  This brand also offers facial cleansing pads that would work great for this (I do use them too.)   If you get hung up on smell, then you may want to smell it in the store.  It is strong, but I wouldn't let that deter you from using it.  My husband isn't bothered by it and he says I smell "clean" when I get out of the shower.  It doesn't stay as strong smelling once it is rinsed off and is not bothersome.  I've actually gotten used to the smell and find it earthy.   This product is definitely worth a try and won't break the bank either.

Manchester, NH

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Desert Essence Thoroughly Clean Face Wash

4.3 16

100.0