Though I'm a loyal fan to my absolute favorite cleanser, Sunday Riley Ceramic Slip, I have been testing some other cleansers. Most have failed to live up to anything I would use on a regular basis - or at all. However, I have found 2 that I've been really enjoying. They are gentle cleansers and will no means be able to replace Ceramic Slip, but have found a place in my regimen for the times when my skin feels a bit put through the ringer and needs some TLC. 

**No press samples. All items were purchased by me. All shopping links are non-affiliate links.** 

Aveeno Ultra-Calming Foaming Cleanser, $7-8/6oz @ drugstores, Target and ULTA. I purchased mine on drugstore.com when it was on sale for around $5 so I was pretty excited! 

I was really curious about this after seeing Becca from The Beauty Sample show it to us as part of her skincare routine (HERE). She has oily skin, and said it was gentle yet still effective enough to remove any oil during her morning routine. And lemme tell you...she's totally right!! 

This is one of those cleansers that's actually a liquid, but is made into a foam once it is pumped through the dispenser. I really like these types of dispensers because I feel somehow I don't go through as much product - maybe it's all in my head but still. Ha ha! I can't take this bottle traveling though...for one it's too big...and another these types of dispensers tend to leak a bunch. I put it into a small travel bottle and simply dispense a little bit. Of course with this method it doesn't foam up automatically, but it does still foam up nicely when rubbed vigorously between my hands. 

This doesn't dry my skin, and rather keeps me feeling balanced. It leaves my skin feeling clean and fresh, even my oily bits -  with no residue left over. Like its namesake, this cleanser does feel calming and soothing...almost as if my skin is thanking me for being so gentle. Probably sounds strange, but it does feel that way!! 

I've tried using the Aveeno to remove a full face of makeup and it does an ok job. Much better to use a makeup remover first and this afterward. I did say this removes oil and it does - to a point. I find if I go more than 7-8 hours since the last time I've washed my face then this doesn't quite work well enough to remove all my oil buildup. For this reason, I find it best to use in the mornings when I haven't slept in so much. Not a huge deal though!

Overall, I'm happy with this drugstore find and will consider repurchasing :-) 

From Drugstore.com: 

This light foaming cleanser calms and soothes dry, irritated skin while gently cleansing, so your skin looks and feels back to its healthy best. This unique foaming wash contains an extract of Feverfew, a natural ingredient related to Chamomile known for its soothing properties, with gentle, soap-free skin conditioning cleansers to lift away dirt, oil and makeup, without over-drying and aggravating sensitive skin.

Aveeno Ultra-Calming Foaming Cleanser ingredients: 

Water, Glycerin, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Decyl Glucoside, PPG 2 Hydroxyethyl Cocamide, Polysorbate 20, PEG 16 Soy Sterol, Citric Acid, Chrysanthemum Parthenium Flower Extract (Feverfew), Glycine Soja Protein (Soybean), Sodium Cocoyl Amino Acids (Essential Amino Complex), Sarcosine (Essential Amino Complex), Potassium Asparate (Essential Amino Complex), Magnesium Aspartate (Essential Amino Complex), Phenoxyethanol, Disodium Lauroamphodiacetate, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Coco PG Dimonium Chloride Phosphate, Sodium Citrate, Tetrasodium EDTA, Methylparaben, Xanthan Gum, Ethylparaben, Butylparaben, Propylparaben, Sodium Hydroxide

Vivant Green Tea Antioxidant Cleanser, $29.50/8oz @ skincarerx.com, dermstore.com, vivantskincare.com

I had wanted to try this cleanser for awhile! Finally took the plunge several weeks ago when SkincareRX was having a GWP - with a certain $ amount you could receive a 2oz bottle of my favorite physical exfoliator of the moment (Vivant Mandelic Acid 3-in-1 Exfoliating Cleanser) . How could I resist? 

I feel the same about this cleanser as I do the Aveeno - that's why I was especially keen on putting them in the same post. It is a slightly thicker gel type cleanser, and I need very little - maybe a tiny pea size if that - so I can see this huge 8oz bottle lasting for a very long time. It leaves my skin balanced with no dryness and no residue left behind. My skin feels clean, fresh and gently pampered. This has bit of a green tea smell, with a hint of citrus or something I can't quite put my finger on. It removes oil without feeling stripped.

Like the Aveeno this isn't particularly good at removing a full face of makeup, so I'd recommend using a makeup remover first. And again, if I've gone too long between face washings (more than 7-8 hours) then this isn't as effective at removing oil buildup. But I don't find these to be huge negatives at all, and would gladly consider repurchasing this cleanser. See...practically the same review as the Aveeno!! LOL!! 

They are so similar that I have a hard time deciding if I like one over the other! I guess that's a good thing? Ha ha :-)

From Vivantskincare.com about the Vivant Green Tea Antioxidant Cleanser: 

A universal face and body cleanser fortified with antioxidants Green Tea, Grape Seed and Kiwi Extracts. Gently foams away impurities while preserving the skin’s natural acid mantle. Great for all skin types, including rosacea.

Vivant Green Tea Antioxidant Cleanser ingredients:  

DI Water, Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate, Propylene Glycol, Glycerin, Cocoaamphodicetate, Camelia Sinensis (Japanese Green Tea Extract) Leaf Extract, Actinidia Chinensis (Kiwi) Fruit Extract, Honey Extract, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Extract, Butylene Glycol, Carbomer, Sodium Hydroxide, Diazolidinyl Urea, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Fragrance, Blue 1, Yellow 5, Hydroxyethyl Cellulose.