Review: Equate Mild Liquid Facial Soap (compare to Clinique Liquid Facial Soap Mild)

Purchased by Me

This review is a long time coming! I meant to post it before my unplanned break from blogging last month, but better late than never, right?

The Walmart house brand, Equate, introduced some Clinique skincare dupes back in February (CLICK HERE for my original post if you'd like to see the other products in this line).  Since my original post back in February, I've received some positive feedback from you regarding these dupes, so I decided to purchase the Equate facial cleanser and give it a whirl. I've been using it off and on for a few months now, so here are my thoughts...

Before I begin this review, let me confirm that Clinique does offer their Liquid Facial Soap Mild in a pump bottle which contains 6.7 oz of product (just like the Equate version above). It looks like this:

image source: sephora.com

I am only showing you the 5.0 oz tube version because that's the one I personally own (it was the only version available at my Cosmetic Company Outlet when I bought it there a few months ago).

So to confirm:

Clinique Liquid Facial Soap Mild 

6.7 oz pump bottle 

Retail: $16.50 at Sephora, Clinique.com and Clinique counters

Equate Beauty Mild Liquid Facial Soap 

6.7 oz pump bottle

Retail: $9.78 at Walmart stores and Walmart.com

Ingredients comparison:

Clinique

As you can see, the ingredients are very similar, but they are not 100% identical. 

Equate

The pump is nice and sturdy (not flimsy) and is easy to use. The overall construction of the bottle feels solid.

Texture and consistency: Comparing the Equate version to the real thing, the texture and viscosity are nearly identical. They are both clear, thick liquids and they feel nearly identical in my hand. The Equate version has that same cushiony, thick, gel-like consistency that you get with the Clinique cleanser. Also, the effort needed to produce a lather is identical to me. They both foam up quite easily and they both have the same slick feeling on the skin. Also, they both tend to "cling" to the face in the same way. This is something I like about the Clinique cleanser--it doesn't just roll right off your face when you add water--it clings to the skin and it's easy to work into every little crevice of your face. It feels somewhat luxurious to use, and  I get that exact same feeling with the Equate version.

Fragrance: To me, both cleansers have a very mild scent. I definitely prefer the Clinique fragrance because it's more fresh and clean-smelling to my nose. The Equate version also has a clean, mild scent, but there's a tiny bit of a chlorine-like note to it that I don't get from the Clinique version. I don't think the fragrances are dramatically different, but if you're used to the Clinique fragrance, you will definitely notice the difference.

Performance: I find that the Equate version performs quite similarly when it comes to cleansing my skin. They both do a thorough job at removing the dirt, oil and makeup from my face. Also, the rinsing experience is nearly identical. Sometimes when I use the Clinique cleanser, I'll notice some lingering lather near my ears, right on my hairline. And guess what? I get that with the Equate version, too! It's not that either cleanser is difficult to rinse, but I just notice that, with both cleansers, the lather is abundant and it tends to travel all the way to my ears. I was really surprised that this happened with the Equate, since it's something I've only ever noticed with the Clinique cleanser. As for how my skin feels after rinsing and drying, would you believe that I actually feel like my skin is tiny bit less dry/tight with the Equate version? It's not that the Clinique version leaves my skin feeling excessively dry or tight, but I do detect a tiny bit of tightness after my skin is dry. I don't get that at all with the Equate version. Obviously this is just my own experience and yours could vary depending on your skin type.

FINAL VERDICT: If you are already a fan of Clinique Liquid Facial Soap Mild, and you're looking for a similar cleanser that's a bit more budget-friendly, you might be pleasantly surprised by the Equate version. It's not 100% identical, but it's one of the most accurate drugstore skincare dupes that I've come across in recent years. To me, the texture, viscosity and performance of the Equate version are quite similar to the real thing. But if you're a serious Clinique devotee, you might be more sensitive to the differences between the two (most notably, the fragrance). I don't think anything can compare to visiting a Clinique counter and receiving personalized recommendations from an SA based on your skin type, but if you already know that Clinique Liquid Facial Soap Mild is a good fit for you, and you're looking to save a few bucks, you might want to give the Equate version a shot if you shop at Walmart. I was very pleasantly surprised by this dupe.

The Equate Beauty versions of Clinique skincare can be found exclusively at Walmart stores and the Walmart website. For more info and links, check out my previous post HERE.

Do you own any Equate Beauty dupes? If so, I'd love to hear how they've been working for you!

The products featured in this post were purchased with personal funds. For more information, click here.