Last Updated on November 11, 2021
EDITOR’S NOTE: Updated with additional information after several members of our household used these face washes for a prolonged time.
Aldi has a small selection of Regular Buy personal care products sold under its Lacura brand. They include sunscreen, razors and day and night cream. Aldi has carried a Lacura facial cleanser for years, but during a recent shopping trip, I noticed Aldi appeared to have updated its facial cleanser options.
In addition to the old familiar Lacura Hydrating Facial Cleanser (which some readers are reporting they can no longer find on the shelves), Aldi is selling two new face care products: Lacura Cleansing Exfoliating Scrub and Lacura Foaming Gel Cleanser. Like the original facial cleanser, these are Regular Buys that are in the store all year.
Several members of my family used both of these new products for a while to see how we liked them. I thought they were decent, but one family member who has more sensitive skin found both of these formulas to be overly drying. As a result, after I used up both containers myself, I’ve moved to purchasing different brands at a regular grocery store that don’t have a drying effect on skin. If Aldi went back to selling its old face wash formula, I’d happily switch back to buying facial cleanser at Aldi.
With that said, here’s a closer look at both new options:
Lacura Cleansing Exfoliating Scrub
Ingredients and directions. (Click to enlarge.)
This scrub is $2.79 for a 7-oz. stand-up tube dispenser (about 40 cents per ounce). It says it compares to Johnson & Johnson’s Clean & Clear Deep Action Exfoliating Scrub, which at the time of publication cost $4.97 for a 5-oz. container or $9.64 for a 2-pack from Walmart (about 99 cents per ounce and 96 cents per ounce, respectively). Aldi’s older Lacura Hydrating Facial Cleanser rings up at $3.19 for an 8.45-ounce bottle (about 38 cents per ounce), making it a slightly better deal than the new Lacura Cleansing Exfoliating Scrub.
The Aldi scrub claims to be oil free, soap free, paraben free, and good for all skin types. It was made in Germany and is dermatologically tested and was not tested on animals. It contains allantoin and white lily extract, with exfoliating particles made from mild jojoba pearls.
It can be used in the morning and evening. To use it, wet your face and gently massage the scrub onto the face using small circular motions, then rinse. Avoid direct contact with eyes, and if eye contact occurs rinse thoroughly with water. The container recommends following up with Lacura Q10 Day Cream or Night Cream.
This has a nice, not-overpowering scent, and it has a cooling effect on the skin. The small exfoliating particles give your skin a good scrub, which makes this cleanser different from what Aldi has offered in the past.
Lacura Foaming Gel Cleanser
Ingredients and directions. (Click to enlarge.)
This is $2.79 for an 8.45-oz. bottle with a pump dispenser (about 33 cents per ounce). It says it compares to Neutrogena Fresh Foaming Cleanser, which at the time of publication cost $9.07 for 6.7 ounces at Walmart (about $1.35 per ounce). Aldi’s original Lacura Hydrating Facial Cleanser rings up at $3.19 for an 8.45-ounce bottle (about 38 cents per ounce), making this new Lacura Foaming Gel Cleanser a slightly better deal.
The Aldi cleanser claims to be both a makeup remover and cleanser in one that is good for all skin types. Like the scrub mentioned above, this is dermatologically tested and was not tested on animals. It was manufactured in Luxembourg, and it is free of soap, oil, alcohol, and parabens. It also is noncomedogenic and hypoallergenic.
To use it, wet your hands and face with warm water, pump the cleanser into your hands, and work it into a lather. Gently massage onto the face using small circular motions, then rinse well and pat dry. Avoid direct contact with eyes, and if eye contact occurs rinse thoroughly with water. The container recommends following up with Lacura Q10 Day Cream or Night Cream.
This has a very mild scent. It’s a clear gel, and it forms light suds when rubbed into the skin, which makes it different from Aldi’s other long-time facial cleanser that is a white cream that does not foam.
The Verdict:
Aldi’s new Lacura facial scrub and facial cleanser both cost significantly less than their name-brand Clean & Clear and Neutrogena counterparts. Both have mild scents, and you can choose whether you want an exfoliating product or a basic cleanser. Be aware that if your skin is on the sensitive side, these cleansers may have a drying effect.
Just bought the cleansing LACURA exfoliating scrub and absolutely love it. I Use all the products but this one was new that I just saw absolutely a great find thank you
The new product, Lacura Foaming Gel Cleanser, is nothing like the old product, Lacura Hydrating Facial Cleanser.
The new product is very drying compared to the old. I finally compared the ingredients, and now I know why. The gel cleanser’s second ingredient is sodium laureth sulfate, whereas the Hydrating Facial Cleanser uses Ethylhexl Stearate. Sulfates in soaps and shampoos are very drying. Years ago my hair stylist said to avoid shampoos with them. My hair has been great. I used a tiny amount of the foaming gel cleanser, and I could instantly feel the drying effects. Also, it is very fragrant. I’m a guy who doesn’t want that smell.
The old product worked wonders. I only had to moisturize my face in winter. This new product might be great for stripping makeup, but is terribly drying for us guys not wearing make-up.
Bad move by Aldi.
Glenn Stevens I agree with you 100%. Why fix something that is not broken. I loved the old Facial Cleanser. I am not a fan of Foaming Facial Cleansers. I did not and will not buy and try the New Facial Cleanser. I am very disappointed that they discontinued the old cleanser. I did buy and am going to try Walmart’s Equate Daily Facial Cleanser. It might not be for you though Glenn because it does contain the sulfate ingredient.
Totally agree. I used the old cleanser for 8 years and loved it. Gave up Mary Kay I loved it so much. The new is awful. I feel my face swiveling up it’s so drying. 😩😩😩
I have hopped over here from the Hydrating Cleanser page. After being a bit disappointed in the altered version of the old hydrating cleanser, I decided I would try their new gel cleanser and I am so glad I did. I purchased the pump bottle of the gel cleanser (not the tube of exfoliating gel). It has a light fresh scent that is maybe cirtus? It foams easily and I really felt my face was clean afterward. I did not find the cleanser overly drying at all and I am in older skin. I do moisturize afterward and this is where there was a noticeable difference.. my moisturizer glided on. I realized the former hydrating cleanser had been leaving my face sort of gummy. The new gel cleanser is a great product in my opinion. I am glad I did not give up on the line altogether. Aldi’s never ceases to impress me with their wonderful, affordable products.
The new formula has dried out my face and I have a dry scaly patch above my eyelid after using it as well. I hope I can find the old formula again. Had no issues with it.
Kat the new formula is awful. Unless Aldi tells their manufacturer that they want to go back to the old formula we will never find the old formula again. So many people are very dissatisfied with this new formula you think they would change it back for their customers. Maybe some people like the new stuff. So I say offer both. It’s not something they can’t do.
I have never tried the old products but can tell you I have very sensitive skin. These two products along with day and night cream have not left my face dry at all. On the contrary they are the first products to not have the severe reaction on my skin. I love these products and my skin is clear for once in my adult life with an occasional breakout due to the monthly. I think it’s all about what works best for you, for me these products have been amazing.
Gone! All gone’. No Acura products at Lockport NY. Please tell me it’s the supply chain and not elimination. I will age 20 years if it’s gone forever.