Malin+Goetz's Grapefruit Face Cleanser helps me effectively squash breakouts, but it can be drying — here are the pros and cons you should consider before buying it

• Malin + Goetz's Grapefruit Face Cleanser ($36) is gentle, non-irritating, and it leaves my skin feeling clean enough to skip double-cleansing these days.
• It's more expensive than alternatives like Cetaphil, but it also helps to combat my breakouts better. I see less inflammation after using this.
• But, be careful to only use a dime-sized amount. Whenever I accidentally used more, it dried my skin out.

If you're in the market for gentle, effective, and relatively budget-friendly grooming products, Malin+Goetz is a one-stop-shop that's worth considering. With prices under $50 for face- and body- care products that are generously sized and designed for sensitive skin, odds are good you'll find a product that fits your needs.

I have somewhat sensitive combination skin, and I've been using the brand's popular Grapefruit Face Cleanser ($38) routinely over the last month. The foaming cleansing gel is meant to be suitable for all skin-types, pH-balancing, and it's formulated with a natural fragrance and color.

What it's like to use

In person, the Malin+Goetz Grapefruit Face Cleanser ($38) is gentle, effective, and smells nice and fresh. I also found that a little bit of product goes a long way. When I use the right amount, my skin feels balanced without any residue. Nothing much happens to your skin as a result of using it — in a good way. And, better than most other simple cleansers, this one tends to minimize my breakouts.

While the bottle's squeeze-top may put a large amount of product (as seen above) onto your palm, you really only need a third of this to cleanse your face. A dime-sized drop lathers up to enough product for both my face and neck, and it delivers a gentle but effective clean — right in the sweet spot where you don't need to double cleanse, but skin doesn't feel stripped either. As a note, I haven't been wearing much makeup over the last month, so if you're starting with foundation or mascara, there's a chance you may still want to double cleanse just in case. Something else to keep in mind is that if you use the full amount pictured, your skin is probably going to feel parched.

I've also noticed that this formula does more for my breakouts than alternatives I own, such as Cetaphil. Cetaphil seems to take a passive role, whereas I see less inflammation after using this.

Cons to consider

As mentioned, Malin+Goetz Grapefruit Face Cleanser can be drying if you use more than a dime-sized amount to wash your face. I've started using this mostly in the shower, which lets me use any excess product as a gentle body wash. (If you go that route, you may want to start with a small amount until you know how your body reacts, especially if paired with scorching-hot water.)

Considering how far a drop goes, the Malin+Goetz Grapefruit Face Cleanser is a pretty good deal at $38 for eight ounces. But, it's definitely not the cheapest option out there, and my all-time favorite cleanser — Alpha Beta Pore Perfecting Cleansing Gel from Dr. Dennis Gross, which I use at night for more exfoliation — is $38 for just a half-ounce less. Still, the Grapefruit Face Cleanser is one of my favorite simple, gentle cleansers, and personally, I'd likely pay more to own it over Cetaphil ($10). Cetaphil is gentle and doesn't strip my skin of moisture, but I don't think it does as much for my breakouts as the Grapefruit Cleanser does.

The bottom line

Malin+Goetz's Grapefruit Face Cleanser is a great buy if you're looking for something gentle enough for sensitive skin but thorough enough to get all the grime off your face in one go. It's a bonus that a little goes a long way, so you should easily get six months of routine usage from the $38 bottle. Just make sure you're using the right amount or you'll risk drying out your skin.

If you're especially budget-conscious and don't mind something that's gentle but a bit less effective, Cetaphil is a cheaper, larger option, but I prefer Malin+Goetz for how clean it leaves my skin in one wash.