Product Review: Sav-on/Osco Cleansing Cream

If the average person were asked to name a cleansing or cold cream, most likely their first and only response would be "Noxema". The success of this decades-old product has, naturally, spawned generic substitutes that vary from store to store. On the average store shelf, Noxema is always the most highly priced cream, unless it's on sale. Discreetly placed nearby are its generic, individual store brand of cleansing cream in direct competition for your dollars.

About seven months ago, I needed a new blue tub of cleansing cream. I'm a fanatic about removing makeup each and every day. When I stopped in my local Acme grocery market, Noxema was on their shelf - and so was Sav-On/Osco by Albertson's Cleansing Cream. For a 10.75 ounce blue jar, Sav-On - Albertson's store brand - was $1.25 less expensive than Noxema. What difference could there be between cold creams, I wondered, selecting the store brand over the more expensive Noxema.

I am still regretting my decision, and unfortunately have nearly half of the blue tub left to go before I can honestly justify purchasing Noxema again.

What, exactly, is wrong with the generic Sav-On Cleansing Cream? Let me list the problems with this product, as they may very well apply to other generic, store-brand cleansing creams as well.

1. Sav-On is significantly heavier and thicker than Noxema. Noxema feels literally like a cream, while the Sav-On product had the consistency of white, thick hair gel.

2. Its odor was annoying and unpleasant. Whatever additives were used to scent this cream, they were disproportionate with the amount of the product, so the consumer ends up with an overly medicinal scent.

3. Because the Sav-On brand is thicker, it's lumpy and when applied, tends to form clumps on your face, which need to be smoothed out. Because of that, it's hard to gear exactly how much - or really, how little - of the Sav-On cream you need.

4. Also because of its weightiness, the Sav-On cream is hard to wipe off. It can't be gently removed, as you can do with the sheer, thin weight of Noxema and a tissue or hand towel. The Sav-On cream tends to stick to tissues and also on your face, necessitating a thorough check to make sure that you've managed to wipe it all off.

5. From an aesthetic point of view, the Sav-On cleaning cream isn't nearly as appealing as that of Noxema. Noxema's cream has a bit of a glimmer and sheen to it. In looking at the generic cream it has a deadened, too bright white color that isn't particularly attractive

Was it worth the $1.25 that I saved by buying the Sav-On cleansing cream over Noxema? Not at all. I'm now stuck with a product that smells funny, is too thick when used, looks chalky and unappealing, and takes far too much time to use and remove. From now on, I'm heading back to the name brand cleansing cream.