Melissa Gilbert Says This Drugstore Cleanser Is ‘Key to Everything’

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“It’s very cleansing and it’s not drying,” the Little House on the Prairie star tells Prevention.

After decades in Hollywood, Melissa Gilbert has tried a slew of beauty products. So when she shares her favorites we know they’re going to be good. The Little House on the Prairie star’s latest recommendation also just so happens to be a dermatologist-favorite cleanser: Vanicream’s gentle cleanser.

“There’s nothing bad in it,” she tells Prevention, “It’s very cleansing and it’s not drying. It gets everything off, makeup dirt, soot—pine tar in my case.”

The star sings the product’s praises. “It’s the key to everything, I keep it next to the toothpaste,” she says.

With over 25,000 ratings on Amazon and nearly five stars, shoppers love it too. “My holy-grail cleanser. Never irritating, never burning, just perfect for my oily skin. I use this twice a day, once during the morning and once during the night before the rest of my routine,” one shopper writes. “Don’t have a single complaint about this face wash. My skin was an absolute wreck after trying to use tretinoin for a while—the worst my acne has ever been—and once I stopped using it and incorporated this wash into my routine, my skin is looking great and I’ve had zero new breakouts. I have extremely sensitive, oily skin with rosacea and spot acne around my chin. It’s gentle and not at all stripping. I love the price too,” another writes.

In fact, Prevention named the cleanser the best face wash in our 2022 Beauty Awards. Marisa Garshick, M.D., F.A.A.D., a board-certified dermatologist in NYC, praised the product. “This cleanser helps to get rid of makeup, dirt, and excess oil but is free of common irritants found in other cleansers such as fragrance, dyes, parabens, formaldehyde, and other preservatives, making it a great option for those with sensitive skin. It’s gentle enough to be used every day and can remove makeup and excess oil, without drying the skin out.”

Gilbert’s affordable pick feels right in line with the star, who isn’t too different than her role as Laura Ingalls Wilder. Like the character she played, the 59-year-old is always evolving. But now, instead of teaching lessons about growing up, she’s spouting words of wisdom about aging. In fact, she even said that she was stopping Botox and fillers to show what aging well looks like.

As for how she maintains her cosmetic procedure-free, glowing skin as time passes? She prioritizes skin health. “I do get regular skin checks,” she says. “I keep track of moles and bumps and things that change color. I drink a ton of water. I am mindful about my skin and keeping it protected.”

But she wasn’t always so focused on prevention. “When I was younger not only was I always in a hurry…I didn’t really focus on self-care that much or being all that healthy because when you’re a kid and in your 20s I felt invincible, invisible is now—invincible is then,” she told Prevention.

Snag more of the star’s skincare favorites below, so you can live your best, healthiest skin yet—basically prairie-approved.

Emily Goldman is the senior editor at Prevention. She’s spent her career editing and writing about health, wellness, beauty, fashion, and food for Martha Stewart Living, Martha Stewart Weddings, Bridal Guide, Good Housekeeping, and more. She’s loved all things health and wellness since starting her bi-weekly podcast Pancreas Pals—a series all about the highs and lows of living life with type 1 diabetes. When not podcasting, she spends most of her time curled up with a good book or watching a period piece on BBC.

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