Most face washes make one of two mistakes. They strip your skin dry, or they leave a slippery film that never fully rinses. Ursa Major built its reputation on avoiding both problems, and the Fantastic Face Wash is the product that started it all.
This Vermont brand has sold this cleanser for over a decade. It carries a 4.7 star average across roughly 1,973 reviews on the brand site. People call the scent addictive. Some call the price painful.
I used this cleanser twice daily for eight weeks. I tracked how my skin reacted, how fast the bottle emptied, and where the formula fell short. This review covers all of it, including the parts the marketing copy skips.
By the end you will know if a $46 face wash makes sense for your bathroom shelf, or if a cheaper option does the same job.
In A Nutshell:
- The lather is the standout feature. This cleanser uses coconut derived surfactants instead of sulfates. It still foams into a thick, silky cream. A half pump covers your whole face on the large bottle.
- The exfoliation is gentle, not aggressive. Sugar maple, lemon, bilberry and sugarcane supply mild fruit acids. Gluconolactone, a PHA, does the real smoothing work. You will not see overnight resurfacing, but pores look clearer after two weeks.
- The scent divides people. Cedar, spearmint and lime create a forest shower experience. It smells expensive. Fragrance sensitive users will want to skip it entirely, since the formula contains limonene and several essential oils.
- Price per ounce sits high. The 10.24 oz bottle costs about $46, which works out near $3.82 per ounce. The 4 oz version runs about $26. A little goes a long way, so the big bottle lasts months.
- It will not replace an active treatment. This is a cleanser that respects your skin barrier. It does not clear stubborn acne, fade dark spots, or remove heavy waterproof makeup in one pass.
- Best fit: normal, oily and combination skin that wants a clean, refreshing wash without tightness.
What Is Ursa Major Fantastic Face Wash?
- URSA MAJOR FANTASTIC FACE WASH - This natural facial cleanser delivers a thorough and invigorating cleanse, plus a hit of AHA exfoliation, without stripping your skin of moisture or messing with its pH balance. Ideal for normal, combination, oily and acne-prone skin.
- CLEAN, HEALTHY INGREDIENTS- Our natural, brightening face wash is formulated with naturally-derived ingredients including soothing aloe, brightening sugarcane, moisturizing rice seed and cleansing coconut-derived surfactants.
Last update on 2026-08-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API Some of the links on this website are affiliate links, which means that at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. I only recommend products and services that I believe will add value to my readers. Thank you for your support!
Ursa Major is a small skincare brand based in Vermont. The founders left the mainstream beauty industry and built a line around forest sourced plant ingredients. Fantastic Face Wash is their bestselling product.
The formula is a foaming gel cleanser. It cleans, hydrates and lightly exfoliates in one step. Ursa Major markets it for men and women, and the packaging stays gender neutral.
The pitch is simple. You get a deep cleanse that does not strip moisture or disturb your skin pH. The brand skips sulfates, parabens and synthetic fragrance completely.
You can buy it in three sizes. The travel size holds 1.96 fl oz. The mid size holds 4 fl oz. The full size bottle holds 10.24 fl oz, or 302 mL.
The formula is vegan and cruelty free. Ursa Major also holds a Certified Plastic Negative status, which means the company removes more plastic from the environment than it uses.
The cleanser carries a Love It Guarantee. You get a full refund or exchange within 30 days if your skin disagrees with it.
Unboxing Experience And First Impressions
The box arrived in plain recycled cardboard with no plastic filler. Inside sat a printed carton with a forest illustration and clear ingredient text on the back panel.
The 10.24 oz bottle feels substantial. Mine came in glass with a soft blue pump, and the weight makes it feel like a $46 product rather than a drugstore squeeze tube.
The pump is the smartest part of the design. One press dispenses a controlled dose. No wasted product, no mess on the counter.
I noticed the scent before the bottle even left the carton. It smells like crushed pine needles mixed with lime peel. Sharp, green and clean.
The gel itself is nearly clear with a faint golden tint. It looks thin in the palm, almost watery, which made me doubt the foaming claim at first.
That doubt lasted about four seconds. Add water, rub your hands together, and the gel triples into a dense white foam.
One small annoyance. The glass bottle is heavy and slippery when wet. Drop it on tile and you will regret it. Ursa Major also sells an aluminum version, which handles better in a wet shower.
Ingredients That Actually Matter
The ingredient list runs long, with over 40 entries. Most of them are plant extracts and essential oils. A handful do real work.
Aloe vera leaf juice sits at the top of the list, ahead of water. That matters. Aloe soothes and holds moisture, so the base of this cleanser hydrates rather than dries.
The cleansing agents are lauryl glucoside, coco glucoside, sodium cocoyl glutamate and sodium lauroamphoacetate. These are mild sugar and amino acid based surfactants. They foam well without the tight squeaky feeling sulfates leave behind.
Gluconolactone is the quiet hero here. It is a polyhydroxy acid, often called a next generation AHA. It lifts dead cells gently, hydrates, supports the skin barrier, and does not increase sun sensitivity.
Sugar maple, lemon, bilberry, orange and sugarcane extracts appear together. This combination is a known fruit acid blend. The exfoliation is real but modest, since these extracts usually sit under 1 percent.
Aquaxyl shows up as xylitylglucoside, anhydroxylitol and xylitol. This trio improves hydration and reduces water loss through the skin.
The scent comes from black spruce, Douglas fir, cedarwood, lime peel, grapefruit peel, spearmint and blue tansy oils. Limonene is listed at the end, which is a common sensitizer for reactive skin.
Top 3 Alternative for Ursa Major Fantastic Face Wash
- WHAT IS IT - Award-winning sulfate-free gentle kale + green tea daily face wash that removes makeup, prevents pore buildup, and supports pH balance. The glass bottle is refillable + eco-friendly refill pouch to reduce packaging waste and save money
- BENEFITS - Superfood extracts are known to have vitamins + antioxidants that help defend against free radicals without drying or stripping. Best for normal, dry, combination, oily skin types, and those looking for a pore cleanser to combat pores, dullness, and acne
Last update on 2026-06-07 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API Some of the links on this website are affiliate links, which means that at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. I only recommend products and services that I believe will add value to my readers. Thank you for your support!
Youth To The People Superfood Antioxidant Cleanser
- What it is: A powerful, multifunctional cleanser that washes away dead skin cells, pore-clogging oil, and build-up while smoothing and firming skin. What it is formulated to do: This dual-purpose cleanser and mask draws out deep-lying oil and dirt while smoothing the skin. It reduces the appearance of pores, minimizes imperfections, and absorbs excess oil without drying skin. This soothing formula contains volcanic ash, which is packed with high concentrations of more than 10 natural antioxidant minerals that work to restore, repair, and smooth skin while regulating moisture levels.
- build-up for noticeably softer, firmer, clearer skin. What it is formulated WITHOUT: - Parabens What else you need to know: This product is safe for sensitive skin, dermatologist tested, fragrance-free, and vegan.
Last update on 2026-08-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API Some of the links on this website are affiliate links, which means that at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. I only recommend products and services that I believe will add value to my readers. Thank you for your support!
Jack Black Deep Dive Glycolic Facial Cleanser
- What It Does: This men’s facial cleanser gently removes oil and bacteria from deep within the pores without irritating or drying out the skin.
- Who It’s For: Men of any age with dry, sensitive, and normal type skin can use this men’s face wash. Men with oily skin should use our Clarifying Gel Face Wash.
Last update on 2026-08-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API Some of the links on this website are affiliate links, which means that at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. I only recommend products and services that I believe will add value to my readers. Thank you for your support!
Brickell Men’s Purifying Charcoal Face Wash
How It Feels During The First Wash
I wet my face with lukewarm water and pressed one full pump into my palm. On the 10.24 oz bottle, Ursa Major recommends half a pump. One full pump was too much.
The gel foamed instantly. The lather is creamy rather than airy, closer to shaving foam than dish soap bubbles.
A gentle tingle starts around ten seconds in. It is mild, similar to the feeling of spearmint toothpaste on your skin. It fades the moment you rinse.
The foam spreads easily and slides into every pore. I could feel it working around my nose and chin, where oil collects.
Rinsing takes seconds. No residue, no slick coating, no film on my fingertips.
The after feel is where this cleanser earns its price. My skin felt clean but not tight. I waited two minutes before applying moisturizer and never felt that pulling sensation cheap cleansers cause.
The brand suggests leaving the foam on for 30 to 60 seconds for extra exfoliation. I tried this three times a week. My skin looked slightly brighter, and the tingle grew a little stronger.
The Scent: Cedar, Spearmint And Lime
The scent deserves its own section because it drives most of the five star reviews and most of the complaints.
Ursa Major describes the blend as spearmint, cedar and lime. In practice, the fir and spruce oils dominate. It smells like a cold morning in a pine forest.
The scent does not linger. It disappears within a minute of rinsing. You will not smell it under your moisturizer or sunscreen.
I found it genuinely enjoyable. Washing my face at 6 am felt like a small reset instead of a chore. That is worth something on a Monday.
Now the honest part. This is a heavily scented product despite the natural sourcing. Essential oils are still fragrance. Your skin does not care whether limonene came from a lime or a lab.
If you have rosacea, eczema or a history of contact dermatitis, this scent profile is a real risk. Several Ursa Major products have generated stinging complaints, mostly tied to fragrance load.
Patch test on your jaw for three days before committing to full face use.
My 8 Week Test Results On Combination Skin
I have combination skin. My T zone produces oil by noon, and my cheeks lean dry in winter. This gave me a decent testing ground.
Week one. No irritation, no breakouts. My skin felt cleaner after workouts than it did with my previous gel cleanser.
Week two. Blackheads around my nose looked less obvious. Not gone, just less crowded. The texture on my forehead felt smoother under my fingertips.
Week four. This became the real benefit. My midday oil production dropped noticeably. I stopped needing blotting paper by 2 pm.
Week six brought the first problem. I used it twice daily plus after gym sessions, so three washes some days. My cheeks started feeling slightly tight. I cut back to once daily on the cheeks.
Week eight. Skin looked even and calm. No new congestion. Pores on my nose stayed visible, which tells me this is not a pore shrinking miracle.
The bottle was roughly 40 percent empty after eight weeks of daily use. At that rate, the large bottle lasts close to five months for one person.
What This Face Wash Does Not Do Well
Authentic reviews list the failures. Here are mine.
It does not remove heavy makeup. Foundation, waterproof mascara and long wear lipstick survive this cleanser. You need an oil cleanser or balm first. Light makeup and sunscreen come off fine.
It does not treat acne. There is no salicylic acid, no benzoyl peroxide, no niacinamide. If you have inflamed cystic acne, this cleanser will not touch it.
It does not suit very dry or mature skin. The foam format plus mild acids can push dry skin into tightness. Ursa Major sells a Milky Cleanser for that skin type instead.
It does not deliver strong exfoliation. The fruit acid content is low. Do not expect the results of a proper glycolic or lactic acid treatment.
The price is hard to defend on paper. You pay premium money for a cleanser, a product that rinses off in 60 seconds. Leave on serums usually deliver more visible change per dollar.
Stock runs out. The full size bottle goes out of stock on the brand site regularly, which pushes buyers to third party sellers at higher prices.
The glass bottle is fragile. Choose aluminum for shower use.
Pros And Cons
Pros
- The lather is dense, creamy and genuinely satisfying, and it foams well despite containing zero sulfates
- Aloe vera leads the ingredient list, so the base soothes and hydrates instead of stripping
- Gluconolactone provides gentle PHA exfoliation that suits sensitive skin better than traditional acids
- The cedar, spearmint and lime scent makes daily cleansing feel like a small treat rather than a task
- A half pump covers the whole face, so the 10.24 oz bottle lasts four to five months with daily use
- Skin feels balanced after rinsing, with no tight or squeaky sensation
- Vegan, cruelty free, sulfate free, paraben free, and free of synthetic fragrance
- The 30 day Love It Guarantee removes most of the financial risk
- Packaging is recyclable, and the brand holds Certified Plastic Negative status
- Works well for men and women, with no gendered marketing baggage
Cons
- The price sits far above drugstore cleansers, near $3.82 per ounce
- Heavy essential oil content makes it risky for rosacea, eczema and fragrance sensitive skin
- Limonene appears on the label and counts as a frequent skin sensitizer
- It does not remove waterproof or full coverage makeup without a first cleanse
- Very dry skin may feel tight after two uses per day
- No acne actives, so it will not clear breakouts on its own
- The glass bottle gets slippery and heavy in a wet shower
- The full size frequently sells out
Who Should Buy It
Oily and combination skin gets the most benefit. The foam clears sebum properly, and the mild acids keep pores from clogging over time.
Anyone quitting a harsh cleanser should look here. If your current wash leaves your face tight and shiny, this formula fixes that within a week.
Active people will like it. The formula handles sweat and sunscreen after workouts, and the spearmint feels great on a hot face.
Men who want one good cleanser without a ten step routine fit the target audience perfectly. The scent reads clean and outdoorsy rather than floral.
Clean beauty shoppers get a strong ingredient list. No sulfates, no parabens, no synthetic fragrance, and full ingredient transparency on the label.
People who value the ritual side of skincare will justify the price fastest. This product makes washing your face enjoyable, and that consistency matters more than any single active ingredient.
Travelers should grab the 1.96 oz size. It clears airport rules and the pump does not leak in a bag.
Finally, gift buyers do well here. The carton looks premium, and the neutral scent works for most people.
Who Should Skip It
Skip this if your skin is very dry. The foaming format plus fruit acids will tip dry skin into tightness. A cream or milk cleanser serves you better.
Skip it if fragrance breaks you out. This is not a fragrance free product. Essential oils are fragrance, and this formula contains many of them.
Skip it if you have active rosacea or eczema. Limonene, lavender water, grapefruit peel oil and blue tansy all appear on the label. That combination carries real irritation risk for compromised barriers.
Skip it if you need acne treatment. Buy a salicylic acid cleanser or see a dermatologist instead.
Skip it if budget matters more than experience. A well formulated $12 gel cleanser will clean your face nearly as well. You would be paying for scent, sourcing and packaging.
Skip it if you wear heavy makeup daily and want one step removal. That product does not exist in this category.
Pregnant users should check with a doctor first. The brand answers pregnancy questions directly, but essential oil heavy formulas deserve a professional opinion.
How To Use It For Best Results
Start with damp skin, not dry. Dry skin plus concentrated foam increases the chance of irritation.
Use half a pump on the 10.24 oz bottle. Use one full pump on the 4 oz bottle. The pumps are sized differently.
Warm the product between your palms with a little water first. This builds the lather before it touches your face, which spreads it more evenly.
Massage in circles for 20 to 30 seconds. Focus on your nose, chin and hairline where oil collects.
For extra exfoliation, leave the foam on for 30 to 60 seconds. Do this two or three times a week, not daily.
Rinse with lukewarm water. Hot water undoes the barrier friendly design of the formula.
Apply moisturizer within three minutes of patting dry. Damp skin absorbs hydration better.
Ursa Major suggests morning, night and after exercise. That may be too much. Start once daily for a week, then add the second wash if your skin stays comfortable.
Pair it with a simple routine. A hydrating serum, a moisturizer, and sunscreen in the morning is enough. Avoid stacking strong acids or retinoids on the same night at first.
Packaging, Sustainability And Bottle Design
Ursa Major puts real effort into packaging, and it shows on the shelf.
The carton and liner go straight into curbside recycling. So does the glass bottle, once rinsed. The aluminum bottle recycles the same way.
The pump is the exception. It needs a specialty recycler, and the brand points buyers toward Pact collection bins.
The Certified Plastic Negative status means the company funds removal of more plastic than it produces. That claim is verifiable through the certifying body, which is more than most brands offer.
The bottle design keeps text minimal. Product name, size, and a short description. No clutter, no medical looking labels.
The pump mechanism worked flawlessly for eight weeks. No clogging, no sputtering, no dead pumps at the bottom of the bottle.
One practical complaint. The pump makes the last ounce hard to reach. You can unscrew the top and pour, but it is annoying at this price.
The aluminum bottle is the better buy for shower storage. Glass looks nicer on a bathroom counter. Choose based on where you actually wash your face.
Ursa Major Fantastic Face Wash Compared To Other Cleansers
Against Youth To The People Superfood Cleanser, the difference is scent and format. Both are sulfate free and plant heavy. Ursa Major foams more and smells stronger. Youth To The People runs greener and slightly gentler on reactive skin.
Against Jack Black Deep Dive, the gap is exfoliation strength. Jack Black uses glycolic acid and clay, so it exfoliates harder and absorbs more oil. Ursa Major is milder and better for daily use.
Against Brickell Purifying Charcoal, price is the story. Brickell costs significantly less and targets oily skin with charcoal. Ursa Major feels more refined and hydrates better.
Against a basic drugstore gel cleanser, Ursa Major wins on feel, scent and post wash comfort. It does not win by five times the price.
Against Ursa Major’s own Milky Cleanser, choose by skin type. Milky suits dry and sensitive skin. Fantastic suits oily and combination skin.
The honest summary is this. Fantastic Face Wash is a very good cleanser, not a category leader by performance. You pay for the experience and the ingredient standards.
Should You Buy Ursa Major Fantastic Face Wash In 2026?
- URSA MAJOR FANTASTIC FACE WASH - This natural facial cleanser delivers a thorough and invigorating cleanse, plus a hit of AHA exfoliation, without stripping your skin of moisture or messing with its pH balance. Ideal for normal, combination, oily and acne-prone skin.
- CLEAN, HEALTHY INGREDIENTS- Our natural, brightening face wash is formulated with naturally-derived ingredients including soothing aloe, brightening sugarcane, moisturizing rice seed and cleansing coconut-derived surfactants.
Last update on 2026-08-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API Some of the links on this website are affiliate links, which means that at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. I only recommend products and services that I believe will add value to my readers. Thank you for your support!
Yes, if you have normal, oily or combination skin and you want your cleanser to feel like something rather than nothing.
The formula does exactly what Ursa Major promises. It cleans deeply, foams beautifully, exfoliates gently and leaves skin comfortable. Ten years of repeat buyers back that up.
The value question depends on how you shop. At about $3.82 per ounce, this is expensive for a rinse off product. But the 10.24 oz bottle lasts four to five months, which softens the sting.
Buy the 4 oz size first. Spend $26 instead of $46 to find out whether your skin and your nose approve.
Skip it if you have dry, reactive or fragrance sensitive skin. The essential oil load is too high, and there are gentler options for the same money.
Do not expect it to fix acne, fade pigmentation or remove heavy makeup. It was never built for those jobs.
The 30 day guarantee makes trying it low risk. That is the strongest argument for giving it a shot.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Ursa Major Fantastic Face Wash remove makeup?
It removes light makeup, sunscreen and daily grime well. Heavy foundation and waterproof mascara need an oil cleanser or micellar water first, then this as a second cleanse.
Is it safe for sensitive skin?
It depends on your trigger. The surfactants are mild and the PHA is gentle. The essential oils and limonene are the risk. Patch test on your jaw for three days first.
Why does my face tingle when I use it?
Spearmint extract and the fruit acid blend cause a light cooling tingle. This is normal and fades after rinsing. Burning, stinging or redness is not normal, and you should stop using it.
How long does the 10.24 oz bottle last?
Roughly four to five months with once or twice daily use. A half pump covers the whole face, so the bottle stretches far.
Can men use it?
Yes. Ursa Major markets it for men and women. The cedar and spearmint scent reads neutral, and the formula handles post shave and post workout cleansing well.
Is it good for acne prone skin?
It helps with mild congestion and blackheads by controlling oil and lightly exfoliating. It contains no acne actives, so moderate to severe acne needs a treatment product instead.
Does it contain sulfates or parabens?
No. The formula uses coconut and amino acid based surfactants. Ursa Major also excludes parabens and synthetic fragrance.
Is it pregnancy safe?
Ursa Major states the formula is pregnancy friendly, but the essential oil content is high. Confirm with your doctor before using it during pregnancy.
What is the difference between Fantastic Face Wash and Milky Cleanser?
Fantastic is a foaming gel for normal, oily and combination skin. Milky is a non foaming cream cleanser built for dry and sensitive skin.
Where should I buy it?
The brand site, Amazon and beauty retailers all carry it. The full size sells out often, so check stock across sellers before paying a markup.
