Kleenex & Puffs Blow Away the Competition in Consumer Reports’ Tests of Facial Tissues

CR August 2013 Cover YONKERS, NY — When facing common colds and allergies, tissues that provide comfort are best. In Consumer Reports’ new tests of facial tissues, Puffs Ultra Soft & Strong and Kleenex Lotion Aloe & E topped the Ratings of 18 products for overall performance.

The full report and Ratings of facial tissues are available in the August 2013 issue of Consumer Reports and online at www.ConsumerReports.org.

In its tests, Consumer Reports evaluated 2- and 3-ply facial tissues for their softness (judged by human hands) and strength (tested by a machine). Only five products – all from Kleenex and Puffs – were worth recommending – including top-rated Puffs Ultra Soft & Strong and Kleenex Lotion Aloe & E, which was deemed a CR Best Buy.

When choosing facial tissues, there are several things to consider – more brands now offer lotion, extra plies, and boast about their softness and strength. Here are three things to remember when buying:

Don’t rely solely on a name’s claim. Consumer Reports found that Ology Soft & Strong was one of the least soft; Total Home Soft & Strong was among the least strong; Great Value and 365 Everyday Value were not the best values.
Both lotion and no-lotion products offered softness. Tissues with lotion did well overall, but some without it were also very soft. Kleenex Ultra Soft (no lotion) was even a bit softer than Puffs Plus Lotion and Kleenex Cool Touch (both with lotion).
The number of plies may not matter. Puffs Ultra Soft & Strong tissues, which are two-ply, bested all three-ply products in Consumer Reports’ tests.

Consumer Reports is the world’s largest independent product-testing organization. Using its more than 50 labs, auto test center, and survey research center, the nonprofit rates thousands of products and services annually. Founded in 1936, Consumer Reports has over 8 million subscribers to its magazine, website and other publications. Its advocacy division, Consumers Union, works for health reform, product safety, financial reform, and other consumer issues in Washington, D.C., the states, and in the marketpl

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