Exfoliating Cleanser For Sensitive Skin

Exfoliating Cleanser For Sensitive Skin – We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on a link we provide, we may receive compensation.

Theresa Holland is a freelance writer covering all things fitness and health. You can also find his work on Elite Daily, MyDomaine, Thought Catalog, and more.

Exfoliating Cleanser For Sensitive Skin

Christina Heiser has more than a decade of experience writing about beauty, fashion, health, fitness and lifestyle for many online publications including Women’s Health and Everyday Health. 

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Dr. Talakoub is a board-certified dermatologist with a special interest in medical and cosmetic dermatology. He also served as a columnist for Dermatology News and previously worked as a medical writer for ABC News

While it’s not something you need to do every day, exfoliation is an important component of your regular skin care routine. It helps remove dead skin, promotes cell turnover, prevents clogged pores, and helps even out texture. If you have reactive skin, you might shudder. Don’t worry. According to board-certified dermatologist Diane Madfes, MD, FAAD, people with sensitive skin can still exfoliate. “It just has to be done differently,” he said. “I tend to recommend chemical rather than mechanical (physical) exfoliation.”

In other words, your best bet is a product that contains exfoliating acids (such as glycolic, lactic, and salicylic acids) or fruit enzymes. So, which formula is gentle enough for even the most sensitive, dry, itchy, or inflamed skin? We gathered expert recommendations and insights as well as extensive research to bring you the best options for sensitive skin.

Types: Lactic acid/AHA and salicylic acid/BHA; daily skin | Active Ingredients: Lactic acid, mandelic acid, salicylic acid, cucumber, green tea | Size: 30 treatments | Cruelty Free: Yes

Cetaphil Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser 178ml

Madfes is a big fan of lactic acid exfoliators for sensitive skin, like Dr. Dennis Gross. A simplified version of the beloved Alpha Beta peel, this product combines lactic and mandelic AHAs (alpha-hydroxy acids) with salicylic acid BHA (beta-hydroxy acids) to dissolve dead skin on the smoothest skin.

“Gentle acids loosen the top layer of skin and exfoliate it naturally,” explains Dr. Madfes. In addition to exfoliating, these pre-soaked pads provide soothing benefits with plant-based anti-inflammatory ingredients like green tea, cucumber, and witch hazel. You will notice smooth looking skin the first time you try it. And with regular use of this two-step system, your pores will be reduced, fine lines reduced, and the texture smooth as butter.

Type: High strength lactic acid peel | Active Ingredients: Lactic acid, hyaluronic acid | Size: 1 ounce | Cruelty Free: Yes

On a limited budget? Your best bet is this brilliant little tincture from The Ordinary. Combining lactic acid with our favorite humectant, hyaluronic acid, gently dissolves dead skin cells and provides immediate hydration. We found our skin very soft and smooth immediately after use and also the next day. For those with very sensitive skin, we recommend starting by using it once a week and increasing to twice a week if your tolerance allows.

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Dr. Pierre recommends looking for chemical exfoliators with ingredients like glycolic acid, lactic acid, vitamin C, and multi-fruit acids. However, he warns to be careful with salicylic acid, a beta-hydroxy acid often used to treat acne, because it is quite strong.

Type: Fruit enzyme liquid peel | Active Ingredients: Fruit enzymes, licorice extract | Size: 3 ounces | Cruelty Free: Yes

We also love the Gentle Peeling Exfoliant from e.l.f. This product gently removes dead skin with papaya and tangerine fruit enzymes, then uses licorice extract to increase radiance without irritation. Its liquid texture makes it very lightweight and also easy to incorporate into your skin care routine.

Type: Fruit Enzyme Night Oil | Active Ingredients: Retinol, vitamin C, plant oils | Size: 1 ounce | Cruelty Free: Yes

Absolute Detox [facial Cleanser] For Normal To Dry Skin, Exfoliating Facewash With Vitamin E, Cleanses Pores, Soap Free, Dermatologist Tested, (100 Ml)

Retinoids can provide an exfoliating effect while encouraging cell turnover. In addition to retinol, this skin-purifying elixir is also rich in antioxidants and botanical oils such as jojoba, argan, and even primrose to restore stressed skin. It is very good if it is in oil form because it functions to overcome uneven skin texture while also maintaining a moisturizing formula.

Cleansing oils are great for people with sensitive skin because they cleanse the skin while providing necessary moisture and remain very gentle. This product is great for cleansing and removing makeup, and we love that the formula contains a blend of fruit enzymes to exfoliate the skin, as well as superfoods and squalane to nourish and hydrate the skin. We also appreciate that the texture feels luxurious, but isn’t too thick or difficult to spread all over the face.

Type: Salicylic acid/BHA and fruit enzyme daily cleanser | Active Ingredients: Rice bran, colloidal oatmeal, salicylic acid | Size: 0.5, 2.6 ounces | Cruelty Free: Yes

If you like exfoliating powders, you’ll love Dermalogica’s award-winning Daily Microfoliant. Having a cult following, this product gently exfoliates with rice bran and salicylic acid while soothing irritation with colloidal oatmeal. It takes a little practice to figure out how much water to mix in for the optimal experience, but once you do, it works to gently exfoliate the skin and leave skin more radiant. If you have dry or super sensitive skin, just use it once or twice a week

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Type: Salicylic acid/BHA and glycolic acid/AHA night serum | Active Ingredients: Glycolic acid, salicylic acid, honey, hyaluronic acid | Size: 1 ounce | Cruelty Free: Yes

Farmacy Honeymoon Glow contains a gentle blend of AHA and BHA to treat uneven texture, hyperpigmentation, and clogged pores. But it doesn’t stop there—hyaluronic acid⁷ and honey¹² hydrate, firm, and protect reactive skin. Within a few days, we already noticed a difference in our skin texture. Note that this is a potent formula, so we recommend a patch test and moderate use at first.

Type: Glycolic acid/AHA toner | Active Ingredients: Glycolic acid, niacinamide, licorice root | Size: 7.5 ounces | Cruelty Free: Yes

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This is the best glycolic acid toner for sensitive skin. Combining exfoliating AHAs with niacinamide and licorice root extract, this ultra-hydrating formula breaks down dead cells and sebum, and strengthens the skin barrier. We are also happy that this product is suitable for all skin types, including those prone to acne.

Type: Glycolic acid and lactic acid/AHA night mask | Active Ingredients: Lactic acid, glycolic acid, pumpkin enzyme, watermelon extract, hyaluronic acid | Size: 0.8, 2 ounces | Cruelty Free: Yes

This favorite product gently exfoliates with lactic acid, glycolic acid, and pumpkin enzymes, while watermelon extract and hyaluronic acid soothe and hydrate skin. We also love this overnight mask, making it easy and convenient to apply before bed and let it work its magic while you sleep.

Type: Fruit Enzyme Scrub | Active Ingredients: Sugar, squalane, plant extracts | Size: 3.38 fluid ounces | Cruelty Free: Yes

Gentle Gsl (aha/bha) Exfoliating Cleanser

“A great manual exfoliator is SeSpring So Polished Sugar Scrub because it’s gentle and contains camellia and lotus flower, which hydrate, nourish, and balance, while peony soothes and protects the skin,” says celebrity esthetician Joshua Ross of SkinLab. It is ideal for those with sensitive skin as the scrubbing particles are very gentle.

Type: Salicylic acid/BHA brightening serum | Active Ingredients: Azelaic acid, salicylic acid, licorice root | Size: 1 ounce | Cruelty Free: Yes

To deal with redness, use this skin care booster from Paula’s Choice. The key ingredient is azelaic acid, a highly effective yet very mild exfoliant that addresses everything from rosacea to uneven texture to general inflammation. We also appreciate its versatility—it can be applied alone or mixed with a serum or nighttime moisturizer.

Type: Lactic acid and glycolic acid/AHA gel | Active Ingredients: Lactic acid, glycolic acid, licorice root, green tea | Sizes: 28 to 60 pads | Cruelty Free: Yes

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Exfoliating pads are great for travel and general mess-free application, and they’re best for people with sensitive skin. The pads themselves are soft, and the formula is gentle enough to not irritate reactive skin. This product is pre-soaked with AHAs to melt away dead skin, plus licorice root extract and soothing ingredients like green tea and aloe vera.

Type: Retinol, lactic acid and glycolic acid/AHA serum | Active Ingredients: Retinol, lactic acid, glycolic acid | Size: 5 ounces | Cruelty Free: Yes

If you’re looking to incorporate an exfoliating tool or product into your routine, we highly recommend this product from Topicals. This is a lightweight body serum with a lotion-like texture that harnesses the power of encapsulated all-trans-retinol (a gentle form of retinol) as well as glycolic and lactic acids to refine skin texture. This ingredient absorbs quickly, works to cleanse the skin of flakes and lumps, and makes it look smooth and radiant.

Theresa Holland is a skincare aficionado and copywriter by trade specializing in cosmetics. She interviewed two board-certified dermatologists and a licensed esthetician for this article, gathering product recommendations, insight on formulations, and usage tips. Before making her final choice, she researched user reviews, combed through ingredient lists, and referenced several peer-reviewed articles. From above, Theresa personally liked Dr. Dennis Gross, Paula’s Choice, Glow Recipe, First Aid Beauty, Dermalogica, and My

Aveeno + Face Calm+restore Gentle Pha Exfoliating Cleanser