Cleanser For Sensitive Skin – Each item featured on this page is selected by the editors and the company may earn compensation through affiliate links within the story. All prices are accurate as of the date of publication. You can learn more about the membership process here.
Cleansers are the foundation of any skincare routine. As Dr. Joshua Zeichner, a board-certified dermatologist in New York, explains, “The goal of a cleanser is to remove dirt and grime from the skin while maintaining a healthy skin barrier. The compounds used in cleaners to remove dirt are known as surfactants. While effective, some surfactants can have damaging effects on the skin barrier. This is especially problematic for people with sensitive skin, so it is important to choose the right cleanser for your needs.”
Cleanser For Sensitive Skin
If you have sensitive skin, Dr. Zeichner suggests looking for cleansers that contain gentle surfactants (like Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser; $12) along with barrier-repairing ingredients like glycerin, hyaluronic acid, natural oils, or ceramides. Your choice? RoC Barrier Renew Gentle Cleanser; $17, which checks all the boxes.
Clean & Clear® Essentials Foaming Cleanser For Sensitive Skin 240 Ml
Below, I’ve put together a list of the 14 best facial cleansers for sensitive skin that will hopefully ease the pain of washing your face every day.
Dr. Joshua Zeichner is a board-certified dermatologist, director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology, and associate professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. Dr. Zeichner is considered one of the country’s key leaders in the treatment of acne and rosacea and is an expert in cosmeceuticals, skin care and cosmetic dermatology.
I spoke to dermatologists and editors to find out their recommendations. I also looked for top-rated and well-reviewed facial cleansers at major retailers like QVC, Amazon, Sephora, and Ulta Beauty to round out this list. All facial cleansers submitted had to meet specific criteria, including ingredients, pricing and availability that do not damage the skin barrier.
Dr. Zeichner is a fan of RoC’s Barrier Renew gentle cleanser. It says: “The light gel formula provides that pleasant lather that consumers often look for, but because the surfactants used in the formula are advanced, it is very effective, but still gentle on the skin. Plus, it has a repair complex barrier of ceramides, glycerin and green tea that soothe, hydrate and protect the outer layer of the skin.”
The 16 Best Face Washes For Acne Of 2024
There’s a reason I’m drinking my umpteenth bottle of this product: it works (and it’s affordable). Cetaphil Gentle Facial Cleanser was first recommended to me a few summers ago when I was going through an eczema flare-up and I haven’t stopped using it since. The non-foaming formula leaves skin feeling clean without drying or irritating it in the slightest. Formulated with a blend of vitamins B3 and B5 and moisturizing glycerin, it helps defend against the most common signs of skin sensitivity, such as a weakened skin barrier, roughness and tightness.
Do makeup removers labeled “sensitive” still sting the delicate skin around your eyes? This micellar water will be your salvation. Thanks to small molecules called micelles that attract dirt, oil and makeup so they can be easily removed, it’s the perfect first step in a double cleansing routine because it gently removes any residue from your face without stinging or damaging the skin. That said, it can just as easily be used on its own, as the French do.
“I have rosacea, so my skin is very sensitive and reactive. It was recommended to me by my pharmacist in France. At first I was hesitant to use it alone because other micellar waters did not work for me, but I am very happy. I did. I use it alone or as first step of a double cleanse on days I use extra sunscreen and/or tinted moisturizer Either way, it cleans well and feels wonderful! shares one Ulta reviewer.
With a base of avocado oil, this creamy wash cleanses, hydrates and soothes dry skin. Massage it in, rinse it off, and you’ll be left with a smoother complexion that feels fresh, never tight. Reviewers say it’s also gentle enough to use around the eyes to remove makeup. As one shares: “I have very sensitive skin and I have tried many products. They all burn my skin. This cleanser is very gentle, gentle on the skin and leaves it soft and luxurious.”
Jual Npure Cleanse Me Softly Gel Cleanser Sensitive Skin 50ml / N017637
If you’re looking to pamper your skin, you might want to try Augustinus Bader’s Silky Cleanser. The unique formula starts as a gel that transforms into a light milky foam when water is added. As is the case with all the brand’s products, the cleanser features TFC8® technology (a patented ingredient that nourishes the skin while promoting cell renewal) and a blend of botanical ingredients that cleanse the skin.
One Sephora reviewer calls it “the biggest purchasing mistake of [her] life” because it’s expensive, but “absolutely amazing.” She adds: “[This] never left my skin dry, kept my oily forehead and chin perfectly balanced, prevented future breakouts, boosted the healing of pimple scars on my skin, and left my face looking and feeling plump.” and cleans every day. It lasted me five months. Yes. So if you are ready to be dissatisfied with possibly every future cleaner purchase in your life, then buy this.”
If you prefer a slightly soapier cleaning experience, this pick is the way to go. While it definitely foams, Olay’s Sensitive Soothing Liquid Cleanser is soap-free, which, as Dr. Mona Gohara, MD and associate clinical professor at Yale University, explained in a previous story, means it has a pH level healthy for skin. It also contains aloe and cucumber essences, which work with Olay’s gentle formula to help combat dry skin at its source.
Not only is this cleanser effective at calming excess oil, it’s also tough enough to remove eye makeup without stinging or burning, thanks to a blend of gentle surfactants and emollients. It applies like a gel, but forms a nice lather that clings to oil, makeup, and dirt and washes them down the drain. As one reviewer shares: “I have extremely sensitive skin. And that’s not an exaggeration. One wrong ingredient and I’m breaking out, burning or red as a tomato. I was desperately looking for a new facial cleanser to lighten my skin. When I bought a sample of this at my local makeup store. After finishing the sample, I immediately bought more and will never go back.”
Pembersih Muka Lembut Untuk Kulit Sensitif
This is one of Glossier’s most popular skin care products for a reason: it doesn’t leave your skin irritated or dry like other cleansers. The pH-balanced combination of rose water, comfrey root extract, provitamin B5 and poloxamer, a cleansing agent used in the contact solution, is designed to be soothing, gentle and refreshing. And according to more than 4,000 reviews, it is that and much more. “I’m in love with this cleanser. I don’t see myself ever switching to anything else. It does an amazing job of removing all the dirt and makeup from my skin and at the same time it’s very gentle. I’m not kidding when we say you can apply the product to wash it off. eye makeup and then open your eyes to see if you’ve taken it all off and you won’t feel a thing,” says one enamored user.
This creamy, natural cleanser is so popular that it’s often sold out on the brand’s site. (Luckily, we were able to find it at Ulta and Amazon.) The blend of fruit stem cell complex, vitamin C and manuka honey removes dull, dead skin to reveal a brighter, smoother complexion underneath. Plus, the light citrus scent smells uplifting, which is especially nice when we’re feeling groggy in the morning. (In fact, more than one reviewer noted that the cleanser smells so good they want to eat it.)
There’s a reason why clay masks are so popular: they absorb excess oil and minimize the appearance of pores. But sometimes they can make the skin feel tight and dry. Not this clay cleaner. It is actually a gel with red clay and rosemary leaf oil, which work to lighten the skin and balance sebum production without causing harsh side effects. Bonus: It’s great for sensitive skin because it doesn’t contain alcohols, parabens, sulfates, or artificial fragrances, all of which can cause irritation. “I’ve bought this twice. It’s one of the best cleansers for us oily/combination girls. [It’s helped] decrease my oil production but at the same time doesn’t dry out my skin,” says one Sephora reviewer.
This best-selling cleanser is pH balanced and suitable for all skin types, which definitely caught our eye. The gentle gel melts away makeup (yes, even mascara) without leaving your face dry or tight. In fact, the results are quite the opposite. Reviewers say their skin feels soft and refreshed after use. And they point out that it is especially good for sensitive skin. With that information, we’re not surprised that it has over 8,000 five-star reviews on the Sephora site, including this one: “I’ve been using this facial cleanser off and on for 6 years. Although I’ve tried a lot of face washes
