An important first step in your skincare routine, cleansing cleanses your skin and gives it a much-needed dose of hydration. We love it.
What we don't particularly like (in fact, we don't like at all) is cleansing with ingredients and formulations that aren't suitable for sensitive skin, ie. Contains ingredients that dermatologists hate.
"All skin types—oily, normal, combination, dry—can also be sensitive at the same time," Tiffany Libby, MD, board-certified dermatologist, Mohs surgeon, and assistant professor of dermatology at the Warren Alpert School of Medicine at Brown University This is reported by the New York Post Office. "Sensitive skin is skin with a weakened or compromised skin barrier, leading to various signs of skin sensitivity, including redness, flaking, itching, and general irritation."
Plus, we have sensitive skin ourselves, and after years of using certain products and consulting with our team of board-certified dermatologists, we've compiled the 11 best facial cleansers you can put in your shopping cart and feel good about. We also encourage you to check out our detailed FAQ section for more information on what to look for in cleansers for sensitive skin.
If you're also into skincare, we also recommend checking out our expert guides on the best hyaluronic acid products and niacinamide serums to help you tweak your regimen.
1. Cetaphil Hydrating Foaming Cream Cleanser, $10
© Provided by New York Post AmazonAccording to Adarsh Vijay Madgil, MD, double-board-certified dermatologist, owner of Mudgil Dermatology, PC, and clinical assistant professor at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, "it's 'OG' out there."
So that? It's cheap, readily available, and a great all-in-one cleanser for sensitive skin. "It's a great option for sensitive skin that needs another foam cleanse, as it's a unique cream and foam formula that's pH balanced and nourishes the skin for effective cleansing, removing dirt, sebum and makeup." , adds dr. Libby Ed. "It also contains moisturizing glycerin and supports the skin barrier."
Amazon Target 2. CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser, $12-15
© Provided by New York Post Amazon"Designed for sensitive skin, this foaming cleanser contains ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide to soothe the skin's water barrier." Libby's highlights. Not to mention, we've been using it on our sensitive skin for years and it's backed by over 72,000 rave reviews on amazon and growing.
Plus, it's a personal favorite of Dr. Magil's. "There's something in the foam!" he praises “This formula also contains hyaluronic acid and ceramides, which are very good at moisturizing the skin. Niacinamide is also a good ingredient for people who tend to blush.
Amazon Walmart 3. Aveeno Calm + Restore Oatmeal Nourishing Cleanser, $11-13
© Provided by New York Post Amazon"It's another good low-cost formula," says Madgil. “Some patients with sensitive skin find oats very soothing. You also earn points for hydration!
Libby echoes this thought. "I'm a big fan of oats as a nourishing, calming, and barrier-strengthening ingredient," she adds. "It's a gentle cleansing milk that's good for people with sensitive skin."
Amazon Target 4. Perricone MD Vitamin C Essence Citrus Cleanser, $35
© Provided by New York Post Amazon“Ideal for normal to oily skin. This gel cleanser contains vitamin C to soothe and brighten skin." However, if you have sensitive skin but feel your skin isn't too dry (or, in Libby's words, too oily), consider Perricone MD Citrus Ester Brightening Cleanser with Vitamin C.
Amazon Ulta Beauty 5. Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser, $9-11
© Provided by New York Post AmazonAccording to Majeel, "This is about as simple as it gets [and] a great starting point for people with sensitive skin."
Furthermore, Vanicream is a recognized leading brand for sensitive skin and is loved by nearly 23,000 sensitive skin users. "Their gentle facial cleanser provides a gentle yet effective clean without breaking the skin barrier," adds Libby.
Amazon Target 6 Neutrogena Ultra-Mild Hydrating Cleanser, $9-$11
© Provided by New York Post Amazon"This is a quality Neutrogena product," says Madgil, who stands behind the product. "It's a great option for people with dry, acne-prone skin."
Plus, Libby also recommends the brand's Ultra Gentle Moisturizing Cleanser. "This hydrating cleanser uses glycerin, a powerful humectant that draws moisture into the skin's barrier," she notes.
Amazon Target 7. La Roche-Posay Toleriane Moisturizing Gentle Cleanser, $17-$19
© Provided by New York Post AmazonMajeel summed up La Roche-Posay's Toleriane Gentle Moisturizing Cleanser: " I love this product." Not only is it "super mild," she says, but its ceramides are hydrating and the niacinamide is anti-inflammatory.
This is also celebrated by Libby. “This cleanser is one of my favorites because it combines moisturizing ingredients like glycerin with barrier-repairing ceramides and niacinamide,” she reiterates.
Amazon Ulta Beauty 8 OSEA Ocean Cleansing Milk $54
© Provided by New York Post OSEA Malibu“This cleanser offers spa treatments, is vegan and abuse-free, and works wonders for sensitive skin,” notes Libby. "It contains safflower seed oil and sunflower oil, which are anti-inflammatory and moisturizing, as well as glycerin to promote hydration."
Plus, we've been using this ultra-nourishing cleanser for over a year now and couldn't help but rave about it more. This is a luxury item that costs no more than $100.
bone malibu beauty creed 9. dr. Jart + Cicapair Tiger Grass Enzyme Foaming Cleanser, $26
© Provided by New York Post Sephora"Niacinamide is a great ingredient to help maintain the moisture barrier, and glycerin helps find water contacts on the skin's surface for hydration," says Libby, who teaches Dr Jart+ Cicapair Tiger Grass Enzyme Foam Cleanser.
Also, Dr. Jart+ recently released Pore Remedy Replenishing Foam Cleanser ($28), which is especially great if you're trying to minimize the appearance of unwanted pores.
Kohl's 10th Indie Lee Facial Cleanser, $38
© Provided by New York Post Beauty Creed"Indie Lee Purifying Face Wash uses cocoglucoside, a cleansing ingredient derived from coconuts, to gently remove dirt and oil from skin so it can be washed away," says Libby, impressed with the product.
Furthermore, this formula also contains subtle notes of orange and lavender that draw and nourish the skin while dissolving excess sebum.
Credo Beauty Ulta Beauty 11. Fresh Soy Gentle Hydrating Cleanser, $39.
© Provided by New York Post Sephora"This cleanser gently removes impurities and makeup while soothing skin with aloe and cucumber extracts," says Libby. Best of all, it maintains the skin's natural pH balance while promoting hydration to serve as your next facial cleanser that's effective for sensitive skin.
Frequently Asked Questions about Fresh Sephora Facial Cleanser for Sensitive SkinPreviously, our team of board-certified dermatologists provided us with 411 reviews of face wash products for sensitive skin, including ingredients, formulations, and more.
What are the benefits of using a facial toner?"Facial cleansers basically serve two purposes: (1) to remove dead skin cells, dirt, and sebum, and (2) to improve hydration when used correctly and when combined with a moisturizer," Madgil told the Post. .
Facial cleansers also help cleanse skin of bacteria, makeup, and pollution that accumulates on the skin throughout the day, Libby says, and prepare skin for the next stages of skin care.
How often should facial toner be used?According to Libby, the toner should be used once or twice a day, morning and night.
"When you work out and sweat, it's also important to use a toner afterwards," she adds. “You should avoid washing your skin too often, as this can make your skin too dry and tight, strip skin oils, and irritate the skin's water barrier.
How to *really* know if you have sensitive skin, according to experts"Sensitive skin tends to be dry and 'rashy', which means it becomes red and inflamed," says Madgil. "This can happen without contact with something sensitizing or in response to an allergen (such as perfume)."
Also, all skin types (oily, normal, combination, dry) can be sensitive at the same time. "Sensitive skin is skin with a weakened or compromised skin barrier, leading to various signs of skin sensitivity, including redness, flaking, itching, and general irritation," Libby adds.
What type of facial cleanser is best for sensitive skin?"Those with sensitive skin should look for a non-foaming, moisturizing, creamy, or oily cleanser," says Libby. While formulations have gotten much better, there are foam cleansers that can be used for sensitive skin—a more gentle option is a cream or oil-based cleanser, she recommends.
Another piece of advice: less is more . "People with sensitive skin tend to be sensitive to harsh cleansers that overly exfoliate the skin or cleansers with strong scents," adds Madgil. "A gentle moisturizing cleanser is your best bet."
What ingredients should experts look for in cleansers for sensitive skin?Look for hydrating and barrier-repairing ingredients like glycerin, hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and allantoin, according to Libby. In particular, hyaluronic acid and ceramides are two important ingredients that Mudgil also recommends.
What ingredients should be avoided in cleansers for sensitive skin, according to experts?Perfume is of course at the top of the list. "Preservatives, parabens, and formaldehyde are other ingredients to avoid," Madgil lists.
Additionally, Libby advises against using superior exfoliants like 10% glycolic acid, strong fragrances, and absolutely all physical exfoliants like pearl cleansers.
Dermatologist-recommended treatment for sensitive skinFacial cleansing not only rids the skin of the day's dirt, oil, makeup and impurities, it also sets the stage for the next skin care steps.
"Ideally, when you're applying products like serums and then moisturizers, you want to apply them from the thinnest layer to the thickest," Libby adds. Oh, and you'll want to follow Magil's rule of thumb: "Moisturizer at night, sunscreen in the morning!"
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