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Face washes are incredibly important when it comes to your overall skin care routine. Removing makeup and dirt that may be clogging your pores is important to hopefully keep breakouts and skin irritation away. However, when you have sensitive skin, it can be tricky. Certain products might leave your skin feeling worse, making it itchy, red, or irritated, so itโs important to find products that are not only effective, but gentle. To compile my list of the best face washes for sensitive skin, I spoke to Dr. Simon Ourian, a cosmetic dermatologist at Epione Beverly Hills, to have a professional weigh-in on what products you should look for and avoid, as well as whatโs best for other needs you may have.
There are a lot of face washes out there, especially if youโre up on the latest beauty product launches, trends, or love a good beauty subscription box. While those who have normal skin can try new products without thinking twice, people with sensitive skin need to be extra cautious about the ingredients. โAvoid potentially harmful components such as sulfates (like sodium lauryl sulfate), fragrances, certain alcohols (like ethanol and isopropyl alcohol), parabens, harsh exfoliating acids (such as glycolic and salicylic acid), and synthetic dyes, as they can cause dryness, irritation, and allergic reactions,โ Dr. Ourian says.
Itโs important to keep your skin hydrated and moisturized, avoiding anything that will dry you out and lead to peeling or irritation. โWhen selecting a face wash, especially for sensitive skin, opt for ingredients like hyaluronic acid, ceramides, glycerin, niacinamide, aloe vera, and chamomile, which hydrate and soothe the skin,โ Dr. Ourian says. Tip: Look for these ingredients when choosing night creams, as well.
Some natural fragrance extracts might be okay, but youโre always best just avoiding any fragrances when possible. โIt's best to choose products labeled "fragrance-free" and "suitable for sensitive skin," and to conduct a patch test before fully incorporating a new product into your skincare routine. Also avoid products that scrub your face,โ Dr. Ourian advises.
The La Roche-Posay Toleriane Purifying face wash is gentle and cleanses the skin of dirt and grime when used with lukewarm water. Itโs suitable for all skin types but Dr. Ourian says, โI recommend it for oily skin because it's formulated to preserve the skin's natural barrier, essential for managing oiliness without causing dryness.โ
It includes some great ingredients for sensitive skin like ceramide-3 that can help moisturize, glycerin that can hydrate the skin, niacinamide (a soothing form of vitamin B3), and their special ingredient, La Roche-Posay prebiotic thermal spring water full of important minerals like seleniumโa strong but natural antioxidant.
If youโre looking for a basic place to start, the La Roche-Posay Toleriane Purifying Foaming Facial Wash is a great option overall, but particularly for sensitive skin thatโs oily.
This foaming formula is gentle and inexpensive. โThese budget-friendly options are great. Neutrogena effectively removes impurities, suitable for normal to oily skin, while Cetaphil's mild formula is perfect for sensitive skin, providing gentle cleansing,โ Dr. Ourian says. He recommends Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser for Combination to Oily Sensitive Skin as an alternative budget option to Neutrogena.
For a very inexpensive but effective product, go with the Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser for Sensitive Skin.
The DIOR PRESTIGE La Mousse Micellaire is full of micro nutrients to remove makeup from the skin and keep your face feeling clean, with the majority of their ingredients remaining as natural as possible like glycerin and rose extract. โThis luxurious cleanser combines effective cleansing with skin nourishment, leaving skin soft and luminous,โ says Dr. Ourian. To add to the rose theme, DIOR PRESTIGE also makes a luxurious night cream that revitalizes the skin with a rose-based peptide.
If youโre looking for a luxurious option that will leave your skin soft and smooth, try the DIOR PRESTIGE La Mousse Micellaire.
If youโre prone to breakouts, Dr. Ourian recommends this medicated face wash for acne by La Roche-Posay. It โcontains salicylic acidโa beta hydroxy acid excellent for treating acne by exfoliating and unclogging pores,โ says Dr. Ourian. The 2% salicylic acid in the product can cleanse off oil and makeup without being too rough on irritated skin. It includes glycerin to moisturize and is fragrance-free.
The La Roche-Posay Effaclar Medicated Gel Cleanser is a great product for people prone to acne with a little bit of skin sensitivity.
If your skin naturally tends to be on the oily side, this Dr. Barbara Sturm product is a great option because itโs gentle. โIts formula is specifically balanced for oily skin, helping to cleanse without stripping natural oils,โ says Dr. Ourian. Helpful ingredients like vitamin E and bioflavonoids from the Maclura Leaf plant nourish the skin while also being effective enough for people with acne.
The Dr. Barbra Strum Macrobiotic Gentle Cleansing Balm is the ideal choice, especially if you have oily skin and need something that will balance you out, without removing natural oils.
If your face is prone to dryness, try the Biologique Recherche Lait E.V. Revitalizing Milk Cleanser. Itโs โexcellent for dry skin due to its hydrating properties and mild formulation,โ says Dr. Ourian. The milky texture works into your skin and then you use a damp cloth to remove oil, makeup, dirt, and any impurities from your skin.
If youโre looking for a milky cleanser that doubles as a great make up remover, without drying out your skin, look no further than the Biologique Recherche Lait E.V. Revitalizing Milk Cleanser.
If you deal with redness, try the Naturopathica Manuka Honey Cleansing Balm. โI find its soothing properties ideal for reducing redness and moisturizing the skin. I think Manuka honey is miraculous for almost everything,โ says Dr. Ourian. The Manuka honey is combined with other helpful ingredients like Lactobacillus ferment as a probiotic used to pull out moisture, and royal jelly peptides for a smooth, even skin tone.
If youโre prone to redness, the Naturopathica Manuka Honey Cleansing Balm is great for taming that and moisturizing your skin.
If your skin is desperate for a little hydration, the products from La Prairie work wonders, especially the Supreme Balm Cleanser. It โprovides intense hydration, making it a top choice for clients seeking a hydrating cleanser,โ says Dr. Ourian. Deep clean your skin in the evening to remove any dirt, grime, and makeup from the day. La Prairie is also known for their luxurious eye creams and anti-aging serums.
Although a pricier option, the La Prairie Supreme Balm Cleanser is a worthwhile investment when it comes to keeping your skin looking young, healthy, and hydrated.
If youโre looking for the best product to cater to aging, sensitive skin, the Chanel cream-to-foam cleanser is the ideal choice. โFormulated to meet the needs of mature skin, it offers gentle cleansing and supports skin rejuvenation,โ says Dr. Ourian. They use blue micro-algae to act as a bit of a barrier from any harmful dirt and grime, while the marine salicornia extract used acts as an intense moisturizer. Considering the thoughtful ingredients and that it was made by Chanel, itโs surprising that the price tag is fairly low at $55.
You can trust your skin with Chanel, incorporating high-quality marine ingredients to help keep your skin clean and looking hydrated and moisturized.
If youโre looking for a budget-friendly face wash specifically for your sensitive skin, the CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser is the ideal choice. โA favorite drugstore pick, it's enriched with hyaluronic acid, maintaining essential moisture. The price point is very affordable for everyone and itโs been true and tested over the years,โ says Dr. Ourian. Itโs loaded with ceramides and glycerin to keep your skin feeling hydrated, protected, and clean. Shopping tip: CeraVe also made our lists for the best creams for eczema, best face wash for dry skin, and best eye cream for puffiness.
If you're looking for the convenience of a drugstore option, this is a great choice with high-quality ingredients like ceramides and glycerin.
For the best natural face cleanser, an olive oil based product like this one by Payot is the ideal choice according to Dr. Ourian. You can also make a simple cleansing mask at home using olive oil, honey, egg yolk, and lemon juice. Let it set for 5 -10 minutes before rinsing it off. โA natural, DIY option that is gentle and nourishing,โ says Dr. Ourian.
This is a great olive oil based product to use if youโre looking to buy one, but again, Dr. Ourian says that the DIY version with stuff you can grab from your kitchen is effective as well.
If you have extremely sensitive skin and youโre looking for relief, this gentle face cleanser from La Roche-Posay is the ideal choice to soothe your skin. โIts niacinamide content is effective for sensitivity relief,โ says Dr. Ourian. The La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Face Cleanser incorporates ceramide-3, glycerin, niacinamide, and even prebiotic thermal water into their formula so that itโs gentle while cleansing your skin.
If youโre looking for a product that will provide you some relief, the La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Face Cleanser is a great option with ceramide-3, glycerin, niacinamide, and prebiotic thermal water.
For an ultra-gentle cleanser, go for the Sisley Paris Buff & Wash Facial Gel. โIts anti-inflammatory properties are excellent for calming irritated skin,โ says Dr. Ourian. The gel leaves your skin feeling soft and is made from gentle ingredients like lemon extract and lavender.
If youโre looking for a natural, but quality cleanser that is anti-inflammatory, look no further than the Sisley Paris Buff & Wash Facial Gel.
The texture of the Simon Ourian MD Cleansing Milk makes it ideal for sensitive skin. โThe milky formula is particularly beneficial for dry skin, offering gentle cleansing,โ says Dr. Ourian. Itโs effective, while being incredibly gentle on your sensitive skin, incorporating ingredients like agrimony extract used to balance skin tone, panthenol to keep your skin soft, bisabolol from chamomile to soothe, and ginger as an anti-stress factor in the formula.
If youโre looking for the ideal, milky cleanser with soothing, high-quality ingredients, the Simon Ourian MD Cleansing Milk is a great choice.
Simon Ourian MDโs MDO The Cleanser is a mild, fragrance-free cream cleanser that works for all skin types. โIdeal for fragrance-sensitive skin, its formula is gentle and minimizes the risk of irritation,โ says Dr. Ourian. Itโs made to detox the skin but is soothing, so you can leave this cream formula on or wash it off.
The Simon Ourian MD The Cleanser can be used without water, and is gentle on the skin, without any harsh fragrances.
In addition to looking at reviews and researching the products, I also spoke with a professional in the industry, Dr. Simon Ourian, cosmetic dermatologist at Epione Beverly Hills, to get specific product recommendations.
Generally, if youโre prone to sensitive skin, your body will tell you in various ways. You might experience rashes, acne, burning, itchiness, redness, dryness, and even pain at times, among other various symptoms. Dr. Ourian always recommends conducting a patch test, especially with sensitive skin, before โfully incorporating a new product into your skincare routine.โ
When shopping for different face washes for sensitive skin, there are a few ingredients to avoid if possible. โAvoid potentially harmful components such as sulfates (like sodium lauryl sulfate), fragrances, certain alcohols (like ethanol and isopropyl alcohol), parabens, harsh exfoliating acids (such as glycolic and salicylic acid), and synthetic dyes, as they can cause dryness, irritation, and allergic reactions,โ explains Dr. Ourian.
Dr. Ourian says, โVery gently, twice a day. In the morning when you wake up and at night to remove the makeup.โ
Cleaning your face regularly can help protect your skin by removing dirt, grime, and makeup, helping you avoid potential breakouts and irritation. Many face washes, especially for sensitive skin, also include soothing ingredients that keep the skin moisturized and hydrated.
There are a lot of great products out there on the market for sensitive skin, but if your skin is really irritated, the more natural, the better. โI like pure olive oil when the skin is very irritated. Virgin olive oil,โ says Dr. Ourian.
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