If your complexion is super reactive, the best face washes for sensitive skin can help keep your skin feeling calm. Otherwise, choosing the wrong one can break down the , causing inflammation for more intense reactions, says , an esthetician and CEO of Parasol MedSpa in Las Vegas, Nevada. You'll want to avoid potentially irritating fragrances and dyes as well as sulfates, which can strip the skin of its natural oils.
So, what you look for? , a board-certified dermatologist in NYC, recommends looking for hydrating, moisturizing, and soothing ingredients in sensitive skin-friendly face washes. These include humectants that draw water to the skin, such as glycerin and , as well as moisturizing ceramides, which help maintain essential fats in the skin. You'll also want to look for anti-inflammatory ingredients, like (vitamin B3) and chamomile, that can help soothe irritated skin, Dr.
Akhavan says. After testing some of the most popular and formulated for reactive skin, we put together a list of our favorite ones worth adding to your . All products are independently selected by our editors.
If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission. Amazon Nordstrom The Dr. Loretta Gentle Hydrating Cleanser comes recommended by Dr.
Akhavan and myself for its balanced formula that soothes sensitive skin. “The combination of soothing chamomile, hydrating glycerin, and barrier-strengthening marine make it an excellent choice for those with delicate skin,” says Dr. Akhavan.
“Its gentle cleansing action ensures that the skin is left clean without feeling stripped or dry, reducing the risk of irritation and helping to maintain a healthy skin barrier.” And I stand by this, too: I've been using this cleanser for about three months twice a day (morning and night), and not once has it irritated my sensitive, redness-prone skin. The formula has an ever-so-light fresh scent and its sud-free lather doesn't dry out my skin or leave it feeling tight.
Amazon Cetaphil's Gentle Skin Cleanser is gentle yet effective and widely available in most drugstores at a budget-friendly price. In fact, it's the cleanser Dr. Akhavan has been recommending to his patients since he was in medical school.
“This cleanser's accessibility and affordability, combined with its proven track record of being gentle yet effective, makes it the best drugstore face wash for individuals with sensitive skin,” Dr. Akhavan says. It contains hydrating, soothing ingredients like glycerin and propylene glycol to help the skin stay moisturized and protected.
This cleanser from Cetaphil boasts a creamy, silky texture (hello hydration). It doesn't foam up, so don't expect an intensive lather with this cleanser. Plus, it's fragrance-free and non-comedogenic, which means it won't irritate your skin or clog your pores.
copy director Talley Sue Hohlfeld particularly loves the feel: “It spreads smoothly and feels both rich and liquid. You can apply it to dry skin and then simply wipe most of it off, but I usually pat a little water on my skin and then follow with the cleanser, rubbing gently in circles. It feels so good that sometimes I just stand there making circles and making circles and making circles all over my face.
And then I realize I should probably rinse it off and get to bed. It rinses away easily, so I don’t need to splash water everywhere; a very wet washcloth wipes it away well. My skin feels clean and hydrated—moisturized without feeling like .
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