Dermatologists and skin care experts agree that when building a sensitive skin care routine, less is more — even when it comes to your face wash. Dealing with sensitive skin can be a rollercoaster, after all. One day your skin will be irritated, so you’ll try to solve the problem by applying a product to calm it down. Then the next, you’re worried that you’ve disrupted your skin barrier, and it turns into a vicious, repetitive cycle that can seem never-ending at times. Paring down to the basics and simplifying each step, starting with your cleanser, is genuinely the key to finding what works best for you.
How do you know if you have sensitive skin?
What exactly qualifies sensitive skin? Dr. Natacha Bonjout, a French doctor of pharmacy and founder of Bonjout Beauty, notes that “skin is considered sensitive when it reacts easily to external factors such as environmental elements like sun, wind, heat and cold; certain ingredients; or changes in climate. Common signs of sensitive skin include redness, itching and a tendency to develop rashes.” Common skin conditions like rosacea and eczema can also make skin more sensitive according to Dr. Marie Jhin, board-certified dermatologist and chief medical officer at Musely.
How to pick a face wash that’s safe for sensitive skin
In terms of ingredients to look out for, opt for products that are labeled as gentle or hypoallergenic. Bonjout recommends cleansers containing calming botanical extracts like chamomile, calendula wax and aloe vera.
Dr. Stefani Kappel, board-certified dermatologist and founder of MDAire, shares a few more sensitive-skin-friendly ingredients to look out for: “Glycerin can be hydrating and soothing for sensitive skin. Hyaluronic acid and beta-glucan can be good ingredients for hydration and skin barrier support. Green tea has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, making it beneficial for soothing the skin as well.”
Avoid products containing synthetic fragrance, alcohol, harsh chemicals or other preservatives as these can all be irritating. For example, Jhin warns that sulfates can be extra harsh on sensitive skin. “These are aggressive cleansing agents often found in face washes,” she explains. “While effective in removing oil and dirt, sulfates can strip the skin of its natural oils, leaving it dry and prone to irritation. For sensitive skin, this can lead to redness and discomfort.”
Physical exfoliants can be too abrasive for those with sensitive skin, so use those sparingly if at all. Even gentle exfoliating ingredients may be too severe at times, so you should double check your products’ potency. Kappel states that “high percentages of alpha hydroxy acids such as glycolic acid and lactic acid should be avoided, as sensitized skin can become more inflamed with strong chemical exfoliation.”
How often should you wash your face?
If you have sensitive skin, washing your face with a cleanser twice a day can feel too harsh. As an alternative, Bonjout recommends using a thermal water spray in the morning to add a bit of hydration while refreshing your skin. In the evening, keep it simple and go for a mild cleanser followed by a gentle but rich moisturizer. When it comes to sensitive-skin-safe cleansing techniques, Jhin advises to “pat, don’t rub. After cleansing, pat your face dry with a soft towel instead of rubbing, as excessive friction can irritate sensitive skin.”
If one thing is essential to creating a solid base for your sensitive skin care routine, it’s finding the right cleanser. If you’ve tested out product after product without much luck, read on for our top gentle face wash recommendations at every price point.
Best budget face wash
This spray can be a perfect replacement for a morning cleanser if you find your current one to be too rough on your skin. Thermal water is super gentle and non-irritating, a necessary quality to look out for. It is also soothing, which can help treat any existing inflammation.
A tried and true classic recommended by skin care professionals everywhere, this creamy face wash is ideal for soothing irritated skin.
Specifically formulated for those with sensitive skin, this product contains soothing triglycerides along with hydrating glycerin which leaves the skin feeling soft. It also supports the skin’s microbiome to help sensitivity over time, which is an added bonus.
A non-foaming cleanser like this is a staple part of my sensitive skin routine. On days when I notice some extra redness or irritation, I reach for this dermatologist-approved creamy cleanser.
K-beauty fans rejoice. This face wash contains primrose oil, which softens, hydrates and nourishes sensitive skin. Just a small amount is enough to use in the a.m.
This is a sensitive-skin-friendly and non-comedogenic cleanser all in one. The face wash is hypoallergenic, soap-free and dye-free, so it won’t dry your skin out or cause extra irritation.
This is a perfect nighttime cleanser that will get rid of any excess makeup, oil or other impurities. It contains aloe, which is a sensitive skin green flag.
Best luxury face wash
We love a gentle cleanser in sustainable packaging (in this case, a recyclable glass bottle). I swear every time I use this cleanser I can feel my skin thanking me. It’s pH-balanced and non-drying, two great qualities for someone with sensitive skin.
This is a super-mild and creamy cleanser that contains apricot kernel oil, which moisturizes and softens the skin while helping to retain overall clarity and suppleness.
This cleansing milk is chock-full of natural ingredients that nourish and soothe, such as lavender, chamomile and rose. It has a velvety texture and light scent that make it a pleasure to use.
Another option centered around holistic ingredients that are kind to sensitive skin, this microbiome-friendly cleanser clears out pores and rebalances the complexion thanks to blackcurrant seed oil, sea buckthorn oil and fennel seed extract.