13 Best Cleansers for Sensitive Skin, According to Dermatologists

13 Best Cleansers for Sensitive Skin, According to Dermatologists

These soothing, hydrating formulas won’t irritate your skin.

No matter what your skincare routine includes, it will always start with washing your face. However, not all face washes are compatible with all skin types—especially those who have sensitive skin. That’s because many cleansers contain cleaning agents that can strip skin of its natural oils, leaving it more susceptible to irritation, redness, and flaking. The best cleansers for sensitive skin will still clean, but they’ll also hydrate, nourish, and calm.

According to Marisa Garshick, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist at Manhattan Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery in NYC, “skin barrier supporting ingredients like ceramides and hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin,” should be at the top of your cleanser’s formula. “It is important to avoid harsh surfactants, drying alcohols and fragrances, as these can be irritating on the skin,” she says.

Choosing the right cleanser can be a challenge when your skin is reactive and sensitive, which is why Mina Amin M.D. F.A.A.D., a board-certified dermatologist in Los Angeles, recommends sticking to formulas that are both hypoallergenic and fragrance-free, to eliminate any possible (and unnecessary) irritation.

So, which cleansers are best for sensitive skin? We asked leading dermatologists what to look for in a formulation, as well as rounded up the very best picks to help cleanse your skin and leave it calm, clean, and healthy. Plus, while you’re here, browse our other roundups for sensitive skin, such as the best retinols for sensitive skin and the best moisturizer for sensitive skin.

1. CeraVe Hydrating Face Wash

Both Garshick and Amin recommend this creamy cleanser as a top pick for those with sensitive skin because of its abundance of skin-supporting ingredients like hyaluronic acid and ceramides. That’s how “this cleanser effectively gets rid of dirt and buildup without leaving the skin feeling dry,” Garshick explains. Another benefit? It’s fragrance-free and certified by the National Eczema Association.

2. Vanicream Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser for Sensitive Skin

When it comes to gentle cleansers, nothing really outdoes Vanicream. According to Garshick this “is a fantastic option” because it’s free of common allergens like “fragrance, dyes, parabens, formaldehyde, and other preservatives.” Don’t mistake its gentle formula for a failure to cleanse though. Garshick recommends this because “it effectively removes makeup, dirt, and excess oil without causing irritation.”

3. La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Face Cleanser

“I love that it contains [the brand’s] prebiotic thermal spring water, ceramides, as well as niacinamide to support the skin barrier,” Garshick says of this popular cleanser from La Roche Posay. Plus, minimizing the potential for dryness or irritation with so many skin-healthy ingredients makes it a good choice “for those with sensitive skin that is also oily,” she says.

4. Philosophy Purity One-Step Facial Cleanser

Looking for an extra shot of moisture as you cleanse? Amin explains that the skin-barrier gets additional nourishment in the form of lipids and glycerin from the star ingredient of this formula: meadowfoam seed oil. The natural humectant helps retain moisture as it cleanses, “leaving the skin hydrated and clean.”

5. Skincare Junkie Skincare Junkie Jelly Facial Cleanser

Those with redness or inflammation can benefit from this facial cleanser, which is packed with calming ingredients like ceramides, niacinamide, and cucumber Garshick advises. “This gentle cleanser helps to support to the skin barrier while also calming inflammation and soothing the skin, making it a great option for someone with sensitive skin.”

6. Clinique Clinique Take The Day Off Facial Cleansing Mousse

When it comes to taking off your daily makeup, Amin recommends this cleansing mousse from Clinique. “It contains 10% glycerin and hyaluronic acid to help hydrate the skin and lock in moisture,” she says of its ability to remove dirt, makeup, and debris without irritation. Plus, “it is free of parabens, synthetic fragrance, phthalates, and sulfates,” she adds.

7. Avène Tolerance Extremely Gentle Cleanser Lotion

When you need a quick clean and water is nowhere to be found, a no-rinse cleansing lotion is a great quick fix. If you find yourself in that scenario, Garshick suggests going for this pick from Avène. “This no-rinse cleansing gel gently removes makeup, dirt, and oil while soothing and calming the skin.” That’s because Avène claims their thermal water helps calm even the most irritated, sensitive skin. “It helps to support and restore the skin barrier making it great for those with sensitive skin,” Garshick adds.

8. Face Reality Barrier Balance Creamy Cleanser

For those prone to breakouts, Garshick recommends a creamy cleanser filled with calming ingredients, like this one from Face Reality. “It helps to calm, soothe and hydrate the skin using key ingredients like allantoin, bisabolol and centella asiatica while also supporting the skin barrier. It won’t leave the skin feeling dry or sensitive,” she says of its dermatologist-approved formula.

9. Dermablend Prebiotic Gentle Foaming Cleanser

Garshick loves this “gentle yet effective” cleanser for those who prefer a foamy soap. While many foams are aided by harsh alcohols, “this gentle cleanser is infused with inulin, a nutrient from chicory root, and hyaluronic acid to boost hydration and prevent dryness of the skin,” she says.

10. AziMD Purify Cleanser

When it comes to removing heavy makeup and layers of oil and debris, you might need something a little stronger than your daily gentle cleanser. Amin says “a single cleanse with Purify often functions as adequately as a double cleanse,” while still being totally suitable for even the most sensitive skin, due to its ultra-nourishing formula. Her tip for the cleanest clean? “I suggest applying it first to dry skin and massaging it like you would a facial cream, then add water and work into a lathering foam before rinsing it off.”

11. Mario Badescu Acne Facial Cleanser

Though this face wash is best left for those with combination skin—and those that can tolerate some scent—this face wash is a favorite among everyone from Martha Stewart to Amazon shoppers. “After two months my face has cleared up, redness gone. It also has prevented me from breakouts four months into using this product. It is the real Mario Badescu! Definitely recommend if you have problem skin with breakouts, redness, and my skin is dry,” wrote one satisfied customer.

12. Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser

When it comes to popularity alone, Cetaphil’s Gentle Skin Cleanser stands a head above the rest. Boasting over 36,000 five-star reviews on Amazon and an overall rating of 4.6 stars, it is truly a customer favorite. “The texture is incredibly smooth, making it easy to apply and rinse off. It provides hydration to my skin, leaving it feeling soft and moisturized without any greasy residue,” writes one Amazon reviewer. And I agree—I myself use this cleanser daily because of its ability to hydrate and soothe while cleansing.

13. La Roche-Posay Lipikar AP+ Gentle Foaming Cleansing Oil

Amin finds this cleansing oil “particularly useful for those with dry or sensitive skin.” On days when double-cleansing, it’s important to focus on hydrating the skin as much as you cleanse to make sure the barrier is moisturized and protected. Luckily, this formula is packed with hydrating ingredients shea butter, niacinamide, glycerin, and thermal spring water.