16 Best Cleansers and Face Washes for Sensitive Skin – 2024
Experience: 11 yearsRamona is an editor at StyleCraze with 11 years of experience in writing and editing. She has authored over 200 articles on skin and hair care. She graduated from the University of Calcutta, West Bengal, and did her post-graduation from the University of Kalyani, West Bengal.
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Sensitive skin reacts to almost any product – especially when you don’t know which ingredients are suitable for it. Thankfully, almost all major brands have face washes that are specifically meant for such skin types. Here, we have listed the best face washes that will not irritate or sting your sensitive skin or cause breakouts. Check them out.
In This Article
Best Face Washes For Sensitive Skin
1. Kama Ayurveda Sensitive Skin Cleansing Foam
Product Claims
If you like Ayurvedic and herbal products, you will love this cleanser from Kama Ayurveda. It is lightweight and ultra gentle on your skin. It has a foaming formula that cleanses impurities and excess oil from your face and restores moisture. It provides intense hydration and protects your skin from the effects of environmental irritants.
- Contains herbal ingredients
- Contains cold-pressed aloe vera juice
- Contains certified organic ingredients
- 100% natural
- Dermatologically tested
- Anti-inflammatory
- No artificial fragrance
- No petrochemicals
- Paraben-free
- No urea
None
2. Plum Hello Aloe Skin Loving Face Wash
Product Claims
This extremely mild cleanser gives your skin the much-needed love and care. It keeps your skin hydrated, does not irritate it, and has a heavenly fragrance that also invigorates your senses. It contains aloe vera extracts that have a calming and soothing effect on your skin. Also, the brand gives away 1% of every sale for saving the environment!
- Soap-free
- SLS-free
- No harmful and drying chemicals
- Paraben-free
- Phthalate-free
- Cruelty-free (PETA-certified)
- 100% vegan
None
3. St. Botanica Vitamin C Gentle Foaming Brightening Face Wash
Product Claims
St. Botanica Vitamin C Gentle Foaming Brightening Face Wash is rich in antioxidants. It is formulated with aloe vera juice and cypress oil. Vitamin C protects the skin from free radical damage and gently removes dirt and impurities. It restores the natural glow of the skin and boosts collagen production to make it look plump, youthful, and healthier. Cypress oil and aloe vera juice hydrate, moisturize, and soothe irritated skin. This foaming formula is perfect for sensitive, oily, dry, combination, and acne-prone skin. It rejuvenates the skin and leaves it feeling refreshed, soft, and nourished.
- Antioxidant formula
- Moisturizes the skin
- Cleanses dirt and impurities
- Boosts collagen production
- Soothes irritated skin
- Make the skin look plump, youthful, and healthy
- Restores skin’s natural glow
- Makes the skin soft and supple
- Does not dry out the skin
- Suitable for sensitive, oily, dry, combination, and acne-prone skin
None
4. Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser
Product Claims
This extremely gentle cleanser by one of the most preferred brands, Neutrogena, is developed with patented technology. It gently cleanses your skin, without leaving any residue, and makes it baby soft. It doesn’t contain skin irritants and is suitable for eczema, atopic dermatitis, acne, and rosacea-prone skin types.
- Soap-free
- Developed with dermatologists
- Dye-free
- Hypoallergenic
- Non-comedogenic
- Contains glycerin
- Expensive
5. La Roche-Posay Toleriane Purifying Foaming Cleanser
Product Claims
This daily face wash clears makeup, dirt, and other impurities from your face. It has a refreshing gel-based formula that doesn’t strip the natural oil of your skin. It has a foaming formula that leaves your skin feeling refreshed after a long tiring day.
- Dermatologist-tested
- Contains La Roche-Posay prebiotic thermal water
- Contains ceramide-3
- Contains niacinamide
- Paraben-free
- Fragrance-free
- Oil-free
- Expensive
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
More than 18,505 rave reviews on Amazon prove why we are so in awe of this product.
6. SebaMed Clear Face Cleansing Foam
Product Claims
Deep thorough cleansing is the first step toward loving your skin, and this face wash can help you with that. The SebaMed Cleansing Foam contains panthenol that clears bacteria from your skin, removes traces of dirt and makeup, and helps maintain the pH of your skin.
- Suitable for acne-prone skin (inflamed forms of acne)
- Clinically tested
- pH balanced
- Paraben-free
- SLS-free
- Phthalate-free
None
7. Re’Equil Oil Control Face Wash
Product Claims
If you have oily, acne-prone, and sensitive skin, this cleanser is for you. It contains zinc PCA, an active ingredient that prevents your skin from drying out. This product has a hydrating formula that maintains the moisture balance, clears dead skin cells, and does not irritate your skin.
- Contains clinically proven actives
- Dermatologically tested
- Non-comedogenic
- Paraben-free
- Mineral oil-free
- Sulfate-free
- Affordable
None
8. CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser
Product Claims
This is a gentle cleanser suitable for those with sensitive skin. It penetrates deep into the skin to moisturize and nourish it. It contains ceramides and hyaluronic acid that keep your skin moisturized and soft.
- Developed by dermatologists
- Non-comedogenic
- Non-irritating
- Fragrance-free
- Accepted by the National Eczema Association
- Contains parabens
9. Neutrogena Pure Mild Facial Cleanser
Product Claims
This ultra-mild facial cleanser is what you need for clear and healthy skin. It doesn’t contain any harsh chemicals that could irritate your skin. It has a non-drying formula. A little bit of the product is enough to work up a mild lather that leaves your skin squeaky clean.
- Fragrance-free
- Oil-free
- Hypoallergenic
- Non-comedogenic
- Contains glycerin
- Contains artificial color
10. Free & Clear Liquid Cleanser
Product Claims
It is an effective yet gentle skin cleanser that can also be used by kids. You can use it on your face as well as body. It has a soap-free formula and doesn’t cause dryness.
- Dermatologist recommended
- No artificial and masking fragrance
- Oil-free
- SLS-free
- Paraben-free
- Contains PEG
"I like how this cleanser gently does the job without stripping the oils off my skin or disturbing the skin texture. It's a relief to find a cleanser that works harmoniously with my skin care routine. It's now a staple in my daily needs."
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
More than 4,510 customers have given the product positive reviews on Amazon.
11. Paula’s Choice Calm Redness Relief Cleanser
Product Claims
Although it is meant for normal to dry skin, if you have sensitive and rosacea-prone skin, this cleanser can help. Itcontains soothing ingredients that remove makeup, dirt, and all impurities from your skin. It eases redness and promotes healthy skin.
- pH adjusted
- Hydrating
- Fragrance-free
- Cruelty-free
- Non-irritating
- Sustainable ingredients
- Contains PEG-7
12. Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser
Product Claims
This is one of the most popular dermatologist-recommended face cleansers for people with sensitive and problematic skin. It has a mild and non-irritating formula that gently cleanses your face without causing excessive dryness. It doesn’t leave any residue on your skin and does not clog your pores.
- Dermatologist recommended
- Soap-free
- Fragrance-free
- pH-balanced
- Non-comedogenic
- Contains parabens
- Contains SLS
13. Aveeno Ultra-Calming Foaming Cleanser
Product Claims
This face wash is formulated with Calming Feverfew, which is a botanical extract related to chamomile. It keeps your skin calm, reduces redness, and is gentle enough for daily use. It cleans dirt, oil, and makeup from your face without irritating it.
- Soap-free
- Fragrance-free
- Non-comedogenic
- Hypoallergenic
- Contains parabens
- Contains PEG-16
14. Kaya Skin Clinic Face Cleanser For Sensitive Skin
Product Claims
If you have super sensitive skin, this face wash is ideal for you. It has a hypoallergenic formula and is suitable for daily use. It doesn’t cause any irritation or burning sensation and is extremely mild. It cleanses your sensitive skin gently without stripping its natural protective oils.
- Developed by dermatologists
- Soap-free formula
- No artificial fragrance
- Contains Diazolidinyl urea (formaldehyde-releasing preservative)
15. Nivea Milk Delights Face Wash
Product Claims
The Nivea Milk Delights Face Wash is formulated to remove impurities and dirt gently while nourishing your skin. It has rose extracts and milk that have rich anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties to protect your skin from any cell damage, soothe your skin, and cleanse without irritating your skin. It provides healthy, radiant skin and has a pH best suited for sensitive skin.
- Easy to use
- Smooth texture
- Moisturizing
- Pleasant fragrance
- Contains paraben
16. Eucerin Gentle Hydrating Cleanser
Product Claims
This gentle and hydrating cleanser is suitable for dry and sensitive skin. It has a foaming formula that forms a rich lather and cleanses your skin. It doesn’t leave any soapy residue on your skin and makes it feel soft and refreshed.
- Dermatologist recommended
- Soap-free
- Non-comedogenic
- Fragrance-free
- Contains Imidazolidinyl Urea (formaldehyde-releasing preservative)
- Contains SLS
Now that you know which are the best cleansers for sensitive skin, let us guide you through some vital points to consider before buying one.
Things To Consider When Buying A Cleanser For Sensitive Skin
- Cleanser Type
Look for a cleanser with a dense and creamy texture and soothing ingredients like witch hazel, willow bark, or aloe vera for sensitive skin. Such ingredients help in balancing the pH and preventing skin irritation without making your skin dry. It is recommended to stay away from harsh ingredients that can cause damage to sensitive skin. Avoid opting for soap-based cleansers as they have alkaline properties and can dehydrate the skin.
A cleanser with mild exfoliants is a great choice as it helps in removing excess dirt and impurities. A cleanser with soft particles like microbeads or peach pits is also recommended. Additionally, do not buy cleansers with artificial fragrances as they can cause itching and rashes on sensitive skin.
- Quality
A product is labeled as safe to use on sensitive skin if it meets all the quality standards. Therefore, make it a point to always check the label. Any product that is dermatologically approved or clinically tested is safe to use.
- Cost
Facial cleansers for sensitive skin come in different price ranges. You can get any suitable cleanser within your budget, but it does not mean that you should go for any random brand. Always invest in a brand you have heard of and is trusted.
- Packaging
Facial cleansers mainly come in two types of packaging, i.e., pump bottle and tube. You can opt for either packaging as per your convenience. However, it is recommended to go for a pump bottle as it dispenses only the required amount of cleanser. Moreover, consider buying a small bottle or tube to start with and opt for a bigger pack next time if you are happy with the results.
[ Also Try: Himalaya Fresh Start Oil Clear Blueberry Face Wash ]
Sensitive skin gets irritated easily when its protective barrier is continuously disturbed. Hence, you should use products that will not damage the protective barrier and leave it vulnerable to environmental triggers. These cleansers have the necessary ingredients to take care of your skin. Try them and share your feedback with us in the comments section below.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Can you explain the difference between a cleanser and a face wash?
A. A cleanser is used to remove dirt, oil, makeup, and any impurities from the skin. It can come in various forms, including creams, gels, oils, or micellar waters. A face wash is a foaming cleanser, in gel or liquid form, that lathers when mixed with water and applied to the skin. The foaming action lifts dirt and impurities.
Q. Are there specific ingredients to avoid in cleansers and face washes for sensitive skin?
A. Yes, avoid harsh or potentially irritating ingredients like paraben, SLS, alcohol, and artificial color and fragrance in cleansers and face washes for sensitive skin. Do not use cleansers with strong cleansing agents as they can strip your skin off its natural oils, leaving it very dry and irritated.
Q. Can you recommend a cleanser or face wash for sensitive skin that also removes makeup?
A. Opt for the La Roche-Posay Toleriane Purifying Foaming Cleanser or the SebaMed Clear Face Cleansing Foam to remove makeup if you have sensitive skin, as both the formulas are gentle yet refreshing and do not strip your skin’s natural oil.
Read full bio of Ramona Sinha
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