If Your Skin Is All Red And Dry, It Could Be Your Face Wash (2024)

If Your Skin Is All Red And Dry, It Could Be Your Face Wash (1)

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Finding the best face wash can seem daunting you have sensitive skin. You need a cleanser that will do a thorough job of cleaning without turning your complexion into a dry, red, super-irritated mess.

Wondering what sensitive skin means, exactly? "Sensitive skin refers to burning and stinging of the skin when you use personal care products,” explains Joshua Zeichner, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City. “The wrong skincare products easily disrupt the skin barrier in people with sensitive skin, leading to microscopic cracks, loss of hydration, and inflammation.”

Meet our experts: Joshua Zeichner, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City, Miriam Vega Gonzalez, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Philadelphia

So what’s the best way to avoid irritating your face if you've got sensitive skin? In general, Dr. Zeichner recommends sticking to gentle, soap-free cleansers if you can (since true soap can be harsh and drying). He also suggests you steer clear of exfoliating products (i.e. anything that says brightening or has active ingredients like glycolic acid is a no-go for you). These “can cause more harm than good,” says Dr. Zeichner.

Instead, try any one of these 10 best face washes for sensitive skin. That's right! Keep reading for the most gentle cleansers out there, according to experts.

1

Best Overall

Tula Skincare Super Calm Gentle Milk Cleanser

If Your Skin Is All Red And Dry, It Could Be Your Face Wash (2)

Pros
  • If Your Skin Is All Red And Dry, It Could Be Your Face Wash (3)Free of potential irritants
  • If Your Skin Is All Red And Dry, It Could Be Your Face Wash (4)Softens skin
Cons
  • If Your Skin Is All Red And Dry, It Could Be Your Face Wash (5)Smell can be off-putting for some

Anyone else love when a product has the word 'milk' in its name? Just us? Anyways, with ingredients like glycerin and oatmeal, this gentle cleansing formula will be extra soothing to your sensitive face. Plus, it's free of fragrance, alcohol, and sulfates, which is what you should be looking for on an ingredient label, says Miriam Vega Gonzalez, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Philadelphia.

2

Best On Amazon

Gentle Facial Cleanser

If Your Skin Is All Red And Dry, It Could Be Your Face Wash (6)

Pros
  • If Your Skin Is All Red And Dry, It Could Be Your Face Wash (7)Great value for the size
  • If Your Skin Is All Red And Dry, It Could Be Your Face Wash (8)Very gentle and calming
Cons
  • If Your Skin Is All Red And Dry, It Could Be Your Face Wash (9)Not the best for eye makeup removal

"I know this brand uses ingredients that won't harm the skin," says Dr. Vega Gonzalez. "I usually recommend it to all of my patients who have sensitive skin or dermatitis."

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Pros
  • If Your Skin Is All Red And Dry, It Could Be Your Face Wash (11)Completely soap-free
  • If Your Skin Is All Red And Dry, It Could Be Your Face Wash (12)Excellent value
Cons
  • If Your Skin Is All Red And Dry, It Could Be Your Face Wash (13)Fragrance can be strong for some

Dr. Vega Gonzalez loves this gel-based formula that's soap-free, paraben-free, and oil-free. It lathers really easily when you combine with water and yeah, it's also super gentle on irritated skin.

4

Best Micellar Cleanser

Micellar Cleansing Water

If Your Skin Is All Red And Dry, It Could Be Your Face Wash (14)

Pros
  • If Your Skin Is All Red And Dry, It Could Be Your Face Wash (15)Contains micellar technology to gentle remove impurities
  • If Your Skin Is All Red And Dry, It Could Be Your Face Wash (16)Great for on-the-go cleansing
Cons
  • If Your Skin Is All Red And Dry, It Could Be Your Face Wash (17)May need several passes to remove makeup

“Micellar water is among the most gentle cleansing technology available,” Zeichner says. “Tiny droplets of oil known as micelles trap dirt and oil to help remove it from the skin.”

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5

Best Cold Cream

Cold Cream Cleanser

If Your Skin Is All Red And Dry, It Could Be Your Face Wash (18)

Pros
  • If Your Skin Is All Red And Dry, It Could Be Your Face Wash (19)Removes even waterproof mascara
  • If Your Skin Is All Red And Dry, It Could Be Your Face Wash (20)Great value
Cons
  • If Your Skin Is All Red And Dry, It Could Be Your Face Wash (21)Can leave skin feeling slightly slick

“Cold creams are a great option for people with dry and sensitive skin because it is gentle and leaves behind a hydrating film,” Zeichner says.

6

Best Calming Cleanser

Ultra-Calming Foaming Cleanser

If Your Skin Is All Red And Dry, It Could Be Your Face Wash (22)

Pros
  • If Your Skin Is All Red And Dry, It Could Be Your Face Wash (23)Contains anti-inflammatory ingredients
  • If Your Skin Is All Red And Dry, It Could Be Your Face Wash (24)Excellent value
Cons
  • If Your Skin Is All Red And Dry, It Could Be Your Face Wash (25)Pump can stick

“Some cleansers designed for sensitive skin contain ingredients that have anti-inflammatory effects,” Zeichner says. “Feverfew [which is in this wash] is a botanical extract that can calm inflammation in the skin and help reduce redness."

7

Best For Hydration

Ultra Gentle Hydrating Cleanser

If Your Skin Is All Red And Dry, It Could Be Your Face Wash (26)

Pros
  • If Your Skin Is All Red And Dry, It Could Be Your Face Wash (27)Great for those who like slight lather
  • If Your Skin Is All Red And Dry, It Could Be Your Face Wash (28)Good for those with rosacea and eczema
Cons
  • If Your Skin Is All Red And Dry, It Could Be Your Face Wash (29)Components can be cheap-feeling

This sensitive skin face wash is so mild it’s recommended for people with acne, eczema, and rosacea, to name a few. “This cleanser is specially formulated with hydrophobically modified polymers that prevent the cleansing ingredients from penetrating past the outer skin layer. So you can enjoy the lathering cleanser without experiencing dryness,” Zeichner says.

8

Dermatologist Favorite

Gentle Skin Cleanser

If Your Skin Is All Red And Dry, It Could Be Your Face Wash (30)

Pros
  • If Your Skin Is All Red And Dry, It Could Be Your Face Wash (31)Won't clog pores
  • If Your Skin Is All Red And Dry, It Could Be Your Face Wash (32)Can be used without water
Cons
  • If Your Skin Is All Red And Dry, It Could Be Your Face Wash (33)May not remove all makeup

This cleanser doesn’t contain soap, is non-comedogenic, and doesn’t leave behind an irritating residue. “Lipid-free [a type of soap-free formula suitable for sensitive skin] cleansing lotions can be used across all skin types, and are especially useful for patients with sensitive skin,” Zeichner says. “They can be applied and wiped off without even using water.”

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9

Editor's Pick

Hydrating Facial Cleanser

If Your Skin Is All Red And Dry, It Could Be Your Face Wash (34)

Pros
  • If Your Skin Is All Red And Dry, It Could Be Your Face Wash (35)Creates a frothy lather
  • If Your Skin Is All Red And Dry, It Could Be Your Face Wash (36)Deep cleans without overdrawing
Cons
  • If Your Skin Is All Red And Dry, It Could Be Your Face Wash (37)May not remove waterproof makeup

This gentle wash uses hyaluronic acid and ceramides to help keep your skin’s natural moisture while cleaning it up in the process. “I've been using this foaming cleanser for years,” says Women's Health beauty director, Brian Underwood. "It's one of the few options that foams into a really nice lather without stripping skin. It's fantastic!"

10

Best Healing Cleanser

La Roche-Posay Toleriane Purifying Foaming Cleanser

If Your Skin Is All Red And Dry, It Could Be Your Face Wash (38)

Pros
  • If Your Skin Is All Red And Dry, It Could Be Your Face Wash (39)Formulated with microbiome-friendly ingredients
  • If Your Skin Is All Red And Dry, It Could Be Your Face Wash (40)Lathers well for people who like foam
Cons
  • If Your Skin Is All Red And Dry, It Could Be Your Face Wash (41)May not be suitable for acne-prone skin

“Formulated with selenium- and strontium-rich thermal spring water, this cleanser hydrates and helps support a healthy microbiome,” Zeichner says.

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11

Best Redness-Reducing Cleanser

Sisley Paris Cleansing Milk

If Your Skin Is All Red And Dry, It Could Be Your Face Wash (42)

Pros
  • If Your Skin Is All Red And Dry, It Could Be Your Face Wash (43)Contains plant-based ingredients to calm
  • If Your Skin Is All Red And Dry, It Could Be Your Face Wash (44)Milky, soothing formula
Cons
  • If Your Skin Is All Red And Dry, It Could Be Your Face Wash (45)Pricey

“Formulated with calming botanical extracts, this milky cleanser helps hydrate the skin while removing dirt,” Zeichner says.

12

Best Splurge

Dior Capture Totale Super Potent Cleanser

If Your Skin Is All Red And Dry, It Could Be Your Face Wash (46)

Pros
  • If Your Skin Is All Red And Dry, It Could Be Your Face Wash (47)Luxurious mousse formula
  • If Your Skin Is All Red And Dry, It Could Be Your Face Wash (48)Blocks pollution damage in addition to cleansing
Cons
  • If Your Skin Is All Red And Dry, It Could Be Your Face Wash (49)Pricey

This best-selling cleanser is extra hydrating and will leave your skin looking sooo supple. That said, note that it contains Coco-Betaine as an ingredient, which Dr. Vega Gonzalez says can be irritating for *some* people even though it's in many products made for sensitive bbs.

If Your Skin Is All Red And Dry, It Could Be Your Face Wash (50)

Korin Miller

Korin Miller is a freelance writer specializing in general wellness, sexual health and relationships, and lifestyle trends, with work appearing in Men’s Health, Women’s Health, Self, Glamour, and more. She has a master’s degree from American University, lives by the beach, and hopes to own a teacup pig and taco truck one day.

If Your Skin Is All Red And Dry, It Could Be Your Face Wash (2024)

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