9 Best Cleansers and Face Washes for Sensitive Skin (2023)

FAQs

What iS the number 1 best face wash? ›

Dr. Fassett likes drugstore brands, like Eucerin, Aveeno, Cerave, Cetaphil, and Vanicream: “Those are all excellent for people that have eczema and sensitive skin in general.” (To be certain, scan the ingredient list every time, or ask your dermatologist for specific recommendations.)

If you have normal to oily skin and prefer a gel-based foaming cleanser, CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser will be the best choice. If you have dry acne-prone skin or sensitive acne-prone skin, Cetaphil Gentle Clear Clarifying Acne Cream Cleanser will most likely be the better choice.

Neutrogena. The brand: You don't need to spend tons of money for effective products that derms love; Neutrogena is touted as the number one dermatologist-recommend skincare product and you can find it at the drugstore.

What you need to know. Developed with dermatologists, CeraVe is the #1 dermatologist recommended skincare brand¹.

Verdict: Neutrogena and CeraVe Daily Lotions

If you have normal/dry skin, then go for the CeraVe daily moisturizer. The Neutrogena, on the other hand, is suitable for sensitive skin. In addition, Neutrogena is designed for the face and neck area while the CeraVe can be used on the body.

Cetaphil is a gentle skincare brand that has been recommended and trusted by doctors and dermatologists for over 70 years, and is used by millions with sensitive skin around the world to improve the resilience of their skin.

What should I avoid if I have sensitive skin? ›

Exfoliants, fragrances, alcohol, sulfates, and preservatives can be some of the most triggering skincare ingredients for sensitive skin. If you suspect any of these may be irritating your skin, consult with your dermatologist.

If you experience dry skin, oily skin, acne-prone skin then CeraVe might be the clear choice. However, if you experience sensitive skin the Cetaphil is the better option. Read more about the products of both CeraVe and Cetaphil on their websites to see which one is right for you.

With CeraVe, you'll find the best ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and ceramides, which really help to keep the skin glowing and hydrated. While Cetaphil does offer ingredients such as plant oils and vitamin complexes, it can't compare to the powerful ingredients of CeraVe.

The closest cruelty-free alternative to CeraVe's Moisturizing Cream is Ceramedx. Their Ultra Moisturizing Cream ($17.99) is marketed towards dry skin, though it's suitable for all skin types. It contains both ceramides (which are plant-based) as well as the same humectants as CeraVe (glycerin and hyaluronic acid).

Think of your skin-care routine as consisting of three main steps: Cleansing — Washing your face. Toning — Balancing the skin. Moisturizing — Hydrating and softening the skin.

Camille Howard, a New York-based dermatologist who has tried all nine of Kardashian's products, expensive skin care isn't abnormal: A hyaluronic acid serum "can cost over $150," and brands like Dr. Barbara Sturm and La Mer have been praised for their even more expensive yet high-quality effects.

What is the number 1 skincare in the US? ›

According to research from Dermstore—the e-tailer also compiled Google searches from the past 12 months—there's one skin-care brand that America calls a clear favorite, and it's dermatologist approved. Taking the number-one spot is SkinCeuticals, which topped online searches in a whopping 30 states in 2021.

What pros say: The fact that it is so gentle, and doesn't have active ingredients, is exactly why dermatologists love this stuff. “It's a basic gentle cleanser, so it's not necessarily going to clear acne or target signs of aging, but dermatologists often recommend it for this exact reason,” Shah says.

Gentle is the name of the game when you're shopping for cleansers in your 60s, and Shah couldn't help but rave about Biossance's jelly cleanser that removes both makeup, dirt and oil. "It's formulated with elderberry extract, which provides antioxidant benefits, and squalane to maintain skin moisture.

Wash with a gentle, fragrance-free, moisturizing bar soap, cleanser, or body wash. Doing so will help soothe rather than dry your skin. Moisturizing ingredients that can help reduce dryness include glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and lanolin. Use warm (not hot) water.

Experts agree that two is the magic number: wash once in the morning, and once at night.

Again, it comes down to intricacies regarding skin type: if you are prone to redness and irritation, you will probably prefer La Roche Posay, whereas if you are mainly struggling with congested skin, you will most likely see better results with CeraVe.

So why is it so popular out of the blue? Not only is it blowing up on social media thanks to the beauty community on TikTok, but it's an extremely accessible brand. “CeraVe contains quality ingredients at a very reasonable price point,” says Dr. Chiu, “and has widespread availability at your local drugstore.”

"CeraVe is a commonly recommended brand in my practice, especially for acne patients and patients with eczema," says Juliya Fisher, MD, a double board-certified dermatologist in Manhattan, New York.

A cleanser dissolves away excess oil, makeup and grime from your face. These are oil-soluble impurities. They can be removed by a face wash too, but that might be not be 100% effective. A face wash's job is to remove deeper seated debris and also cleanse pores, thanks to its foaming action.

Which Facewash is best for female? ›

(All CeraVe sunscreens, whether they contain mineral- or chemical-based sunscreen filters are developed by dermatologists and suitable for sensitive skin.)

CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser

Like the Cetaphil cleanser, it is formulated to remove makeup on all skin types, without overly drying out the skin. Made with soy proteins and other hydrating ingredients, the cleanser ensures the skin is left moisturized and hydrated.

CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser

CeraVe's Hydrating Cleanser is a Best of Beauty Award winner and recommended by just about every dermatologist we've spoken to. That's because it's gentle while still extremely effective at removing debris, dirt, pollutants, and light makeup without stripping skin.

“Gentle cleansers are important for sensitive skin,” says Dr. Madfes. While other skin types can use more stringent formulas to lift oil off the skin's surface, your sensitive skin does not benefit from these types of cleansers. There are gentle yet effective cleansers that are formulated for sensitive skin types.

How often should you wash it if you have dry or sensitive skin? Washing the face twice a day may prove to be irritating for sensitive or dry skin types. If you tick that box, cleanse properly at night using a gentle formula and simply rinse with warm water in the morning.

Exfoliants, fragrances, alcohol, sulfates, and preservatives can be some of the most triggering skincare ingredients for sensitive skin. If you suspect any of these may be irritating your skin, consult with your dermatologist.

By washing your skin well at night and removing all impurities and makeup, you eliminate the need to wash your face in the morning. Your skin repairs itself at night, producing an acid mantle that can serve as a protective barrier during the day.

Both Emer and Zeichner agree that if you're only going to wash your face once a day, nighttime is the best time to do it. "Most dermatologists recommend face-washing twice daily, once in the morning and once before bed," says Zeichner.

Should you wash your face with hot or cold water? ›

The American Academy of Dermatology recommends washing your face in lukewarm water. It's the perfect middle ground for all skin types, as Beal explains that hot water strips your skin of the protective oils that help hold in moisture.