The Best Face Wash for Sensitive Skin in 2024 Will Leave Your Face Fresh, Clean, and Never Irritated

Compared to oily and dry skin types, the concept of sensitive skin seems less simple, perhaps even a little vague. Still, that doesn’t mean it’s difficult to find the best face wash for sensitive skin. While certain skin conditions fall into the territory of sensitive skin, like eczema, rosacea, and psoriasis, anyone can experience irritated or reactive skin. It’s likely that you’ve experienced sensitive skin before, even if you don’t have a specific skin problem. Spoiler: of course yes!

One fateful morning, I woke up with extremely dry skin due to a moment of panic between me and a benzoyl peroxide-based acne product. My jaw broke bad, and I ended up going a little overboard with my acne treatment plan. It was so irritated, itchy, dry and flaky that the skin on my chin felt almost tight. At the time, I was testing The Outset, the skin-care brand co-founded by Scarlett Johansson and Kate Foster, and the timing turned out to be fortuitous. The products, including the Gentle Micellar Antioxidant Cleanser, cleared my irritated skin in a matter of days. So why was this cleanser the best for my sensitive skin? Let’s get into it!

• Form: Gel, cream, oil, liquid, foam, wipes, etc.

• Key ingredients: Niacinamide, aloe vera, vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, citric acid, botanicals

• Active ingredients: Salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide

• Skin Type: For dry skin, for combination skin, for oily skin, all skin types

• Sustainability: Cruelty-free, organic and fair trade

The best facial cleanser for sensitive skin

Amazon

Active ingredients: Micelles, chamomile | Skin Type: For all skin types | Size: 5 oz | Cruelty free: Yes

Some of the facial cleansers I’ve tried were almost too gentle and felt like they weren’t cleaning my skin, but the Gentle Micellar Antioxidant Cleanser gets the job done without making my skin feel resentful. I’m not exaggerating when I say it’s my official facial cleanser and the one I’ve repeatedly recommended to friends, regardless of their skin type. I also used it to clean new tattoos, no joke.

It makes sense why this cleanser (and really, the entire Outset line) is so good for sensitive skin — the brand prioritizes skin that can be easily irritated. No, seriously, you can even get one sensitive skin test.

The Outset’s products do not contain thousands (2,700, to be exact) of questionable ingredients. The only downside, if I can call it that, is that I wear heavy black eyeliner and red lipstick which usually needs a separate makeup remover like micellar water. But this product is so good that I don’t mind double cleansing!

Pros

• Ultra-smooth
• Soothes the skin
• Packed with high-quality skin-nourishing ingredients like chamomile and sunflower seed oil
• Fragrance-free, silicone-free, sulfate-free
• Vegan and cruelty-free
• Dermatologically tested

Cons

• May not remove heavy makeup
• On the more expensive side

$32 on Amazon

Also great:

Bioderma

Whenever I talk about double cleansing with micellar water, know that I’m always talking about Bioderma Sensibio. It’s the only micellar water that doesn’t irritate the eyes and I’ve tried them all.

$19 on Amazon

La Roche Posay

La Roche-Posay is a pioneer in the sensitive skin community. The brand is dedicated to developing products that can be tolerated by sensitive skin types, including this Toleriane Face Cleanser, which contains the brand’s moisturizing glycerin and soothing thermal spring water.

$26 on Amazon

Vanicream

This cleanser, free of sulfates, dyes, essential oils, fragrances, masking fragrances, lanolin, parabens and formaldehyde, is also approved by the National Eczema Association and has received its Seal of Acceptance. It’s not surprising why Vanicream is so popular in dermatologists’ offices.

$9 at Walmart

Common questions

What is sensitive skin?

As mentioned, sensitive skin is associated with several skin conditions, such as eczema, rosacea, psoriasis, dermatitis, and allergies. O American Academy of Dermatology it simply characterizes sensitive skin as that which “may sting or burn after using the product”. To look for show that signs of sensitive skin can include constant itching, burning, stinging, tightness, and dryness, and about 60–70% of women and 50–60% of men report having some degree of sensitive skin.

If you don’t have a chronic skin condition, your skin’s sensitivity could very well be due to something environmental, such as sun exposure, cold weather, air conditioning, or a beauty and personal care product that causes irritation. Whatever the reason for your problems, you need a facial soap suitable for sensitive skin.

What ingredients should you avoid if you have sensitive skin?

Sensitive skin can be tricky. A certain product may work well on your skin one time and wreak havoc the next. It’s a game of skincare roulette. So what can you do besides say a little prayer? In general, there are ingredients that you can easily avoid. (Just be sure to read the ingredient list before using a product!)

Dr. Tess MaurícioMD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Beverly Hills and San Diego, says to avoid fragrances, alcohol, sulfates, parabens, artificial colors, and harsh chemical exfoliants. Dr., a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City, says to avoid products with SLS (sodium lauryl sulfate), which can be harsh on the skin. She also says to “avoid potentially irritating ingredients such as glycolic acid, charcoal, and essential oils.”

Fortunately, many brands these days, like The Outset, make an effort (and even part of their ethos) to ensure their products are free of phthalates, dyes, parabens, etc.

What type of facial cleanser is best for sensitive skin?

When testing sensitive skin cleansers, the first thing I looked for was whether “fragrance-free” was listed on the label. Even if the cleanser has no synthetic fragrance and the scent is naturally derived (like an essential oil), it still has the potential to irritate. “Opt for gentle, fragrance-free and hypoallergenic options,” says Dr. Mauricio.

Another thing I looked for was whether the cleanser contained ingredients that calm and soothe the skin and help with hydration and barrier repair, like glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and ceramides. It’s important to note that some experts consider salicylic acid a no-no for sensitive skin types. However, there are exceptions, especially when considering the benefits of BHAs. “BHAs also have anti-inflammatory and skin-soothing properties, so they are gentle enough even for sensitive skin prone to redness and/or rosacea,” explains Dr.