Best face wash for dry sensitive skin dermatologist recommended

Christine Giordano

Finding the best face wash can be a huge pain in the you know what when you have sensitive skin. Like, you need a cleanser that will do a thorough job of cleaning your skin without turning it into a dry, red, super-irritated mess. And let's be real: That carefully balanced formula can be hard to come by.

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.” Noted!

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.

On top of that, you should also be wary of cleansers that contain parabens, sulfates, or fragrances says Miriam Vega Gonzalez, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Philadelphia. "Look for products that have the least amount of ingredients on the label."

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 Calming Cleanser

Super Calm Gentle Milk Cleanser

2

Most Gentle Cleasner

Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser

3

Best For Adding Moisture

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Gel Cleanser

4

Best Skin Enhancer

Capture Totale Cell Energy

5

Under $10

Simple Micellar Cleansing Water

6

Under $10

Pond's Cold Cream Cleanser

7

Under $10

Aveeno Ultra-Calming Foaming Cleanser

8

Under $10

Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Hydrating Cleanser

9

Under $15

Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser

10

Under $15

CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser

11

Under $15

La Roche-Posay Toleriane Purifying Foaming Cleanser

12

Splurge Cleanser

Sisley Paris Cleansing Milk with White Lily

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.

One might feel inveigled about trying kinds of face washes – water-based, gel-based, lotion-based! But when it is about dry skin, anything simple and hydrating is anytime better. Gentle face wash or cleansers with no fragrances are ideal and dermatologist recommended for people with dry or sensitive skin types. Cleansers that are packed with ceramides can specifically be moisturizing too.

When you’re scouring the beauty stores for the best face washes for the dry skin, check label and look for just the same hydrating ingredients and super fatty acids that you would see in your moisturizer, such as glycerin, petrolatum, lanolin, jojoba oil, aloe vera, coconut oil, soybean oil, olive oil, hyaluronic acid, botanical oils and shea butter, kokum butter, et cetera. Also, look for keywords like moisturizing, nourishing, hydrating, softening, hydration, and for dry skin or dehydrated skin to find formulas that are crafted for skin types. These cleansers or face washes leave behind a thin layer of moisture on the skin surface, giving it a soft and supple feel.

Please make note that the dry skinned beauties should avoid anti-bacterial soaps or cleansers. It sure does keeps your skin germ-free, but also makes the skin more dry. Also, face washes with exfoliants like glycolic acid or salicylic acid should be avoided. Basic soaps are again a big no! Basic soaps have a pH level and, thus, are irritating to the skin as a result of their damaging effects in the skin barrier.

Whether you pick a water-based, gel-based, cream, foam, or balm formula (or perhaps something in between), we’ve got you covered with dermatologist recommended, four best face washes for dry skin types.

A-Derma Soothing Foaming Gel:

The Dermatological Rhealba Oat that’s found at the heart of any A-Derma Product, is an exceptional ingredient that would rebalance, soothe and repair the skin. A-Derma Soothing Foaming Gel has a caring formulation for atopic and very dry skin. It is a soap-free, mild cleanser sans parabens that can be used for both the face and the body (as a shower gel). If you’re under any acne treatment that causes dryness/peeling such as isotretinoin/Retinoids, Glycolic Acid, Benzoyl Peroxide et cetera, it has to be an ideal cleanser for you. Also, if you have body acne, A-Derma Soothing Foaming Gel is, again, your must-have.

This cleanser won’t give you a squeaky clean face though but, it would suffice enough in cleansing moisturizer, sunscreen, etc while providing the skin with all the needed nourishment, softness, and suppleness. The cleanser has Rhealba Oat extracts, rich in polyphenols, that regulates the release of substances that are immunity-regulating, anti-allergic, and anti-inflammatory. The moisturising glycols safeguard the skin while ensuring it is constantly hydrated. It would help restore the physiological balance of the skin, leaving it feel smooth and supple.

Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser:

Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser is a soap substitute, especially crafted for sensitive skin types, that would give you a squeaky clean skin without disrupting or scraping the skin’s natural protective oils. This cleanser was originally developed by dermatologists and is a clinically proven the most gentle non-soap cleanser. It has a special formulation that wouldn’t sting your eyes and is efficient enough in taking down the makeup without clogging pores.

Recommended Read: How to Pick the Best Face Serum for Your Skin Concern

Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser gets you a squeaky clean face. It would also remove the traces of makeup, also the waterproof make up! This cleanser would not leave the skin feel dry or stretchy post face wash. Cetaphil Gentle cleanser is very gentle, as the name suggests, and is ideal for acne-prone or sensitive skin.

D-Wash Face Wash:

D-Wash Face Was h is a rich creamy moisturizing face wash from Ethicare Remedies. This face wash is a best pick for dry skinned beauties. The product is formulated with moisturizing and hydrating ingredients such as olive oil, kokum butter and shea butter that would double up the smooth-silk skin texture. It gently cleanses the skin, helps retain the hydration quotient of the skin, and cures the dry patches of oily skin during winters. Also, it is best recommended to dry skin as well throughout the year. The luxurious creamy formula of D-Wash Face Wash is mild and, thus, suitable for sensitive skin as well. The product works gentle on the most sensitive skin conditions as well. It decongests the skin pores of all the gunk, impurities, and dirt, leaving it moisturized, soft, supple and fresh.

Sebamed Oil Face and Body Wash

Sebamed Oil Face and Body Wash is soap and alkali free cleanser aimed at providing effective and extra mild cleansing of sensitive skin. The USP of all and any Sebamed product is their consciousness about the pH value. The product claims to have a pH of 5.5 The formulation of this cleanser is based on a combination of Olive Oil and Panthenol along with a starch derivative that works by thwarting the loss of lipids and irritation, if any, while showering. The product is efficient for any skin that needs support in fighting against skin ogres like dryness, irritation, harmful bacteria’s or fungi, allergens and intolerance of any kind.

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