How Often Should You Use Cleanser
Cleanser should be used at least once a day, says Amy Peterson, medical aesthetician and founder of Miami medspa Skincare by Amy Peterson. I typically recommend washing at night in order to remove the makeup, sunscreen, oil and dirt that your face was exposed to throughout the day.
Some may also want to cleanse in the morning, which is an added step that Dr. Loretta Ciraldo, board-certified dermatologist and founder of the Dr. Loretta skin care line actually recommends for all skin types. Some people fear that washing twice a day can dry their skin, but if this happens it is a signal that you are not using the right cleanser for your skin type or the water that you are using for your cleansing , Ciraldo says.
Many other factors can affect how often you should cleanse your face, such as the time of day you work out, what active ingredients you are using at night and whether you live in a hot, humid environment or a cold, dry environment, Peterson adds.
Using a different cleanser in the morning than you do at night, or rotating a few different face washes in your routine, may also benefit your skin. With numerous types of face washes gels, creams, balms, oils, cleansing bars and more you can tailor it to your needs.
To further help you choose the best cleanser, the three skin experts picked 20 of their favorite face washes for each skin type.
How To Use Mild Face Washes:
Here are the simple steps you can follow to use a mild face wash efficiently unless there are specific instructions mentioned on the product:
- Wash your face with lukewarm water.
- Take the required amount of your chosen face wash and apply it to the face.
- Use circular motions to spread the content thoroughly for about five minutes.
- Use lukewarm water to wash your face and pat your skin dry with a soft towel.
You dont have to feel the burden of choosing the suitable face wash for your delicate skin anymore. This article presents you with some popular mild face washes available in the market, ideal for all skin types. Dont forget to let us know if you found this article helpful in making a choice.
Shop: The Best Cleansers For Sensitive Skin Uk
Just so you know, while we may receive a commission or other compensation from the links on this page, we never allow this to influence product selections.
Trusted by dermatologists and all of our fave influencers, the Cetaphil cleanser is ideal for sensitive skin. Fragrance and soap-free, this cleanser actively hydrates as it cleanses leaving your skin glowing and smooth, whats not to love?
It soothes skin as it cleans, removing dirt and impurities without stripping skin of natural lipids, does not block pores and matches the pH value of skin, making it suitable for daily use even on sensitive skin types.
Review: I began using this after my dermatologist recommended the brand. I’ve been using this since I was 15 years old… I’ve tried others but I always come back to it. The packaging is not exactly stylish, but it is a clean, effective, simple product that works. It is my face wash staple that I buy again and again. It is budget-friendly and has seen me through high school, university, and into my 30s. I’ve had to change most of my other skincare products as I’ve aged, but this one has stuck with me.
If you havent heard of CeraVe yet, then where have you been? CeraVe went viral on TikTok thanks to skincare king Hyram Yarbro, better known as , and our skin has thanked us ever since.
Its formulated with five skin conditioners that leave your skin feeling baby soft, so you dont need to rush for moisturiser afterwards.
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Osea Ocean Cleansing Milk
Formulated with Water Lily Extract, Oseas Ocean Cleansing Milk is incredibly soothing for sensitive skin types. This creamy cleanser works wonders for providing skin with a gentle but thorough cleanse, which leaves skin feeling soft and nourished. As an added bonus, this cleanser is fragrance-free!
Pros
- Gentle, hydrating formula is soothing for all skin types
- Works great for sensitive skin
- Ultra-nourishing formula leaves skin feeling hydrated
Cons
- Doesnt work well for removing makeup
Where to Shop
Paulas Choice Calm Redness Relief Cleanser For Normal To Dry Skin

If you want a cleanser that will target redness while calming the skin, you have to try this face wash from Paulas Choice. The Calm Redness Relief Cleanser contains a blend of plant extracts and other ingredients that are proven to effectively calm the skin, and its even gentle enough for skin that is prone to rosacea. It has a silky lotion formula that softens and hydrates the skin while washing away impurities, leaving the skin calm, supple, and refreshed.
The Calm Redness Relief Cleanser features anti-inflammatory aloe leaf juice, which soothes irritated, red skin while dousing it with hydration. Matricaria flower extractanother anti-inflammatory ingredientjoins the aloe leaf juice in calming the skin. The fragrance-free formula also contains sodium hyaluronate, which attracts moisture to the skin and locks it in, ensuring it stays hydrated and supple after cleansing.
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An Faq On Facial Cleansers For Sensitive Skin
Can I use cleansers with fragrances?
“Fragrances offer consumers a senatorial effect, but oftentimes leads to allergies or irritation,” Dr. Zeichner said. “I’m cautious about recommending exfoliating cleansers to people with sensitive skin because ingredients like glycolic acid may be too harsh for some people.” Dr. Peredo advises against strong fragrances and exfoliants, too, as well as sulfates, salicylic acid, retinoids, alcohols, and dyes.
What do products claiming to be “for sensitive skin” actually contain?
“These products will probably avoid fragrances and dyes,” Dr. Peredo said. “They will also have a creamy, milky consistency for sensitive skin.” Dr. Zeichner added that some products may be fit for sensitive skin based on some of our key ingredients mentioned that don’t have “for sensitive skin” labeled on the product.
What other tips should I follow when cleansing?
Interestingly, Dr. Peredo recommends rotating your cleansers because your skin’s needs are always changing due to aging, hormones, and the environment. It’s a good way to prevent any plateauing and, for extra guidance, can always check in with your dermatologist to find specific products that suit your needs and skin type.
How To Use A Body Wash On Dry Skin
When it comes to best practices for using a body wash, Birnbaum says that unless you have visible dirt or youre excessively sweating, its not necessary to wash your body with soap every day. She also says you dont need to wash every part of your body with soap.
The only parts of your body that need soap are your groin and underarms , she explains.
To wash, Birnbaum recommends washing with your fingertips instead of a washcloth or loofah to be as gentle as possible on the skin. Then, after washing, she recommends patting yourself dry and applying moisturizer while youre damp to lock that moisture in your skin.
The price of beauty products can range from very affordable to outrageously expensive. We aimed for the middle range and chose body washes you can purchase online or in stores. With that in mind, heres how we indicate cost:
- $ = under $10
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Best Cleanser For Very Sensitive And Red Skin: Curel Makeup Cleansing Oil 1450
When skin is on red alert, you could have a temporary reaction or something more chronic, such as rosacea or eczema , the best thing to do is remove every potential irritant from your regime until things settle. This is when ingredients such as mineral oil come in: often demonised for being a petrochemical, the truth is that its purified and entirely inert, meaning it has no active compounds that could aggravate upset skin . This mineral oil melts away dirt and makeup and transforms into a milk on contact with water to rinse clean away. But its party trick is that its formulated to protect, promote and replenish skins natural stash of ceramides, lipids essential to its self-moisturising ability. In other words, this oil will help the skin get stronger and better able to fend off irritation.
Types Of Facial Cleansers
Once you understand your skin type, its a lot easier to select the proper facial cleanserand in most cases all you have to do is read the bottle. A vast majority of face washes clearly state the skin types they are designed for right on the label, so keep this is mind while youre shopping. This applies to the wide variety of available facial cleanser options, and you may find you prefer one type in the morning, another at night and potentially a different formula for the gym or when youre on the go. Regardless of the facial cleanser you choose, a product that contains ceramides can help ensure effective cleansing without disrupting the skins barrier
A gel facial cleanser effectively removes makeup as well as dirt and excess oil, and these lightweight formulas generally produce lather. Gel facial cleansers can be formulated with additional ingredients like hyaluronic acid for hydration, and our Renewing SA Cleanser features salicylic acid for gentle exfoliationbut its important to look for a mild gel facial cleanser that doesnt strip the skin of its natural oils.
Skin types: Normal, oily, sensitive
For those with sensitive skin, our Hydrating Facial Cleansers mild lotion formula may be the most suitable option.
Skin types: Normal, dry, oily, sensitive
Skin types: Normal, oily, sensitive
Skin types: Normal, dry, oily, combination, sensitive
Skin types: Normal, dry, oily, combination, sensitive
Skin types: Normal, dry, sensitive
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Calm Redness Relief Cleanser
Paula’s Choice Face Wash for Daily Cleansing
Paulas Choice Calm Redness Relief Cleanser for Normal to Dry Skin
If youre struggling with redness, this calming cleanser will help soothe the skin while gently cleansing away dirt and debris.
This milky cleanser is super gentle on the skin and easy to rinse off, so it wont cause any further redness. It contains plant extracts and other replenishing ingredients that hydrate and soothe the skin. Additionally, this cleanser was made to be gentle enough for those prone to rosacea.
- May not be suitable for acne-prone skin
Two of the key soothing and hydrating ingredients in this gentle cleanser are chamomile extract and aloe leaf juice.
Water, Sodium Laureth Sulfate , Glycol Stearate , Methyl Gluceth-20 , Glyceryl Stearate , Hydroxyethylcellulose , Chamomilla Recutita Matricaria Flower Extract , Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice , Cocamidopropyl Betaine , Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate , Sodium Hyaluronate , Sodium PCA , Caprylyl Glycol , Hexylene Glycol , Propylene Glycol , Citric Acid , Phytic Acid , Phenoxyethanol .
It Cosmetics Confidence In A Cleanser
| Confidence in a Cleanser.
If your confidence is taking a hit from blemishes or fine lines on your face, It Cosmetics has the sensitive-skin-friendly solution for you. Confidence in a Cleanser is a skin-loving cleanser that combines the cleansing power of a foam wash with the hydration of a serum. Developed alongside plastic surgeons and dermatologists, this product gently removes makeup, oil, SPF and traces of pollution while supporting and revitalising your skins protective barrier.
Ceramides and hyaluronic acid form the foundation of this cleanser, helping to attract and retain moisture, support skin elasticity, reinforce the skin barrier, and plump out the look of fine lines and wrinkles. It is gentle enough for twice daily use without drying or stripping your skin and delivers immediate and lasting hydration, making it the perfect facial cleanser for even the most sensitive skin types.
Recommended Reading: Cetaphil Gentle Facial Cleanser Ingredients
What Ingredients To Look For In A Body Wash For Sensitive Skin
Dr. King’s ideal formula includes humectants, emollients, and occlusives, a combination which she says is usually found in lotion-bases. In case you didn’t know, humectants are moisturizing agents frequently used in skincare products to keep skin moist, and include ingredients such as glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and alpha hydroxy acids .
For the scientifically inclined, “emollients are hydrocarbons which help in skin barrier function, membrane fluidity and cell signaling leading to overall improvement in skin texture and appearance,” says Dr. King. In layman terms, emollients basically support the skin barrier while improving both texture and appearance. Butters, oils, lipids, and fatty acids are all emollients.
Occlusives are, in a nutshell, oils and waxes that create a lasting layer on the skin that prevents existing moisture from leaving your skin. Examples of occlusives are petroleum, beeswax, mineral oil, silicones, lanolin, and zinc oxide.
Another thing to be on the lookout for are lipids, which are a class of moisturizing and skin barrier-improving ingredients that include ceramides and squalane. When your skin barrier is compromised, moisture easily escapes, and the skin becomes weak and vulnerable to germs and infections, which can lead to breakouts.
Best Moisturizers For Sensitive Skin

Formulyst Super Hyaluronic Water Moisturizer, $29Formulysts Super Hyaluronic Water Moisturizer only has ten ingredients and isnt full of harsh chemicals that irritate sensitive skin. Its formulated with hyaluronic acid, squalane, apricot kernel oil, and jojoba seed oil. Together, these are potent hydrators that will keep skin hydrated, supple, soft, and protected without irritation. The watery texture of this moisturizer is excellent for sensitive skin because its not too rich or heavy.
Related: Best Moisturizers For Oily Skin
Avene Skin Recovery Cream, $35This cream is suitable for all skin types, but it was still formulated explicitly with minimal ingredients to provide deep hydration while preventing and soothing irritation. Key elements include plant squalene, parcerine, glycerin, and Avene thermal spring water. Plant squalane is a natural emollient that helps skin retain moisture.
Parcerine is a patented ingredient that calms irritation and redness. It also helps restore any damage to the hydrolipidic barrier, the barrier that protects skin from pollutants and irritants. Glycerin also acts as an emollient, providing hydration and softening skin. Avene thermal spring water is a calming ingredient that also soothes and softens.
This cream also contains an antioxidant booster featuring licorice root, feverfew, and white tea extracts to protect from free radicals, unstable atoms that damage skin cells and accelerate aging.
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Gentle Cleansers That Are Perfect For Sensitive Skin
Washing your face is an essential step of a skincare routine. A face wash or cleanser is designed to clean the skin and wash away makeup and dead skin. It is often packed with ingredients to draw oil and dirt from the pores while rehydrating the skin at the same time.
Finding a suitable face wash with a humectant can help the skin retain water and remove excess sebum and dirt. Many cleansers in the market can be too harsh, filled with avoidable chemicals and fragrances that may cause sensitive skin to become red and irritated. It is crucial to find a hydrating face wash that removes impurities without stripping off its natural moisture barrier if you have sensitive skin.
It is vital to choose an unscented face wash if you have sensitive skin to prevent itchiness. Look for moisturizing ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and ceramides to protect the skins moisture barrier. A pH-balancing face wash will keep your skin clean without stripping the natural oils.
Common signs of sensitive skin are flaky patches, rough texture, redness, inflammation, swelling and peeling.
Eminence Calm Skin Chamomile Cleanser
Eminence is a certified organic and clean skincare company dedicated to using the most potent and effective ingredients. The company ethically sources ingredients from sustainable farms and carefully concocts its formulas without using hydrogenating or severe heating processes. This ensures the ingredients maintain their integrity and deliver the best possible results.
Eminence offers a variety of excellent products for sensitive skin, but the Calm Skin Chamomile Cleanser is one of the companys best. This award-winning cream cleanser is packed with ingredients that soothe irritation and minimize redness while gently removing dirt, debris, and other impurities from the skin. Chamomile works to revitalize and calm the skin, while antioxidant-rich calendula and rosemary oils protect, rejuvenate, and soothe the complexion. The cleanser also features a variety of nourishing ingredients, including vitamin-rich sunflower oil and antioxidant-rich grape leaf extract.
For an additional anti-aging boost, the Calm Skin Chamomile Cleanser also contains BioComplex, a blend of antioxidants, coenzyme Q10, and alpha lipoic acid. These ingredients minimize fine lines and wrinkles while improving the overall appearance of the skin. This vegan and cruelty-free formula is made without sodium lauryl sulfates, parabens, phthalates, synthetic dyes, petrochemicals, or gluten.
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Best Splurge: Dermalogica Ultracalming Cleanser
Courtesy of Sephora
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Can be used on wet or dry skin
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Costly
For those ready to really invest in their teen’s skincare, the Dermalogica skincare line is an excellent way to get them started off on the right foot. The Dermalogica Ultracalming Cleanser in particular is a fan favorite. Its a super gentle face wash that helps calm redness and soothes sensitive skin.
The gel-to-cream formula is pricey but can be used on wet or dry skin to wash away impurities and keep your skin calm and blemish-free. The ingredients include oat to calm inflammation, lavender to reduce redness, and cucumber to soothe skin.
Price at time of publish: $40