16 Best Cleanser for Sensitive Skin of 2024, According to Experts

Say so long to that stripped feeling once and for all.

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Raise your hand if cleansing is your least favorite step in your skincare routine🙋🏽🙋🏽🙋🏽. I'm gonna guess that everyone with sensitive skin feels this way. So many face washes can leave skin feeling dry and stripped, and for those with sensitive skin, that can quickly lead to irritation, redness, and skin flare ups. Why can't sensitive skin ever catch a break??

I know that finding a comfortable cleanser for sensitive skin—you know, one that keeps your complexion soft, balanced, and hydrated—may feel like a far off dream, but I promise there are options out there. Actually, I know for a fact that there are 16 stellar cleansers for sensitive skin because I tested a ton and asked dermatologists for their tried and trued recommendations. Feast your eyes on some of our top picks:

Is it possible for cleansing to become your favorite skincare step? The jury's still out. However, it's sure to become more enjoyable with the best cleansers for sensitive skin. Keep reading to discover our favorites—I promise that squeaky clean never felt this comfy.

All three of our expert dermatologists named this gentle cleanser one of their all-time favorites, which means it's essentially the *perfect* cleanser for sensitive skin. Each mention that the combination of niacinamide and ceramides—along with a special dose of La Roche-Posay's prebiotic thermal spring water that's packed with skin-enhancing vitamins and minerals—soothes and hydrates your complexion and maintains the skin's natural moisture barrier. The creamy texture feels extra calming on skin yet still manages to remove all traces of dirt and everyday makeup in one go.

Glowing customer review: "This is fantastic for sensitive skin. It effectively removes dirt and makeup without stripping moisture or causing irritation. The creamy texture leaves my skin feeling clean, hydrated, and soft. It’s perfect for daily use and has become a staple in my skincare routine. Highly recommended for a gentle, thorough cleanse!"

When a dermatologist can't stop raving about a product, you know it has to be good—and that's the case with this cleansing oil from Rachel Westbay, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Marmur Medical in New York. "I am quite literally obsessed with this cleanser," she says. "It contains a hydrating triple-lipid complex that restores ceramide and fatty acid levels depleted from age and environmental factors; a small particle hyaluronate blend that’s super hydrating; and aloe, which is rich in vitamins, antioxidants, minerals, and amino acids, and also helps the skin retain water. Despite being so luscious, it doesn't cause breakouts and is miraculously able to remove even stubborn makeup."

Glowing customer review: "I never leave reviews here but I love this cleanser so much. I used CeraVe for years but stopped when I realized it wasn't cruelty-free. I have dry, sensitive skin and every recommended cleanser was just too drying for my skin. Until I tried this one. Both melts makeup and leaves my skin hydrated!"

Ahhhh, good old CeraVe. Could we even have a roundup of cleansers for sensitive skin without this trusty formula? (The answer is obviously no.) Both Dr. Westbay and board-certified dermatologist Corey L. Hartman, MD, adore this gentle pick that's effective and incredibly affordable to boot. "Ceramides and hyaluronic acid help restore and maintain the skin's protective barrier," explains Dr. Westbay. "Ceramides are particularly beneficial for sensitive skin, as they help lock in moisture and protect against external irritants. This also has a creamy, non-foaming texture, which is ideal for sensitive skin as it does not lather and thus reduces the potential for irritation."

Glowing customer review: "I love the CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser! It is very gentle and perfect for my sensitive skin. It cleans my face without making it feel dry or tight. The cleanser has ceramides and hyaluronic acid, which help keep my skin soft and hydrated. I use it every day, and my skin feels clean and fresh. It is also affordable and easy to find in stores. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a good facial cleanser."

Don't you hate when eye makeup removers burn your eyes? (I mean, who doesn't?!) This cult-favorite micellar water may just be the most effective—and gentlest—makeup remover of all time, and it has the stamp of approval from Dr. Westbay. "This no-rinse cleanser uses micellar technology to gently remove dirt, makeup, and impurities without irritating the skin," she says. "It’s alcohol-free, fragrance-free, and hypoallergenic, making it an ideal option for those with sensitive skin."

Glowing customer review: "My bestie 'coerced' me into buying this (although at the time I was a soap and water girl). Well, sometimes it pays to try new things. This is a great product and works incredibly to remove oil and makeup (even waterproof!)—both foundation and eye makeup. It leaves your skin soft, clean, and not dry. I highly recommend!"

Tower28 knows a thing or two about sensitive skin. (The brand was goes the extra mile to ensure all of its products are safe for the most sensitive skin because the founder struggled with eczema her whole life.) This soothing gel cleanser is my current go-to for the way it effectively removes makeup and washes away the day. The lightweight texture feels like water on skin and tamps down on redness courtesy of aloe vera and oat. P.S. it also has the National Eczema Association's seal of approval!

Glowing customer review: "This face wash is everything! As someone with extremely sensitive skin, I’ve tried almost every gentle cleanser on the market and they’ve all left me with little red bumps all over my face. Not only did this not give me a reaction, but it made my skin feel clean and hydrated—I will 1000% restock. My new holy grail!"

Ever hear of G.M. Collin? No? Well, let us introduce you to this velvety cleansing milk. Board-certified dermatologist Nicole Ruth, MD, recommends it to her patients for a variety of reasons, but especially because it's made with allantoin and aloe vera to calm irritation, minimize redness, and curb discomfort. "This was specifically formulated for sensitive skin and offers a soothing experience with its hydrating properties," she says. The creamy, milky texture also turns washing your face into a luxurious experience.

Glowing customer review: "It's a fantastic cleaner. This is my second bottle of it. I have very, very sensitive skin (easily feels burning and looks red) and have had no problems with this cleaner as it's very gentle but works well to clean my face."

With a name like Baptism, you can expect this cleanser to give your skin a heavenly cleanse. (I couldn't help myself.) This produces a rich foamy lather—one that feels like your skin is wrapped in pillowy clouds. Glycerin and betaine (a hydrating amino acid) work together to restore the moisture barrier as the cleanser gently dissolves dirt, makeup, and other debris from the day. Your complexion is left looking like an angelic baby cherub—smooth, soft, and crystal clear.

Glowing customer review: "Baptism a fantastic addition to my skincare routine! It gently cleanses without stripping my skin, leaving it feeling soft and hydrated. The formula is soothing and perfect for sensitive skin, with a light, refreshing feel after every wash. My face feels clean and balanced—definitely a must-try for anyone looking for a gentle yet effective cleanser!"

This luxe cleanser feels like a spa day in a bottle and will make your skin feel completely rejuvenated. "I love this cleansing gel due to its botanical formula which includes calming ingredients like lavender and rosemary," says Dr. Ruth. "It effectively removes impurities and makeup without stripping the skin of its natural moisture. The refreshing texture also leaves skin feeling clean and revitalized, making it ideal for daily use."

Glowing customer review: "Well worth the price. I bought two different brands of face wash for my overly dry, sensitive skin. I really needed a face wash that would remove all my makeup but not sting or further dry out my skin. This is it! You need only a tiny amount (again, well worth the price) it removes all my makeup, and it did not sting or further dry my skin out. I will definitely continue to purchase."

Cream cleansers might not be your first pick if you have sensitive, acne-prone skin, but Dr. Hartman urges you to give this pick from SkinCeuticals a try. He recommends this for anyone using prescription acne medicine, like Accutane, as those medications can make skin extra sensitive. "The lightweight cream texture effectively cleans while being gentle. It also makes skin feel extra soft," he says. You can attribute the comfortable and clean results to a mix of allantoin, glycerin, and orange oil, which enhance hydration and lock water into your complexion while also cleansing away impurities.

Glowing customer review: "This is the only facial cleanser soap I will use. It was recommended to me by a dermatologist. It has a very slight pleasant scent (which is great for me since I am sensitive to fragrances), it takes off makeup, and it never leaves my skin dry. I have Rosacea, so I need to be careful with the soap I use—this one has worked extremely well for me FOR YEARS!"

Foaming cleansers have a reputation for being abrasive, stripping, and overall, just not the best option for sensitive skin. This cleanser rewrites that narrative, and Dr. Hartman even recommends it to his patients with sensitive skin. "This has a pH-friendly formulation that gently removes impurities and dirt while maintaining overall skin barrier health, which is ideal for sensitive skin," he says. Plus, rather than producing major bubbles, he mentions that this creates a 'microfoam' that he says is "cushiony to wash away pollutants while maintaining the moisture barrier and leaving skin soft and smooth."

Glowing customer review: "This cleanser is great for my sensitive skin. It cleans really well and does not leave my face feeling dry or tight. The light foaminess is a good touch, too. I feel it has helped soothe my redness from mild rosacea over time."

Want to hear something crazy: Oats aren't just something you can eat for breakfast. In skincare, oats offer a slew of benefits to sensitive skin, like moisturizing skin, reducing inflammation, and returning pH levels back to normal. This drugstore face wash—which also contains calming feverfew—can do all that on top of providing you with a gentle, calming clean.

Glowing customer review: "I absolutely love this product. I’ve been using this for about 2 years now and I will never be without it. I have sensitive skin and mild rosacea as well as dryness. This face wash never irritates my skin and I can actually feel it hydrating my skin as I’m washing my face! I’ve never experienced that from a face wash before. If you have dry skin, sensitive skin, or just want a very gentle, hydrating face wash, you must try this."

Exfoliating is an essential part of every skincare routine—yes, even if you have sensitive skin. You can ease into exfoliation with this ultra gentle cleanser that renews and refreshes skin without resulting in any irritation. Small amounts of salicylic acid and mandelic acid (one of the best dermatologist-recommended acids for sensitive skin FYI), promote cell turnover and remove excess oil. You'll definitely want to follow up with a moisturizer, but using this two to three times a week will give you a softer, more radiant complexion. Trust.

Glowing customer review: "This face wash is super gentle on my sensitive skin and leaves my face feeling fresh and clean! I have trouble breaking out with most facial products, and this has been a great face wash that has not caused any issues with my complexion."

Dryness can exacerbate sensitivity. So, to ward off dry, cracked skin I recommend this lush cleansing milk. The creamy texture floods skin with much needed moisture, and skin is left feeling so soft and comfortable that you'll question why you ever put up with the stripping cleansers of yesteryear. Plus, there's no denying the sleek bottle looks extra chic in your medicine cabinet. (That's simply a bonus considering the soothing, happy skin results).

Glowing customer review: "This is an excellent choice for anyone seeking a gentle yet effective cleanser. It’s perfect for daily use and leaves my skin feeling fresh, balanced, and glowing. I would highly recommend it to those with sensitive skin! I used to dread washing my face at night and now I look forward to it!"

If cream cleansers are too heavy and gels leave you feeling stripped, let me introduce you to this milky cleanser that walks a solid middle ground. The liquidy texture feels like an extra hydrating essence yet magically melts away makeup and dirt from the day. Marshmallow root is a powerhouse hydrator that keeps skin soft and supple. You might not even feel the need to follow up with a moisturizer!

Glowing customer review: "I've tried many brands of 'natural' products for face care, and I never liked the ones that are soapy and strip your skin of moisture. This milky cleanser goes on just like milk and rinses clean, without the terrible dryness after."

When you search 'cleansers for sensitive skin' on Sephora, this is one of the first options to pop up. This restorative formula has gained a cult-like following for its delicate cleaning abilities that quickly remove makeup and soften skin. Calming cucumber cools your complexion for a satisfying wash while soy proteins hydrate. No matter what, I always find myself coming back to this trusty cleanser, and I never travel without the mini stocked in my toiletry bag.

Glowing customer review: "I have sensitive skin that is also oily and this product has been my holy grail for over ten years. Helps with makeup removal and is a great everyday cleanser. I also have Eczema and this is safe to use even when I'm having a flare-up on my face."

Since I've perfected my skincare routine, I rarely experience flare ups anymore. On the rare occasions that I do, I drop everything and return to the cleanser. Much like everything else in the First Aid Beauty line, this non-stripping creamy cleanser washes away the worries of the day while keeping my complexion soft, firm, bouncy, and most importantly, happy. This is thanks to a mix of aloe vera and allantoin, two mild hydrators that address redness and moisture loss.

Glowing customer review: "I wish I could give this 10 stars! I have very sensitive, eczema prone skin and this is incredibly gentle. I also have hormonal breakouts on my chin and have found using this cleanser has decreased my breakouts significantly! Love this product."

Babes, this isn't a one-size-fits-all answer! What works for one person's sensitive skin might not work for another's. That's why we put together a list of 16 (!!) stellar options to meet different sensitive skin needs and concerns. However, if we had to pick one to crown the best of the best, it would have to be the La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Face Cleanser, which comes highly recommended from all three of our dermatologist experts due to its simple soothing formula.

If you're after a face wash for sensitive skin that's specifically recommended by dermatologists, you're in luck—our experts gave us eight options that they offer their patients, including the CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser, Skinfix Barrier+ Foaming Oil Cleanser, and SkinCeuticals Gentle Cleanser among others.

It's realllly difficult to pin two great sensitive skin-friendly brands against each other like this. When it comes to the two cleansers featured on this list (CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser and Cetaphil Gentle Exfoliating SA Cleanser) they serve two very different purposes.

For those who are solely looking to hydrate their sensitive skin, the CeraVe cleanser is the better pick, but if you're after gentle exfoliation, the Cetaphil Gentle Exfoliating SA Cleanser will do the trick.

Overall, though, derms have some thoughts. "Cerave’s inclusion of ceramides makes it particularly beneficial for barrier repair, which is a key consideration for sensitive skin," Dr. Westbay says. The pick on our list "has a creamy, non-foaming texture, which is often preferred for dry or sensitive skin types as it does not lather and thus reduces the potential for irritation." What about Cetaphil? "Foaming cleansers—like the Cetaphil pick—can sometimes be drying, making it less ideal for very sensitive or dry skin types."

To settle the conundrum, Dr. Westbay recommends opting for CeraVe if your sensitive skin leans dry and Cetaphil if your sensitive skin leans oily. "Ultimately, both are excellent and commonly recommended choices!"

It's not enough to just pick up any cleanser labeled safe for sensitive skin. As anyone with sensitive skin can attest to, certain ingredients can exacerbate certain skin issues and lead to irritation. For this reason all of our experts recommend taking a closer look at the ingredients list. In general, Dr. Hartman says that anything labeled 'hypoallergenic' should be suitable for sensitive skin. However, on a deeper level, Dr. Westbay suggests looking for a formula with soothing and hydrating ingredients like glycerin, hyaluronic acid, aloe vera, and chamomile as these are known to boost moisture and reduce irritation.

Dr. Westbay adds to "avoid harsh ingredients like sulfates, parabens, and alcohol, as these can strip your skin’s natural oils and exacerbate sensitivity." Opting for fragrance-free formulations is also important because many fragrances can lead to allergic reactions.

Yep, the texture of your cleanser can completely change your face washing experience, and Dr. Westbay explains that some are less likely to lead to irritation or skin flare ups. "Gentle textures like milky or creamy cleansers are usually better for sensitive skin," she says. "Avoid abrasive textures, like scrubs, as these can cause micro-tears and irritation." Dr. Westbay also suggests avoiding extra foamy textures, which can intensify dryness.

Mary Honkus is a freelance writer who covers beauty, home, fashion, health, and wellness (just call her a jack of all trades!). She has held staff roles at Real Simple, People, and InStyle, and her bylines can be found in numerous other publications. When she's not testing the latest and greatest products, she can be found chilling on her Hell's Kitchen rooftop, checking out NYC's hottest new restaurants, or recording her podcast Good Trouble NYC. Follow her on Instagram.

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