It can be hard to figure out what kind of skin you have, especially when the lines between dry, oily, and combination skin are so blurry. You know when you have sensitive skin, though. Redness, stinging, burning, tightness, and itching are the main signs. So, when your skin is irritated, it’s not hard to tell.
A lot of people think that sensitive skin is a type of skin, but it’s really a skin condition. This means that anyone can get it, no matter what type of skin they have, so you might be sensitive while also having acne or dry skin. Daniel Isaacs, director of research at Medik8, says, “Your outer environment can make your skin more sensitive, so most people have probably felt sensitivity at some point.” “It can change a lot; the weather, the time of year, your hormones, or even the skincare routine you use can all have an effect on your skin.”
When you have sensitive skin, experts say to keep things simple. Use cooling face mists, soothing serums, and calming moisturisers. But when it comes to the best cleansers for skin that is sensitive, it can be less clear.
What to Look for in Cleansers for Skin That Is Sensitive
Over-cleansing or using cleansers that are too harsh or that take away your skin’s moisture barrier can both cause and make sensitivity worse. Isaacs says, “When your skin barrier is damaged, your skin can become more sensitive, and you may see redness and feel tingling when you touch your skin or use skincare products.” “Your skin barrier is like armour for your skin. If you don’t take care of it, it can easily get damaged.”
In general, stay away from cleansers with exfoliating acids and rough textures. Instead, look for cleansers that have ceramides, chamomile, aloe vera, squalane, and cica in them.
We have put together a list of the best cleansers for sensitive skin that will work for everyone, no matter what your budget, skin type, or formula preference is. These calming products, which include cleansing oils, gels, and balms, will help you take off your makeup and clean your face without making your skin feel too dry or irritated.
Find the Best Cleansers for Sensitive Skin
- Dr. Sam’s Flawless Cleanser is the best gel cleanser for sensitive skin. It costs £20.
- Naturium Purple Ginseng Cleansing Balm is the best cleansing balm for sensitive skin. It costs £21.
- SKN TO SKN Balancing Act Gel-To-Oil Cleanser is the best multitasking cleanser for sensitive skin. It costs £29.
- Deviant Pro-Biome Hydrating Cleanser, £32, is the best cream cleanser for sensitive skin.
- Dermalogica PreCleanse Oil, £49, is the best cleansing oil for sensitive skin. Dr. Sam’s Flawless Cleanser is also good.
Dr. Sam’s Flawless Cleanser 200ml is the best gel cleanser for skin that is sensitive.
A gel cleanser can help cool down skin that feels especially hot and irritated. This formula has a lot of skin-soothing ingredients, such as aloe vera and allantoin. It doesn’t foam like most gel cleansers, so it won’t strip the skin or make it feel tight.
Good things
- Effect of cooling
- Doesn’t take off the skin
- Not the best way to package for travel
2. Naturium Purple Ginseng Cleansing Balm Naturium + Purple Ginseng Cleansing Balm is the best cleansing balm for skin that is sensitive.
Most cleansing balms have a lot of essential oils and fake scents in them, which can make sensitive skin even more irritated. This formula is the complete opposite; it has no natural or artificial fragrance, so you can use it on your sensitive eyes without any problems. It works great to take off makeup, even stubborn mascara.
Pros
- Takes off stubborn makeup
- No scent
Cons
- Not everyone will like a balm formula.
3. The Skin Rocks Cream Cleanser has no scent.
The Cream Cleanser Fragrance-Free is the best cleanser for sensitive skin that doesn’t have a scent.
This moisturising cream cleanser was made with dry, dehydrated, dull, and sensitive skin in mind. It can be used on all skin types to gently clean the skin without breaking down the skin barrier. You can choose between a scented and unscented version, which I love because it lets you pick what works best for your skin.
Pros
- There is a version without a scent.
Disadvantages
- A bit more expensive
4. Balancing Act Gel-To-Oil Cleanser from SKN TO SKN
SKN TO SKN Balancing Act Gel-to-Oil Cleanser is the best cleanser for sensitive skin that can do more than one thing at a time.
Cleansers can do a lot of different things, but this one is one of the best at doing more than one thing at a time. The smart formula is made to be gentle and not irritate the eyes. It melts away makeup, cleanses the skin, and gets rid of the day’s impurities, including pollution particles. When you’re done, your skin will be clean, soft, supple, and clear, and ready for the rest of your routine.
Good things
- Formula for doing more than one thing at once
Cons
- A little more money
5. Deviant Pro-Biome Hydrating Cleanser
Deviant Skincare Pro-Biome Hydrating Cleanser is the best cream cleanser for sensitive skin.
This creamy cleanser is light but soothing and nourishing at the same time. It uses prebiotics and amino acids to make sure that the skin barrier stays strong, even after you wash it.
Pros
- Consistency that is light
- Leaves skin feeling healthy and full of nutrients
Not easy to find
6. Dermalogica PreCleanse Oil Best Cleansing Oil for Sensitive Skin
Cleansing oils work really well to break down and melt away thick makeup. This cult classic face wash does this without causing irritation or clogging pores. It also gives skin essential fatty acids, which is good for it.
Pros
- Takes off makeup that won’t come off
- Makes skin feel soft and nourished.
Big boxes
7. The Inkey List Hydrating Cream-to-Milk Cleanser
The Inkey List Milk Cleanser is the best milk cleanser for sensitive skin.
A cleansing milk is often the best way to clean skin that is really sore and irritated because you don’t need to scrub or use water. This formula is one of the most gentle cleansers I’ve ever used. It really calms my skin. It won’t remove heavy makeup, but it’s great for skin that is sensitive.
Pros
- Not too expensive
- Gentle and calming on the skin
8. Medik8 Calmwise Soothing Cleanser Medik8 + Calmwise Soothing Cleanser is the best foam cleanser for sensitive skin.
Medik8 Calmwise Soothing Cleanser costs £25. “This cleanser helps to control the appearance of redness at its root cause, providing fast relief for red, irritated skin as well as minimising the appearance of fine lines, enlarged pores and uneven skin tone,” explains Isaacs. “It has naturally green chlorophyll in it to heal and fight free radicals, vitamin K to strengthen the skin, and patented teprenone to ease pain and swelling.” Makeup and dirt are gently washed away, leaving the skin feeling clean, hydrated, and detoxified without losing its natural protective oils.
Pros
- Helps keep redness from showing up;
Not everyone will like a formula that foams.
9. Bioderma Sensibio Micellar Water for Cleansing
Bioderma Sensibio H2o Cleansing Micellar Water for Sensitive Skin 850ml is the best micellar water for sensitive skin.
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Sensitive Skin Cleansing Micellar Water from Sensibio H2O costs £21.
Micellar water is a gentle and effective way to take off makeup. Bioderma’s Sensibio is the best of all the formulas on the market, especially for people with sensitive skin. Just soak some cotton pads and wipe away your makeup.
Pros
- Good for taking off makeup, but not so good for
Would suggest using another cleanser after this one. Best cleansers for sensitive skin
10. The Squalane Cleanser from The Ordinary
The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser 150ml is the best cheap cleanser for people with sensitive skin.
The Ordinary’s Squalane Cleanser is not only cheap, but it also works really well. It’s a very gentle, nourishing formula that is part gel and part balm. Squalane is the most important ingredient because it keeps skin calm and hydrated while it cleans.
Pros
- Not too expensive
- Skin feels moisturised after use
Having a hard time coming up with any!
11. Naked Cleansing Balm from Elemis Pro-Collagen
Beauty editors love Elemis’ famous Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm, but the original formula has fragrant essential oils that can irritate sensitive skin. This new version doesn’t have any scent and only uses ingredients that are safe and good for skin that is sensitive.
Benefits
- Perfect for skin that is sensitive
- Feels high-end
Pros
- A bit more costly
- Not everyone will like the balm formula.
12. Curél Hydrating Makeup Remover
Curél Hydrating Makeup Cleanser 200ml is the best cleanser for dry and sensitive skin.
Curél is a Japanese skincare brand that is great for people with sensitive skin and dry skin. This calming cleanser helps with redness, burning, tightness, and itching while also protecting the skin’s barrier with ceramides to fight dryness and dehydration.
Good things
- Formula for hydration
The pump format isn’t great for travel.
13. The Breakout Hack Spot Cleanser
The Breakout Hack Spot Cleanser is the best cleanser for sensitive skin and breakouts.
Benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid are common ingredients in products that clear up breakouts, but they can be too harsh for sensitive skin. This gentle, hydrating cleanser is a great alternative. It cleans deeply but is gentle on the skin and makes it feel fresh.
Pros
- Cleanses the skin deeply
Some people might want to use a different formula every day.
14. Pai Phaze Rebalancing PHA Cleanser
Pai Skincare Phaze Rebalancing Pha Cleanser 100ml is the best cleanser for skin that is oily and sensitive.
It’s not easy to find a cleanser for skin that is both oily and sensitive because the ingredients that target too much oil production can be harsh and strip the skin. Pai has made the best 2-in-1 cleanser by using PHAs to gently clear pores and glycerin to make the skin barrier stronger.
Pros
- Formula for doing more than one thing at a time
Not the best choice for skin that is very dry
Why You Should Trust Us
We at Who What Wear UK know that beauty is not the same for everyone. Over the years, our editors have tried out thousands of products, including skin care, makeup, hair, and nails. They also work closely with trusted experts like dermatologists, makeup artists, and top industry insiders to make sure that every guide is well-researched, relevant, and useful to you.
