The 14 Best Face Cleansers for Sensitive Skin, Vetted by Experts

• What We Like:affordable and easy to find at any drugstore, has a lotion-y texture to it
• What We Don't Like:has little to no lather
• Main Ingredients:vitamins B3 and B5, glycerin

There’s a reason why this classic has withstood the test of time: It works. Cetaphil’s daily facial cleanser is dermatologist-approved for getting a nice deep clean without leaving your skin dry or irritated. Its low-lather formula removes any remaining traces of makeup or oil on your face and includes a blend of vitamins B3 and B5 and hydrating glycerin to help defend against the most common signs of skin sensitivity like a weakened skin barrier, roughness and tightness. We’re also fans of the easy-to-use pump applicator and wallet-friendly price.

• What We Like:has a light gel to milky texture
• What We Don't Like:very pricey
• Main Ingredients:TFC9, rose flower water, aloe leaf juice

If you’re looking to coddle your skin, you may want to try Augustinus Bader’s silky cleanser. The unique formula starts off as a gel that morphs into a lightweight milky lather when you add water. As is the case with all of the brand’s products, the cleanser features TFC8® technology (a proprietary ingredient that nourishes skin, while supporting cellular renewal) and a blend of botanicals that “cleanse, purify and renew your complexion.”

• What We Like:good for removing eye makeup, no rinsing required
• What We Don't Like:no lather
• Main Ingredients:micelles, poloxamer, glycerin

Do makeup removers labeled as “sensitive” still sting the delicate skin around your eyes? This micellar water will be your saving grace. Thanks to little molecules called micelles that attract dirt, oil and makeup so they can easily be wiped away, it’s the perfect first step in a double-cleanse routine because it gently removes any residue from your face without stinging or stripping the skin. That said, it can just as easily be used on its own, as theFrenchdo.

• What We Like:fragrance-free, feels rich and creamy
• What We Don't Like:low-lather
• Main Ingredients:avocado oil, hyaluronic acid and glycerin

With an avocado oil base, this creamy wash cleanses, moisturizes and soothes dry skin. Massage it in, rinse and you’ll be left with a smoother complexion that feels fresh, never tight. Reviewers say it’s gentle enough to use around the eyes to remove eye makeup, too. As one shares, “I have very sensitive skin and have tried many products. All burn my skin. This cleanser is so gentle and doesn't strip your skin and leaves [it feeling] soft and luxurious.”

• What We Like:fragrance-free, lathers up, is soap- and dye-free
• What We Don't Like:n/a
• Main Ingredients:glyceryl oleate

If you prefer a sudsier cleansing experience, this pick is the way to go. While it definitely foams, Olay’s Sensitive Calming Liquid Cleanser is soap-free, which, as Dr. Mona Gohara, MD, and associate clinical professor at Yale University explained in aprevious story, means it has a healthy pH level for your skin. It’s also infused with aloe and cucumber essences, which work with Olay’s gentle formula to help fight dry skin at the source.

• What We Like:has a light gel-to-foam texture, is non-comedogenic and fragrance-free
• What We Don't Like:n/a
• Main Ingredients:ceramides, glycerin and green tea

Dr. Zeichner is a fan of RoC’s newly launched Barrier Renew Gentle Cleanser. He says, “The light gel formula delivers that nice lather that consumers are often looking for, but because the surfactants used in the formula are advanced, it’s highly effective, but still gentle on the skin. Plus, it features a barrier repairing complex of ceramides, glycerin and green tea that soothe, hydrate and protect the outer skin layer.”

• What We Like:mild formula, has an non-stripping pH level of 5.5
• What We Don't Like:a bit pricey, some reviews note the scent
• Main Ingredients:coconut-based surfactants, glycerin, cantaloupe fruit extract

Not only is this cleanser effective at quelling excess oil, it’s also tough enough to remove eye makeup without stinging or burning, thanks to a blend of mild surfactants and emollients. It goes on like a gel, but lathers into a nice foam that clings to oil, makeup and grime and washes them down the drain. As one reviewer shares, "I have extremely sensitive skin. And that is not an exaggeration. One wrong ingredient and I’m breaking out, burning or red as a tomato. I was desperately searching for a new facial cleanser to clear up my skin when I got a sample of this from my local makeup store. After finishing the sample I immediately bought more and I will never go back."

• What We Like:pH balanced, feels lightweight
• What We Don't Like:bottle is a little small compared to the price
• Main Ingredients:rose water, comfrey root extract, pro vitamin B5 and poloxamer

这是一个光彩夺目的最受欢迎的护肤品公关oducts for a reason: It doesn’t leave your skin feeling irritated or dry like some other cleansers. The pH-balanced combination of rose water, comfrey root extract, pro vitamin B5 and poloxamer, a cleaning agent used in contact solution, is designed to be soothing, mild and refreshing. And according to the glowing reviews, it’s that and much more. "I am in love with this cleanser. I don’t see myself ever switching to anything else. It does an amazing job of getting all the dirt and makeup off of my skin while also being so gentle. I’m not kidding when I say you can apply the product to wash off your eye makeup then open your eyes to see if you’ve removed it all and won’t feel a thing!," says one enamored reviewer.

• What We Like:has a velvety lather to it, cruelty-free, made with 99 percent naturally derived ingredients
• What We Don't Like:n/a
• Main Ingredients:Meyer lemon, vitamin E, vitamin B5, apple fruit stem cells

This creamy, natural cleanser is so popular, it’s often sold out on the brand’s site. (Luckily, we were able to find it at Ulta and Amazon.) The mixture of fruit stem cell complex, vitamin C and manuka honey sloughs away dull, dead skin to reveal a brighter, smoother complexion underneath. Plus, the light citrus scent smells uplifting, which is especially nice when we’re feeling groggy in the morning.

• What We Like:gives a deeper clean for oily skin
• What We Don't Like:might be too drying for some
• Main Ingredients:red clay, rosemary leaf oil, glycerin

There’s a reason clay masks are so popular: They absorb excess oil and minimize the appearance of pores. But they can sometimes cause skin to feel tight and dry. Not this clay cleanser. It’s actually a gel infused with red clay and rosemary leaf oil, which work to clear skin and balance sebum production without causing any harsh side effects. Bonus: It’s ideal for sensitive skin, because it’s free of alcohols, parabens, sulfates and artificial fragrances, all of which can cause irritation.

• What We Like:mild, milky texture, feels refreshing after you rinse
• What We Don't Like:有一种轻微的cucumber-y scent to it, which some people may not enjoy
• Main Ingredients:soy proteins, cucumber extract, aloe vera

This best-selling cleanser is pH-balanced and suitable for all skin types, which definitely caught our attention. The gentle gel melts away makeup (yes, even mascara) without leaving your face feeling dry or tight. In fact, the results are just the opposite. Reviewers say their skin feels soft and refreshed after use. And they point out that it’s especially great for sensitive skin. With that info, we aren’t surprised it has over 8,000 five-star reviews on Sephora’s site, including this one: "I’ve been using this facial cleanser off and on for 6 years. Then though I’ve tried plenty of face washes I always come back to this one. I have very sensitive skin and this product is gentle."

• What We Like:you can use it on your face, body or scalp
• What We Don't Like:n/a
• Main Ingredients:Avene thermal spring water, evening primose, jojoba seed oil

Avène XeraCalm A.D Lipid-Replenishing Cleansing Oil was made for the most delicate of complexions—even eczema- and dermatitis-prone skin (it can also be used on newborns). Its hydrating, oil-based formula transforms into a gentle lather, and since it’s soap-free, it won’t strip your skin’s moisture barrier.

• What We Like:good for treating and preventing breakouts
• What We Don't Like:a bit pricey, might not be suitable for those with very sensitive skin
• Main Ingredients:white willow bark, centella asiatica

A harsh cleanser is the last thing you need when you’re dealing with blemishes. The iS Clinical Cleansing Complex is gentle, but still chock-full of inflammation-fighting ingredients. Salicylic acid—in the form of white willow bark—exfoliates and whisks away excess oil, while centella asiatica (aka tiger grass) soothes redness and irritation.

• What We Like:non-scratchy or harsh exfoliant
• What We Don't Like:a bit pricey
• Main Ingredients:rice-enzymes, green tea, colloidal oatmeal

This rice-based enzyme powder activates upon contact with water and almost feels creamy versus granular. But what makes the formula stand out is a blend of salicylic acid (most commonly seen in acne products) and soothing, anti-inflammatory ingredients like green tea and colloidal oatmeal. "I deal with sensitive, dry, flaky skin and it hasn't been as bad recently while using this. My skin looks and feels smoother immediately after use, with no irritation or scratches on my skin. What I also love is you can control how gritty you want it to be for a simple wash or a deep exfoliation," shares one reviewer.