Sensitive Skin Face Wash

When you have sensitive skin, even something as simple as washing your face can be troublesome. That’s because sensitive skin needs special care, specifically products that won’t cause it to be stripped of its natural oils or irritated by harsh ingredients.

In most cases, people with sensitive skin suffer from compromised barriers. Your skin barrier is what keeps moisture in and irritants out. People with sensitive skin tend to have weaker barriers, so they have to be careful in every aspect of their routine. The last thing you want to do is aggravate your skin right off the bat, so do yourself and your complexion a favor and ditch the harsh exfoliators and stripping soaps for a sensitive skin face wash.

How do you tell if a cleanser is going to be gentle enough for sensitive skin? At Kiehl’s, we’ve spent decades studying all different skin types, so we know the in’s and out’s of what easily irritated skin needs, to help you better understand how cleansers work and how to identify face wash that is safe for your complexion needs. Keep reading to learn how you can find the best sensitive skin face wash for you.

Calm Your Skin

Whether your skin is already flaring up or you’re just trying to keep it balanced, opting for cleansers that can both hydrate and soothe with powerful ingredients is a great solution for both scenarios. The Cucumber Herbal Conditioning Cleanser is specially formulated for dry and sensitive skin types. It’s infused with calming extracts of Aloe Vera, Cucumber Fruit, and Chamomile, plus hydrating Glycerin. The unique gel texture transforms from a gel to a thin oil that envelops the skin’s surface to gently melt away surface impurities.

Go Soap-Free

As much as we all enjoy a good lather to our daily cleanse, those foaming face washes can be a bit too much for those with already compromised skin. Many surfactants (the ingredients that make formulas foam) — while safe for oily, normal, and combination skin types — might be too stripping on sensitive complexions. Skip the soap by opting for a water-free cleanse like our Herbal-Infused Micellar Cleansing Water . It’s formulated without soaps and sulfates, instead using Thyme Essential Oils and Lemon Balm Floral Water to clean and calm the skin. Just put a few drops on a cotton pad and swipe across your face to gently remove makeup, dirt, and oil.

Balance Your pH

In addition to a weakened skin barrier, sensitive skin can also be more prone to a pH issue. Your skin ‘s pH is what keeps it balanced. Go too far in one direction or the other and you could cause irritation, sensitivity, and inflammation. To maintain that ideal pH, look for cleansers that specifically call out that they are pH-balanced, like our Dermatologist Solutions Centella Sensitive Facial Cleanser . Our mildest cleanser gently cleanses away impurities, helps soothe irritation, and strengthens your skin barrier. The hero ingredient is Centella Asiatica, an ancient medicinal herb revered for its ability to ease inflammation and redness. It’s also fragrance- and soap-free, two ingredients that can cause problems for sensitive skin types.

Try one of these gentle cleansers and help your sensitive skin stay soft, clean, and soothed.