Fact: Your face deserves a proper cleansing routine. But if you have easily irritated skin, switching to the best face wash for sensitive skin can elevate your cleanse without stripping moisture in the process. Even the best cleansers on the market are overly harsh, drying, or filled with unnecessary chemicals and fragrances that can cause adverse reactions, such as redness, flaking, dryness, and even full-fledged allergic rashes. The good news: We’re here to break down exactly what people with sensitive skin should look for in a cleanser.
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“You want to use gentle, hydrating cleansers that remove impurities without stripping the skin barrier of all its natural moisturizing factors,” explains Washington, D.C.-based dermatologist, Adam Friedman, MD, who recommends sudsing up with a cleanser that contains humectants like hyaluronic acid and ceramides, “which help keep water in the skin.”
You should also seek out ingredient lists that are as short as possible, according to NYC-based board-certified dermatologist Brandith Irwin, MD. “For sensitive skin, specifically, you want products that are free of artificial fragrances, parabens, and phthalates,” she says.
Luckily, more and more brands — high-end, affordable, and in-between — are now creating thoughtfully formulated cleansers that specifically cater to sensitive skin. To find out which gels, balms, and bars are worth the swap, Allure consulted several dermatologists for what they consider to be the best face wash for sensitive skin.
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