Which facial cleanser is best for sensitive skin?

While skin sensitivity varies from person to person, so-called "sensitive" or "reactive" skin generally presents with tightness, tingling, itching, heat, redness, and sometimes flaking on the face or certain parts of the body.

Several internal and external factors contribute to heightened skin sensitivity: genetics, ageing, diet, hormonal imbalance, stress, pollution, certain medical treatments (such as radiation therapy), UV rays, hard water and harsh cosmetic products… 

This condition can affect all skin types, although dry skin is more vulnerable due to its compromised hydrolipid barrier. A tailored routine is essential for soothing and protecting sensitive skin on a daily basis.

Properly cleansing your face isn’t just a simple step in your routine: it’s the key to healthy skin, which accumulates impurities every day—such as sebum, pollution, or makeup—that clog pores and contribute to redness and irritation.

• Preserving skin balance: Respecting the skin’s natural pH and maintaining an intact protective barrier.

• Avoiding irritation: Gentle cleansers minimise irritation, unlike traditional soaps, which are often too harsh.

• Prepare the skin for skincare: Clean skin better absorbs the active ingredients in serums and moisturisers.

• Soothe sensitivity: Enriched with ingredients like aloe vera or chamomile, they reduce redness and tightness.

Proper cleansing is an essential step for maintaining the health and comfort of sensitive skin every day, day after day.

If you have sensitive skin, we highly recommend the following formulas:

• Alcohol-free: Avoid alcohol, which can dry out and irritate sensitive skin.

• Soap-free: Opt for soap-free cleansers with a physiological pH that respect the skin barrier.

• Fragrance-free or hypoallergenic: Fragrance-free cleansers minimise the risk of allergic reactions.

Conversely, opt for formulas enriched with soothing ingredients to calm irritation and redness, and creamy textures that cleanse without stripping the skin. 

Our advice: Take preventive action every day to strengthen your skin barrier with a targeted skincare routine. 

Here is our selection of gentle cleansers designed for your sensitive and/or reactive skin, tailored to your specific needs. 

Here is a selection of natural ingredients, perfect for making homemade cleansers suited to sensitive skin:

• Honey: A natural moisturiser and antibacterial agent, it soothes redness and protects the skin while promoting healing. Apply a thin layer of honey to damp skin, massage gently to remove impurities, then rinse with lukewarm water.

• Aloe Vera: Soothing and moisturising, it calms irritation and strengthens the skin barrier. Use the pure gel directly on your face as a gentle cleanser, or mix it with a little floral water for a lighter texture.

• Oat Milk: Soothing and softening, it reduces redness and protects the skin from external aggressors. Mix oatmeal with warm water, let it steep, strain, and use the resulting liquid as a liquid cleanser to apply with a cotton pad.

• Chamomile: Anti-inflammatory, it soothes redness, calms irritation, and comforts sensitive skin. Prepare an infusion, let it cool, and apply with a cotton pad or spray directly onto the face as a gentle cleanser.

• White Clay (Kaolin): Purifying and gentle, it removes impurities while respecting the skin’s sensitivity. Mix one tablespoon of clay with a little water or hydrosol to form a paste. Apply to the face as a quick mask, then rinse before it dries completely.

These simple, natural, and affordable ingredients gently cleanse sensitive skin while respecting its needs. They easily fit into a homemade skincare routine. 

• Avoid cleansers containing fragrances or drying alcohols.

• Never rub your skin vigorously with a towel or cotton pad: opt for gentle movements instead.

• Always test a new product on a small area of skin before using it regularly to avoid any allergic reactions.

Opt for ultra-gentle, soap-free cleansers specifically designed for sensitive skin. Also, avoid water with high mineral content, which can worsen irritation. Opt for rinsing with lukewarm water or using a leave-in lotion. Finally, always apply your products with light, circular motions to stimulate microcirculation while respecting your skin’s delicate nature.

After graduating from ESCP Business School in 2020, Louise began her career as a writer in 2021. Today, she writes a newsletter where she shares cultural recommendations and more personal articles, such as dating apps, therapy, and career guidance. She also writes for the media, brands and agencies on subjects such as well-being, mental health, culture, and society.