Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if I have sensitive skin?
“Sensitive skin is skin that is more reactive than usual,” Jessie Cheung, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Willowbrook, Chicago, previously told Allure. This means your skin can be easily irritated by the elements, air pollution, hormones, or, you guessed it, topical skin care products. “If [you find yourself being] cautious with trying new skin care or find that you’re frequently battling red, flaky, itchy, or bumpy skin, then you probably have sensitive skin,” Dr. Cheung said. Because “sensitive skin” isn’t classified as a medical condition and is instead used as a descriptor, it can be tricky to know whether you have it. Ask your board-certified dermatologist for tailored advice if you suspect you have sensitive skin—whether you’ve experienced it for years, or only for the first time.
How should I choose a cleanser for sensitive skin?
“You want to use gentle, hydrating cleansers that remove impurities without stripping the skin barrier of all its natural moisturizing factors,” explains Adam Friedman, MD, a Washington, DC-based dermatologist. Before you wash your face, seek out products with as short an ingredient list as possible, says Brandith Irwin, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City. “For sensitive skin, specifically, you want products that are free of artificial fragrances, parabens, and phthalates.”
Ingredients you should look out for: hydrating, soothing, and moisture-sealing ingredients, such as tried-and-true hyaluronic acid, oatmeal, and aloe vera, to calm redness, says Morgan Rabach, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City. She also recommends using a pH-balanced cleanser, which is closer to the natural skin pH of around 5 to 5.5.
What ingredients should I avoid if I have sensitive skin?
People with sensitive skin should avoid sulfates, exfoliants, retinoids, isopropyl alcohol, glycolic, and salicylic acids—to name a few, says Amy B. Lewis, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City. However, your lifestyle habits can play a major role in red, irritated skin. “Some patients think they’re sensitive because they’re red and dry, but really they’re vaping, or smoking cigarettes or weed—so their skin isn’t as resilient as it used to be,” adds Jeanine Downie, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Montclair, New Jersey.
It’s important to note that sensitive skin isn’t one-size-fits-all—you might even find your triggers inconsistent with conventional wisdom. Therefore, paying close attention to your skin after using any new products, and most importantly, talking to your dermatologist, can make all the difference in achieving healthier, clearer skin.
How often should sensitive skin types cleanse?
Even if you have sensitive skin, cleansing morning and night is essential for keeping your pores clean—just make sure the face wash you use is gentle enough to use twice daily. That being said, Anna Karp, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City, recommends that severely reactive skin types cleanse with a gentle cleanser at night, such as one of the picks above, and simply rinse with lukewarm water in the morning.
Pro tip: “Only cleanse for half a minute, and avoid cloths, textured sponges, and exfoliating brushes,” adds Dr. Rabach. Beyond cleansing, Dr. Karp suggests keeping your skin-care routine short and sweet, using only a moisturizer and sunscreen during daylight hours.
Meet the experts
- Aanand Geria, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New Jersey
- Anna Karp, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City
- Geeta Yadav, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Toronto
- Elizabeth Geddes-Bruce, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Austin
- Joyce Park, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Seattle
- Morgan Rabach, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City
- Brandith Irwin, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City
- Jessie Cheung, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Willowbrook, Chicago
- Adam Friedman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Washington, DC
- Amy B. Lewis, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City
- Jeanine Downie, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Montclair, New Jersey
How we test and review products
When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that’s included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.
For our list of the best face washes for sensitive skin, we considered each product’s performance across five primary categories: product ingredients, efficacy, fragrance, texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors—along with special consideration from board-certified dermatologists. To learn more information on our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the “best” for people over 50 if the only testers we’ve solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it’s never been tested on curls? We’re proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.
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