Buying guide for Best hypoallergenic gentle skin cleansers
Do you have sensitive or acne-prone skin? If you do, you’ve probably tried myriad skincare products, many of which can cause irritation, breakouts, drying, or even peeling.
Cleanser formulas are designed to keep skin calm and eruption-free by leaving out these harsh chemicals and ingredients. That means you can wash your face or remove makeup without worrying about post-cleansing redness or breakouts. There are also some hypoallergenic gentle skin cleansers with moisturizing or hydrating ingredients to keep your face supple and radiant all day long.
Key considerations
It often seems like a catch-22 situation when it comes to washing your face. Sure, you need to keep it clean from the oil and dirt that cause blackheads and pimples. But if you use products that are too strong or abrasive, you’ll end up with breakouts nonetheless.
That’s why so many consumers have turned to hypoallergenic gentle skin cleansers. They’re capable of removing oil, dirt, and pollutant buildup without causing redness or acne. In fact, they penetrate pores to pull out these particles without removing your skin’s natural oils and moisture. This in turn means your skin remains stronger and more supple as opposed dry, fragile, and susceptible to reactions from environmental irritants.
Skin cleansers vs. soaps and washes
You’ve probably heard all these terms, likely used interchangeably: facial cleanser, facial soap, and face wash. Believe it or not, they differ quite a bit.
Soap: Facial soap is great for deep cleaning, but many soaps have complex formulas whose chemicals and ingredients can irritate sensitive skin.
Wash: Facial wash, on the other hand, falls in between soaps and cleansers. It’s effective at cleaning pores, though the formula usually doesn’t strip oils from skin and so is less drying than soap.
Cleansers: Skin cleansers tend to have a lower pH than soaps or washes, so they’re less disruptive to your skin’s natural pH level compared to other products. Many skin cleansers lack the suds seen in soaps and washes, often produced by sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), which can have a drying effect on skin. Instead, many cleansers have moisturizing or hydrating ingredients to keep your skin soft and calm.
Hypoallergenic
When you choose a hypoallergenic gentle skin cleanser, you’re investing in a simpler, skin-friendly formula. It’s free of common ingredients that can be allergens or irritants, including dyes, fragrances, SLS, alcohol, parabens, phthalates, synthetic ingredients, and petrochemicals. There are also oil-free hypoallergenic cleansers, which are popular with acne-prone users.
Skin type
Most hypoallergenic gentle skin cleansers can be used on all types of skin, including dry, oily, combination, or acne-prone. If you prefer a more targeted formula, rest assured you’ll find several hypoallergenic gentle skin cleansers designed for your skin type or concern.
Ingredients
You’re probably wondering what makes hypoallergenic gentle skin cleansers universally appealing, and it boils down to their ingredients. Many formulas utilize nontoxic, organic, or plant-derived ingredients, which interact better with skin than harsh chemicals. When you take a look at the label you’ll find aloe, rosehip, chamomile, avocado, or fruit extracts, just to name a few.
Hydrating
Hypoallergenic gentle skin cleanser formulas are also known for their moisturizing properties. That’s why it comes as no surprise that their consistency is somewhat similar to that of lotion. Depending on the formula, they’re usually clear, colorless, or opaque and have a texture somewhere between runny and creamy.
Each formula is different, so you’ll find a wide variety of hydrating ingredients in these cleansers. Some include plant-based moisturizers like cocoa butter, avocado, or seed oil extracts. Others use hyaluronic acid, which promotes moisture retention, or niacinamides, which strengthen your skin’s moisture barrier.
Did you know?
Invest in TSA-approved travel bottles to make sure you can bring your hypoallergenic skin cleanser everywhere you, including to the gym or on vacation.
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Basic ingredients
While the unique ingredients of hypoallergenic gentle skin cleansers are important, it’s still important to take a look at their basic formulas. As expected, they vary considerably between brands.
Many hypoallergenic gentle skin cleansers are water-based, which is why you’ll often find that as the first ingredient. It’s also common to see glycerin because it’s generally gentle yet effective at cleaning pores. Amino acids often make an appearance as well, especially those that increase hydration and improve skin’s texture.
Dispensers
More often than not, hypoallergenic gentle skin cleansers are packaged in squeeze or pump bottles. Not only does this make it easy to dispense product, it protects the cleanser from contamination. It can be tricky to get the last bit of product out of the bottle, though, so you might want to remove the cap and scrape out the bottle, especially if you’ve shelled out big bucks for a premium product.
Safe for eyes
Hypoallergenic gentle skin cleansers are lauded for how gentle they are on the face, so you’ll be pleased to know that some formulas are also safe for use around the eyes. Not all cleansers fall in this category, but those that do will be marked clearly on the packaging. Another term to look for is “ophthalmologist tested,” which means the cleanser has undergone rigorous testing to make sure it won’t irritate eyes.
Did you know?
Not all hypoallergenic gentle skin cleansers are foam- or suds-free. There are some formulas that create quite a lather, which means they may have certain ingredients that could irritate your skin.
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Hypoallergenic cleanser prices
Hypoallergenic gentle skin cleansers start at $6 and can cost over $100.
Inexpensive
Budget-friendly cleansers cost between $6 and $15 and mostly consist of drugstore brands.
Mid-range
These cleansers cost around $20 to $40 and include some made by premium beauty brands as well as specialty skincare companies. These formulas tend to include more ingredients like ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and other nutrients.
Expensive
If you’re looking for a high-end or specialty formula, expect to spend $40 to $100 on a luxury hypoallergenic gentle skin cleanser.
Tips
FAQ
Q. Can I use a hypoallergenic gentle skin cleanser on my body as well?
A. These cleansers are specially designed for your face, though some consumers use them on their bodies as well. With that said, they don’t lather as much as bodywash or bar soap, so one might end up being rather expensive to use all over. Many brands that manufacture these facial cleansers make bodywashes as well, so be sure to explore the product lines to see what’s available.
Q. Will hypoallergenic gentle skin cleanser be effective at removing heavy or waterproof makeup?
A. It might be a bit harder to remove these products with a cleanser, however some formulas are more effective than others. You might be better served by using a gentle hypoallergenic makeup remover prior to the cleanser to avoid excessive rubbing and tugging that could result in redness.
Q. Are there any hypoallergenic gentle skin cleansers specifically formulated for mature skin?
A. There are a few on the market. However, these cleansers can be used on all skin types, and that includes mature skin. If you’d like one with a more focused formula, you’ll need to examine the labels for specific ingredients. Those that contain hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and biotin, for example, are ideal.
