How to Wash Your Face When You Have Sensitive Skin

Last Updated: December 11, 2022 References

The skin on your face is already vulnerable to the effects of the sun, environmental pollutants, and chemicals found in cosmetics and facial care products. If you have sensitive skin, which tends to react to products containing fragrance, alcohol, or other harsh ingredients with itchiness, dryness, or irritation, your facial skin faces even more challenges. In order to avoid irritating your skin, familiarize yourself with your skin type and address its particular needs in your skincare routine.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Choosing Products

1
Identify your skin issues. You've noticed your skin is sensitive, but getting a little more information on what, exactly, is going on with your skin can be very helpful when you are trying to choose the best products for your skin.
- If you have acne-prone skin, skin that is especially oily, or skin that has very dry patches, you will need to address those concerns with products formulated for those skin types.
- Sensitive skin is prone to irritation, so it's important to use as few products as possible in your skincare routine.
2
Choose the right cleanser. There are many products on the market, but your sensitive skin is unlikely to react well to a long process of trial-and-error to find the right one. Instead, try these suggestions for sensitive skin:
- Choose products that are fragrance-free and alcohol-free to minimize irritation.^{[1]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  American Academy of Dermatology
  Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists
  Go to source} Products that say "sensitive" on the label.^{[2]
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  Research source}
- Try facial wipes if you find that cleansers are too harsh for your skin.^{[3]
  X
  Research source} You can always opt out of "soaps" altogether and just use water or coconut oil.
- If you have other skin issues, such as inflammatory acne, you will want to speak with a dermatologist before attempting to exfoliate.^{[4]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Mohiba Tareen, MD
  FAAD Board Certified Dermatologist
  Expert Interview. 26 March 2020.}
- Remember that just because a product works well for someone else with sensitive skin, it might not work well for you. Additionally, more expensive products are not always best.
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3
Know when to use it. Washing your face more often than is necessary strips your skin of its natural protective barrier and leaves it dry and vulnerable to irritation. You should only wash your face once or twice a day.^{[5]
X
Trustworthy Source
American Academy of Dermatology
Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists
Go to source}
- Wash your face at the end of the day before bed. Apply a mild moisturizer or cream when you’re done.
- Unless you have very oily skin, you do not need to wash your face in the morning.^{[6]
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Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Washing Your Face

1
Use warm or cool water. The right temperature of water is crucial to avoid irritating your skin. Warm or cool water is usually best for washing your face.
- Hot water will strip your skin of its natural protective oils and can also scald it.
- While it is a myth that cold water closes your pores, it can help to keep them from producing excess oil. If you have oily skin, use cold water.
2
Wash your face. While some products may have different instructions, generally the process is similar regardless of what type of product you choose. Apply a very small amount of the product to your fingertips. Rub the product between your hands. Then, beginning with your forehead, massage the product gently into the moist skin on your face. Avoid your eye and lip areas and nostrils.
- Some people prefer to use a washcloth, but unless it is very soft, the fibers on a washcloth can be abrasive to sensitive skin.
- Splash cool or warm water on your face. This will help the product penetrate the oil and dirt on your face.
- In general, a pea-sized amount should do, although some products do not spread as well as others so you may need more.
3
Rinse well with warm or cool water. Splash the water onto your face and gently rub with your hands until the soap is removed. Dry with a clean, soft towel, using a patting motion rather than rubbing in order to protect the skin from abrasion.
- Be sure to remove all the product from your skin. Again, using a washcloth is not recommended for sensitive skin.
4
Apply a gentle moisturizer.^{[7]
X
Expert Source

Mohiba Tareen, MD
FAAD Board Certified Dermatologist
Expert Interview. 26 March 2020.} Most people with sensitive skin need a protective layer to re-hydrate the skin after cleansing. Look for products marked specifically for sensitive skin, which tend to be fragrance-free and free of harsh chemicals.
- If you will be outdoors, use a product with sunscreen.^{[8]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Mohiba Tareen, MD
  FAAD Board Certified Dermatologist
  Expert Interview. 26 March 2020.} Choose a sunscreen offering broad spectrum coverage and an SPF of 30.^{[9]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  American Academy of Dermatology
  Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists
  Go to source}
- If your skin is sensitive to chemical sunscreens, try a broad spectrum sunscreen containing a physical blocker like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, which tends to be gentler on skin.^{[10]
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- Other gentle moisturizers that often work well for people with sensitive skin include Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion for oily to normal skin or Bare Minerals Purely Nourishing Cream for very dry skin.
5
Avoid unnecessary products. While you may need certain products to address your skin care concerns, a minimalist skincare routine is best for people with sensitive skin.^{[11]
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Expert Source

Mohiba Tareen, MD
FAAD Board Certified Dermatologist
Expert Interview. 26 March 2020.}^{[12]
X
Research source}
- If you have no other major issues with your skin, it is possible that you can rely entirely on a mild face wash, a sunscreen, and a moisturizer.
- Remember that cosmetic products can also be irritating, so choose formulas that are fragrance-free, non-comedogenic (that is, won't clog your pores).

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Ruling Out Underlying Causes

1
Determine if your skin's sensitivity has environmental causes. It's possible that your skin's sensitivity is caused by an allergy or similar concern, which can be treated or managed with lifestyle changes. If the skin on your face or lips is chronically itchy, dry (especially in patches), or red and inflamed, it's possible that environmental allergens might be to blame.
- Some food allergies, like a gluten or milk allergies, can cause reactions in the skin. Even nut allergies can manifest as hives, itchy skin, or redness around the mouth.
- An allergist (a doctor specializing in allergies) can help you determine if your sensitive skin is caused by environmental or food allergies by giving you skin-prick or patch test.
2
Determine if you are allergic to your products. It's possible that your skin's sensitivity is caused by an allergy or sensitivity to the products that you use on your face or around your home, which can be managed by switching products. If you have itchy, red, uncomfortable, or inflamed skin on your face or lips, it's possible that you have an allergy or sensitivity to a product that you use.
- Consider whether your face wash, scrub, toner, sunscreen, moisturizer, cosmetics, lip balm, or any other product that comes into contact with your face might be causing a reaction.
- You can try eliminating products individually for about a week each, in order to see if you have any improvement of your symptoms.
- You might also have an allergy or sensitivity to products that you use, such as your laundry detergent, or a perfume.
3
Determine if you have other dermatological issues. Most people who say they have sensitive skin never see a dermatologist. If that describes you, it is possible that you are living with a skin condition that is treatable.^{[13]
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- Some issues that seem like mere skin sensitivity are actually eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, or other skin issues. Each of these skin conditions has its own root cause and treatment plan.^{[14]
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  Research source}
- If you've never been to a dermatologist, see one to rule out other conditions. If you do find out you have a skin condition, the dermatologist can prescribe a treatment.
- Eczema or atopic dermatitis can be treated a number of way including creams to affect the immune system, antibiotics to prevent infection, antihistamine to stop itching, and stress modifications.^{[15]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  Mayo Clinic
  Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
  Go to source}

Expert Q&A

Question

What's the best kind of face wash to use on sensitive skin?

Mohiba Tareen, MD
FAAD Board Certified Dermatologist
Mohiba Tareen is a board certified Dermatologist and the founder of Tareen Dermatology located in Roseville, Maplewood and Faribault, Minnesota. Dr. Tareen completed medical school at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, where she was inducted into the prestigious Alpha Omega Alpha honor society. While a dermatology resident at Columbia University in New York City, she won the Conrad Stritzler award of the New York Dermatologic Society and was published in The New England Journal of Medicine. Dr. Tareen then completed a procedural fellowship which focused on dermatologic surgery, laser, and cosmetic dermatology.

Mohiba Tareen, MD

FAAD Board Certified Dermatologist

Expert Answer

Whatever you use, make sure it's labeled as a "gentle" cleanser so it doesn't irritate your skin.

Warnings

Consult a dermatologist for any itchy, dry, or irritated patch of skin that does not improve with treatment. It could be a sign of skin cancer.

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