When you have reactive skin like I do, you realize that just any face wash won’t do. My safe space lies within the realm of the best gentle cleansers. While I’d love to get experimental with my skin-care routine, venturing too far from my complexion’s comfort zone increases my chances of a break out or rosacea flare-up.
However, these no-fuss formulas don’t play it safe: While they might eschew trending ingredients, sensorial textures, or powerful exfoliants to buff and polish, they are the unsung heroes of a nourished complexion. “A gentle cleanser removes dirt, oil, and leftover sunscreen without disrupting the skin barrier,” board-certified dermatologist Divya Shokeen tells Vogue. “These face washes use mild surfactants, often have skin-friendly pH levels, and avoids common irritants.”
Vogue’s Favorite Gentle Cleansers
Now, finding the right formula can have you feeling a bit like Goldilocks when picking ingredients—not too gentle that it can’t thoroughly lather away daily grime and product buildup, but not so exfoliating that it strips your skin. When paired with your makeup remover of choice (my go-to is micellar water), it’s the perfect double-cleansing routine. Dr. Shokeen notes a telltale sign that your face wash is meeting your skin’s needs: Your face feels comfortable after washing. If you notice any tightness or tingling, you may need to reevaluate.
Ahead, discover the best gentle cleansers—with balm, oil, gel, foaming, and cream washes to choose from—vetted by top dermatologists and Vogue editors alike.
In This Story
- What makes a cleanser gentle?
- What to consider when picking a gentle cleanser
- Signs you should switch to a gentle cleanser
- How often should you use a gentle?
- How we tested
- Others we tested
- Meet the experts
Best Overall: La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Facial Cleanser
- Why We Love It: Frequently recommended by top dermatologists as one of the best cleansers, this formula checks all the boxes: It’s pH-balanced, non-comedogenic, and designed with sensitive and combination skin in mind. Dr. Penzi calls it a reliable go-to for those navigating both dryness and oiliness in different zones, and even dermatologist Whitney Bowe calls it one of her personal staples. “[It] is milky and leaves skin feeling hydrated and nourished, not stripped and tight,” she previously said. That’s thanks to a concoction of the brand’s prebiotic thermal water, ceramides, glycerin, and niacinamide.
- Editor’s Experience: “Easily one of the most acclaimed cream cleansers of all time, there’s nothing not to love about this La Roche-Posay formula. Its gentle without forsaking cleanliness and leaves skin feeling softer after each use. I’d recommend it to anyone.” —Kiana Murden, beauty editor, shopping
- Key Ingredients: La Roche-Posay’s prebiotic thermal water, ceramides, glycerin, niacinamide
- Type: Cream
- Texture: Milky, gel cream
- Foaming: No
- Non-Comedogenic: Yes
- More to Know: Vegan, fragrance-free, oil-free, non-comedogenic, paraben-free, sulfate-free, soap-free
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Entirely non-comedogenic | Those with a niacinamide allergy best avoid |
| Barrier-supporting hydrating ingredients |
Best Value: Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser
- Why We Love It: When skin is particularly dry or stressed, it’s sometimes best to return to the basics. Take Vanicream, for example; the drugstore brand has been dermatologists’ favorite for decades. “Vanicream’s hydrating cleanser is excellent for sensitive skin because it’s free of dyes, fragrances, and harsh surfactants, making it very low-risk for irritation,” says Gretchen W. Frieling, MD. “Its simple, non-foaming formula cleanses without stripping, which is ideal for barrier support.” Dr. Shokeen agrees, adding that it’s ideal for those prone to eczema and rosacea, post-procedural skin, or anyone who regularly uses retinol.
- Editor’s Experience: “A little over a month ago, I had a rough bout of perioral dermatitis. Apparently, an acne cream prescribed by a dermatologist to treat closed comedones (I was really going through it) sent my skin into sensitivity overdrive. The closed comedones were gone; however, my whole face stung when I applied any of my usual products, and I was sporting insanely dry skin. I instantly paused my usual routine and swapped it for Vanicream’s cleanser and moisturizer. Within a week, my skin was back to being soft and hydrated.” —Conçetta Ciarlo, beauty shopping writer
- Key Ingredients: Water, glycerin, coco-glucoside (coconut-derived)
- Type: Cream
- Texture: Milky, gel cream
- Foaming: No
- Non-comedogenic: Yes
- More to Know: Gluten-free, dermatologist-tested, soap-free, paraben-free, fragrance-free
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Non-comedogenic and eczema/rosacea safe | Those with a coconut allergies best avoid |
| Affordable price point | |
| pH balanced and allergen-free |
Best Oil Cleanser: Sulwhasoo Gentle Cleansing Oil
- Why We Love It: This beloved K-beauty essential is considered a gold-standard of cleansing oils—just one to two pumps effortlessly melt away every trace of makeup (even waterproof mascara) without compromising your skin’s moisture. Powered by tangerine peel extract, squalane, and a nourishing blend of traditional Korean oils—think pine nut, camellia seed, and plum seed—the formula is as skin-loving as it is effective. Esthetician Amity Murray recommends it to her dry-skinned clients, previously calling it “a gorgeous, natural formulation that emulsifies and rinses clean, leaving the skin refreshed but never stripped.”
- Editor’s Experience: “I’m always amazed at how quickly this cleansing oil rids my skin of makeup. I go in with three pumps—massaging it into skin, then picking up a little extra water to help it emulsify before rinsing. I’ve fallen completely in love with it!” —Kiana Murden, beauty editor, shopping
- Key Ingredients: Glycerin, squalene, mulberry leaf extracts, mountain yam extracts
- Type: Oil
- Texture: Silky, lightweight oil that emulsifies into a milky lather
- Foaming: No
- Non-comedogenic: No, while this pick isn’t inherently comedogenic, it contains more than six oils which be heavy on acne-prone skin
- More to Know: Formaldehyde-free, sulfate-free, phthalates-free
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Effectively removes makeup | Some consider the scent strong |
| Hydrating and gentle formula with lightweight feel |
Best for a Deep Cleanse: Sofie Pavitt Face Clean, Clean Gentle Cleanser
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- Why We Love It: For a deep clean with non-stripping ingredients, look to acne whisper Sofie Pavitt’s gentle yet purifying gel cleanser. Pavitt’s philosophy is that if you’re already using a gentle daily chemical exfoliant, you don’t need actives in every part of your routine. Reactive skin types can also rejoice, because it’s formulated with anti-inflammatory ingredients like panthenol and glycerin to keep complexions calm and balanced. The slightly foaming, clean face wash leaves skin feeling squeaky clean but never tight.
- Editor’s Experience: “During my first facial with Pavitt, she almost instantly told me I was doing way too much with my skin-care routine. To reimagine my regimen, she ‘prescribed’ me her gentle, non-comedogenic face cleanser, featuring no actives, and my skin has never looked better.” —Conçetta Ciarlo, beauty shopping writer
- Key Ingredients: Allantoin, panthenol, glycerin
- Type: Gel to foam
- Texture: Lightweight gel that lathers to a gentle foam
- Foaming: Yes, but only slightly
- Non-Comedogenic: Yes
- More to Know: Vegan, cruelty-free, sulfate-free, cruelty-free, clean, fungal acne safe, reef safe
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Anti-inflammatory ingredients | Packaging can dispense product quickly |
| Provides a thorough cleanse | |
| Clean formula |
Best for Post-Procedural Skin: SkinCeuticals Gentle Cleanser
- Why We Love It: SkinCeuticals is one of those brands you’ll often find lining the shelves of your favorite estheticians. Of its bestsellers, this non-foaming, gentle cleanser is a fan favorite. The blend of 3% allantoin and glycerin provides significant hydration to the skin, while orange peel oil acts as a natural antiseptic. These create a formula designed specifically for traumatized skin—so consider this cleanser the perfect follow-up to a visage fresh from a chemical peel, micro-needling, laser, and more.
- Key Ingredients: Allantoin, glycerin, orange oil, coconut-derived surfactants
- Type: Cream
- Texture: Milky
- Foaming: No
- Non-comedogenic: Yes
- More to Know: Paraben-free, sulfate-free, soap-free, synthetic-fragrance-free, dye-free, alcohol-free
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Complements in-office skin treatments | Those with a coconut allergies best avoid |
Best Soothing: Tower 28 SOS Gel Facial Cleanser
- Why We Love It: There was a time when Tower 28’s viral SOS (a.k.a. Save Our Skin) Spray was an only child—since then, it now has a couple reparative siblings. The SOS line has expanded to a serum, a moisturizer, and, of course, a gentle cleanser. Here, minerals and electrolytes boost skin’s hydration levels, while aloe vera and oat soothe irritation. For those with particularly reactive skin types, rest assured, this pick has the National Eczema Association’s seal of acceptance.
- Key Ingredients: Zinc, copper, magnesium, pure aloe vera, oat kernel extract, panthenol, algin, soapberry peel extract
- Type: Gel
- Texture: Lightweight, liquidy gel
- Foaming: Yes, only slightly
- Non-comedogenic: No (just one pore-clogging ingredient)
- More to Know: Vegan, clean, cruelty-free, sulfate-free, fragrance-free, hypoallergenic, pH-balanced
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| pH-balanced, soap-free, fragrance-free, dermatologist-tested | Contains one highly comedogenic ingredient—algin |
| Soothing and hydrating formula | Some report the pump is finicky and gets clogged |
Best Multipurpose: Danucera Cerabalm
- Why We Love It: From the mind behind Rescue Spa, master esthetician Danuta Mieloch put all her knowledge into her very own skin-care line, Danucera. Of the line, Cerabalm, a wildly versatile product, is a testament to that. The dense jelly face balm transforms into a milky cleanser that dissolves makeup, SPF, and impurities. Otherwise, it can be applied as a hydrating face mask or left on your pout as a lip balm. The formula is powered by a blend of botanical oils rich in antioxidants—all of which work together to nourish your complexion.
- Editor’s Experience: “I rarely find beauty products—especially skin-care products—that are multipurpose, so discovering Mieloch’s Cerabalm was a true treat. Its viscous, honey-like gel texture can be manipulated as you please. My favorite applications are left on for twenty minutes as a mask, and emulsified as the first step in my double cleansing routine. Such versatile uses keep it stocked in my vanity.” —Kiana Murden, beauty editor, shopping
- Key Ingredients: Glycerin, meadowfoam seed oil, roselle seed oil, apricot kernel oil, sunflower hybrid oil, pumpkin seed extract, sea buckthorn oil, tocopherol, sunflower seed oil, jojoba seed oil
- Type: Balm
- Texture: Dense jelly
- Foaming: No
- Non-comedogenic: No
- More to Know: Sulfate-free, paraben-free, silicone-free
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Multitasking product | The blend of botanic oils is too heavy for more acne-prone skin types |
| Imparts major hydration |
Best Foaming Cleanser: Dieux Baptism Gel Cleanser
- Why We Love It: Named one of the fastest growing skin-care brands of 2025, Dieux knows how to make a viral beauty product—that’s due in part to their transparency on everything from ingredients to the climate and sustainability scores of their products. One of the brand’s bestsellers is the Baptism gel cleanser, the water-based formula transforms from a gel to a creamy foam that’s never stripping, thanks to ingredients like glycerin and betaine.
- Key Ingredients: Water, glycerin, betaine, glycolipids
- Type: Foaming gel
- Texture: Lightweight jelly to creamy foam
- Foaming: Yes
- Non-comedogenic: Yes
- More to Know: Climate and sustainability pledged, cruelty-free, sulfate-free, paraben-free, silicone-free, ophthalmologist tested
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| pH-balanced and hydrating | Those with a coconut allergies best avoid |
| Ophthalmologist tested and safe for contact wearers |
Everything You Need to Know
What makes a cleanser gentle?
“A gentle cleanser is one that effectively removes dirt, sebum, and makeup without stripping the skin of its natural moisture or compromising the skin barrier,” says Dr. Frieling. This, she explains, is achieved by using mild surfactants that don’t foam aggressively or disrupt the lipid layer of the skin. Plus, pH-balanced formulations and non-irritating ingredients solidify the full profile of a gentle cleanser.
What to consider when picking a gentle cleanser
Below, Dr. Frieling and Dr. Shokeen break down what to look for (and what to avoid) when sussing out a truly gentle face wash formula.
- Hydrating Ingredients: “Glycerin, hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and aloe vera hydrate, soothe, and support the skin barrier,” says Dr. Frieling.
- Mild Surfactants: Plant-based surfactants like decyl glucoside (derived from sugar) or cocamidopropyl betaine (derived from coconuts) help to break down impurities, excess oils, and leftover cosmetics without stripping the skin.
Meanwhile, Dr. Shokeen advises avoiding harsh surfactants (like sodium lauryl sulfate), heavy essential oils, fragrance, and high levels of alcohol—all of which, she explains, can be incredibly irritating to sensitive or compromised skin types.
Signs you should switch to a gentle cleanser
Gentle cleansers work for any and all skin types—though some are in more urgent need of switching out their face wash formula than others. Dr. Frieling shares signs to look out for that it’s time to switch to a more gentle formula: “Your cleanser may be too harsh if you’re experiencing redness, tightness, flaking, stinging, or increased sensitivity after washing,” she says. “Breakouts or worsening irritation can also be a signal that your barrier is compromised.” In that case, she explains, it’s time to prioritize hydration and barrier support.
How often should you use a gentle cleanser?
According to Dr. Frieling, twice-daily cleansing is usually sufficient. For hyper-reactive skin, though, cleansing at night with a refreshing rinse in the morning may be best—but you’ll have to gauge what’s best for your complexion. “The key is to maintain cleanliness while preserving the skin’s natural defenses,” Dr. Frieling explains. “Remember, over-cleansing can exacerbate irritation, dryness, and barrier disruption.”
How we tested
When we test and review a product, we take a holistic approach to deliver well-rounded product recommendations. First, we lean on Vogue’s vast network of experts—from board-certified dermatologists to celebrity estheticians—to gain professional acumen on the industry’s standout products, ones these specialists would actually use on their clients. We pair their expertise with our editorial best practices to curate the thoughtful edits you read on our site.
As it relates to gentle cleansers, we selected the best based on the following characteristics: ingredients, texture, lather, finish, and the skin-care concerns they address. To do this, we paired our own personal tests of each formula with expert guidance and reviewer insights to determine which we would recommend to you.
Meet the experts
- Gretchen W. Frieling, MD, is a Harvard-trained, tripl- board-certified dermatopathologist, with over 18 years of experience in medicine, dermatopathology, and aesthetics. She is also the founder and CEO of GFaceMD.
- Marisa Garshick, MD, is a New York City–based and board-certified dermatologist and clinical assistant professor at Cornell University.
- Shereene Idriss, MD, is a New York City-based board-certified dermatologist specializing in cosmetic dermatology, facial rejuvenation, and minimally invasive body contouring.
- Lauren Penzi, MD, is a New York–based board-certified dermatologist specializing in medical and cosmetic dermatology.
- Divya Shokeen, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist, a UCLA graduate, and the founder of OSVI Dermatology and Surgical Institute.
