What are the best face washes for sensitive skin? lotions?

Sep 27, 2010

Elize M.

I have combination skin. Very sensitive. Dry in the t zone. Oily at times. & Rosacea . Everything i use seems to be too harsh. I also want blemish control in my routine but i find the salicylic acid or benzoyl are very drying. HELP!!!!! Any suggestions would be great :)

Sep 27, 2010

Victoria S.

Hey Elize! I'm in the same boat as you except my t-zone is oily. My skin has natural rosey undertones in the cheeks so I understand your struggles. I've experimented with a TON of stuff and the best thing I've found for my skin is either a cleansing milk or a cleansing oil (everything else is just too harsh!)

For a cleansing milk, I used to use and love Anne Marie Borland ZZ Sensitive Cleansing Milk
http://borlind.com/index.php/products/series/zz-sensitive/zz-sensitive-cleansing-milk.html

However, when I started wearing more intense makeup, I wanted an all-in-one product that took off ALL makeup, which is when I switched to cleansing oil. I now use Boscia Cleansing Oil and I LOVE it! It rinses clean so there's no oily residue at all!
http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml;jsessionid=4ROLQGFEJK33GCV0KRRQQAQ?id=P254604&categoryId=C16701

For a blemish treatment, I like using more natural products to heal my skin, like Tea Tree Oil. Desert Essence makes a blemish stick with tea tree oil in it to fight blemishes!

http://www.amazon.com/Desert-Essence-Blemish-Touch-Eco-Harvest/dp/B0000531C9

Hope that helps! xoxo

Sep 27, 2010

Wendy T.

My mom and sister have really sensitive skin and after years of trying products, they stay true to two dermatologist recommended cleansers that are safe even on babies.

Cetaphil skin cleansers http://www.cetaphil.com/Products/GentleSkinCleanser.aspx - I personally don't like this as much because it feels somewhat heavy, but my sister has dry skin so she loves how conditioning it is.

Neutrogena Facial Cleansing Bar (there's also one for acne prone skin) http://www.neutrogena.com/product/cleansers/bar/facial+cleansing+bar.do?sortby=bestSellers - I used this throughout my teenage years several times a day (waking up, after PE, after sports, at bedtime) and it's fantastic. Light and washes off easily. My mom said she used this on us as children, as well.

Sep 27, 2010

Elize M.

Thank you so much Victoria and Wendy.. Victoria, im currently on the website for the cleansing milk, looks awesome..&& i totally want to try Desert Essense :) Wendy, Ive heard a lot about Cetaphil as well, and deterred from trying it because people did say it does feel heavy. I think im going to try it though. What can it hurt?.. I really appreciate the responses!!!! Thank you :)

Sep 28, 2010

Tamara R.

I just wanted to recommend Juice Beauty - they have an acne 'kit' that really helped me get through a rough patch with my very temperamental skin. I ended up buying everything full size after making it through two of the kits with nothing but good results.

Sep 28, 2010

Elize M.

Thanks Tamara! Im googling it now ...xoxo

Sep 28, 2010

Laisa C.

I use Cetaphil and I love it. 

Sep 28, 2010

Grace L.

I suggest the Boscia line, its on Sephora's all-natural list. I switched to them a little over a year ago and LOVE LOVE LOVE it! 

Sep 29, 2010

Tami Y.

I second the Juice Beauty Organics to Clear Skin kit. You can get a TV offer on their site that gives you a free blemish finishing powder. 

Oct 1, 2010

Vivian L.

I have acne prone and sensitive oily skin (the worst combination ever) and I have recently switched to Cetaphil. My dermatologist recommends it, and so far so good! It's very gentle though, and some may feel like it doesn't really clean that well. But I guess you can always follow up with a toner, just in case. =)

Oct 1, 2010

Ellen L.

I have the same skin type as you - I use the Kracie (part of Kanebo skin care) cleansers. You can pick from aloe, peach, pomegranate and a few others. I like this Japanese line because the cleanser is like cream,but suds up on your face. My skin doesn't feel dry after cleansing, like most cleanser. You can find them at your local Japanese supermarket or Asian store.

Oct 1, 2010

Sonja H.

Have you ever tried oil cleansing? Most people with oily or combination skin are afraid to use oils but they're actually great for oily skin, because they balance the skin without drying it out, which can stimulate the skin to create more oil. After I wrote about oil cleansers, a friend who had trouble with sensitive, oily skin for a long time had a complete turnaround with her skin after switching to oil cleansing.

There are great pre-made oil cleansers from Boscia and Bobbi Brown. I'd suggest staying away from Shu Uemura's, because they contain mineral oil, which can clog pores. You can also simply use jojoba and olive oils or mix some oils yourself. Trader Joe's sells bottles of jojoba oil for a really good price. Hope that helps! xo

Oct 1, 2010

Elize M.

Wow sooooo many suggestions!! Tami - actually ordered some Juice Beauty, Ill keep you posted! Vivian i actually went out and bought the Cetaphil..Lets see how it works.. Ellen, sounds interesting im going to have to check them out and Sonja, I am definitely a person scared to try oil cleansing. I dont have too much of a problem with being oily just on occasion and im still scared to try it out. Kind of like im scared to use extra mousturizing conditioner for my hair LOL...Just scared its going to be too much and make me a big grease ball. Ill have to try it thought. :) THANKS EVERYONE!!!! 

Oct 7, 2010

Tami Y.

Hey Elize - definitely let me know how that kit works out. Another cleanser I liked recently is the Damascena Creme Cleanser from Duchess Marden. It contains rose water and is free of petrochemicals. Not the cheapest one out there but just in case you need one more suggestion that has natural ingredients. ;) 

Oct 7, 2010

callitbeauty D.

my skin became very sensitive recently. it isn't anymore and i have the aveeno cleansing bar and korres wild rose 24-hour moisturizer to thank. you might want to research these two as well to see if it'll work for you :).

Oct 20, 2010

Jessica R.

Cetaphil works amazing I have dry skin but sensitive! It's inexpensive and many pros even doctors reccomend it!

Oct 26, 2010

Caitlyn C.

I would recommend MAC Cremewash i have very senisitive/dry skin and that works well for me...I even use MAC Studio Moisture Creame and that works well.

Nov 5, 2010

Tree S.

Definitely SOOTHE Gentle Cream Wash by Rodan + Fields Dermatologists. You'll love it.
https://treestokes.myrandf.com/Shop/Soothe

Nov 5, 2010

Isabelle A.

I too have extremely sensitive skin as well as eczema, so I'm quite selective about what products I use.

For face washes, I recommend anything organic such as Alba's pineapple enzyme facial scrub. Also heard good things about Yes to Carrots Gentle Exfoliating Facial Cleanser and Burt's Bees Soap Bark and Chamomile deep cleansing cream.
What I currently use is Obagi Nu Derm Foaming Gel. Obagi is probably the best for me, because it got rid of my acne and prevents. So anything from Obagi or Murad should be good for sensitive skin too.

As for lotions (I'm assuming body/hand lotion?) I highly recommend anything from Aveeno, been using that since I was a kid; also Eucerin Original Moisturizing Creme is good as well.
But my current favorite lotion (HG status in my opinion) is Vanicream! My skin has improved, I hardly get itchy and it's safe to apply on your face too.
Hope that helps. :)