Caring for sensitive skin can be quite a challenge, demanding considerable time, and effort. This is especially true when it comes to selecting and applying skincare products.
Using the wrong products can lead to undesirable outcomes like dryness, inflammation, or skin irritation, which is an experience none of us want to go through.
A solid foundation for sensitive skincare begins with establishing a proper skincare routine. One crucial product that can genuinely assist you in caring for sensitive skin is a cleanser. Neglecting the importance of a suitable cleanser might result in persistent breakouts, and irritation for your skin.
To provide you with guidance, we’ve compiled a list of the best cleansers for sensitive skin to try in 2024 that can help you navigate through your skincare woes.
How to find the best cleanser for sensitive skin?
Picking the right cleanser for sensitive skin might feel like a bit of trial-and-error, but there are a few important things to keep in mind.
First, look out for ingredients that strengthen your skin’s natural barrier.
For instance, consider products that contain aloe vera, honey, chamomile, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, vitamin E, oatmeal, and jojoba oil.
These components boast moisturising qualities that are extremely important for sensitive skin. Additionally, they provide a refreshing sensation to your skin, aiding in the battle against inflammation.
Oh, and the beauty world has got your back. There are all sorts of cleanser types out there – gels, foams, bars – you name it. This means you can totally pick what suits your style and feels good for your skin.
Best cleansers for sensitive skin in Malaysia
Aiken Prebiotic Facial Cleanser
For ages, rice water has been used in beauty routines for its amazing perks.
Now you can enjoy its goodness with the Aiken Hydra Plus facial cleanser. The rice water infused in its formula helps hydrate and lock in all that moisture, making your skin super supple after a good wash.
This cleanser has your back (or rather, your skin) giving you soap-free, pH-balanced cleansing that’s super gentle on your skin. It lathers up into a creamy foam that dives deep into your skin without making it dry and unhappy.
And you know what’s missing from the mix? All those ingredients like parabens, mineral oil, alcohol, fragrances – the no-nasties list goes on.
This retails for RM15.80 on Watsons.
Simple Kind To Skin Refreshing Facial Wash
The ideal cleanser for sensitive skin is the kind that delicately removes makeup and dirt, leaving your skin feeling moisturised, smooth, and refreshed. That’s exactly what you’ll get from Simple’s refreshing face wash.
In this face cleanser, ingredients like Triple Purified Water, Pro-vitamin B and Vitamin E team up to make sure your skin stays well taken care of. It gets rid of makeup, dirt, and all those yucky impurities, making your skin feel totally clean, fresh, and rejuvenated.
This 100% soap-free gel is made with no artificial ingredients that can upset your skin. All you have to do is rinse off the cleanser with cool water, and your skin will feel refreshed!
This retails for RM27.30 on Watsons.
Hada Labo+ Sensitive Skin Hydrating Wash
As a brand that has been in the skincare industry for almost two decades, we bet that Hada Labo knows their stuff.
With a gentle touch, this cleanser is your hydration hero. It contains hyaluronic acid that keeps your skin well moisturised, but it’s also like a cool breeze for redness, giving your skin that calm, and collected vibe.
It contains licorice extract that helps nourish, and repair your skin’s protective barrier against environmental pollutants. Let’s also not forget that its soap-free formula gently removes impurities, dirt and excess oil while maintaining skin moisture balance.
Who can use it, you ask? Well, everyone! No matter your skin type, this cleanser is a go-to.
This retails for RM29.90 on Watsons.
Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser For Face
Formulated to safeguard against five common signs of skin sensitivity: dryness, irritation, roughness, tightness, and a weakened skin barrier, this is one of the best cleansers for sensitive skin you can find in Malaysia.
Even after cleansing, it leaves your skin feeling moisturised. The formula includes Micellar Technology, which gently yet effectively eliminates dirt, makeup, and impurities.
It also contains a blend of niacinamide (vitamin B3), panthenol (vitamin B5), and hydrating glycerin, all recommended by dermatologists, to strengthen your skin’s natural moisture barrier.
This cleanser from Cetaphil is free of parabens, fragrances, and oils, making it suitable for those looking for such qualities.
This retails for RM46.20 on Watsons.
Cosrx Low PH Good Morning Gentle Cleanser
The wakeup call your skin needs to feel fresh and ready for the day comes from Cosrx’s cleanser.
Its gentle, low pH formula ensures that your skin’s natural oils stay put, while the inclusion of purifying botanical ingredients and mild acids works their magic to delicately cleanse your skin, leaving it with a supple and clear texture that’s simply inviting.
What’s even more impressive is its versatility making it perfect for sensitive and dry skin types alike, making sure no one misses out on its benefits.
The dynamic duo of Betaine Salicylate (BHA), and Tea Tree Oil takes centre stage, working in harmony to soothe, and fortify your skin, ensuring your skin stays radiant as ever.
Topped off with a pH level of around 5.31, this cleanser for sensitive skin goes the extra mile in maintaining the balance of oil, and water in your skin, making it a must-have addition to your daily skincare routine.
This retails for RM49 on Watsons.
Forest Essentials Delicate Facial Cleanser Kashmiri Saffron & Neem
This Ayurvedic face cleanser is specially crafted to care for sensitive, oily, and acne-prone skin.
The goal of this cleanser is simple, to leave your skin looking clear, and radiant. Following the principles of Ayurveda, this cleanser by Forest Essentials offers a natural alternative to harsh cleansers that contain sulphates.
It is formulated using herbs and natural ingredients like:
- Saffron: Does wonders by reducing pigmentation, brightening your skin, and improving its overall complexion.
- Neem: Thanks to its antibacterial properties, it cools, heals, and purifies your skin.
- Honey: With its natural antioxidants, and anti-microbial properties, honey shields your skin from sun damage. It’s also a moisture hero, leaving your skin soft, and supple.
So, if you’re on the lookout for a gentle yet effective cleanser for sensitive skin that aligns with natural traditions, this could be your ideal choice.
This retails for RM68.26 on Distacart.
Bioderma Sensibio Gel Moussant
If you hate how some cleansers strip your skin of moisture, this one from Bioderma offers a wonderful alternative.
This gentle,and soothing micellar foaming gel cleanser for sensitive skin provides a range of benefits that ensure your skin feels cared for, while feeling comfortable.
Enriched with skin-loving ingredients, this cleanser goes beyond simple cleansing. It helps restore and maintain your skin’s natural moisture balance, making each cleanse a nourishing experience.
If you’ve been dealing with skin irritations, this cleanser steps in to soothe and calm, reducing redness, and any discomfort you might be experiencing.
Plus, you won’t have to concern yourself with clogged pores, as it’s non-comedogenic. To top it off, it’s free from harsh additives like parabens, fragrances, soap, and alcohol.
This retails for RM89.90 on Shopee.
IT Cosmetics Confidence In A Cleanser
Having clean and confident skin is a big deal, and that’s where the IT Cosmetics Confidence In A Cleanser comes in.
It’s like a superhero cleanser and serum rolled into one; it cleanses, and moisturises while leaving your face feeling super soft, revitalised, and perfectly balanced.
But that’s not all, it also works on improving your skin’s health. It’s packed with a bunch of amazing ingredients like anti-ageing properties like collagen, hyaluronic acid for that bouncy skin feeling, colloidal oatmeal, and a super ceramide complex to lock in all that goodness.
This combo not only gives you instant results, but it’s a long-term investment to achieve that complexion you’ve always wanted!
This retails for RM149 on Sephora.
Drunk Elephant Beste No. 9 Jelly Cleanser
Drunk Elephant makes an effort to stay away from nasty ingredients they believe could lead to various skin problems.
They steer clear from using essential oils, alcohol, fragrances, dyes, silicone, and Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and this cleanser for sensitive skin is completely free from all these potentially troublesome elements.
The cleanser has a unique jelly-like texture that does an excellent job of removing makeup, excess oil, pollutants, and any other impurities that accumulate during the day. This makes it a great choice for those with easily irritated skin.
This retails for RM150 on Sephora.
First Aid Beauty Face Cleanser
This special face cleanser for sensitive skin from First Aid Beauty is truly gentle on your skin. Just like most cleansers, it effectively removes oils, makeup, and dirt.
When mixed with water, it transforms into a creamy, foamy texture, but the best part is that it won’t make your skin feel tight or dry afterward.
The ingredients in this face wash are quite beneficial. It contains Aloe and Allantoin (a chemical compound), both of which are excellent at soothing, calming, and nourishing your skin.
Additionally, there’s glycerin, a natural moisture-attracting substance that ensures your skin stays hydrated and maintains a smooth, soft appearance.
This retails for RM175 on Sephora.
Fresh Soy Face Cleanser
This incredibly popular face wash is a favourite among many because it works wonders for all skin types.
The secret to its effectiveness lies in its special soy proteins. These proteins not only cleanse your skin, and remove makeup gently, but they also ensure your skin doesn’t end up feeling dry.
Furthermore, this face wash for sensitive skin is designed with your senses in mind. While it doesn’t have a strong fragrance, it does have a pleasant, light scent that leaves your skin feeling revitalised after every use.
The formula is enhanced with some fantastic ingredients. Aloe vera gel, cucumber extract, and borage seed oil working together to provide nourishment, and freshness to your skin.
This retails for RM190 on Sephora.
La Mer The Cleansing Foam
Free from parabens, phthalates, and sulphates, this gentle cleansing foam offers a rejuvenating spa-like experience for your sensitive skin.
The unique formula, enriched with Deconstructed Waters, a special ingredient by La Mer, expertly purifies your skin by eliminating impurities without disturbing its natural moisture balance.
This lightweight and invigorating cleanser not only ensures a refreshing cleanse but also contributes to a more radiant, revitalised, and healthier-looking complexion after use.
This retails for RM435 (125ml) on Sephora.
