# Face wash for sensitive skin

Source: HiveTried, https://hivetried.com/beauty/face-wash/for-sensitive-skin/
Category: Beauty > Face wash. Updated 2026-10-08. Based on 362 counted first-hand reports from Ulta and Sephora shopper reviews, Nov 2019 to Oct 2026.

**Question:** Which face wash works for sensitive skin?

**Short answer:** Clinique All About Clean Foaming Face Cleanser has the best record for sensitive skin: 44 of 49 reviewers with sensitive skin said it didn't irritate or sting, and it is also the best pick sold on Amazon. Kiehl's Ultra Facial Barrier-Hydrating Cleanser has the highest share at 93%, but from a smaller group (14 of 15). philosophy Purity Made Simple Cleanser is the sturdier runner-up at 43 of 49, with similar results at Ulta and Sephora.

**What stands out:** Even the strong records draw some complaints about dryness and breakouts, at 11% of Clinique reviews for dryness and 11% of First Aid Beauty reviews for breakouts.

## Ranking (buyers who said whether it worked)

| Rank | Product | No irritation | Share | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Clinique All About Clean Foaming Face Cleanser | 44 of 49 | 90% | yes |
| 2 | philosophy Purity Made Simple Cleanser | 43 of 49 | 88% | yes |
| 3 | Kiehl's Ultra Facial Barrier-Hydrating Cleanser | 14 of 15 | 93% | yes |
| 4 | Fresh Soy Hydrating Gentle Face Cleanser | 32 of 37 | 86% | no |
| 5 | First Aid Beauty Pure Skin Cream-to-Foam Face Cleanser | 43 of 52 | 83% | yes |
| 6 | Origins Checks and Balances Frothy Face Wash | 33 of 40 | 83% | yes |
| 7 | Drunk Elephant Beste No. 9 Jelly Cleanser | 21 of 28 | 75% | yes |

Ranked by the lower bound of a 90% Wilson confidence interval, so a product needs a high share and enough reports to rank high. An Amazon link is shown only when at least 60% say it works.

## Product notes

### 1. Clinique All About Clean Foaming Face Cleanser

36% of reviews say it didn't irritate and 24% say it removes makeup. It scores 22 of 23 at Ulta and 22 of 26 at Sephora.

- Praised for: Removes makeup (24%), Skin doesn't feel tight (18%), Gentle (16%)
- Complaints: Drying (11%), Too expensive (5%), Stripping or tight (4%)
- Reports counted: 55

### 2. philosophy Purity Made Simple Cleanser

Gentle (29%) and good at removing makeup (24%). The complaints are small: 7% mention the scent and 7% say it broke them out.

- Praised for: Skin doesn't feel tight (35%), Gentle (29%), Removes makeup (24%)
- Complaints: Strong scent (7%), Breaks skin out (7%)
- Reports counted: 55

### 3. Kiehl's Ultra Facial Barrier-Hydrating Cleanser

A small group of reviewers, so the 93% could move. 47% call it gentle. On Kiehl's own site, 16 of 18 say it didn't irritate, which we show but don't count.

- Praised for: Gentle (47%), Leaves skin fresh (29%), Skin doesn't feel tight (24%)
- Reports counted: 17

### 4. Fresh Soy Hydrating Gentle Face Cleanser

Reviewers with dry skin gave it 9 of 9. 30% call it gentle, while 10% mention irritation and 10% the price. Sold at Sephora and Ulta.

- Praised for: Gentle (30%), Skin doesn't feel tight (30%), Leaves skin fresh (18%)
- Complaints: Too expensive (10%), Strong scent (8%)
- Reports counted: 40

### 5. First Aid Beauty Pure Skin Cream-to-Foam Face Cleanser

The most reviewers weighed in on this one (52). 25% call it gentle, but 11% say it broke them out and 9% mention irritation.

- Praised for: Skin doesn't feel tight (26%), Gentle (25%), Removes makeup (14%)
- Complaints: Breaks skin out (11%), Drying (7%), Stripping or tight (5%)
- Reports counted: 57

### 6. Origins Checks and Balances Frothy Face Wash

Reviewers like how long it lasts (17%) and how fresh skin feels (19%). 13% say it left their skin tight, and 9% mention irritation.

- Praised for: Gentle (20%), Leaves skin fresh (19%), Lasts a long time (17%)
- Complaints: Stripping or tight (13%), Drying (7%), Strong scent (4%)
- Reports counted: 54

### 7. Drunk Elephant Beste No. 9 Jelly Cleanser

The weakest record here: 21 of 28. 17% of reviews mention dryness and 13% irritation, and reviewers with dry skin gave it 6 of 9. Ranked on Sephora reviews.

- Praised for: Skin doesn't feel tight (33%), Gentle (20%), Leaves skin fresh (17%)
- Complaints: Drying (17%), Stripping or tight (7%), Too expensive (7%)
- Reports counted: 30

## Questions

**Which face wash works for sensitive skin?**

Clinique All About Clean Foaming Face Cleanser has the best record, at 44 of 49. philosophy Purity Made Simple Cleanser follows at 43 of 49, and Kiehl's Ultra Facial Barrier-Hydrating Cleanser at 14 of 15 from a smaller group.

**Is the First Aid Beauty cleanser good for sensitive skin?**

Mostly, by these reviews: 43 of 52 said it didn't irritate them. It draws more complaints than the leaders, though, with 11% of reviews saying it broke them out.

**Does Fresh Soy Face Cleanser irritate sensitive skin?**

Rarely: 32 of 37 said it didn't. 10% of its reviews do mention irritation, and 8% mention a strong scent.

**What if a face wash stings or turns my skin red?**

Reviewers report stinging or redness with every cleanser here, from 5 of 49 for Clinique All About Clean Foaming Face Cleanser to 7 of 28 for Drunk Elephant Beste No. 9 Jelly Cleanser. If a reaction is severe, painful or sudden, a doctor or dermatologist is the right call.

## Method

HiveTried counts first-hand reports only, drops reviews written for free products, shows brand-site reviews without counting them, and never accepts payment for placement. Full method: https://hivetried.com/how-we-count/