Here in Chile, a smog filled winter is dragging its heels, but a fresher spring is around the corner. Alas every season affects my sensitive skin. My psoriasis flares up in the winter when pollution is at its worst, while summer sun damage leaves me with dry, red blotches. Here are four of the best cleansers for sensitive skin. All of these cleansers and face washes are vegan, cruelty free and all round awesome.
Best pre-cleanser for sensitive skin
Dermalogica PreCleanse £39.50
Please don’t hate me for suggesting yet another step in your skincare routine – Dermalogica’s PreCleanse is worth the extra few minutes. This super gentle, light weight oil is great for removing dirt, sun cream, make up and city pollution, while actually nourishing the skin. The oil turns into a milky wash, binding to the dirt, all the while nourishing and balancing the skin. I find that whenever I use it my skin feels cleaner, softer and it stops my skin feeling tight after follow up cleansing.
Best cleanser for dry and very dehydrated sensitive skin
Neal’s Yard Calendula Cleanser £17
This is a super rich, gentle cleansing cream which feels more like a moisturiser than a facial wash. It’s great for removing make up and especially good for really dry, sensitive skin types. The instructions suggest applying with cotton wool, but I massage it onto damp skin with my fingertips before rinsing well with warm water. It does leave skin beautifully moisturised, but undoubtedly it would be too rich for oily skin.
Best face wash for eczema prone skin and facial psoriasis
Pai Camellia & Rose Gentle Hydrating Cleanser £40
Pai products are developed especially with sensitive skin types in mind, and they’re particularly good for those with eczema and psoriasis, like me. This lovely, gentle cleanser includes oils from the camellia flower, for its concentration of vitamin E and omega 9, and rose for its healing and moisturising properties. It also includes a soft, non abrasive terry wash cloth.
Best face wash for sensitive acne prone skin
skyn ICELAND Glacial Face Wash $30 USD (or £25 via Marks & Spencer)
Alas skyn ICELAND no longer ships internationally (and nowhere in South America… sob sob!), so stock up when you’re next on your travels. In fact, this is a brilliant cleanser for travelling, or when you’ve been working (or partying) too hard. It includes white willow, a natural form of salicylic acid, which shrinks pores and soothes, making it great for oily or sensitive skin types in particular.
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