If your skin turns red at the sight of cleanser, it’s time to add one of the best face washes for sensitive skin to your cart. For sensitive skin, a cleanser’s formula can make the difference between a soft, comfortable complexion and a dry, stripped one. Look for soothing actives, a gentle foam, and a cleanser free of unnecessary irritants (looking at you, synthetic fragrances!).

So, if you've struggled with dryness, redness, flakiness, tightness, and/or straight-up pain post-cleansing, it's high time to switch to something more suitable for your skin.

The good news? You don’t have to sacrifice results for a gentler cleanse. Read on for the best tried-and-true face washes for sensitive skin, as tested by Allure editors and recommended by board-certified dermatologists.