Many of the products on this list are designed to prevent irritation during body cleansing, but not all of them can provide the skin healing benefits of the Aveeno Restorative Skin Therapy wash when your skin is already damaged, irritated, or inflamed. With the usual “good skin” ingredients like glycerin and coconut-based cleansers—and none of the “bad skin” ingredients like sulfates, parabens, or dyes—this body wash stands up to its competitors and even offers a little more. Sodium Benzoate Helps maintain the shelf-life of the product, protecting it from bacteria, yeasts and molds. From there, be mindful of the other ingredients in products you use and make note of ones that seem to be personally irritating to you. This might include parabens, lanolins, and formaldehyde releasers. Finally, Dr. Zeichner recommends avoiding harsh exfoliators, both chemical and physical, because of their tendency to cause reactions.

Gel and foaming cleansers. These types of cleansers tend to be more drying than cream cleansers, says Dr. Mikailov, but that’s not a hard rule. If a gel or foaming cleanser is sulfate-free, doesn’t contain dyes or fragrances, and has a combination of moisturizing ingredients, you may still be able to use it. What it does: form a breathable seal over the surface of the skin to keep hydration in and environmental aggressors out Normally, you have to keep your face wash and your body wash separate when you have sensitive skin, but if you’re interested in taking a minimalist, all-in-one approach to your skin care, the La Roche-Posay Lipikar Wash might be what you need. It’s sulfate-free and non-comedogenic, so it won’t cleanse too harshly or clog your pores. It has both glycerin and shea butter to hydrate your skin, and it's made with La Roche-Posay’s patented Prebiotic Thermal Water, which can give your skin an extra boost of antioxidants. Prebiotics can also support your skin's natural microbiome. sodium benzoate helps maintain the shelf-life of the product, protecting it from bacteria, yeasts and molds.

They emphasized the importance of selecting body washes made without sulfates or irritating fragrances and dyes, as well as washes with common moisturizing ingredients, like glycerin and plant-based oils. Creamy and oil-based cleansers are best—but bar soaps and gels aren’t off the table, as long as they’re chosen with this same hypoallergenic criteria in mind. Consider body wash that’s full of plant-based oils and butters, like squalane, coconut oil, and jojoba oil as they mimic our skin’s natural oils,” says Dr. Mikailov. There are many types of formulations of body washes and cleansers, and while none of them are automatically bad for people with sensitive skin, there are a few that should be used with caution. Arm, hand and leg skin are often the first to show dryness as you age. Hair can make lotions and creams feel unpleasant so powerful ingredients in fast absorbing and easy to spread products work best. The same considerations apply to sunscreens - especially for the scalp.

I’m using your Spray sunscreen and I love it. It is easy to apply and stays on. Even when I’m fishing and in exposure that includes reflection of UV off water I don’t get burned. I keep some in my boat to reapply when I’m fishing. Carl All the dermatologists we spoke to recommended avoiding any kind of soap- or sulfate-based surfactant, since these are usually too harsh for people with sensitive skin. Coconut- or plant-based cleansers are usually milder. Cocamidopropyl Betaine An ingredient which helps to clean or remove dirt and Oil and can create foam when used with water.What exactly won’t you find in this body wash? Fragrances, dyes, parabens, sulfates, formaldehyde releasers, and more. It’s an unscented, soap-free cleanser that uses mild surfactants to remove dirt and glycerin to draw more water to the skin, leaving it soft and smooth. It’s a lightweight cream, so it lathers without stripping and drying out the skin; combined with its affordable price point and the fact that it can be used for kids and babies, too, Vanicream is an all-around reliable cleanser for sensitive skin.