The right cleanser can make a major difference in facial redness. If you’re looking to calm your complexion, here’s our guide to the best face washes for redness.
Our Recommendations
1. Oat Cleansing Balm
The Inkey List Face Wash for Daily Cleansing
The Inkey List Oat Cleansing Balm
This calming, gentle cleansing balm helps wash away makeup, sunscreen, and other impurities on the skin without causing irritation. It’s the perfect product to use as the first step in a double cleansing routine.
This affordable cleansing balm contains oat kernel oil and colloidal oatmeal. These ingredients support the skin’s moisture barrier, minimize redness, and soothe irritation, making the balm a particularly great choice for sensitive skin. The thicker consistency of the balm is great for helping to get rid of all traces of makeup and sunscreen from the day.
Pros
- Gentle and soothing
- Fragrance-free
- Vegan and cruelty-free
Cons
- Some reviewers complain about the thicker consistency
- May not be suitable for acne-prone skin
In addition to the ingredients mentioned above, this gentle face wash contains additional oils that hydrate and nourish the skin, including sweet almond oil and sunflower seed oil.
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil, Cetearyl Alcohol, PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Oil, Candelilla Cera (Cire de candelilla), Silica,Sorbitan Stearate, Tribehenin, PEG-60 Almond Glycerides, Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Flour, Aqua (Water/Eau), Benzyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Lecithin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Tocopherol, Biosaccharide Gum-4, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil
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National Center for Biotechnology Information. "Anti-Inflammatory and Skin Barrier Repair Effects of Topical Application of Some Plant Oils"
Accessed Nov. 9, 2021.
2. Ultra-Calming Foaming Facial Cleanser
Aveeno Face Wash for Daily Cleansing
Aveeno Ultra-Calming Foaming Facial Cleanser
This gentle foaming cleanser was formulated with sensitive skin in mind. It helps effectively cleanse while reducing irritation and minimizing redness.
This gentle cleanser contains feverfew (chrysanthemum parthenium (feverfew) extract), a natural ingredient that is related to chamomile, which calms the skin. Additional ingredients cleanse the skin while minimizing irritation so that the skin feels soothed and balanced.
Pros
- Gentle
- Fragrance-free
- Non-comedogenic
- Hypoallergenic
Cons
- May not be suitable for acne-prone skin
This hypoallergenic cleanser is free of ingredients that commonly irritate sensitive skin, including fragrances and soap.
Water, glycerin, cocamidopropyl betaine, decyl glucoside, citric acid, ppg-2 hydroxyethyl cocamide, peg-16 soy sterol, polysorbate 20, disodium lauroamphodiacetate, phenoxyethanol, butylene glycol, sodium coco pg-dimonium, chloride phosphate, sodium citrate, tetrasodium EDTA, methylparaben, xanthan gum, propylparaben, ethylparaben, propylene glycol, chrysanthemum parthenium (feverfew) extract, sodium cocoyl amino acids, sarcosine, potassium aspartate, magnesium aspartate, sodium hydroxide
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National Center for Biotechnology Information. "Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium L.): A systematic review"
Accessed Aug. 24, 2021.
3. Calm Redness Relief Cleanser
Paula's Choice Face Wash for Daily Cleansing
Paula’s Choice Calm Redness Relief Cleanser for Normal to Dry Skin
If you’re struggling with redness, this calming cleanser will help soothe the skin while gently cleansing away dirt and debris.
This milky cleanser is super gentle on the skin and easy to rinse off, so it won’t cause any further redness. It contains plant extracts and other replenishing ingredients that hydrate and soothe the skin. Additionally, this cleanser was made to be gentle enough for those prone to rosacea.
Pros
- Fragrance-free
- Gentle
- Moisturizing
Cons
- May not be suitable for acne-prone skin
Two of the key soothing and hydrating ingredients in this gentle cleanser are chamomile extract and aloe leaf juice.
Water, Sodium Laureth Sulfate (cleansing), Glycol Stearate (texture-enhancing), Methyl Gluceth-20 (emollient), Glyceryl Stearate (texture-enhancing), Hydroxyethylcellulose (texture-enhancing), Chamomilla Recutita Matricaria Flower Extract (chamomile/skin-soothing), Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice (hydration/skin-soothing), Cocamidopropyl Betaine (cleansing), Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate (cleansing), Sodium Hyaluronate (hydration/skin replenishing), Sodium PCA (hydration/skin replenishing), Caprylyl Glycol (preservative), Hexylene Glycol (preservative), Propylene Glycol (hydration), Citric Acid (pH balancer), Phytic Acid (stabilizer), Phenoxyethanol (preservative).
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National Center for Biotechnology Information. "Anti-Inflammatory and Skin Barrier Repair Effects of Topical Application of Some Plant Oils"
Accessed Aug. 5, 2021. -
National Center for Biotechnology Information. "Pharmacological attribute of Aloe vera: Revalidation through experimental and clinical studies"
Accessed Aug. 5, 2021.
4. Resist Perfectly Balanced Foaming Cleanser
Paula's Choice Face Wash for Daily Cleansing
Paula’s Choice Resist Perfectly Balanced Foaming Cleanser
This cream-to-foam cleanser is gentle on the skin, but still effectively removes excess oil and debris. It contains replenishing ingredients that balance moisture levels and leave the skin feeling soft and balanced.
People with oily to normal skin need a cleanser that effectively cleanses without stripping the skin of its natural moisture (which can actually trigger the production of more oil). This cleanser is formulated to gently cleanse while still maintaining moisturized skin.
Pros
- Fragrance-free
- Gentle
- Lightweight
Cons
- Some reviewers noted it irritated their skin
One of the key ingredients in this cleanser is hyaluronic acid, which helps the skin retain moisture. It also contains ceramides, which work to restore the moisture barrier and strengthen the skin. Aloe also helps calm sensitive skin and reduce redness.
Water (Aqua), Sodium Lauroamphoacetate, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate (cleansing), Stearic Acid (texture-enhancing), Glycerin (hydration/skin replenishing), Glycol Distearate (texture-enhancing), Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil (non-fragrant antioxidant plant oil), Acrylates Copolymer, Cetearyl Alcohol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP (hydration/skin replenishing), Phytosphingosine (skin-restoring), Phospholipids, Sphingolipids (hydration/skin replenishing), Lecithin (skin-restoring), Arginine (amino acid/hydration/skin replenishing), Cholesterol (hydration/skin replenishing), Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract (hydration/skin-soothing), Disodium EDTA (stabilizer), Sodium Chloride (stabilizer), Sodium Hydroxide (pH adjuster), Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate (texture-enhancing), Xanthan Gum, Carbomer (texture-enhancing), Hexylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol (preservatives), Caprylyl Glycol.
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Accessed Jul. 30, 2021.
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National Center for Biotechnology Information. "Skin hydration is significantly increased by a cream formulated to mimic the skin's own natural moisturizing systems"
Accessed Jul. 30, 2021.
FAQs
What is the best face wash for sensitive skin prone to redness?
The Inkey List Oat Cleansing Balm, the Aveeno Ultra-Calming Foaming, and the Paula’s Choice Calm Redness Relief Cleanser for Normal to Dry Skin are also excellent face washes for sensitive skin that experiences redness.
What is the best drugstore face wash for redness?
If you’re looking for a drugstore face wash for redness, try the Aveeno Ultra-Calming Foaming Facial Cleanser. Another option to check out is The Inkey List Oat Cleansing Balm. While it isn’t actually sold at drugstores, this product is super affordable.
What is the best face wash for red, oily skin?
A great cleanser to check out is the Paula’s Choice Resist Perfectly Balanced Foaming Cleanser. This lightweight cleanser thoroughly whisks away excess oil and debris without stripping the skin of its natural moisture or causing irritation. It also features a blend of ingredients that soothe the skin and calm redness.
The Bottom Line
Redness can be tricky to manage, but using an expertly formulated face wash can make a huge impact. If you deal with redness, consider trying one of our recommended cleansers in your routine.
