Kiehl's Just Launched Their Mildest Cleanser for Sensitive Skin

Cleansing is a golden rule of skincare — but for some sensitive skin types, harsh cleansers can do more harm than good. Many people don’t realize that not all cleansers are created equally, and cleansers formulated with harsh additives and/or fragrances can lead to irritated, dry skin for some sensitive skin types.

As a result, it can seem like sensitive skin types are in a lose-lose situation with their cleansing routine. If you cleanse regularly with harsh formulas you risk irritating your delicate complexion, and if you skip cleansing (we don’t recommend this!) you could experience clogged pores, a rough skin texture, and even breakouts. If you’re tired of feeling like you’re stuck between a rock and a hard place when it comes to giving your skin a deep clean, you’ll be happy to find out that Kiehl’s just launched their mildest cleanser for sensitive skin: Kiehl’s Dermatologist Solutions Centella Sensitive Facial Cleanser. Read on for everything you need to know about this new cleanser for sensitive skin with centella asiatica!

What Is Centella Asiatica?

If you know what a cica cream is, chances are you’ve heard of centella asiatica. Also known as tiger grass, centella asiatica is a medicinal plant used in traditional Chinese medicine. In other words, this ingredient is certainly not new in the beauty sphere, but it has been getting much more notoriety as of late, especially with the rise of cica creams. Centella asiatica is traditionally used in formulas for its skin-soothing properties, and to help improve the skin barrier. It is most often found in cica creams, but can also be spotted in serums and cleansers as well. 

Kiehl’s Dermatologist Solutions Centella Sensitive Facial Cleanser

Sensitive skin types, rejoice! Kiehl’s has unveiled its mildest face wash to date. Centella Sensitive Facial Cleanser gently cleanses, soothes, and strengthens the skin barrier of sensitive skin. 

This pH-balanced cleanser gently removes dirt, oil, and impurities without causing any discomfort or leading to clogged pores. And for those of you who like to take the rinse-free approach (similar to a micellar water), we have more good news for you. This dual-use formula can act as a traditional cleanser, and as a no-rinse cleanser. It all depends on what you prefer.

To ease your mind even further, you’ll be happy to know that Centella Sensitive Facial Cleanser is also free of all fragrances, alcohols, soaps, and surfactants, and is non-comedogenic. It’s gentle enough for your delicate eye area, so you can gently remove stubborn eye makeup without worry.

In a consumer test of Centella Sensitive Facial Cleanser, 93.3 percent of subjects reported that the product felt gentle/mild immediately, and that after one week of use their skin texture felt smoother and more refined. Similarly, 88.9 percent of subjects reported that their skin did not feel stripped, taught, or tight, and that after one week of use their skin felt calmed and soothed.

Kiehl’s Dermatologist Solutions Centella Sensitive Facial Cleanser, $29 MSRP

Editor’s note: Want more centella asiatica in your skin care routine? Pair this cleanser with the Kiehl’s Dermatologist Solutions Centella Cica Cream. The formula D-Panthenol (also known as vitamin B3) as well as Madecassoside from centella asiatica—soothes, intensely moisturizes and strengthens the skin’s moisture barrier.