When you have mature, dry, sensitive skin like mine, finding a great face wash that doesn’t strip your skin of precious natural oils and moisture is key. You also want it to be hydrating, gentle, sulfate- and fragrance-free, non-irritating and—for me—foaming. I’m not a fan of creamy cleansers that feel like you’re washing your face with a body lotion. (My skin just doesn’t feel clean unless my cleanser lathers up.) As a veteran beauty and health writer, I’ve tried a lot of different face washes, and I’m always on the lookout for a moisturizing foaming cleanser for dry skin. Finding the perfect one at long last was a happy accident.
A few weeks ago, I was chatting with a fellow beauty editor, Keydra Manns, about skincare—as we do. She had just been to the dermatologist and offered me a huge handful of those little freebie samples the doctor had given to her. It turned out that one of the itty-bitty tubes was Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser—and it was a game-changer. It was also a surprise in that Keydra (who is about 15 years my junior) felt the exact same way.
Scroll down for a further breakdown of why this tiny tube has become our mutual favorite face wash in just a few short weeks:
Cons
- Some may be sensitive or allergic to coconut-based surfactants in the formula.
- Contains mica, which might be irritating for some skin types.
| Key Ingredients | Glycerin, coco-glucoside, sodium cocoyle glycinate |
| Size | 8.5 fl oz |
How I tested
My over-50 skin is dry and sensitive, so a super-mild cleanser is the way to go. I don’t wash my face in the morning—I just rinse with ice cold water to wake up my skin, so I typically use a face wash at night, and I double cleanse with a gentle, water-based micellar cleanser (I like La Roche-Posay Toleriane Eau Micellaire) first to remove any makeup and mineral sunscreen, followed by a mild face wash, the Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser, to get rid of any remaining residue without stripping my skin barrier.
Lathering up.
What I liked
Despite first impressions, this slightly pearlescent, water-based gel cleanser frothed up to a lather so well and cleansed my face in a super satisfying way. My skin felt hydrated, but totally clean (non-foaming cleansers often make me feel like I have a residue of lotion on my skin). The coconut-based cleansing surfactants (coco-glucoside and sodium cocyl glycinate on the ingredients list are naturally derived from coconut oil) are gentle but still create a luxe foam. The second ingredient on the list (after water) is glycerin, a tried-and-true humectant that brings more moisture to the skin. As with all my skincare products, I appreciate that this one is fragrance-free. It’s also free of dyes, parabens, and other preservatives.
When I ran into Keydra at work a week later, she raved about the cleanser, too (I was surprised that she loved it as much as I did, since she’s at least 15 years younger than I am). Keydra’s skin is normal but very dry in the wintertime, when she gets occasional breakouts. Her take: “The reason I went to a dermatologist was for a customized solution that would get my skin tone even and to stop breakouts. This cleanser took off my makeup but didn’t irritate or dry out my skin. Other fancy formulas with a lot of active ingredients tend to break me out, and that triggers hyperpigmentation.”
We both went ahead and bought full sized versions after using up her derm’s samples for a whopping $11 online (it’s currently on sale for under $10). Another huge plus.
What I didn’t
I didn’t even know Vanicream made anything but a medical-looking body cream, and the packaging isn’t particularly swanky or sexy. It looks like something your dermatologist gave you, which, I guess it was. Regardless of outside appearances, the cleanser ticked every box in my must-haves.
The bottom line
My goal with a mild face wash is simple: I need it to effectively clean my sensitive, mature skin without drying it out. This dermatologist-approved cleanser does just that—and foams up enough to feel like it’s really doing something! Receiving rave reviews from two women with different skin types makes this gentle face wash a real win-win in my book.
STOCK UP ON VANICREAM NOW
is an editor, copywriter, and professional skincare junkie. Her work has been featured in Cosmopolitan, Harper’s Bazaar, Oprah Daily, Allure, Marie Claire, and more. Follow Gina on Instagram.
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