Looking for a cruelty-free gentle face cleanser

April

Hello grooming experts!

I have long used Cetaphil gentle face cleanser for sensitive skin - it is great in that it can even get in your eyes without causing irritation.

I cannot, however, find any indication that the company is achieving this without animal testing, and I hate that they do not sell refills for their pump bottles.

What I cannot find: an equally mild, fragrance-free, non-foaming cleanser that comes in either a bar form or a refillable packaging. I don't want a scent, whether it's chamomile, tea tree oil, lavender, rose or any of those other "soothing" things. I have very dry, older skin - very sensitive to everything.

Any thoughts?

P.S. Also learned that my beloved Eucerin moisturizers, made by Beiersdorf, also uses animal testing. Need some replacements!

3 months ago

General

11 replies

Latest reply was from April

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Vanicream? That's what I use.

Amazon

Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser with Pump Dispenser | Fragrance, Gluten and Sulfate Free | For Sensitive Skin | 8 Fl Oz

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Top Pick

3 months ago

LaPed

Veteran

Paula’s Choice Calm Cleanser is my go-to. Very similar to Cetaphil — creamy and non-foaming. The whole Calm line is great — has done wonders for me over the past couple of years, mitigating “maskne” without stripping my skin of moisture.

https://www.paulaschoice.com/c.....-cleanser/

The brand itself is Leaping Bunny certified, but is also owned by Unilever now… a compromise, but as a person with sensitive skin I find I have to do a lot of that. Still looking for an alternative to Aveeno, to no avail.

3 months ago

cat2

Veteran

I like REN Evercalm Gentle Cleanser.

3 months ago

SarahD8

Veteran

Ethique makes bar cleansers but when I tried them a couple years ago I found them too soap-like.

I have been using Burt's Bees sensitive skin cream cleanser for quite a while -- gentle, reliable, non-foaming, cruelty free (same caveats that LaPed notes with paula's choice). Not the packaging that you want, though.

3 months ago

April

Veteran

Thank you all! Some good options here, as well as good caveats.

3 months ago

LaPed

Veteran

Oh! And re: bars, you might want to take a look at Drunk Elephant. Their Pekee and Juju Bars are the only solid facial cleansers that have come close to working for me (still a bit drying IME). Again, I think they got bought by a bigger company a few years ago.

3 months ago

kkards

Veteran

April- if I might, especially if you’re open to bars. ’m going to suggest you go local. If i remember correctly you’re in southern New England so I’m guessing that there are local soap makers and stores. You can tell them what your needs are and they can/will help you find what you need. Also they will often give samples or some will sell smaller bars to allow you to try before a big commitment.

I switch my body wash/Dove soap to an olive oil based bar from a local maker a couple of years ago and haven’t looked back.

3 months ago

April

Veteran

KK - what a great idea! Our local farmer's market (now closed until spring) includes a soap maker but there is also an organic co-op up the road that carries soap, candles, etc.

3 months ago

Style Fan

Veteran

KK makes a great point. I bought soap from a local soap maker to use for my body. Bar soap is too drying for my face.
I use Cetaphil and La Roche Posay Toleriane Dermo-Cleanser.

3 months ago

Joy

Veteran

I will try the non-foaming lotions I am still looking for a non-foaming shampoo. For years I have washed my hair with cream rinse as it does not foam but the beautition does not like it. I am allergic to any foaming product including tooth paste I order Spry from Amazon. The company who made my shampoo has added the foaming element. It was made from Kelp.

3 months ago

April

Veteran

Joy, Deva Curl's No Poo is free from lathering agents. You don't have to have curly hair to use it. Also Honey Gold Shampoo Bar (can't speak from experience on that one but it looks pretty promising.)

3 months ago

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