Finding a cleanser for contact dermatitis can be very difficult and even if you do find one, it can still cause contact dermatitis.

Now if you know your condition very well, contact dermatitis occurs because of an allergic reaction to an ingredient or substance present in products.

So you will need to get a patch test to see what ingredients you’re allergic to before buying skincare products.

When choosing cleansers, make sure they are dye-free, lanolin-free, paraben-free, fragrance-free, formaldehyde-free, botanical extract-free, gluten-free, and essential oil-free.

This list is very small because there are not many cleansers that can be used for contact dermatitis.

This is a cleanser that is commonly recommended by people with contact dermatitis mainly because of its simplicity and minimal ingredients.

Pros:

• It helps remove makeup and excess skin oils without drying your skin.

• It is dye-free, fragrance-free, lanolin-free, paraben-free, non-greasy, formaldehyde-free, won’t clog pores, gluten-free, and botanical extract-free.

Cons:

• None.

What ingredients does it contain?

Purified water, glycerin, coco-glucoside, sodium cocoyl glycinate, acrylates copolymer, caprylyl glycol, mica, sodium chloride, 1,2-hexanediol, titanium dioxide, sodium hydroxide, disodium EDTA.

Cetaphil is another cleanser you can try using if you have contact dermatitis. It is ideal for normal to dry/dehydrated sensitive skin and has minimal ingredients.

Pros:

• This cleanser defends the skin from roughness, tightness, dryness, irritation, and a weakened skin barrier.

• It removes dirt, sunscreen makeup, and impurities.

• It is formulated without fragrance, soap, parabens, or sulfates, and is non-comedogenic and hypoallergenic.

Cons:

• None.

What ingredients does it contain?

Water, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Panthenol, Niacinamide, Pantolactone, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Sodium Benzoate, Xanthan Gum, and Citric Acid.

The Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Hydrating Cleanser is another cleanser just like the Vanicream and Cetaphil ones.

Pros:

• It gently removes excess oil, dirt, sunscreen, and makeup, making your skin feel clean and moisturized daily.

• Cleanses away oil, grime, dirt, impurities, and bacteria.

• It is non-comedogenic, hypoallergenic, and free from fragrances, parabens, and dyes.

Cons:

• None.

What ingredients does it contain?

Water, Glycerin, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Cetearyl Glucoside, Caprylyl Glycol, Carbomer, Sodium Hydroxide, Cetearyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol.

The CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser is another option for people with contact dermatitis.

Pros:

• It gently removes dirt, oil, and makeup without leaving skin tight or dry.

• It continuously releases moisturizing ingredients for all-day hydration.

• It contains ceramides and hyaluronic acid.

• It is non-comedogenic, non-irritating, and fragrance-free.

Cons:

• None.

What ingredients does it contain?

WATER, GLYCERIN, CETEARYL ALCOHOL, PEG-40 STEARATE, STEARYL ALCOHOL, POTASSIUM PHOSPHATE, CERAMIDE NP, CERAMIDE AP, CERAMIDE EOP, CARBOMER, GLYCERYL STEARATE, PHENOXYETHANOL, DISODIUM EDTA, DIPOTASSIUM PHOSPHATE, BEHENTRIMONIUM METHOSULFATE, CETYL ALCOHOL, POLYSORBATE 20, ETHYLHEXYLGLYCERIN.

The Spectro Gel cleanser is another cleanser that should be suitable for people with contact dermatitis.

Pros:

• Penetrates pores to remove dirt, oil, and bacteria that can cause acne.

• It is gentle, non-irritating, pH balanced, and non-comedogenic.

• It is free from dyes, sodium, fragrance, sulfates, parabens, and lanolin.

Cons:

• None.

What ingredients does it contain?

Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Polysorbate 20, Cetyl Alcohol, Hydrated Silica, PEG-12 Dimethicone, Diazolidinyl Urea, Carbomer, Triethanolamine, Sorbitan Oleate.

We recommend going with Vanicream, Cetaphil, or Cerave.