How I Cleanse Without Irritating Sensitive, Reactive Skin

If you’ve ever tried a “gentle” cleanser that left your skin stinging, tight, or inflamed, you're not alone. At my clinic, I see this all the time—especially in clients with reactive skin who are doing everything right but still dealing with irritation.

One of the first things I look at in these cases is the cleansing routine. Because no matter how advanced your actives or how expensive your moisturizer, if the foundation is inflamed? Nothing is going to sit right.

That’s why I love using and recommending the Epicutis Cleansing Essentials Set. It’s a two-step system that supports your skin barrier while gently removing what you don’t want on your skin—like makeup, sunscreen, pollution, and excess oil—without taking the good stuff with it.

Let’s Talk Ingredients That Actually Help Reactive Skin

Reactive skin isn’t just sensitive—it’s unpredictable. Which means every ingredient matters. Here are a few reasons why this cleansing set is so effective:

Hyvia (Biotech-Enhanced Chia Seed Oil)
Hyvia is a proprietary form of chia seed oil that’s clinically proven to reduce inflammation and deeply hydrate. In my experience, when skin is reactive, this is the kind of ingredient that can make a visible difference in calmness and comfort within just a few uses.

Hinoki Wood Oil
This extract from Japanese cypress is naturally calming, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory. It helps reduce background redness and brings skin back to baseline faster after a flare.

Sunflower Seed Oil
Loaded with linoleic acid and vitamin E, this non-comedogenic oil supports barrier strength while keeping skin soft and hydrated. It’s one of my go-to oils for compromised or sensitive skin.

Laziza’s Pro Tips for Cleansing Reactive Skin

1. Start with the Oil Cleanser on dry skin. This melts away makeup and sunscreen without disrupting your barrier.

2. Rinse gently with lukewarm water—hot water can worsen inflammation.

3. Follow with the Enzyme Cleanser at night if you’ve been outdoors, sweating, or wearing SPF/makeup. Otherwise, skip it in the morning.

4. Don’t use physical scrubs, brushes, or textured cloths. They can create microtears and worsen reactivity.

5. Follow with a calming serum or moisturizer that supports hydration and barrier function.

Why This Matters

Most people don’t associate their cleanser with their flare-ups—but it’s often the silent culprit. At my NYC clinic, I always start by rebuilding the skin’s tolerance—and that starts with how you cleanse. When I switched clients to the Epicutis Cleansing Essentials Set, I noticed reduced redness, better product absorption, and fewer barrier-related reactions across the board.

If you’re navigating reactive skin and not sure where to start—or if you’re stuck in a cycle of flaring and calming—book a virtual or in-person consultation. We’ll figure out what’s triggering your skin and create a step-by-step plan to get it back to balanced.