Olay • Sensitive Skin Foaming Face Wash • Cleansers

rated 4.0(452 reviews)

Average Rating.4.0
Would buy this product again.74%
Package Quality4.0
Price1.9
Ingredients

rated 5 of 5 mandyja on 1/10/2011 9:28:00 PM more reviews by mandyja

Age: 19-24   Skin: Sensitive, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

After months of using this cleanser I feel I can write an honest review. I have very sensitive skin meaning most cleansers will either burn, strip my skin of all moisture, or cause some sort of reaction/break out.
I have acne prone skin-but I was looking for something very basic and gentle that would still remove the gunk/makeup off my face every night.

This is a very gentle cleanser that removes all of my makeup and makes my face feel fresh and clean after use. It is everything I have been searching for in a cleanser. Before this I tried cream cleansers such as Cetaphil and Ceravae-neither of those removed my makeup(I thought it was) which resulted in even more breakouts. I have also tried other foaming cleansers that dried me out horribly and made my face turn very red/irritated.

My skin isn't blemish free-but it has really improved in texture and less breakouts since using this cleanser. I think because it is thoroughly removing my makeup without irritating, I am breaking out less and my face glows much more than before.

Now that it's winter, I am getting dry after cleansing-but that isn't a drawback for me because I know it's the weather making me more dry. A good moisturizer solves the problem.

This can be found for $3-4 dollars. Great deal!

I have and will repurchase!!

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

rated 5 of 5 princesstabitha on 12/24/2010 1:35:00 PM more reviews by princesstabitha

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination, Dark, Warm   Hair: Black, Curly, Coarse   Eyes: Brown    

I LOVE THIS PRODUCT TOO IT'S SO CREAMY =)

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rated 4 of 5 kelley76 on 12/24/2010 1:07:00 PM more reviews by kelley76

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Green    

I love this cleanser!It was a Paulas pick in her book'Dont go to the cosmetics counter without me',and now its my favorite.It's gentle yet effective,removing all traces of makeup.My second fave is another Paulas pick,Clean & clears sensitive skin face wash(the yellow formula)if olay isn't available then I get this one....

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rated 2 of 5 aletheis on 12/20/2010 2:29:00 PM more reviews by aletheis

Age: 25-29   Skin: Acne-prone, Olive, Warm   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

I decided to try this cleanser solely because it was cheap. It sat in my closet for awhile, as I sought help from a dermatologist for repeated break-outs & possible rosacea. While there, I asked if this cleanser would be good, he said that he liked it a lot, so I should go ahead and use it.

The packaging is a pump - I prefer tubes, as it's easier to get all the product out. However, I haven't noticed any leaks or anything.

The good things:
* Unscented, so even if you have raw areas of skin, the product won't burn those areas.
* It does seem to remove makeup completely.
* You don't need a ton of product to wash your face/neck (but see below)

The bad:
* Why do they call this "foaming face wash" when it doesn't foam? It's tough even to work up a lather.
* It smells like plastic, which is unpleasant. However, I guess I prefer that over added fragrance that would irritate my skin. However, I'm not sure whether this plastic scent is in itself an attempt to cover up the scent of the cleanser (you know what I mean - many 'unscented' products still try to mask the raw scent of the soap).
* Leaves a perceptible film on the face, which is somewhat unsettling.
* I could understand leaving a film if this cleanser were in any way moisturizing. However, it isn't at all! I get bad dry patches on my face after using, and I don't suffer from that with other cleansers.
* Exacerbates any red areas of my face, including blemishes. This is not the case with all cleansers (was using Erno Laszlo's black soap, which calmed my skin wonderfully).

My skin really doesn't like this cleanser. It's supposed to like it, but I don't even think I can finish this bottle. I wouldn't repurchase this.

3 out of 4 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

rated 4 of 5 calena on 12/14/2010 6:40:00 PM more reviews by calena

Age: 25-29   Skin: Acne-prone, Medium, Warm   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

I have acne-prone/oily skin, and currently using RAM every night. I use a makeup remover, then use a cleanser to wash away residue or makeup that the remover might leave behind. I used this cleanser for a good two weeks, and it truly is wonderful. I don't feel any residue left behind after washing with this, and my skin feels clean, but never tight or dry. HOWEVER, it clogs my pores. Must be one of the oil free moisturizers it contains. I still highly recommend this to anyone with dry or sensitive skin. I also recommend this to anyone who is using a prescription medication (RAM, Differin, Accutane, etc.), as it is very gentle on the skin.

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rated 4 of 5 FlyLikeAG6 on 11/22/2010 3:44:00 PM more reviews by FlyLikeAG6

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Brown, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

So, bit of a background on me... oily t-zone, dry cheeks, relatively acne free but have clogged pores. I only cleanse at night (simply rinse in the mornings) because I've found that my skin is way more manageable. I usually use a "stronger" cleanser, but I like keeping a gentle cleanser around for days when I wear little/no makeup.


I was looking for a new gentle cleanser and saw that Olay's Foaming Face Wash for Sensitve Skin had really high ratings, so I picked it up. I love the pump bottle, so that's a definite plus (sometimes it is hard to pump the stuff out though, but it isn't bad). And of course the price is great. I can't think of a better product for a similar cheap price. This cleanser does it's job well. It is definitely gentle and definitely cleans. I haven't used this when I've worn a lot of makeup, but I'm sure with a little extra it would work just fine. I can't say this cleanser foams up really well. It is more like a soft gel, but it works just fine. Besides, I don't like products that foam a whole lot.


My only issue with this stuff is pretty much what others have already mentioned - the film it leaves behind. For me, it isn't a real problem because I always apply my night cream after cleansing, so the film doesn't make my face dry. But even if I go an hour after cleansing before applying my cream, there's just the lightest filmy feeling leftover. It isn't bad, but I'm just not used to that. Sometimes I think that there's a film leftover because it doesn't cleanse enough, so I grab some toner, and there's absolutely no trace of makeup or dirt left, so I know it cleanses very well. But honestly, I haven't found a gentle cleanser that doesn't leave some sort of film behind, so I suppose it is a very small price to pay to keep your face from overdrying. I just don't think I could use this cleanser everyday, but I like having it around and will repurchase. I would recommend this to someone who doesn't have a favorite DS cleanser who wants something gentle for everyday, or someone like myself who already has a fav but likes to switch it up every few days.

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rated 3 of 5 *TOP REVIEWER* Jmberry on 11/20/2010 10:23:00 AM more reviews by Jmberry

Age: 25-29   Skin: Oily, Fair, Cool   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

I bought this after seeing it recommended often on the skin board. I'm always looking for a gentle cleanser that removes makeup and doesn't break me out. In that respect, this cleanser was good. It does a good job removing makeup, including mascara. I do wish it foamed up a bit more but that's a personal preference. I have oily skin and I think foaming cleansers do a better job at keeping that under control. This cleanser is pretty creamy. Also, the tube packaging that I bought was irritating. It became very hard to squeeze out the product the more I used it. This does come in a pump bottle also so if I were to repurchase I would get that one. I also agree with some other reviewers that this seemed to live a film behind. I always felt like it never rinsed cleanly enough. Decent cleanser, just not perfect for me. If you have normal or dry sensitive skin you would probably love this.

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rated 5 of 5 hawle on 11/20/2010 12:44:00 AM more reviews by hawle

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Dry, Fair, Cool   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Coarse   Eyes: Brown    

This cleanser takes makeup off beautifully(even waterproof mascara) while being gentle on my skin and containing no scary ingredients or any smell at all. It's a thick, swirly white cream that feels very silky against your skin while you cleanse. My dry skin feels hydrated and silky smooth after cleansing with this product, and it doesn't leave behind oil, shine, or film. It doesn't sting my eyes while I rub off my eye makeup either. I have been using this same cleanser for years and years and I have no intentions of trying anything else. The pump container is handy and sanitary. It's also very easy to pick this product up at your local pharmacy or grocery store. You simply cannot get any better than this. And for around $4? It's truly one of my most loved HG products. I will continue to repurchase this over and over again, because it's absolutely perfect.

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rated 5 of 5 becky129 on 11/19/2010 10:26:00 AM more reviews by becky129

Age: 44-55   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair, Neutral   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Green    

For reference, I have combo/oily, sensitive, clog prone skin.

I've tried lots of cleansers, but have finally settled on Olay Foaming for Sensitive Skin. Be sure to get the sensitive skin version, since it has no perfumes.


*It completely removes my makeup, even mascara.
*It does not sting my eyes.
*It does not leave my skin feeling stripped and dry afterwards.
*It washes clean and does not leave residue on my face.
*It comes in a convenient pump bottle.
*It is very reasonably priced.


I've been using this for over a year and have no plans to switch. HG for me.

17 out of 17 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

rated 5 of 5 *TOP REVIEWER* XoXoSinCity on 11/17/2010 2:18:00 AM more reviews by XoXoSinCity

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair, Cool   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Hazel    

Finally found a gentle creamy cleanser to use at night to just wash off light makeup/spf and leave my combo skin balanced yet still wash off clean unlike every creamy/milky cleanser on the planet I have tried and ende dup with clogged pores/breakouts/a film left behind. This is simply the perfect balance for me at night as oppsoed to my stronger AHA/BHA Gel Cleanser I use in the morning to keep my breakout prone skin clear/always exfolaited. No long review on this one as I coudl rave on all day as to how happy I am to finally find something simple, cheap, gentle and purely that just WORKS for my super fussy skin. Don't hesitate to try this as after all the moeny I have spent of expensive cleansers shocked to finally run across a drug store item that doesn't ruin my skin/delivers on it's promises!!! :)

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rated 4 of 5 *TOP REVIEWER* rockangel04 on 11/16/2010 10:02:00 PM more reviews by rockangel04

Age: 25-29   Skin: Oily, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Blond, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Blue    

My new HG face wash...love how gentle yet effective this is. I have oily skine in the T-zone and cheaks and i'm dry in other areas so it's hard to find the perfect thing for my face sometimes. The doesn't strip my skin of natural moisture and it doesn't make me any more oily either; in fact I think it's help with the over abundance of oil I used to have . I'm also on some acne meds so this is great, it cleanses without being to harsh. It works well with taking of my makeup too, I use a toner after and I don't ever see any left over makeup on the cotton ball. It's better than any other face wash I've used high end and drug store...

EDIT: When I was using this I was switching back and forth between this and a noxema face wash. I was assuming this was what was being the most effective. So I stopped using the noxema for a bit and noticed my face turned back into a huge oil slick. Once I started back with the noxema my oil production reduced greatly. This is still a nice gentle face wash and would recommend to those without many skin issues but I think it's a little too gentle for me. I use this rarely now if I feel like my skin has really dried out which it about once a week.

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rated 4 of 5 missdana on 11/16/2010 3:09:00 PM more reviews by missdana

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Other    

I always go back to this cleanser. I get a good clean wash without over drying. Last a long time too.

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rated 1 of 5 monicameowmeoww on 11/10/2010 3:26:00 PM more reviews by monicameowmeoww

Age: 19-24   Skin: Sensitive, Fair-Medium, Cool   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Hazel    

this cleanser is so weird.. when you pump it out it feels like cum in your hands! and that feeling doesnt go away either. it barely foams and just feels really gross and makes my skin really oily and has that thick filmy feel yuckkk!

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rated 4 of 5 *TOP REVIEWER* thevnilly on 10/29/2010 2:26:00 AM more reviews by thevnilly

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Neutral   Hair: Blond, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Green    

I've been experiencing stress/hormonal breakouts lately, so I started looking at older, clearer skin pictures of myself trying to remember what I used back then. I suddenly remembered it was this cleanser & rushed out to get it again. I assume I only stopped using it back then due to boredom. Big mistake!

I only use it at night with my Clarisonic, but so far it seems to have helped soothe my breakouts & promote healing. I've been trying to simplify my skincare routine, as I'm sometimes prone to overdoing it & I think this cleanser is a great simple option.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

rated 5 of 5 *TOP REVIEWER* departureofskies on 10/16/2010 6:05:00 PM more reviews by departureofskies

Age: 19-24   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair, Warm   Hair: Blond, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Blue    

I hereby revoke all my former HG cleansers---this is the love of my life. I recently started using Retin-A Micro which is really drying so I needed a more gentle cleanser. I did my usual stalking of MUA and stumbled upon this and figured I usually like Olay products so why not. Best decision ever. It's moisturizing and foamy and cheap ($3.50 at Walmart!) and basically I want to marry it. I use a makeup remover wipe before I use this at night so I can't comment on makeup removal abilities. I imagine it would do well as long as you aren't wearing something like Colorstay which requires a hammer and chisel to remove. The best part is it really helps minimize the flakiness I get from Retin-A. My skin hasn't looked this good in a long time.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

rated 5 of 5 *TOP REVIEWER* ColdFire on 10/16/2010 1:06:00 PM more reviews by ColdFire

Age: 19-24   Skin: Oily, Fair, Neutral   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

This is my favorite cleanser! I've tried lots of acne washes and scrubs, then moved on to sensitive skin washes, and this one is by far the best. I'd read that soap-free washes were better for acne-prone skin, so I decided to give it a try because of the good reviews and the price.
It lathers a little slowly for me but it works so well to clean off my makeup, I can even get it near my eyes and it doesn't sting or irritate them. Like other reviews have said, it doesn't leave my skin tight or dry at all. Even with my oily, acne-prone skin, it doesn't dry out my skin or give it too much moisture, it really is just right. :)
I will buy this again and again, it is an amazing wash.

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rated 5 of 5 DVick on 10/3/2010 10:06:00 PM more reviews by DVick

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Cool   Hair: Brown, Straight   Eyes: Green    

I have been using this cleanser for about a month, I have already repurchased another one. I love it! I use this cleanser twice a day with my Clarisonic. My acne and my acne scars have reduced dramatically! The price is also amazing for this cleanser. I am in love!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

rated 5 of 5 spinthedeck on 10/1/2010 2:57:00 PM more reviews by spinthedeck

Age: 30-35   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

LOVE this stuff! It's cheap ($5 retail), free of oil, fragrance, dyes & drying soap & effectively removes makeup w/o overdrying. There are always coups in the paper for Olay facial cleansers so you can usually get this for $3 or $4 & a little goes a long way, making it a definite bargain buy. It's simply a little workhorse of a cleanser at a fabulous price!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

rated 5 of 5 Sweetnessismyweakness on 9/20/2010 8:58:00 PM more reviews by Sweetnessismyweakness

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Fair   Hair: Blond, Curly, Coarse   Eyes: Hazel    

I used to think a product wasn't good if it wasn't expensive and I have spent hundreds and hundreds of dollars looking for the perfect face wash. I have to name at least a few brands I have used b/c I want to stress that this Olay face wash is serisouly as good or better than so many high end brands - Bliss, Kiehls, Mario Badescu, Skinceuticals, Derma Doctor, DDF, Estee Lauder, Ole Henriskin, and probably many others that I can't remember. Please give this wash a try, if you don't like it, you're only about at most 5 dollars. Honestly, it even feels high end, it lathers wonderfully, smells delightful, moisturizers my face - it never feels tight after I wash and best of all it removes all of my make up.

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rated 5 of 5 Elina24 on 8/28/2010 8:12:00 AM more reviews by Elina24

Age: 30-35   Skin: Sensitive, Fair, Cool   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

I have been using this for 3 months now and I love it ! I use this in the morning to wash my face. It creates a nice lather, yet isn't drying at all. I follow up with my Olay toner and moisturizer and this combo works great. I would be using this at night as well, but I love the Daily Facials cleansing cloths just a bit more for taking off the last traces of make up. So this is a morning-only product for me. Comes in a bottle of 200ml with a pump. Right about now I would be telling you that I will def be repurchasing this again and again but like every other product that I love = it is not available in my country.So I have to rely on great MUA swappers to send me some. Luckily I always find sweet girls on here who will help me out !

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