cleansers
The Rice Wash
While it utilizes gentle amino-acid surfactants and a skin-appropriate pH, it falls short of the gold standard due to the inclusion of fragrance and the absence of the 'Golden Ratio' of barrier lipids (ceramides, cholesterol, and fatty acids). At $40, it is significantly overpriced compared to clinical syndet cleansers that offer superior barrier protection without potential irritants.
Sources & References
More in Skincare
CeraVe
Hydrating Facial Cleanser
Contains ceramides and hyaluronic acid. Gentle, non-stripping, maintains skin barrier. Dermatologist-developed and recommended.
Differin
Adapalene Gel 0.1%
Only prescription-strength retinoid available OTC. FDA-approved for acne. Less irritating than tretinoin. Direct retinoic acid receptor binding—no conversion needed.
EltaMD
UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46
Widely considered the gold standard for sensitive and acne-prone skin, utilizing high-purity transparent zinc oxide combined with niacinamide to calm inflammation. It is one of the few sunscreens that consistently maintains a high-performance profile without triggering breakouts or leaving a heavy residue.
La Roche-Posay
Anthelios Melt-in Milk Sunscreen SPF 60
This product consistently achieves perfect scores in independent lab testing for actual SPF delivery versus labeled SPF. Its Cell-Ox Shield technology provides a potent antioxidant complex that mitigates free radical damage beyond just UV filtration.