SkinCeuticals Soothing Cleanser Review

SkinCeuticals Soothing Cleanser is a soap-free foaming cleanser built around a 22% blend of soothing botanicals, including orchid and cucumber extract, aimed at compromised, sensitised or reactive skin. It's positioned for anyone managing redness, post-procedure sensitivity or rosacea-prone skin who needs a gentle wash that won't strip the skin barrier.

What it is

SkinCeuticals Soothing Cleanser is a 150ml foaming facial cleanser from the brand's core cleansing range, sitting alongside Simply Clean, Glycolic Renewal Cleanser and Gentle Cleanser. Where those three are built around exfoliating acids or an emollient cream base, Soothing Cleanser is formulated specifically to calm the skin while it cleanses, using a soap-free amilite surfactant system rather than harsher sulphates.

According to the product description, it dispenses as a rich foam that transforms into a comforting emulsion on contact with water, then rinses away without residue. Skintique has not independently tested the formula's foam texture or rinse-off feel; this description reflects the brand's own product copy.

Key ingredients

The formula centres on a 22% concentration of skin-soothing ingredients, per the brand's published product description:

• Sorbitol — a humectant that helps draw and hold moisture at the skin's surface.
• Glycerin — a well-established humectant that supports hydration during cleansing.
• Orchid extract — included in the soothing blend for its calming, conditioning properties.
• Cucumber extract — a botanical extract associated with a cooling, calming sensory effect.

The brand describes the surfactant base as an amino acid ('amilite') system, chosen to cleanse without the stripping effect of traditional soap-based or sulphate surfactants.

Who it's for

Per the brand's guidance, this cleanser is aimed at:

• Sensitive, dehydrated or reactive skin, including skin prone to blotchiness or visible redness
• Rosacea-prone and compromised skin that needs a low-irritation wash
• Skin recovering from in-clinic procedures such as chemical peels, IPL, non-ablative laser, microdermabrasion, microneedling or injectables
• Acne-prone or ageing skin where a gentle, soap-free cleanser is preferred over a stripping one

It's described as suitable for daily use and for all skin types, though its soothing focus makes it most relevant to anyone whose main concern is sensitivity or redness rather than oil control or exfoliation. Skin dealing with congestion, excess sebum or textural dullness is generally better matched to Simply Clean or Glycolic Renewal Cleanser.

How to use it

Dispense onto damp skin, massage gently across the face and neck to work the foam into an emulsion, then rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water. It's formulated for use morning and evening as the first step of a routine, before serums and moisturiser.

Soothing Cleanser vs Gentle Cleanser

Both are aimed at sensitive skin, but the format differs. Gentle Cleanser is a non-foaming cream cleanser built around a 3% blend of allantoin, glycerin and orange oil, designed for dry or very sensitive skin that doesn't tolerate foam well. Soothing Cleanser foams, carries a higher (22%) concentration of soothing botanicals, and is positioned more specifically around redness and post-procedure sensitivity. If skin is dry and foam-averse, Gentle Cleanser is the closer match; if the main concern is visible redness or reactivity with a normal-to-combination texture, Soothing Cleanser is the more targeted option.

Pairing with Redness Neutraliser

For skin where redness is the primary concern, SkinCeuticals pairs this cleanser with Redness Neutraliser, a leave-on serum formulated to target visible redness rather than cleanse. Used together, the cleanser removes the day's build-up without aggravating reactive skin, while the serum stays on to work through the rest of the routine. See our full Redness Neutraliser review for how the two fit into a redness-focused routine.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

If you're pregnant or breastfeeding, please contact our team for advice before use.

Frequently asked questions

Is SkinCeuticals Soothing Cleanser suitable for rosacea-prone skin?

It's formulated for sensitive, compromised and reactive skin, including skin prone to blotchiness and redness, and is soap-free to minimise stripping. If you have a diagnosed condition such as rosacea, it's worth checking with a dermatologist or our team before introducing a new cleanser, particularly around a flare.

Can I use it after a chemical peel or laser treatment?

The brand describes it as suitable for skin recovering from procedures including chemical peels, IPL, non-ablative laser, microdermabrasion, microneedling and injectables. Always follow your practitioner's specific aftercare instructions, which take priority over general product guidance.

Does it foam?

Yes. Unlike SkinCeuticals Gentle Cleanser, which is a non-foaming cream cleanser, Soothing Cleanser dispenses as a foam that turns into an emulsion as you massage it in.

How does it differ from Gentle Cleanser?

Gentle Cleanser is a cream-based, non-foaming formula for dry and very sensitive skin. Soothing Cleanser foams and carries a higher concentration of soothing botanicals, making it a closer match for normal-to-combination skin dealing with redness or reactivity rather than dryness alone.