Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel Gentle-Foaming Face Wash for Women and Men - Leaves Skin Feeling Smooth And Clean Review
Our verdict
Dermalogica's Special Cleansing Gel is a gentle foaming face wash built for all skin types, including sensitive skin, and its 4.7 star average across roughly 6,400 ratings makes it one of the most trusted cleansers in this entire lineup. At $49, it's priced like the professional grade product it's marketed as.
Check price on AmazonBest for
All skin types, including sensitive skin, looking for a professional grade gentle foaming cleanser with a strong, long standing reputation.
Skip if
You want a budget friendly daily cleanser, since this sits at the higher end of pricing in this category.
- Priced 145% above the category median ($19.99 across 238 tracked models)
Our scorecard
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Owner rating4.7/5
4.7 average across 6,400 owner ratings
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Popularity4.6/5
6,400 owner reviews, more than most models here
The overall score is owner satisfaction weighted by how many reviews back it, so a high rating from few reviews counts for less. The bars below show where this model stands against the other women's everyday face care: moisturizers, face mists, facial kits, rollers, cleansing brushes and steamers we track in this category on price, popularity and size. Context, not marks against it, and our read of the data, not a lab test.
Overview
This cleansing gel is formulated for all, normal and sensitive skin types, and it's built to wash away impurities without stripping or drying skin. Rosmarinus, better known as rosemary, is listed as the active ingredient, and Dermalogica describes the formula's calming agents as working to soothe and purify skin during cleansing.
Packaged in an 8.4 fluid ounce tube, it's positioned as an at home version of the professional grade skin care Dermalogica is known for in spas and salons. The formula is not tested on animals, which is a detail some buyers specifically look for, and it's meant to be a foundational daily step rather than a treatment product.
With around 6,400 ratings and a 4.7 star average, plus a steady stream of monthly purchases, this is the most reviewed and most actively purchased product in this batch. That combination of scale, rating and ongoing sales makes it a genuinely trusted, well established cleanser.
Pros
- 4.7 star average across roughly 6,400 ratings, the strongest showing in this batch
- Gentle enough for sensitive skin while still foaming
- Rosemary based active ingredient with calming agents
- Not tested on animals
- Steady, ongoing monthly purchase volume
Cons
- $49 price is among the highest in this lineup
- Foaming gels can feel less rich than cream cleansers for very dry skin
- Marketed as professional grade, which comes with a professional grade price tag
Performance notes
Rosmarinus, or rosemary, is the active ingredient in this formula, and it's paired with what Dermalogica describes as calming agents meant to soothe skin during the cleansing process. Because it's a gentle foaming gel rather than a heavily active treatment, it's designed to support the look of clean, balanced skin as a daily first step rather than to target specific concerns like acne or fine lines.
What buyers say
A 4.7 star average across roughly 6,400 ratings is an exceptionally strong and consistent result, especially at this scale. Combined with ongoing monthly purchases, it points to a cleanser that has earned lasting trust across a very large number of users.
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Frequently asked questions
Is this cleanser gentle enough for sensitive skin?
Yes, it's specifically formulated for all, normal and sensitive skin types, and it's built to clean without stripping or over drying. The calming agents in the formula are meant to support that gentler feel during use.
Does this gel foam up like a traditional face wash?
Yes, it's described as a gentle foaming face wash, so it lathers during use while still being formulated not to strip skin. That combination of foam and gentleness is part of why it's positioned for sensitive skin as well as normal and all skin types.
Why is this cleanser priced higher than typical drugstore options?
Dermalogica positions this as a professional grade formula, the kind used in spas and salons, which is reflected in the price. The large volume of ratings and ongoing monthly purchases suggest many buyers feel the price is justified by consistent results.