The Clinically Kind Cleanser That Finally Soothed My Sensitive Skin

Like so many people, acne was a consistent presence in my life throughout my teenage years and right into my 20s. Looking back, it was never really as bad as I thought it was, but my mind had other things to say and, in my desperation for clear skin, I took the "attack" approach to skin care. I'd chop and change my products daily, use chemical-packed cleansers, tone, exfoliate, exfoliate some more, and run far, far away from anything remotely oil-based.

Fed up with getting zero results from super-active products, I decided to do something radically different: listen more, and attack less.

It's amazing how quickly I was able to find solutions when I really heard what my skin was trying to tell me. I slowed my routine down and noticed my skin was tight, itchy, and, well, angry after daily cleansing and twice-weekly exfoliating. After a little research, I realized that the foaming cleansers and abrasive exfoliators I had been using were stripping my skin of all its oil—including the sebum that is essential to keeping the skin's acid mantle, the outermost protective layer of the skin, strong. As a result, my skin was super sensitive and dehydrated. And all those harsh ingredients I'd employed to "fix" my skin were actually leaving it more susceptible to bacteria and environmental stressors.

What makes the formula of this probiotic cleanser so unique is that it is powered by goat milk and probiotics. Goat milk has historically since been a proven remedy for eczema and sensitive skin. It nourishes and protects the skin's natural barrier, helping to balance the pH of the skin, control oils, clear pores, and provide long-lasting hydration. The probiotic-packed formulas act as an immunity boost to your skin like yogurt for your face...a stronger skin barrier = less reactive over time.

The "exfoliating" part of the cleanser felt like a red flag at first, but after doing a little research I discovered that lactic acid, the main exfoliator in the formula, is very different from the abrasive scrubs I had been using. Lactic acid is a hydrating alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) that helps slough away older, dull cells on the skin's surface by dissolving the bonds that hold them together. This speeds up cell turnover and stimulates cell renewal, leaving my skin with less congestion and more glow, without any irritation.

Since my new skin care regimen was all about slowing down and listening to my skin, I was all about the sensorial experience and the Beekman 1802 Milk Wash did not disappoint.

This beautiful cleanser starts as a jelly that you apply to a dry face. Once you add water, it transforms into a makeup-melting milk—it feels a little like an oil cleanser but lighter and somehow even more nourishing. It leaves my skin feeling soft, moisturized, and resurfaced, creating a clean, fresh canvas for my skin to soak up all the serums, moisturizers, and face oils I've learned to love. I haven't been wearing much makeup this year, but when I do have a full face for a night out, I use Beekman 1802's Buttermilk Makeup Melting Cleanser before the Milk Wash to ensure every bit of makeup is removed.

After just two weeks of cleansing with Beekman 1802's Milk Wash Exfoliating Jelly Cleanser, my skin felt clearer, bouncier, and brighter than it had in months. Not to mention, I've adopted Beekman 1802's Clinically Kind philosophy as my own, which means my skin care is high-performance and clinically proven but also lab-tested and safe for all skin types, even for my sensitive skin! It perfectly sums up how I'm approaching skin care as I enter the next phase of my sensitive skin journey.